Tucked beneath the upward curve of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, tiny Belize has a wealth of natural resources-rare Caribbean atolls, a barrier reef, faro reefs, rain forests, exotic wildlife like jaguars and tapirs. The Central American nation delivers spectacular diving all along its 180-mile-long coastline. Belize has the longest barrier reef in both the northern and western hemispheres, stretching from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay of Honduras. The country offers three of only four atolls in the Caribbean, and more than 200 cayes offshore, many of them secluded paradises.

Ambergris Caye, off the mainland's northeastern shore, is to Belize what Cozumel is to Mexico-the focal point for the country's dive activity. The barrier reef is closer to Ambergris than any point on the coast, and because of this, there are more dive operators in San Pedro than anywhere else in the country. In addition to diving the sites along Ambergris's section of the barrier reef, operators in San Pedro run day trips and overnight trips to Turneffe Islands Atoll and Lighthouse Reef Atoll, including the Blue Hole.

Beyond the barrier reef, 30 to 60 miles off the mainland, lie the country's three atolls, Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef and Glover's Reef. These oblong coral rings each surround a central lagoon. The result is three dramatic reef systems. The outer edges of the atolls are lined by coral walls that in places plunge 10,000 feet. The walls are marked by overhangs, crevices, tunnels and pinnacles. In the shelter of the atolls' lagoons are shallow patch reefs, mangrove swamps and beds of turtle grass.

About 100 miles south of Belize City is Placencia Peninsula, which hangs like a loose thread from the mainland. Between the peninsula and the southern reaches of the barrier reef is a vast inner lagoon, which supports one of only three faro reef systems in the world. These steep-sided shelf atolls rise from the continental shelf and enclose a central lagoon. Twenty-nine miles off Placencia is Gladden Spit, a hot spot for whale shark encounters.

Dive In

Weather: Subtropical, which means pretty warm year-round, especially on the coast, cayes and atolls; luckily, a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean moderates hot summer temps. Expect summer highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-70s. Winter is cooler, with highs in the low 80s and lows in the high 60s.

Average Water Temp: High 70s in winter to mid-80s in summer.

Average Visibility: On the barrier reef and atolls, vis is often 100 feet or more, but a bit less inside the reef.

Currency: The Belize dollar (BZ$). The fixed exchange rate is BZ$2 to US$1. Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted throughout the country.

Time: The same as U.S. Central Standard. Daylight saving time is not observed.

Direct Dial Code: 011-501.

Language: English is the official language. However, many Belizeans speak a creole--clipped English with a smattering of Spanish. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in the north.

Electricity: 110 volts.

Entry Documents: A passport is required, plus a return or ongoing ticket.

Departure Tax: $35, payable in U.S. currency.

For More Info: Belize Tourism Board, www.travelbelize.org, Turneffe Island Lodge, www.turneffelodge.com.