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Coral reefs are among the most complex and fragile ecosystems on
earth. Colonies have been growing at a rate of less than 5cm a year
for thousands of years; once damaged, the coral is far more
susceptible to bacteria, which can quickly lead to large-scale
irreversible damage. All tour guides in Belize are schooled in reef
ecology before being granted a license (which must be displayed as
they guide, and if you go on an organized trip, as most people do,
the guide will brief you on the following precautions to avoid
damage to the reef.
Never
anchor boats on the reef
- use the permanently secured buoys.
Never
touch or stand on corals
- protective cells are easily stripped away from the living polyps
on their surface, destroying them and thereby allowing algae to
enter.
Don't
remove shells, sponges or other creatures from the reef, or buy reef
products from souvenir shops.
Avoid
disturbing the seabed around corals
- quite apart from spoiling visibility, clouds of sand settle over
corals, smothering them.
If you're either a beginner or an out-of-practice diver, practice
away from the reef first.
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 Belize
travel guide
Caribbean
guide
Don't use suntan lotion in reef areas - the oils remain on the
water's surface. Wear
a t-shirt instead to protect your skin from sunburn.
Check
you're not in one of the marine reserves before fishing.
Don't feed or interfere with fish or marine life;
this can harm not only sea creatures and the food chain, but
smokeless too - large fish may attack, trying to get their share
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Belize
Belize City
Where to go
When to go
Getting around
Costs, money, banks
Currency, exchange
 Eating
and drinking
Mail &
communications
Safety and the police
Work and study
Information
The media
Holidays
and festivals
Shopping,
souvenirs
Belize city
Arrival and information
Restaurants
Nightlife,
entertainment
Tours,
buses
Listings
Travel details
Explore Belize City
North side
South side
Cayo and the west
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Belize city
to San
Ignacio
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Belize zoo
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Belmopan
Practicalities
Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Guanacaste
Park
Benque Viejo del Carmen
Caracol Ruins
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
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San Antonio
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San Ignacio
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Arrival
Restaurants
Kayaking,canoeing
Xunantunich, San Jose
Corozal, Orange Walk
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Travel details |
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