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VISIT FLORIDA | Florida's Official Vacation Guide Including Florida Travel Information THERE ARE 0 ITEMS IN YOUR CUSTOM TRAVEL GUIDE // Deutsch Espaol Franais Portugus UK Welcome to the State of Florida's Official Travel Planning Website. Use www.VISITFLORIDA.com to plan your best vacation ever in beautiful Florida! Explore our colorful destinations and pursue your own interests to create your dream vacation in the Sunshine State. -- -- -- Information for Travel Professionals Media Site RSS Feeds experiences 18 Ways to Fore! In the Miss America pageant, the judges have to choose one winner from a field of 50 beauties. In baseball, 28 teams play all season, but only one wins the World Series. In golf, especially in the Sunshine State, you can find a great golf course within a few miles of anywhere. Read Article More From Golf experiences Luxurious Escapes Hoteliers and innkeepers must surely lie awake nights inventing new ways to knock their guests’ socks off. A suite without a private concierge or personal butler is positively ho-hum , and a lowly after-dinner mint on the pillow is practically dclass . Discover how Florida resorts pull out all the stops for over-the-top luxury. Read Article More From Luxury experiences Unique Camping In Florida, “roughing it” isn’t always so rough. There are literally hundreds of great campsites throughout the Sunshine State, from deserted coastal islands ideal for tents to full-service campgrounds that can accommodate recreational vehicles. Camp on the beach, in the shadow of Cinderella’s castle, or even in a real chickee. Read Article More From Camping Sweeptakes See For Yourself Florida. Still here. Beautiful as ever. See it on our live web cams. Then catch a plane or hop in a car and see it for yourself. Enter Contest -- RSS Feeds | Advertising Information | Travel Professionals | Photo Credits | Feedback | FAQ | Site Search | Site Map | About VISIT FLORIDA™ VISIT FLORIDA™ is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. All material© 2001-2005 by VISIT FLORIDA™ , All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Privacy Policy Please report problems to webmaster .

South America Travel

Destinations: Tropical South America | CDC Travelers' Health Home About CDC Press Room Funding A-Z Index Centers, Institute & Offices Training & Employment Contact Us CDC en Español Search: Travelers' Health Travelers' Health Home > Destinations > Tropical South America Health Information for Travelersto Countries in Tropical South America On This Page Vaccines for Your Protection Diseases Found in Tropical South America Other Health Risks What You Need To Bring With You Staying Healthy During Your Trip After You Return Home For More Information Travel Notices in Effect Yellow Fever: Venezuela, South America (Released November 4, 2005) U.S. Department of State See all Traveler's Health travel notices Vaccines for Your Protection: Tropical South America Routine Vaccinations Check with your healthcare provider: you and your family may need routine as well as recommended vaccinations. Before travel, be sure you and your children are up to date on all routine immunizations according to schedules approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP). See the schedule for adults and the schedule for infants and children . Some schedules can be accelerated for travel. See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications as well as other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Tropical South America. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need. Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling. Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants. Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including some cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Tropical South America . Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities. Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors. As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles . Required Vaccinations Yellow fever is present in this region and vaccination is recommended if you travel to the endemic zones in any of these countries. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you have visited an endemic area. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center . Diseases found in Tropical South America (risk can vary by country and region within a country; quality of in-country surveillance also varies) Malaria An Anopheles freeborni mosquito takes a blood meal. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites ( see below ). Your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including some cities. Travelers to malaria-risk areas, including infants, children, and former residents of South America, should take an antimalarial drug. Chloroquine is the recommended drug for Paraguay. Travelers to Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: (listed alphabetically): atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or primaquine (in special circumstances). For additional information on malaria risk and prevention, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Tropical South America . Yellow Fever Yellow fever is present in this region and vaccination is recommended if you travel to the endemic zones. