The Belize Barrier Reef.

This is just a little something of how Belize paradisal destinations look like. Take note, this is in The Belize Barrier Reef in San Pedro. Amazing, isn't it?

Things to do in Belize.

From an extended variety of activites to be done on Belize, we personally advise people that the best activity here is dive, watersports, snorkeling and scuba diving. You can either do fishing on the city, there's an extended multitude of species waiting for you.

If your fancy is snorkeling, then you will love the Sergeant's Caye, Goff's Caye, and Rendezvous Caye which is perfectly situated for beginners and professional snorkelers. Or you can come to the Barrier Reef and you will be amazed by the turquoise waters, and the natural Wonders you will find on the Cayes or the Reef we told you above.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

Among all the activities you can do on Belize, you can visit the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
A series of lowlands, rivers and lagoons. This 3,000-acre sanctuary abounds with nature trails and wildlife. Here you can look for the jabiru stork, Belize's largest bird. Being able to see this bird is awesome, so we encourage people that comes here to take photos of all these amazing wildlife in their natural environment.

El Caracol

El Caracol is the name of a large ancient Maya archaeological site, located in the Cayo District of Belize. It is situated approximately 25 miles south of Xunantunich and the town of San Ignacio Cayo, at an elevation of 1500 feet (460 m) above sea-level, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The site was the most important political centre of Lowland Maya during the Classic Period within Belize.

Snorkeling

Once you come to Belize you will see that there are a lot of different activities for you to enjoy. There is a lot of wildlife, ancient ruins, sea, pools, sand, diving, surfing and more!

If you don’t have an extreme gear, you don’t have to worry. We have a diving shop and a team to take you to the most beautiful reefs in Belize.

Come to the Belzie Biltmore Plaza Hotel and leave all your worries behind!

Belize Culture

About Belize Culture

Belize is a multi-ethnic country and is occupied by a number of ethnic groups such as Mayans, Mennonites, Kriols, Garifuna and Mestizos. The other groups are Spanish, English, Lebanese, East Indian and Chinese. The official language of Belize is English, while Spanish is also commonly used. However the Mayans, Garifuna and Mennonites converse in their own native languages.

Belize Ethnic Group

Mayans of Belize

Mayans are generally found in the central part of the country. Mayans in Belize are divided into two groups, Mopan Maya and Kekchi Maya. Due to widespread conversion to Catholicism, the number of Mopan Mayans at Belize have decreased considerably. Some were affected by diseases like small pox and were driven out of Belize by the British. However, by 1886 the Mopan Mayans of Belize started to migrate back to Belize. They settled in the Pueslo Viejo region and then shifted to the San Antonio in the Toledo District,

which is the largest Mopan settlement in Belize.

The Kekchi Mayas of Belize were traditionally from the Verapaz region of Guatemala. They became a part of the Belize ethnic groups in the 1800s after losing their land and freedom to the German coffee growers. They settled in small groups on the banks of the rivers and streams, and formed small isolated villages in the Toledo district. Because of their isolation, the Kekchi Mayans of Belize were the most independent ethnic group of the country. Since their settlement, they indulged in co-operative farming and followed their indigenous cultural practices. Though there are 30 different Kekchi communities in Belize, with time the Kekchi Mayans and the Mopan Mayans of Belize have blended together. The indigenous language to both the groups is Cholan, which is the language of the Classic Maya heartland.

Mennonites in Belize

Mennonites form an intricate part of the Belize culture. Although the Mennonites in Belize form a very negligible part of the population, the culture of the community has an integrity of its own. The Mennonites began migrating to Belize from Manitoba Canada in the twentieth century. Some of the other places they emigrated from were Chihuahua and Mexico. The traditional dress of the Mennonites community has the

vibrancy of its culture imbibed in it. While the women wear long colorful apparels, the men are usually seen in denim overalls and hats. The occupation of the Mennonite com-munity in Belize includes fishing and handi-craft, which also includes furniture making. They have their own set of educational insti-tutions and religious beliefs, which charac-terize the community and distinguish it from all other communities in Belize. Belize has an extremely vibrant multi-ethnic society and has members with varied cultural lineages like German, Chinese and Lebanese. Some of the other communities that are predominant in the country are Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, English, Lebanese, Mestizo, Chinese, Maya and East Indian. Mennonites in Belize with its rich cultural heritage has made a significant mark in the culture and the demography of the country.

The Kriols of Belize

Kriols are also known as Creoles, are descendants of Africans who came from Jamaica and Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast. The social values of the Kriols at Belize are derived from the Anglo-Saxon countries, and are therefore different from that of the non-Indians and non-Mestizos. With time it has become difficult to distinguish Kriols with the other Belize ethnic groups. This is because of the adaptation of the Creole culture by the other ethnic groups.

