Table of Contents
1. How to Play .................................................................................... 4
2. Quick Facts about Belize ..............................................................6
3. See Maya Ruins - earn 270 points ..............................................8
4. Visit Belize Parks and Preserves - earn 270 points .................. 15
5. Experience Belize - earn 510 points .......................................... 22
6. See Animals of Belize - earn 150-900 points .......................... 24
7. Spot Birds of Belize - earn 680 points ..................................... 28
8. Identify Belize Trees and Flowers - earn 320 points .............. 35
9. Recognize Belize Coral Reef Fish - earn 450 points ............... 41
10. Swim with Sea Creatures - earn 250 points .......................... 47
11. Spot Reptiles and Insects of Belize - earn 180 points............. 50
12. Sample Food of Belize - earn 130 points ................................ 53
13. Tally Sheet to add it all up ...................................................... 56
3
How to Play It Belize!
The Goal of the Game:
Your goal is to see the most
essential Belizean sights during your
visit; to go on the trips, sample the
food, and see the sights that will
make your trip to Belize a trip to
remember. Each experience and
sighting you check off earns you
points. When you collect enough
points, you earn bragging rights to
say: I’ve really seen Belize!
How to Start:
Your first step in the game is to
look through the book. Become
familiar with all the unique Belize
trips, sights, food, fish, and flowers
you may see while you are in Belize.
How to Play:
As you travel through Belize, you
will naturally see many of the sights
we have collected. And because
you are playing this game, you will
know to keep a sharp look out for
many others that you might have
missed without the game.
Most adventures or sightings in
the game are worth 10-30 points.
You get more points if the animal
or bird is somewhat rare, or if an
experience takes more time and
effort. There are 125 possible trips
or sights in the game, for a total of
3,120 possible points.
4
You also earn bonus points for
special sightings and trips. Whale
sharks are a thrilling Belize sight,
and you earn a whopping 75 points
for sighting one.
Jaguars are extremely rare to see—
but Belize is one place in the world
where you actually might see one
in the wild. If you do, you earn 200
points! You can also win 10 points
for seeing the jaguar at the zoo.
At the end of your trip, turn to
the tally sheet and enter all your
points, collect your bonus points
and add it all up.
How to Win:
Collect 1000 points and win.
1000 points means you’ve had the
tourist vacation we all dream of
having—you’ve gone on the tours
and seen the sights, sampled the
food and noticed the wonderful,
unique Belizean flora and fauna
during your trip.
There are lots of ways to win! Stay
on Ambergris Caye and win points
by seeing sea creatures and sea
birds, by snorkeling on the reef or
diving at Blue Hole, and by taking
the day trip to Lamanai. Earn more
points by trying a new Belizean dish
every day at local Belize restaurants.
Maya Ruins excerpt - 2 of 7 pages
Maya Ruins of Belize
The Mayas created one of the
world’s great ancient civilizations.
They lived in huge cities, created
a hieroglyphic writing system,
calculated astrological calendars
of astonishing accuracy, and
constructed towering pyramids for
their complex religion.
Fossil artifacts show Maya villages
dating back as far as 1800 BC. At
the height of their power, between
250 and 900 AD, the Mayas
lived in 70 city-states throughout
Guatemala, Belize and southern
Mexico. Their cities were bustling
centers of trade, some with as
many as 200,000 residents. Their
architectural abilities are a constant
source of wonder. Without the use
of metal tools, the wheel, or any
draft animal such as horses or oxen,
the Maya hand-carved huge blocks
of limestone and built soaring
temples and pyramids.
The Mayas were the first ancient
civilization to use zero, which
allowed them to make complex
calculations and create accurate
calendars based on both the sun
and the moon.
The Mayas were the only
civilization of the Americas to
invent their own writing. Like
the Egyptians, the Mayas used
a hieroglyphic writing system.
Archeologists have found long
stories carved onto tall stone
8
monuments at Maya ruins. Other
writings were found on deer hide
or fig-tree paper. However, most
of these writings were burned by
the Spanish, who felt the strange
symbol writing of the Maya were
works of the devil.
