Showing posts with label Central America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Central America. Show all posts

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Travel to Belize: Vacations, Tour Packages, Resorts, Barrier Reef, Great Blue Hole, Mayan Culture, Rain-Forests


Though best known as a world-class snorkeling and diving location, Belize also offers spectacular natural attractions and the authenticity of a genuine Caribbean getaway. Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize is one of the few remaining unspoiled places on earth.

Off shore, Belize offers the longest barrier reef in this hemisphere, home to the Great Blue Hole, as well as hundreds of islands, and snorkel and dive locations. On land, Belize has hundreds of ancient Maya sites -- both excavated and jungle-covered -- as well as lush tropical rainforests with many species of birds, and exotic tropical flora and fauna.

If you’re looking for an adventurous vacation, Belize has it all, from soft to extreme play, from an adrenaline-charged experience zip-lining though jungle canopies, to exploring a mysterious cave or Mayan ruins, to lazily canoeing down a peaceful jungle river observing nature. Marine adventures are suited for all ages and activity levels, including scuba diving, snorkeling, wind or kite surfing, para-sailing or cruising on a catamaran. The breathtaking colors of Belize’s waters are an invitation to immerse yourself in nature for a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Belize’s history from ancient Maya to recent events are presented in museums, galleries, visitor centers and street-side stalls, offering insight into the friendly Belizeans you will meet. And while you may not find the sophisticated nightlife of other vacation destinations, Belize’s varied cultures, love of music and many holidays and celebrations give ample opportunity to relax your inhibitions and be one with the people of Belize.

Belize is known for its simple yet flavorful cuisine. Most meals include rice and beans (usually red beans, not the black beans which are more common elsewhere in Latin America) and peppers -- the hotter, the better. The menus also include fresh seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables from local markets. One of the newer notable restaurants is El Fogon, in San Pedro, which features a menu dedicated to the home-style cooking of Belizean Creole and mestizo food, all prepared in an open-fire hearth. For breakfast, try Cindy’s Café, on Caye Caulker, where you can browse the collection of books while enjoying bagels with jam or creamy cheese, yogurt with fresh tropical fruit and granola, a gorgeous chocolate brownie and a wide selection of coffee or tea. For more upscale dining, the Blue Lotus, in San Pedro, offers a mouthwatering blend of Caribbean cuisines, including chicken tikka masala and Bombay saffron shrimp curry, in an elegant beachfront setting.

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, about 10 miles from Belize City, serves American, Continental, Delta and US Airways, and is a two-hour flight from Miami, Houston and New Orleans. The best way to get from the airport is by taxi; although an airport bus service exists, it is infrequent and unreliable. Once in Belize City, arrangements can be made for a car rental or other transportation options. Belize City Airport also offers regional service to other cities in the country, as well as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

Belize has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons, although there are significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures vary according to elevation, proximity to the coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from 75º in January to 81º in July. Temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the southern highland plateaus, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, where it is noticeably cooler year round. Overall, the seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature.

Average rainfall varies considerably, ranging from 53 inches in the north and west to over 177 inches in the extreme south. The dry season is shorter in the south, normally only lasting from February to April. A shorter, less rainy period, known locally as the "little dry," usually occurs in late July or August, after the initial onset of the rainy season.

The busier time of the year for travelers to Belize is November to May, which are the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere. Still, many visitors prefer the more quiet days of the summer months from June to October for their vacation in Belize. Both times of the year have their own unique attractions and the choice of when to visit is totally up to you, your budget and the adventure you crave.

Learn more at: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/central-america/belize.html

For booking vacation packages, air travel, tours, cruises, excursions, resorts, please write to: Info@eTravelCruise.com 

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Panama Canal, Connecting Atlantic Ocean & Pacific Ocean: Travel, Tour Packages, Cruises, Boat Tour


“Honoring the past by building the future” is the idea that the Panama Canal was created on, and it continues to uphold this belief.  The vision of this heroic achievement was brought to life in 1914, after years of dreaming, planning and constructing what would eventually lead to Panama’s independence and become one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  
The Panama Canal is a waterway that was created to provide a connection from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.  At 48 miles long, this global landmark reduces a 14,000 mile journey from California to New York into a mere 8,000 miles, allowing large vessels to navigate across the Isthmus of Panama. By looking to the future, the Panama Canal has become one of the planet’s greatest milestones; bringing worlds together by the diligence of the French and later the United States, who completed the mission of transforming a small dream into a great reality.   With more than 14,000 ships passing through the famous canal annually and a myriad of shipping possibilities, the Panama Canal continues to make a grand splash across the seven seas. 

Located in the vibrant country of Panama, there are several ways to experience this iconic symbol of hope, which took 34 years in the making.  The Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama (Panama Canal Museum) transports its guests to the origins of the canal through eventful stories and exhibitions.  The Visitor Center at Miraflores Locks is also a must-see. It is decorated with exhibits demonstrating the technical improvements of the canal; you may even see a ship passing by from the museum’s viewing deck.  The Canal Administration Building depicts its past with an impressive mural; however, what better way to experience this historic journey than by cruising through its magnificent realm on a boat tour.  

The Panama Canal bridged the gap between cultures, brought insight to advancements in architecture, and forever changed the navigation of the inter-oceanic passage.

Learn more at: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/central-america/panama/panama-canal.html

For more information or booking air, hotel, tour package, boat tour, cruise, car rental, write to: Info@eTravelCruise.com

Panama Canal Cruises, September-October 2018, a Selection

Here is a compilation of a few Panama Canal Cruises from USA during the months of September & October 2018: 1. Panama Canal with Cost...