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you have visited an endemic area. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center . Food and Waterborne Diseases Avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, because it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated. Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout Tropical South America and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting ( E. coli , Salmonella , cholera , and parasites), fever ( typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage ( hepatitis). Brucellosis is occasionally seen in travelers, most commonly acquired through eating or drinking contaminated milk products. Additional information: see the Safe Food and Water page for a list of links. Other Disease Risks Dengue , filariasis , leishmaniasis , onchocerciasis , and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Epidemics of viral encephalitis and dengue fever occur in some countries in this area. Bartonellosis, or Oroya fever (a sand fly-borne disease), occurs in arid river valleys on the western slopes of the Andes up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). Louse-borne typhus, a rickettsial infection is often found in mountain areas of Colombia and Peru. Protecting yourself against insect bites ( see below ) will help to prevent these diseases. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be contracted in fresh water in this region, is found in Brazil, Suriname, and north-central Venezuela. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in these countries. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions .) If you visit the Andes Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea, and altitude sickness. In addition, use sunblock rated at least 15 SPF, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes. Other Health Risks Injuries Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers. Protect yourself from motor vehicle injuries: avoid drinking and driving; wear your safety belt and place children in age-appropriate restraints in the back seat; follow the local customs and laws regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle speed; obey the rules of the road; and use helmets on bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes. Avoid boarding an overloaded bus or mini-bus. Where possible, hire a local driver. What You Need To Bring With You Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria , Dengue , filariasis , leishmaniasis , and onchocerciasis ). Insect repellent containing DEET . Bed nets treated with permethrin. For use and purchasing information, see Insecticide Treated Bednets on the CDC malaria site. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes. Flying-insect spray to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes. Iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Water Filters and Bottled Water for more detailed information. Sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat for protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays. See Skin Cancer Questions and Answers for more information . Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s) or letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you. Always carry medications in their original containers, in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to bring along over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide) and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhea. See suggested over-the-counter medications and first aid items for a travel kit . Staying Healthy During Your Trip Travelers should take the following precautions To stay healthy, do... When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub them on your child. Avoid children's eyes and mouth and use it sparingly around their ears. Wash your hands often with soap and water or, if hands are not visibly soiled, use a waterless, alcohol-based hand rub to remove potentially infectious materials from your skin and help prevent disease transmission. In developing countries, drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, learn how to make water safer to drink . Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your health care provider for a prescription.) To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches. Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide). For more information about insect repellents and correct use, see What You Need to Know about Mosquito Repellent on the CDC West Nile Virus site . If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones. If you are visiting friends and relatives in your home country, see additional special information about malaria prevention in Recent Immigrants to the U.S. from Malarious Countries Returning 'Home' to Visit Friends and Relatives on the CDC Malaria site. Do not Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked to reduce risk of infection (i.e., hepatitis A and typhoid fever). Do not drink beverages with ice. Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions .) Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). Consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas. For more information, please see Animal-Associated Hazards . Do not share needles for tattoos, body piercing or injections to prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. After You Return Home If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history. For More Information For more information about these and other diseases, please check the Diseases page and CDC Health Topics A-Z Diseases carried by insects Dengue : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=dengue.htm : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=lyme.htm Malaria information for Travelers to Tropical South America : http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/tropsam.htm Malaria Frequently asked questions : http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm Malaria Prescription Drugs : http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malariadrugs.htm : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=plague.htm Yellow fever : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=yellowfever.htm Diseases carried in food or water : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=madcow.htm Cholera : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=cholera.htm Escherichia coli diarrhea : http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm Hepatitis A : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hav.htm Schistosomiasis : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=schisto.htm Typhoid fever : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=typhoid.htm Diseases from person-to-person contact Hepatitis B : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hbv.htm HIV/AIDS prevention : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=hivaids.htm HIV-infected travelers (in The Immunocompromised Traveler) : http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=special&obj=hivtrav.htm&cssNav=browseoyb Important: This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to this region. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions. Date: November 4, 2005 Content Source: National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Destinations Vaccinations Diseases Yellow Book Safe Food and Water Illness and Injury Abroad Traveling with Children Cruise Ship and Air Travel Special Needs Travel Traveling with Pets Travel Medicine Clinics Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics References and Resources Travelers' Health Automated Information Line PHONE: 877-FYI-TRIP toll free (Information about ordering the Yellow Book and International Certificates of Vaccination and recorded messages on travel-related health topics) VIA EMAIL: Contact Us Form Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435

Travel Business Travel Family

MSNBC - MSNBC Travel Front Front Page Skip navigation Travel Active Travel Holiday Travel Luxury Travel Winter Travel Business Travel Family Travel Travel Tips Destinations Cultural Travel Golf Travel Your World Photos U.S. News World News Business Sports Entertainment Tech / Science Health Weather Travel Blogs Etc. Local News Newsweek Multimedia News Video Most Popular NBC NEWS MSNBC TV Today Show Nightly News Meet the Press Dateline NBC MSNBC Home Travel Holiday Highlights 2005 Pope Benedict's first Mass, 16-foot snowman, soldier's special delivery & more. IMAGES MORE TOP STORIES ON MSNBC TRAVEL Deep in Utah's snowy backcountry Bowl season also means great golf! 2005 - an interesting year in travel Sion Touhig / Getty Images file OTHER TOP TRAVEL STORIES Pop the cork!10 hip places toring in the New Year! The Year in Review 2005: The Year in Pictures Aplace that's happy to see you? New Orleans! Beat the winter blahs! Top 10 beaches we love 3,500 feet of vertical glory: Telluride Ski Resort The best places to cross-border ski in Europe Test your angling skills this winter ice fishing World's 10 most expensive ski resorts 2005 Get the most out of your holiday cruise: 10 tips Photos: Travel slide shows from around the world TRAVEL SLIDE SHOWS Holiday highlights 2005 Olympic destinations 2006 Las Vegas then and now Great European escapes Cool Caribbean adventures Explore New Zealand Disneyland celebrates 50 Everyone's favorite city! Polynesian delights in Hawaii Sport Diver's undersea wonders More travel slide shows from around the world ACTIVE TRAVEL MORE DEEP IN UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY At 3:05 p.m., we entered a grove of ancient Engelmann spruce. A shaft of sunlight illuminated their thick trunks in a bed of snow as soft and fine as powdered sugar. Ride 3,500 vertical feet of glory Make the 19th hole a bowl! Mush! Plunging in the frozen wilderness Best places to cross-border ski in Europe HOLIDAY TRAVEL MORE HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS From Rockefeller Center to Red Square, people around the worldcelebrate the 2005 holiday season. Top 10 places to ring in the New Year 11 perfect gifts for travelers 10 tips for being a goodhouseguest Top 5 places to spend the holidays LUXURY TRAVEL MORE WORLD'S TOP SHOPS 2005 It has never been easier to be a consumer. Not only are products of all kinds available online, but these days it is possible to find Paris fashions, Italian shoes and the newest Japanese cameras along fashionable shopping streets and upscale malls around the world. 