Belize

John Walker is a professor of Spanish at Queen’s University.

Part of the Ulysses Travel Guides series, the two volumes under review
are valuable aids for the serious traveler who also wants to learn about
the history, geography, and culture of Belize and Cartagena.

Cartagena goes beyond providing lots of practical information about
beaches, tourism, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment by
offering a history of this fortified city on the Caribbean coast of
Colombia (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), as well as much
information on population, the arts, folk culture, and crafts. A useful
glossary, an index, and 10 maps round out this attractive volume.

Belize, which was known as British Honduras until 1981, is the
second-smallest country in Central America (ahead of El Salvador). With
its old Mayan settlements and barrier reefs, Belize has something
different to offer the discriminating traveler. Belize provides a brief
history of the old British colony and a detailed picture of the
country’s fascinating geography and archeological and natural
treasures. Health and safety, financial transactions, accommodations,
restaurants, and a host of other topics are covered. The author does not
shy away from a discussion of social problems and dangers for the
tourist, such as drugs, theft, cheating, and prostitution. His book is
full of sound advice for the modern traveler.