For the new Southwest Passport initiative, Southwest Airlines sent 12 people to the 12 different international destinations to which Southwest offers service. I was lucky enough to go to Belize for the first time where I spent two nights at the amazing Las Terrazas resort in the Ambergris Caye region of Belize. Ambergris Caye is Belize's largest island and is known for its Caribbean beaches and its proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef.
The highlight of the trip was our visit to the world famous Hol Chan Marine Reserve which is home to an abundance of diverse sea life and some of the clearest waters I've ever seen. After exploring the ecosystem of the reserve, we continued on to Shark Ray Alley which had no trouble living up to its name. The area was bursting with nurse sharks and sting rays which would greet every new boat that arrived in hopes of getting a snack. The experience of watching the sharks and rays circle around us was exhilarating and unforgettable. From catching a fiery sunrise on my first morning there to relaxing by the pool, I was definitely able to maximize my stay in Belize but I cannot wait to return and see even more of what this incredible country has to offer.
I really want to thank each and every one of you who entered for a chance to win a Belize getaway courtesy of Southwest. The winners will be announced soon! As a token of my appreciation, I wanted to share some of my must do travel tips that I've picked up throughout my travels:
One of the most important things while traveling is to have all of your essentials ready at a moments notice.
Make sure you have the best seat on the plane. For me, that's always the window seat.
Be sure to check what activities your hotel offers. Many will have kayaks, paddleboards, and more to use at your leisure for free.
Planning out your meals for the day is just as important as planning out your activities.
And last but not least, have fun and don't forget to find time to relax and pamper yourself before making the trip back home!