10 most expensive ski resorts 2005 Most expensive, remoteresorts 2005 Star quality: What's in a hotel rating? Alaska cruise offers breathtaking scenery WINTER TRAVEL MORE BEACHES WE LOVE Get out of the cold! Go to one of these 10 favorite beaches to beat the winter blahs! December in New Orleans 10 winter wonderland hotels Don't ski? 6 resorts to visit anyway! 10 great winter getaways 2005 BUSINESS TRAVEL MORE BEST NEW BUSINESS HOTELS Business travel may be strong again, but 2005 was a slow year in the hotel-building business - at least in the U.S., that is. The TSA finally gets things right Airlines ditching complimentary meals Top 10 airlines for first-class pampering 5 tips to avoid travel disappointments FAMILY TRAVEL MORE BEST FAMILY SHIPS Choosing the best cruise for your family is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Some ships are better for infants than others, and ditto for teens, and not all itineraries are created equal. Kid picks: 5 top vacation spots Family fun in the Catskills Galloping grandparents Together ... in the Caribbean Travel Tips MORE 10 TIPS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL With travel volume back up to pre-9/11 levels, constriction in the airline business, and Christmas and New Year's falling on Sunday this year, the 2005-06 holiday travel season could be one of the most challenging to date. Did the Grinch steal travel? The 12 tips of Christmas travel The TSA finally gets things right Star quality: What's in a hotel rating? MORE DESTINATIONS MORE ALOHA! The Hawaiian Islands offer tropical adventures you will never forget. Asia Travel Europe Travel Hawaii Travel Caribbean Travel CULTURAL TRAVEL MORE BE REBORN IN FLORENCE The center of the Italian Renaissance art movement, Michelangelo's adopted hometown, the birthplace of modern politics, the source of modern-day credit . . . . Florence is all of these and more. Top 10 cities for art lovers Crush without the crowds Fun foot tours of San Francisco The world's best vineyards: Top 10 GOLF TRAVEL MORE GOLF TRAVEL TIPS Nothing can ruin a golf trip faster than finding something wrong or missing with your clubs and equipment before you even get to the first tee. Make the 19th hole a bowl! Great gifts for golfers Guide to stupid golf gifts Golfing Castel d' Aviano TRAVEL TOOLS Currency converter Traveler's health warnings from the CDC Travel warnings from the State Department Airport status map from the FAA MSNBC.COM'S TAKE 3 MAGAZINE Corbis Pop-culture Americana From Area 51 to Katz's Deli, check out these quirky tourist destinations. MSNBC's Weekly Travel Newsletter TRAVEL TOOLS Currency converter Traveler's health warnings from the CDC Travel warnings from the State Department Airport status map from the FAA MSNBC.COM'S TAKE 3 MAGAZINE Courtesy of Icehotel 5 most bizarre hotels From Amazonian treetops to undersea luxury, these sites are more than just a place to spend a night. Problem? Travel Troubleshooter MORE Help! I can't use my airline credit A textbook rental scam? Missed flight, maxed-out card That's not my ding! No nonstop to Disney Downgraded - and out of miles Help! My tour operator is bankrupt A swapped ship in the Galpagos Double booked at Days Inn Rescheduled flight, repriced ticket There's no room at the Rui One trip, two tickets - no refund Travel Tips & Columns TRIPSO.COM Find out what's happening: Tripso forums Protect yourself from airline schemes Hurricane hassles: The current situation 5 myths about 'au naturel' vacations Nine tips for cruise safety 8 tips for great car rentals Why you should fly the big airlines 50 tips from ... you Getting bumped? Make it pay How to get the service you deserve Getting the best seat on the plane Sherman's Travel Top 10's More top 10's Top 10 places to ring in New Year's Top 10 beaches we love Top 10 wine regions Top 10 fall destinations Top 10 castle hotels Top 10 lakeside retreats Top 10 cities for art-lovers Top 10 U.S. hotel pool bars Top 10 whale-watching destinations Got a travel question? Want to know how to save money on vacation, where to go, or need help solving a travel problem? Send your questions to our travel experts and look for your answers on MSNBC TV this weekend. AP file TRAVEL SLIDE SHOW GALLERY Reuters Happy Holidays! From Rockefeller Center to Red Square, people all around the world welcome the holiday season. Getty Images Italian Dreams History, architecture, art and more - great Italian destinations in the hosting country of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Getty Images European Escapes There's endless adventure around every corner - food, wine, shopping, art and more. AFP/Getty Images Autumn Arrives! With its brilliant palette of fiery red, dazzling orange, bright yellow and gold - enjoy the fall foliage season in all its splendor! AFP - Getty Images Alluring Asia From Seoul to Shanghai and Thailand to Tibet, Asia's diverse cultures and landscapes are a traveler's dream! Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism via AP Cool Caribbean View photos of this easy, breezy, tropical paradise. www.newzealand.com Explore New Zealand Breathtaking & unique, New Zealand is the perfect travel destination! Reuters Hawaiian Delights The Hawaiian Islands offer tropical adventures you will never forget. Undersea Wonders Presented by Sport Diver Magazine. AP Hooray for New York Visit everyone's favorite city this season! Disneyland Turns 50 Disneyland celebrates its golden anniversary. Lonely Planet Images Great Road Trips Fun one-day driving adventures. REUTERS Warm Getaways See images of more fun, warm getaways for everyone. 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Cheap Travel

STA TRAVEL | Home ALT plus 0 goes Back to top ALT plus 1 skip to Main Navigation ALT plus 2 skip to Main Content ALT plus 9 skip to Footer Navigation Quicknavigation Get A Quote Find A Branch Travel Help Worldwide Call Us: 08701 630 026 Search Mainnavigation now follows: Plan Your Trip . Sub menu items for: Plan Your Trip Round The World . Travel Visas . First Timer's Guide . Travel Talks & Events . STA Travel Brochures . Travel Checklist . End of sub menu items for: Plan Your Trip Book & Buy . Sub menu items for: Book & Buy Flights . Insurance . Hotels & Hostels . ID & Discount Cards . Tours & Treks . Ski & Snowboard . Bus & Rail Passes . Short Breaks . Package Holidays . Car Hire . Airport Extras . Learn A Language . Gift Vouchers . Phone Cards & Mobile . End of sub menu items for: Book & Buy On the Road . Sub menu items for: On the Road Keep In Touch . Travel Help . End of sub menu items for: On the Road Deals & Discounts . Sub menu items for: Deals & Discounts Hot Deals . Newsletter . Win Stuff . ID & Discount Cards . End of sub menu items for: Deals & Discounts People Like You . Sub menu items for: People Like You Graduates . Travel Trust . Travel Journals . End of sub menu items for: People Like You Work & Learn . Sub menu items for: Work & Learn Work . Learn . Volunteer . End of sub menu items for: Work & Learn Gap Year . Sub menu items for: Gap Year Where To Go . Gap Essentials . Group Bookings . Gap Company Search . End of sub menu items for: Gap Year Ask An Expert Newsletter Your Cart Flights Hotels & Hostels Tours -- Bus & Rail Tours Insurance Discount Cards Flights From To Departure Return One way flight No. of Travellers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Date of Birth Eligibility Student Adult (over 26) Youth (under 26) Search Advanced Search Find more options for flights (e.g. open jaw flight). Hotels & Hostels Country Loading... City Check-in No. of nights Check-out 01-Oct-2005 No. of Travellers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Search Advanced Search Find more options for flights (e.g. open jaw flight). Tours Area Loading... Start date Search Advanced Search Find more options for tours. Bus & Rail Area Loading... Start date Search Find more options for bus & rail. Find more options for bus & rail. You have disabled JavaScript. Therefore you cannot use the "Search and Book" functionality. Please turn on JavaScript. Booking Engine Ask The Experts Want a quote for your trip or advice on where to go? We've got the tools and experience to help: Get A Quote See A Consultant Make A Group Booking WIN STUFF Check out what's up for grabs in our win section this month: Win a ski holiday Hot Deals Don't miss out: Amazing BA World Offers Ski & Snowboard Deals ISIC and IYTC cards only £7 NZ, Australia & South Pacific Offers Top Offers Flights Hong Kong from £324 Cape Town from £346 Delhi from £333 Perth from £549 More Flights Tours 10% off Latin American tours 10% off Worldwide Imaginative Traveller tours £100 off Trek America More Tours Insurance Travel cover from £8 More Insurance Snooze Perth from £8 Cape Town from £9 Edinburgh from £10 Boston from £21 More Snooze More Hot Deals Footer Branch Appointments Contact Us Work For Us Marketing and Press Sitemap General Policy Australia Austria Canada China Denmark Germany Finland Switzerland Hungary Japan Latvia New Zealand Poland Singapore South Africa Sweden Thailand USA © 2005 - STA Travel LTD

Central America Travel

