Belize, a former British Honduras colony, is an autonomous country in Central America. It is the only country in the continent that does not have a coast on the Pacific Ocean. Instead, its shores run along the Caribbean Sea. It boasts of the Belize Barrier Reef, two hundred miles long and second only to the Great Barrier Reef when it comes to being the longest reef in the world. This is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reefs, which extends from Cancun to Guatemala. The reef is accessible from Ambergris Caye, one of Belize’s northernmost islands. Over at Caye Caulker, another Belize island, budget travelers may find plenty of good options for accommodations, food places, bars and adventures. It is popular as a snorkeling and hiking site. Its Forest Reserve extends to up to one hundred acres of the area, and is home to a variety of bird species and mangrove forests. Caye Caulker’s Shark and Ray Alley is very good for snorkeling and spotting southern stingrays and nurse sharks. The infamous Blue Hole is likewise an amazing dive site, teeming with sharks and a variety of other fish.

American, Canadian, and EU travelers to Belize only need a valid passport to get into the country. Those on cruises don’t even need passports. Visitors from other nations need the usual valid passport and visa. Belize City is reputed to be one of the most dangerous cities in the country. However, it is still safe for travelers as long as they practice precautions and keep to the tourist zones.

The majesty of the Boiling Lake is open to visitors after a 3-4 hour hike past free-flowing streams and mountain ridges. Other equally wonderful natural attractions include the Titou Gorge, a small waterfall with hot and cold streams, the Emerald Pool, which is nestled deep in the rainforest, and the Trafalgar Falls. Other natural wonders to amaze local and foreign visitors include the majestic Chaudiere, a river pool that can be reached by taking a short walk through the rainforest, and the Watton Waven, a village famous for its sulphur springs purported to hold healing powers.

Tourists should not miss a short hike up the Gallion, considered one of the best places to see the view and wait for the sun to set. Caribbean sunsets are spectacular, even more so when viewed from the tallest peaks of Dominica. This is truly a relaxing way to end the day, watching the colorful bursts of crimson, yellow, and blue in the sky after an exhilarating day of mountain climbing, biking, horseback riding, walking, and diving.

From the tallest peaks visitors can opt to marvel at the underwater attractions of the ocean, resplendent in its colorful and varied species of fish and corals under a blanket of clear, blue waters. Dolphins and sea turtles may also come out and play for a truly unforgettable marine experience. Aside from diving, snorkeling and kayaking are popular water activities.

For Americans and Canadians, only a valid passport is required for a visit to Dominica. Tourists who want to drive a car need to purchase a Visitor’s Temporary Driver’s license which is valid for up to one month.

The diversity in color is the first to strike the curious traveler. Two shield volcanoes vie to dominate the land, each built on dark rocks, and cut by ravines and valleys. Not far, one is overwhelmed by rich green rainforests. The dark and the green make a foreboding mix – one that contrasts the golden sands and tropical ambience of Maui’s famous shorelines. The beaches are interesting, as they are. Vast and marked with several resorts and recreation areas, these have remained pristine and picture perfect.

Snorkeling is possible practically anywhere in the waters of Maui. One can reach great sites just a few strokes from the shore. Scuba diving and surfing are popular tourist activities, as well. However, Maui is known best for its incomparable whale watching opportunities. Wintertime in the island, humpback whales migrate from the icy waters of Alaska to Maui’s warmer Pacific waters. Its ‘Au‘au Channel is home to these giants during this mating and birthing season.

Ramblers will also find paradise in the island. For one thing, Hana Highway, aside from the spectacular views possible just off the road, has several jump-off points to hiking trails. These may lead to more of Maui’s mystifying waterfalls, interesting flora and fauna, or relaxing beaches. The Haleakala National Park is also a great option for its bamboo forest, waterfalls, and challenging trails.

Non-American travelers to Maui generally need a valid passport and visa. The island is ideal to visit any time of the year; however, for whale watching, coming over the winter is best. It is generally safe; although, of course, basic precautionary practices are advised.

Montego Bay architecture is an eclectic mix of practical gingerbread houses sitting neatly side by side with modern structures. Georgian architecture can be seen everywhere. Town attractions include the Sam Sharpe Square, in the center of which stands the Cage which used to be a jail for slaves. Another landmark is the ruins of the Montego Bay Courthouse which was demolished in a fire some 20 years ago.

Shopping is also a great experience in Montego Bay. Souvenir shops line the streets, and major shopping arcades also abound. Among them include the St. James Plaza, the Montego Bay Plaza, and the Bay West Plaza. The largest shopping center in Montego Bay is Holiday Village and it houses a veritable collection of in-bound stores, souvenir shops, and craft stores. Haggling is expected in most shops and stores and will surely make for a fun and interesting shopping experience. Theme parks, theaters, and museums may also be found in the center of the town.

The Doctor’s Cave Beach is a popular destination for celebrities and famous personalities and is perhaps the region’s greatest claim to fame. The Doctor’s Cave beach is the site of an unusually clear spring. In recent years various beach clubs such as the Tropical Beach and Rose Hall Beach have been developed around Doctor’s Cave Beach.

US citizens and Canadians are not required to present a visa to visit Jamaica. All that is needed is a valid passport.

Though Costa Rica is small, it makes up for stunning biodiversity not seen anywhere in South America. The country boasts of numerous natural parks and protected sanctuaries, which make up a large percentage of the protected areas in the world. This is why the country is among the pioneers of eco-tourism.

