The Mopan River flows from the western border and Benque Viejo del Carmen,
to San Ignacio, where it joins the Macal River to form the mighty Belize River.

The "green season" is in full swing here in Belize,
and never have I seen it looking more beautiful. Tropical lushness abounds and everywhere one can almost hear the contented sighs of mother earth after each refreshing rain shower. The Cayo District, often considered as Belize's finest region, is bursting with verdant splendor and brimming with birds and butterflies.

A simple drive along the Western Highway has become a wildlife adventure of its own, as the rains bring all of God's creatures out of hiding. In addition to the standard egrets, hawks and kingfishers, observant travellers are rewarded with the sighting of many birds often seen only in the forests. In my recent travels along the highway, I have seen numerous Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Black-throated Shrike Tanagers with their brilliant yellow plumage, hundreds of parrots and even caught a rare glimpse of the enormous Jabiru stork in flight.

A White-fronted Parrot

While there's no question that Belize is the place to chase the winter chill from your bones, it should also be considered as a summer travel destination. The "rainy season," which extends from about June First through October, often scares people away with visions of monsoon-type weather. In fact, with the exception of the rainforests in the southernmost part of Belize, the rains here consist mainly of brief thundershowers that form offshore or in the hills and pass quickly; sometimes several in a day or through the night. However, there are plenty of dry days and the additional cloud cover takes the edge off the heat. A cloudy day in August can feel cooler than a sunny day in February!

Most lodging facilities in the country offer significant price reductions during this "off-season." This means you could stay longer, while avoiding the bustle of the peak season and it won't be so bad if you have to spend time in a hammock with a good book, due to a rainy day. Some of Belize's best diving is to be had during this time as well, when the waters are more settled.

When planning next year's summer holiday, try Belize, for a truly tropical treat!

The Blue Morpho butterfly