In Portuguese the word creole means 'criar', that is to raise a child born to a family. The word Kriol basically refers to the language of the Creoles. The word was created by the Creoles themselves to distinguish themselves from other ethnic groups. which means languages of the Creoles. In addition to the Kriol language, the Kriols in Belize also speak English. Kriol language has evolved from English, but is no longer a part of English. The cuisine of Kriols of Belize has similarity with the cuisines of other ethnic groups present in the country. The Kriols love chimole, panadas and escabeche, which are originally Mes-tizo recipes. The staple food preparations of the Kriols consists of coconut milk, which they add in rice and beans, fish stew and Creole bread. The Kriols of Belize still today enjoy working in the logging camps. With close relations developing with the Europeans over the years, it is now difficult to distinguish the Kriols from the Europeans.

The Belizean Mestizos

The Mestizos constitute 44% to 48% of the total population of Belize. They are the descendants of the ancient Mayan and the Spanish settlers in the

country. These communities arrived in Belize during the Yatacan Caste wars in the middle of the nineteenth century. The population of the Belizean Mestizos are concentrated in the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk, the northern islands of Caye Caulker, San Pedro Ambergis Caye and Cayo. The Belizean Mestizos have Spanish as their native language, while English and Creole languages are used outside the community. Some of the most important Belizean Mestizo dishes, which have also become a favorite in the whole of the country, include escabeche, tamales, panades and garnaches. An integral part of the country, the Belizean Mestizos have also lent a helping hand in the economic development of the country. The diversity in the culture and the religious belief of the ethnic communities in Belize have led to the diversity and the uniqueness of the Belize culture and history.

The Garifuna of Belize

Is a community, which forms an intricate part of the Belize culture and history. They are also known as Caribs, Black Caribs or Garinagu. Although they are not natives of Central America, their genetic descent trace back to an American lineage. This particular ethnic group has a mixed African and Carib Indian descent. It has its origin in the St. Vincent island, situated in the Lesser Antilles. The community Garifuna of Belize has its population restricted in six important villages of southern Belize. These are Dangriga, which was previously known as

Stann Creek, Hopkins, Georgetown, Punta Gorda, Seine Bight and Barranco. Having a population of 11,000, the Garifuna community accounts for 8% of the total population of the country. Apart from Belize, the Garifuna community can also be found in Guatemala and Honduras.

Garifuna Culture

With the admixture of different African and Carib Indian culture, the Garifuna of Belize has a cultural uniqueness of its own. The occupation of Garifuna includes cultivation, hunting, and fishing, which are predominant among the American natives. Dance and the music, on the other hand, have an African tinge. The Garifuna religious rites and ceremonies too have an African ambiance. The language of the Garifuna has a French and Arawak influence. The Garifuna of Belize have added significantly to the cultural diversity of the country.

Belize culture is a unique blend of the cultures of the various ethnic groups of the country. Belize culture reflects the harmony between the various ethnic groups.

Business Center

Business travelers are afforded a peaceful and tranquil setting to do their business transactions, utilizing our business center at their convenience and still having easy access to the commercial and financial districts of the country.

A full service Caribbean style hotel!

Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza is a full service Caribbean style hotel situated in the quiet and serene residential area of Bella Vista on the northern outskirts of Belize City. This Belize hotel is perfect for meetings and conferences, and is easily accessible on the Mundo Maya route, between Mexico and Guatemala on the Northern Highway. It is 3 miles from downtown Belize City and 7 miles from the Phillip Goldson International Airport.

For the vacation traveler, The Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel is ideally located for day trips to the nearby Maya ruins and sanctuaries where endangered creatures roam freely in the wild. Belize World Heritage sites, such as the Blue Hole and the Barrier Reef, are easily accessible

Standard

This room has:

In-Room Coffee Makers
In-Room Hair Dryers
Complimentary Parking
Room Service
19" Color Television w/ Remote
Direct Dial Telephones
24 hours Wireless Internet
Laundry Service
Safe Deposit Boxes
75 Channel Cable TV

Rooms

Each of our 75 comfortable, standard, premier and deluxe rooms has a view of our courtyard, air-conditioning, cable TV and private bath. Our standard rooms feature twin double beds. Our deluxe and premier rooms have either twin queen size beds or a king size bed.



Biltmore Hotel your holiday unforgettable !

Belize Hotel

Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza is a full service Caribbean style hotel situated in the quiet and serene residential area of Bella Vista on the northern outskirts of Belize City.

Your vacation will be great!

Belize Biltmore

Belize Hotel

For the vacation traveler, The Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel is ideally located for day trips to the nearby Maya ruins and sanctuaries where endangered creatures roam freely in the wild.

Visit us at: www.belizebiltmore.com

Belize Biltmore

For the vacation traveler, The Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel is ideally located for day trips to the nearby Maya ruins and sanctuaries where endangered creatures roam freely in the wild.

Visit us at: www.belizebiltmore.com