Exploring the many wonders of Belize

Adventure Travel: As a general rule it's probably not a good idea to consume food with ingredients you can't pronounce but when it comes to adventure travel, sometimes the unknown is the most exciting. Take for example Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit. While the name may not roll right off the tongue, you'll waste no time exploring these Mayan ruins above a valley cut by the Columbia River. You may have never heard of Gorgonian fan corals but you'll get up close and personal with them, along with enormous sponges, hundreds of colorful fish and sheer coral-encrusted walls that inhabit the magnificent Barrier Reef of Belize. Placencia may sound like a sterile scientific term, but it's really a beautiful coastline where you can catch 8-10 different species of fish in one day, year round.

If the unfamiliar doesn't phase you, visit the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first protected area set aside to preserve the greatest cat in the new world - the jaguar. If you're lucky enough to spot one, you may find yourself at a loss for words. A 30-minute guided Kayak trip down the tropical South Stann Creek River, will reveal never-before-seen (well, at least to you anyway) wildlife and vegetation. At the end of each adventure-filled day you'll want an equally exciting place to stay. Nestled on 22 lush acres, the Hacienda-style Inn at Robert Grove is situated on the finest white sand beach Placencia has to offer. Whether you're a die-hard adrenaline junkie or just want a romantic getaway, your visit to Placencia and Belize will be an unforgettable one.

For LxM Amy Covington