Belize is a tropical paradise filled with beautiful beaches, dense biodiverse jungles and a multicultural population. It's located in Central America between the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and Guatemala, with the Caribbean Sea to the east. While its population is multicultural, ranging from Creole and Mestizo to Maya and Garifuna, its official language is English, making it a popular choice among English-speaking travelers wanting to visit Central America.

Some of its greatest treasures are its national parks and preserves, which conserve animals such as jaguars and monkeys, as well as over 500 species of birds! Nestled within the jungle are also ancient Mayan ruins, some of which make for great cultural or historical attractions. With so much to see and explore, Belize is an ideal destination for families, couples and active seniors who desire to discover the brilliance of nature and the perseverance of culture.

Belize is open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, though at this time they are subject to differing entry requirements. Vaccinated travelers are required only to provide proof of full vaccination, but unvaccinated travelers must test prior to entering the country. All travelers must also purchase Belize Travel Health Insurance. Entry requirements might be different in accordance with the method of entry, like via cruise ship, airplane or land border, so please check out Belize's official tourism website for more detailed information.

Travel advisors can become certified Belize Travel Specialists with Travel Agent Academy's Belize Travel Specialist training program. There are only three short chapters to complete; the first is an introductory chapter on the country, while the other two take more of a detailed view of the country and how to sell it to travelers. Those who graduate from the program receive some benefits, too, including 2 Continuing Education Credits for members of The Travel Institute; knowledge and expertise about the country; and notifications, events and special offers only available for Belize Travel Specialists. The program includes other online resources to further your education and is also available in Spanish.

Belize, though about the size of Massachusetts, offers seven distinct regions for travelers to enjoy. Northern Belize is where adventure reigns. From jungle preserves to Mayan ruins and plenty of cultural immersion activities, it's an incredible destination.

The North Islands, also known as cayes, offer great diving and snorkeling opportunities, located within the Belize Barrier Reef and home to sharks, colorful fish, sea turtles and much more.

The Central Coast is a best-of-both-worlds region that offers beautiful beaches along with opportunities for jungle and city adventures in Belize City.

Western Belize is where the country's capital, Belmopan, is located, along with plenty of eco-friendly adventure opportunities, like visiting the country's largest Mayan site of Caracol, once home to 100,000 people.

The Southeast Coast is home to the Garifuna culture as well as some of Belize's best beaches, including 16 miles of beaches on the peninsula of Placencia.

Southern Belize offers different types of ecosystems ranging from plains to mangrove forests, as well as opportunities to learn about Maya cultures and explore their ruins.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the Belize Reef; a destination in its own right. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to seven different marine reserves and plays an important role in the ocean's ecosystem. It's famously known as the home of the Great Blue Hole, a favorite among divers.

Belize is truly a perfect fit for people who love wildlife and nature. It's an incredible destination for bird watchers both young and old, with over 500 species to find, from just sitting outside on your balcony to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

The caves of Actun Chapat and Actun Tunichil Muknal offer both active or less active adventures that bring travelers within close proximity to Belize's ancient past, as do the country's many Mayan ruins, including Caracol. Less active individuals can explore Belize by horseback, while more active individuals can enjoy more rigorous caving or waterfall hiking experiences.

Those who stay along the coast can enjoy the Caribbean's largest barrier reef which measures 185 miles long! Belize is also home to three of the four coral atolls in the western hemisphere, making it a great destination for divers and snorkelers.

Rest assured that your clients will be able to find the perfect accommodation for them in Belize. Whether that be a luxurious five-star beachside resort or an eco-lodge nestled deep in the jungle, and every type of accommodation in between, Belize offers plenty of options for your clients to choose from.

There are so many different types of travel that can be enjoyed in Belize. For the thrill-seeker, The Belize Travel Specialist Program offers a sample itinerary beginning in Belize City, then heading over to Belmopan, where they'll channel their inner Indiana Jones while exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, which includes a hike through Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and crossing three streams before entering the cave where the famous Crystal Maiden continues to lie.

The next day, thrill-seekers should tour the Caracol Mayan Temple, the largest in Belize, before heading on a waterfall hunt in Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, home to the country's largest waterfalls. The third day, thrill-seekers should head over to Dangriga near the coast, where they'll learn about Garifuna culture before enjoying zip lining and waterfall rappelling in Mayflower Bocawina National Forest. One last day should be reserved for snorkeling or diving the Great Blue Hole and the nearby marine reserves, where thrill-seekers can spot sharks and other fun marine life.

For a family tour around Belize, the specialist program recommends first heading to Belize City, where kids and adults alike can enjoy the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, home to jaguars, tapirs and other native animals. A fifteen-minute flight or 2.5-hour drive away is Hopkins, a coastal village offering beach fun and Garifuna culture. Here, families can learn to cook Hudut, a Garifuna staple consisting of plantains and coconut fish soup, and immerse themselves in Garifuna music.

April through June, families can even swim with whale sharks! Just half an hour from Hopkins is the Maya Center Village, where families can enjoy taking a tour of a cocoa farm and hiking through the local reserve, where there are plenty of opportunities for kids to get up close with howler monkeys, birds and other wildlife.

Lastly, a trip to Belize wouldn't be complete without a Mayan ruin: families can take a bus to the Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve, which is generally quieter than other ruins and easy for children to get around but is no less spectacular.

Belize is a great destination for honeymooners or couples on their anniversary. Lovebirds can touch down in Belize City and head to their beach resort at Ambergris Caye, only fifteen minutes away by puddle-jumper. After spending a romantic night together, couples can enjoy a visit to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where they can snorkel as much as they want and visit Shark Ray Alley.

During the afternoon, couples can stroll hand-in-hand through San Pedro, where they'll find delicious foods and ample opportunities for souvenir hunting. A short boat ride the next day brings lovebirds to Altun Ha, where they'll explore the Mayan ruins before going back to the beach to relax.

On the fourth day, couples can engage in watersports activities like kitesurfing or kayaking around the caye's mangrove lagoon, where they can spot colorful birds and maybe even a crocodile. On the last day of their trip, honeymooners should visit Caves Branch Cave for a more adrenaline-inducing lazy river experience - underground!

Baby Boomers also have plenty to explore in Belize; the day they arrive in Belize City, they can dig right into its history and culture with a historical city tour via horse and buggy. In the morning of their second day, Boomers should visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, where they can learn about conservation efforts and listen to howler monkeys' eerie calls before heading on a flight to Placencia, known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and incredible sportfishing opportunities.

After spending a day on the water or on the sand, older travelers should end their day with a trip to Seine Bight for a local meal. The fourth day of the trip should be spent visiting one of Belize's cayes. Laughing Bird Caye is nearby Placencia and offers kayaking, snorkeling, diving and more, with plenty of wildlife to discover along the Balize Barrier Reef. Lastly, on day five of their trip, older travelers should visit the Mayan sites of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit.

Are you ready to become a Belize Travel Specialist? Check out the Travel Agent Academy's Belize Travel Specialist program to learn more about the destination and how to market Belize to your clients.