Diving enthusiasts have no doubt heard of Belize, a sliver of land bordered by Mexico in the north and Guatemala to the west, for its spectacular barrier reef. The Caribbean reefs, located on the eastern side of the island, offers endless walls and undulating coral ridges. It stretches a few hundred kilometers and comes second in size only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The country's charm, however, is not limited to below the watermark. The myriad variety of landscapes, numerous Mayan sites and tropical flora, fauna and exotic wildlife make this tiny English-speaking country irresistible to visitors.
Like many divers and snorkelers, we stayed at Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest and most developed offshore island. The northern end is nuzzled against the Yucatan Peninsula, and the island is surrounded by dozens of premier dive sites.