Happy 30th Anniversary, Belize!

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If you're looking for a destination that feels remote but is still close to home (less than a two-hour flight from Miami), the Western Caribbean nation of Belize may be the place for you. 

In the water: Belize's Ambergris Caye is on the second largest barrier reef on Earth. Divers were among the first to make Belize popular as a travel destination, and there are more than forty named diving spots in the area, including Hol Chan and the legendary Blue Hole. For snorkelers, Ambergris Caye still has much to see, just a step off the beach or hotel pier. The lagoon inside the reef is an ideal location for kiteboarding or windsurfing, and many visitors come to the area for deep-sea fishing, as well.

On land: There are numerous Mayan ruins sites to explore, including Altun Ha, Caracol, Lamanai and Xunantunich. For those in search of an eco-adventure, check out the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve or Belize City Zoo. It's also an ideal location for a road trip, which can take you through hills, jungles and farm land in this still largely undeveloped country.

We asked our Facebok fans for their Belize tips, and several similar things repeated: our readers love Belize for the friendly locals, laid-back lifestyle, unbeatable diving and snorkeling, historic ruins and its natural landscape, which is perfect for activities like cave tubing.