Belize, Central America - Travel and Tourism Information  You are here: About > Travel > Mexico / Central America for Visitors > Belize, Central America > Belize, Central America - Travel and Tourism Information Travel Go Mexico Essentials Packing List for Travelers to Mexico Health Information Mexico / C. America Safety Considerations Travel Books Mexico and Central America Tourism Offices Mexico/ Central America Articles & Resources Mexico Mexico City Acapulco, Mexico Cancun Yucatan Baja Los Cabos Puerto Vallarta Other Places Photos of Mexico Belize, Central America Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Mexico / Central America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Mexico / Central America for Visitors Image Courtesy of NURP Stay up to date! Image Courtesy of NURP Email to a friend Print this page Related Belize Resources Belize Online Resources Explore More of Belize Belize Accommodations Photos of Belize Maya Ruins in Belize Recent Discussions Travelling to Central/South America? Multi-Destination Flights Sport Fishing Charters Most Popular Mexican Music La Paz, Mexico Quinceanera Packing List Tijuana, Mexico What's Hot Buying Real Estate in Mexico Puerto Vallarta Cozumel, Mexico Whale Watching Fishing In Mexico Related Topics California for Visitors South America for Visitors Caribbean for Visitors Mexican Cuisine Belize, Central America From Apply Now , Your Guide to Mexico / Central America for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Coral reefs, tropical cayes, Maya ruins, exotic wildlife and more Belize (formerly known as British Honduras) is located on Central America's Caribbean coast, bordering Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea ( see map ). Although it is a small country of only about 8,800 square miles (about the size of New Hampshire), the country has many beautiful natural venues and interesting historical sites. In particular, Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world, a number of lush tropical rain forests, picturesque mountains fed by rivers and waterfalls, exotic wildlife, and many fascinating Maya archeological sites. Belize is unique among the countries of Central America, inasmuch as the official language is English, rather than Spanish. Further, Belize's principal ethnic group is black Creole, rather than Spanish or mestizo. The country has a population of just over 200,000 - making it the most sparsely populated country in Central America. The climate is subtropical, with an annual mean daily temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The breezes from the Caribbean Sea have a refreshing cooling effect, and help to offset the humidity - at least in the coastal areas. The following briefly describes some the main visitor attractions in Belize: Belize Barrier Reef The Belize Barrier Reef is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. This reef lies parallel to the coast of Belize, and stretches about 180 miles in a north to south direction. The Belize Barrier Reef is widely regarded as one of the world's best diving and snorkeling sites. The water on this reef is calm and clear with water visibility usually reaching about 100 feet. The water temperature remains at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year. The reef is home to about 375 species of fish and about 60 types of coral. Just beyond the main reef are three "atolls" - very large oval shaped formations of coral. In close proximity to the reef can be found a number of marine reserves, including Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve . These reserves are well worth a visit for those interested in marine ecology. In addition to diving and snorkeling, the reef is also a great location for water skiing, wind surfing, fishing or just plain swimming. Ambergris Caye Ambergris Caye , the largest of the more than 200 cayes (islands) located on Belize's northern coastline, lies just west of the Belize Barrier Reef . This narrow island is about 25 miles long and is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Belize. Ambergris Caye , with its lush vegetation, pleasing climate and pristine white beaches, is the " Isla Bonit a" (Beautiful Island) referred to by Madonna in her popular song of the same name. Because it lies less than a mile from the barrier reef, Ambergris Caye attracts large numbers of scuba divers and snorkelers. However, many other activities are popular here, including windsurfing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, nature walks, visits to nearby Maya ruins, and more. The small town of San Pedro , located in the south part of Ambergris Caye , has numerous restaurants specializing in fresh seafood, as well as authentic Belizean cuisine. Street vendors serve inexpensive freshly made tacos and a variety of delicious grilled meats. San Pedro has several bars and discos, night beach parties (which are open to all), and a number of cultural festivals held on various days throughout the year. The town also has numerous small shops which sell a variety of handicrafts made by local artisans, including pottery, paintings and some truly beautiful coral and silver jewelry. Ambergris Caye has many deluxe resorts and condominiums available for visitors, but budget accommodation is not difficult to arrange. Photo image of coral barrier reef courtesy of OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP) - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 1 2 Next        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Buying Real Estate in Mexico Puerto Vallarta Cozumel, Mexico Whale Watching Fishing In Mexico