One-of-a-kind flora and fauna can be found in the Corcovado National Park, which is among the most famous parks in South America. The Tortuguero National Park, on the other hand, is home to various species of birds, sloths, capuchin monkeys, and many other forms of wildlife. The park is particularly known for the annual nesting of the endangered green turtle and for the leatherbacks, hawksbills, and loggerhead turtles found here.

Nature explorations do not need to stop here. Nature lovers can marvel at the many species of orchids, plants, birds, and mammals that take permanent residence at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which houses about 800 species of birds in the country. The history and culture of Costa Rica is as varied and as rich as its natural wonders. Costa Rica is actually a junction where Mesoamerican and South American cultures meet, producing a rich heritage that is almost as old as the continent itself. The fusion of South American, African, Asian, and Italian cultures makes Costa Rica a truly cosmopolitan city.

American and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the country and can stay for up to 90 days with a valid passport. Visits that take longer than 90 days require arrangements for a stay extension.

As blues and jazz hymns reverberate in Chicago’s great watering holes, its machineries continue to toil. Chicago’s “big shoulders,” the hulking skyscrapers and corporate Mecca, define a striking skyline. Fine museums of science and art and shopping centers litter the urban landscape. Lake Michigan borders the city, providing a weekend respite for locals and visitors alike.

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of Chicago’s world-renowned establishments. The art museum has a masterful collection of impressionist art, attracting art lovers and students from all over the world. Likewise, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio attracts its share of architecture enthusiasts.

Lake Michigan continues to be a mainstay in the lives of Chicago locals and tourists. With a shoreline that stretches to 29 miles, it is a haven for people seeking weekend recreation. A path is available for bikers, runners, and skaters. Beach resorts line its shores.

In a city noted for its industry, Chicago’s mass transit line is one of the things a traveler must experience. The Loop or the “L” is an elevated train line that offers one of the best views of Chicago. Its Brown Line offers the best of these views.

Generally, travelers to Chicago require a valid passport and visa. Citizens of 27 countries can travel to America without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Chicago is a typical American big city. The common traveler hassles are pickpockets and purse-snatchers. There are several relatively safe places, particularly those in tourist-friendly districts. Other areas, like the South Side, may require a little bit more caution.

Much vaunted is the Art Deco District. With hipness that is said to rival Manhattan’s, the district is home to several fine restaurants, nightclubs, and trendy watering holes. Neon and flesh-colored buildings lie in the backdrop. Tourists and locals walk the streets to the beach. On weekends, its bumper-to-bumper cars and scantily clad pedestrians along Ocean Drive. Clearly, when in Miami, this is where to party.

The Everglades National Park is one of the last wild frontiers in America, and a traveler must-see while in the city. At 600,000 hectares of land, the Everglades is a mix of saw-grass prairies, swamps, and sub-tropical jungles. It is the home of the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile, and other rare species. Much of it is yet to be fully explored but a portion has been developed for bikers and hikers.

The slew of other destinations in Miami includes museums, like the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and theme parks, such as the Miami Seaquarium and Jungle Island.

Travelers to Miami are generally required a valid passport and visa. Citizens from 27 select countries can come into the country without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Petty crimes, like pickpockets and purse snatching, are typical tourist hassles. However, these should not be of much concern if basic precautions are taken. Miami is a great destination the whole year round.

The Palace is one of the important structures found with the Palenque ruins. Its unique four-story tower has been kept intact. Likewise, connected building and courtyards reveal impressive bas-relief carvings and sculptures.

The Temple of Inscriptions, on the other hand, houses the second longest glyphic text found so far in Mayan studies and archaeology. The temple was founded for K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, as a funerary monument. This dates back to 675 AD. A hidden passageway from the temple’s back room leads to Pakal’s carved sarcophagus and material belongings that were supposed to accompany him in his death.

The Temples of the Cross group is another relevant set of ruins found within the Palenque site. Here, temples are set on top of step pyramids. Supposedly, this symbolized the tree of creation in Mayan mythology.

The Mayan ruins of Palenque have several other curious temples and remnants, such as Temples XIX and XXI. These continue to baffle both scholars and archaeology and history enthusiasts.

Travelers to Palenque require a valid passport and visa. For American citizens, visas can be procured at their entry points. Typically, visas are good for up to 180 days. Palenque is relatively safer than the more congested cities of Mexico. However, basic precautions should still be practiced. Flashy jewelries are no-nos. It is good to travel to Palenque all year round, although the downpours from June to October are best avoided.

Mexico City’s history is very much apparent in its modern streets. A series of canals still crisscrosses Xochimilco, a neighborhood that managed to keep to tradition. On weekends, the canals overflow with chinampas (floating gardens), food peddlers, and mariachis – a sensory overload, even for the most well-traveled visitor. Cobblestone streets line communities like Coyoacán. The Metropolitan Cathedral, the first of its kind in North America, still stands tall, albeit a bit battered by the elements and earthquakes that touched its land. Close to it is the Aztec Templo Mayor, the exposed ruins of an Aztec temple.

Mexico City was the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan since 1325. The ancient city was destroyed and rebuilt as the seat of its Spanish conquerors in 1521. It had since then gone through several revolutions, and a war against its American neighbor. Today, it is Mexico’s financial center, ranking 8th among cities worldwide for its gross domestic product.

A valid passport and visa are required for travelers to Mexico City. Visas are good for 180 days. The city’s streets are generally safe, although basic precautions are still necessary. Travelers should never flaunt expensive jewelry pieces and watches. Likewise, they should keep aware of their surroundings, especially when out drinking.