In every Maya ruin archeologists
found huge ball courts, some as
large as a football field. The ball
game they played was a part of
their religion and was obviously
very important in Maya society.
Shortly after 900 AD, the great
cities of the Maya were abandoned,
as though all the residents had
simply decided one day to pack
up and go away. Archeologists
think perhaps a drought, increased
warfare, or some ecological disaster
caused the Mayas to leave. Others
think the farming methods of
the time couldn’t keep producing
enough food for all the city
dwellers. Whatever the reason, the
great Maya cities were left to the
rain forest and the monkeys.
Today, an estimated 1.2 million
Maya still live in the southern
Mexican state of Chiapas, and
nearly 5 million more are spread
throughout the Yucatan Peninsula
and the cities and rural farm
communities of Belize, Guatemala,
Honduras and El Salvador.
Been
there?
Altun Ha - Belize District
Take a short drive from Belize City
to this exquisite Maya ruin near the
ocean. Don’t miss the Temple of the
Green Tomb!
50
points
Altun Ha
Been
there?
Cahel Tech - Cayo District
Walk 15 minutes up the hill from
downtown San Ignacio. Explore the
winding maze of courtyards and
tunnel-like hallways.
30
points
Cahel Tech
Been
there?
Caracol - Cayo District
Belize’s largest, most impressive Maya
city, home to over 150,000 Mayas
in 650 AD. A true jungle adventure!
70
points
Caracol
Been
there?
Lamanai - Orange Walk District
Second largest Maya ruin in Belize.
Four huge Maya masks carved in
stone help you “face” this awesome
civilization.
70
points
Lamanai
Been
there?
Xunantunich - Cayo District
Stunning Maya ceremonial center,
located on a hill overlooking the
Mopan river.
50
points
Xunantunich
Total:
9
Mammals excerpt - 2 of 4 pages
Coati
Seen
one?
Known as “quash” in Belize. Often
seen in small troops traveling single
file with the tail pointed straight up.
10 points if seen in zoo, 20 points
in wild.
10/20
points
Coati
Seen
one?
Nine-banded Armadillo
These odd creatures are a favorite
food for jaguars. They feed on ants
and bugs, and can sniff out a beetle
six inches underground. 10 points if
seen in zoo, 30 points in wild.
10/30
points
Nine-banded Armadillo
Seen
one?
Kinkajou
Known as “night walker” in Belize.
You may hear it scrambling in the
bush at night, or jumping noisily
from treetop to treetop. 10 points
if seen in zoo, 30 points in wild.
10/30
points
Kinkajou
Seen
one?
Spider Monkey
This lanky, long-tailed monkey is
usually seen in groups, swinging
effortlessly through the trees. 10
points if seen in zoo, 30 points
in wild.
10/30
points
Spider Monkey
Seen
one?
Agouti
This rodent and its close cousin, the
paca, look like huge, tailless squirrels.
The paca has white spots, while the
agouti is all brown. 10 points if seen
in zoo, 20 points in wild.
Total:
10/20
points
Agouti
25
Peccaries
Seen
one?
10/30
points
Collared Peccary
Seen
one?
Deer
Both Red-brocket and White-tailed
deer can be found in Belize. Redbrocket deer live in swampy areas
close to rivers. 10 points if seen in
zoo, 30 if seen in wild.
10/30
points
Red-brocket Deer
Seen
one?
Margay
10/100
points
Margay
Seen
one?
points
These medium-sized cats are found
on the ground. They hunt by day
and night, so are more often seen
than other cats of Belize. 10 points if
seen in zoo, 100 if seen in wild.
Ocelot
Seen
one?
Jaguarundi
These medium-sized cats have a
distinctive wide otter-like tail. They
are usually seen on the ground, but
they also climb trees. 10 points if
seen in zoo, 100 if seen in wild.
10/100
points
Jaguarundi
26
These small cats are active at night.
Called “tiger cats” by locals, they
have ankles that rotate so they
can climb headfirst down a tree. 10
points if seen in zoo, 100 if seen
in wild.
