We selected the following books from those available at Amazon.com because we think they'll help you better enjoy your stay in Belize.  Please let us know what you think about them - or if you have other books you recommend.  (Book links will open in a new browser window.   Close the new browser window to return to this page.)  (US visitors should visit this page.)

Belize

Saltwater Fish and Fishing

Critters (including marine critters and birds)

Plants

Maya

Snorkeling, Diving

Other Books of Interest

Belize: A Traveler's Tools for Living Like a Local, Lan Sluder.  Invaluable guide for anyone contemplating a transplant to Belize.

Belize Handbook, Belize 5 Ed, Chicki Mallan, Patti Lange (paperback).  These women have been doing guidebooks for Latin America for years, and offer good insights into activities, lodging and transportation options.

Belize Travel Reference Map, Jack Joyce.  Best Belize map commercially available.

Confederate Settlements in British Honduras, by Donald C., Jr. Simmons.  Raises perhaps more questions than it answers.  However, this book does provide a glimpse into a relatively obscure part of Belize history.

Cruising Guide to Belize and Mexico's Caribbean Coast (2nd Ed), by Freya Rauscher.   Considered an invaluable resource by cruisers.

Explore Belize by Harry S. Pariser.  Harry has also been around Belize for quite awhile and has some unique perspectives on all things Belizean.

Our Man in Belize, Richard Timothy Conroy.  Comical (and purportedly true) account of Conroy's life as a vice-consul in Colonial British Honduras. (May be out of print.)

Bluewater Fly Fishing: A Full-Color Guide, Trey Combs, Lefty Kreh.  Another bluewater flyfishing techniques book (with pictures).

Bonefishing, by Randall Kaufmann.  Good coffee table book (great pictures).  Get this one to hold you until your next fishing trip.

Fishing the Flats (Salt Water Sportsman Library), by Mark Sosin, Lefty Kreh. Basics of spinning and flyfishing on the flats.

Innovative Saltwater Flies, Bob Veverka.  This is a beautifully illustrated book, with fairly easy to follow instructions.  Great variety of innovative patterns with information about the developer and the theory behind the fly.

Permit on the Fly, Jack Samson.  As far as we know, this is THE definitive book on permit fishing -- covers not only the hows, but also the whys.

Salt Water Fishing Tactics : Learn from the Experts at Salt Water Sportsman Magazine. Good basic how-to book with chapters from world-renowned anglers such as Lefty Kreh and Mark Sosin.

Tarpon on Fly, by Donald Larmouth (hardcover, March 2002).  So new, we haven't yet seen this one.

Orchids of Guatemala and Belize, by Oakes Ames, et al (Paperback - September 1997).   Dense text, not a lot of illustrations.  Definitely for the serious "orchidist." (Is that a word?)

Rainforest Remedies: 100 Healing Herbs of Belize 2nd Enlarged Edition, Rosita Arvigo and Dr. Michael Balick, et al (paperback).  Best general guide on this subject.

Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Maya World: The Lowlands of Mexico, Northern Guatemala, and Belize, Julian C. Lee.  This book--written by the world's leading authority on the herpetology of the lowland Maya area--is the only comprehensive field guide to all currently identified Belizean species of amphibians and reptiles. (paperback)

Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities : Aerial Views of Pre-Columbian Ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, by William M. Ferguson, Richard E. W. Adams.

Mystery Cities: Exploration and Adventures in Labaantun, Thomas W. Gann.

The Night the Moon Fell: A Maya Myth, Pat Mora.  Ages 2-5; beautiful illustrations.

Relatively Speaking: Language, Thought, and Kinship Among the Mopan Maya, Eve Danziger.   Academic: The author devoted fourteen months of ethnographic fieldwork among the Mopan Maya in Belize studying the familial language of Mopan Mayan families.

Salt: White Gold of the Ancient Maya, Heather Irene McKillop.

Diving Belize (Aqua Quest Diving), Ned Middleton

Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Belize (2nd Ed), by Franz O. Meyer

People's Guide to Mexico:  Wherever You Go, There You Are, Carl Franz.  Ok, so it's not about Belize.  It's about Mexico.  But it's a must-read, even if you don't plan to visit Mexico, don't want to visit Mexico, haven't even heard of Mexico.   It's not your father's travelguide.

Double Whammy, Carl Hiassen.  Ok, so this isn't about saltwater fishing.  But it is about fishing (the bass circuit in Florida), and it is hysterical.   A good, light, read - perfect for the hammock.

Please note: services and goods in Belize are subject to a 12.5% general sales tax (GST).  Hotels/resorts must charge a 9% hotel tax on accommodations.  By law, all rates quoted for goods and services must include the GST, but quoted hotel room rates need not include the hotel tax.  All of our package rates include both GST and hotel taxes.  As required by law, rates for tours quoted on our Website include the 12.5% GST.  Many hotels and resorts also impose a service charge.  We have included service charges in package rates unless specifically stated otherwise. 

Send emails to mtoy@destinationsbelize.com.  Please Note:  Belize sometimes has significant  phone and Internet service problems.  If you do NOT receive a response to your email within 24 hours, please try resending - and we apologize for the inconvenience.)

Mailing Address:  General Delivery, Stann Creek District, Placencia, Belize

Phone: 

Belize: 
       Land Line:  523-4018 (from outside Belize dial  011-501-523-4018) 
       Cell:  610-4718  (from outside Belize dial  011-501-610-4718)
       Fax:  Use US Fax (see below)
U.S. Fax or Voice Mail Messages:  1-603-386-6632

Last modified: November 06, 2011

İMary V. Toy, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011