Ocelot
10/100
Total:
The Collared Peccary and its cousin,
the White-lipped Peccary, are piglike
animals that travel in groups rooting
for fruit and seeds. You may smell
their strong musky odor before you
see them. 10 points if seen in zoo,
30 if seen in wild.
Birds excerpt - 2 of 7 pages
Birds of Belize
Belize is home to over 500 species
of birds. From the sea shore to the
mountains, you’ll see birds—flitting
overhead, wading in shallow marshes,
or diving into the crests of waves.
Wake up early, and you’ll hear a bird
orchestra made up of a thousand
liquid voices erupting from every
bush and tree.
We have selected
just 24 birds for
you to try to spot.
Some are special to
Belize, like the Keelbilled Toucan, which
is Belize’s national bird.
Some, like the Scarlet
Macaw and the Harpy
Eagle, are rare and
exciting, and unlikely
to be seen outside
of the Belize Zoo.
But we’ve also
included birds that we know you are
likely to see and be able to recognize:
the Magnificent Frigate bird fighting
for food over a fisherman’s boat, or
the flocks of noisy parrots scolding
overhead.
Some birds you may only be able to
see if you travel to special places. The
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary may
be your best chance of seeing the
Roseate Spoonbill. Visiting Lamanai?
The boat ride out to Lamanai offers
many opportunities to spot all kinds
of birds; the Snail Kite, and Boat
billed Heron are just two you may
see. On a tour of Caracol? Listen
28
closely for the distinctive wooden
rrrk-rrrk-rrrk call of the Keel-billed
Toucan.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
may remind you of Tarzon movies;
with dangling vines and sparkling
waterfalls gushing out of the lush
rainforest. If you visit, you may be
rewarded with a glimpse of the
beautiful
and endangered
Scarlet Macaw,
who make a yearly
migration to the town
of Red Bank just south of
Cockscomb Basin.
But you don’t have to go to
special places to see special birds.
With 22 species of hummingbirds
living in Belize, you’re likely to spot
one in almost any flowering tree or
shrub. Shore birds and waders, like
the Great Blue Heron and the Snowy
Egret, can be found throughout
the coastal areas of Belize, where
large tracts of mangroves provide
both good feeding and shelter.
Roadside poles may hold a vermillion
flycatcher or a belted kingfisher.
A sharp-eyed birder can see as many
as 100 species in a few days. Try
getting up with the dawn one day
and see how many birds you can
spot. Many resorts have a birding
tower, where you can get up into the
tree canopy and see the world from
a bird’s point of view. Keep an eye on
the road side scenery as you drive
from place to place. The birds are all
around you!
Roseate Spoonbill
Seen
one?
These distinctive pink, tall birds
can’t be mistaken for any other
bird. They use their feet to stir up
bottom-dwelling creatures and then
spoon them up with their bill.
50
points
Roseate
Spoonbill
Red Brocket
Deer
Seen
one?
Chachalacas
These noisy birds will make you sit
up and notice that they are around.
Undoubtedly, these birds would
win any Loudest and Noisiest Bird
of Belize contest. Usually heard
mornings and evenings.
10
points
RedChachalacas
Brocket Deer
Seen
one?
Great Kiskadee
A common bird in Belize, seen
around houses and gardens, often
perches scenically on a fence post
or on wires overhead.
10
points
Great
Kiskadee
Red
Brocket
Deer
Seen
one?
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
These brilliant metallic green birds
with orangish underparts are often
seen in pairs. If you scare one away,
wait a minute—they often return
to their branch.
30
points
Rufous-tailed
Red BrocketJacamar
Deer
Total:
29
Coral Reef Fish excerpt - 2 of 6 pages
Grey Angelfish
Seen
one?
You’ll find this fish nibbling along
the reef. They are not as shy as
Queen Angelfish and may let you
get quite close to photograph.
20
points
Grey Angelfish
Queen Angelfish
Seen
one?
The angelfish have mouths adapted
so they can fit into crevices of the
coral. The Queen Angelfish is one of
the most spectacular of coral fish.
20
points
Queen Angelfish
French Angelfish
Seen
one?
20
points
This large angelfish has yellow
highlights. Like other angelfish, their
narrow flat bodies allow them to fit
in between cracks in the coral to
hunt for food.
French Angelfish
Banded Butterflyfish
Seen
one?
Butterflyfish will often nibble the
body of a larger fish, eating the
parasites that grow on the skin.
20
points
Banded Butterflyfish
Spotfin Butterflyfish
Seen
one?
Total:
Usually found in pairs on the top of
the reef. The “eye” on the dorsal fin
confuses predators so they can’t tell
which end is the head.
20
points
42
Spotfin Butterflyfish
Stoplight Parrotfish
Seen
one?
These fish bite off pieces of coral,
and if you get close enough, you
can actually hear the rasping sound
as they eat.
20
points
Stoplight Parrotfish
Blue Tang
Seen
one?
Plant eaters that live in holes and
crevices, these fish are often seen in
large groups. The juvenile Blue Tang
is bright yellow.
10
points
Blue Tang
Doctor Fish
Seen
one?
Plant eaters that are cousins to
Blue Tangs, and often found in the
same area.
10
points
Doctor Fish
Queen Triggerfish
Seen
one?
This beautiful fish eats Black Urchins
by flipping them over to get at their
vulnerable bottom side.
20
points
Queen Triggerfish
Smooth Trunkfish
Seen
one?
These funny puckered-up guys will
often let you get quite close so you
can take a good picture.
40
points
Total:
Smooth Trunkfish
43
Tally Sheet
Directions
Bonus Points
Add your totals from each
chapter here:
Give yourself 20 Bonus
Points for any other:
Maya Ruins:
Maya Ruins you visited:
Belize Parks:
Belize Park you visited:
Experience Belize:
Unique Belize experience:
Animals:
Birds:
Give yourself 10 bonus points
seeing and identifying any
other:
Trees & Flowers:
Bird:
Coral Fish:
Fish:
Sea Creatures:
Sea Creature:
Reptiles & Insects:
Reptile or Insect:
Food:
Flower or Tree:
Total
Regular Points:
56
Total
Bonus Points:
Special
Bonus Points:
50 Points for getting a
picture of a wild animal
outside of the zoo.
100 Points for a picture of a
margay, oscelot, puma or
juguarundi outside of the zoo.
200 Points for getting a picture
of a jaguar outside of the zoo.
Total Points
Add your totals here:
Regular Points:
Bonus Points:
Special Bonus Points:
Grand Total:
Winner
Categories
100-390 Points
Visitor: You came, you had
a good time, but there’s so
much more to see! Come
on back and see what you
missed!
400-690 Points
Explorer: You saw a lot,
went to lots of places, and
can really see why everyone
loves Belize. Come back and
see the rest!
700-990 Points
Adventurer: Hope you took
lots of pictures--your trip was
fabulous! You know you want
to come back for more!
1000 Points or more
Honary Belizean:
Congratulations! You really
saw it all! You’ve earned
bragging rights to say:
I’ve Been To Belize! And, of
course, now you love it so
much we hope you’ll come
back every year!
57
A visual guide to the best of Belize...
A game...
Compete with others to see who can spot a manatee, a gumbolimbo tree, a
chachalaca, or a black howler monkey. Whoever spots the most sights wins!
Compete with yourself – how many Belize sights can you see during your trip?
A guide book...
Twelve chapters with color pictures of all the special Belize animals, birds, fish, and
fauna to see during your trip. Each chapter gives you a quick, visual guide with
the most essential facts you need to identify and spot the best of Belize. Also
includes chapters on the most popular and beautiful Maya ruins and Belize
Parks. With this guide, you’ll always know which adventures to go on, and what to
look for on land, on sea, or in town.
And a souvenir...
Check off each sight as you spot it. When you get home, the book is a unique
record of everything you did and saw on your trip. We’ve also included pages
to write about your trip, and places to put in your own pictures and postcards
to make this book a truly unique and personal souvenir of your vacation!