Belize is a small country and few people know about its existence. Nevertheless, Belize has everything it takes for a country to be a perfect holiday destination. With its total area of 22,966 km² (or 8,867 sq miles) and a population of little over 300,000 people, there is plenty of space left for nature. Another interesting thing about Belize is its various cultures.

Belize borders Mexico to its North, Guatemala to its West and the Caribbean Sea to its South and East. This demographical position blesses Belize with gorgeous beaches, many small islands called Cays, impressive scuba dive and snorkel reefs, ancient Mayan ruins, lush jungle with beautiful rivers; and even a mountain range featuring 1124 meter (or 3688 feet) as its highest point.

Jungle tourism is a rising subcategory of adventure travel defined by active multifaceted physical means of travel in the jungle regions of the earth. Although similar in many respects to adventure travel, jungle tourism pertains specifically to the context of region, culture and activity. According to the Glossary of Tourism Terms, jungle tours have become a major component of green tourism in tropical destinations and are a relatively recent phenomenon of Western international tourism.

Of the regions that take part in tourism-driven sustainable development practices and eco tourism, Mexican, Central and South American practices are the most pervasive in the industry; notably Mayan jungle excursions. Other regions include jungle territories in Africa, Australia, and the South Pacific.

Horseback riding is not the most difficult thing in the world; in fact, it’s one of the easiest! The misconception that horseback riding requires years of experience or expensive lessons is just that, a misconception. Assuming you’re with someone who knows what they’re doing, ANYONE can horseback ride in a matter of minutes, whether you’re 5 or 50.

Horses trained to carry people know exactly what they’re supposed to do and with a little guidance from the trainer, you should be able to guide the horses by yourself with a few simple commands with the reins. So don’t be timid, let the trainer tell you where to step, what and what not to do once on the horse, and that’s it. If you still don’t feel up to the task, the trainer may take full control of the horse him or herself, meaning that all you do is sit and enjoy the ride.

Many active travelers come to Mexico for the Mayan, Aztec, Olmec, ruins. Many come for the beaches of Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the snorkeling in Cozumel, the Colors of Mexico City, the jungles of Quintana Roo, or perhaps even the rich cooking of the entire country. A number of travelers even come windsurf, whale watch and hike. But not many come to take part in one of Mexico’s greatest gifts, whitewater rafting.

In the state of Veracruz lies the country’s best whitewater rafting destination. Boasting more than 40 rivers that spread across the dynamic terrain in Veracruz, it doesn’t take much to understand why this state would have ideal world-class white water rafting and kayaking. The typical river in Veracruz accents narrow, steep water flow that has a medium to low water volume making rafting and other water sports a challenging and technical experience.

One of the many highlights found in Mexican travel is the incredible diversity, whether on land, or water. Acknowledging this, Duende Tours has begun an expansion of tours that will soon encompass many of Mexico’s hidden treasures. And now, for the first time, we’re redefining Overseas Adventure Travel.

For us, overseas adventure travel doesn’t mean flying over bodies of water from landmass to landmass: it means exploring the world. More specifically it means taking an adventure that puts you face to face with a great challenge, at this case, with the biggest fish on earth, the Whale Shark.

Perhaps one of the most exciting and dynamic experiences in the realm of mountain biking, Mayan jungle bike tours stands above all. Beyond the off road experience through dense jungle flora, mud pits, hills and thick tropical tree roots, deep jungle mountain biking, not that any other biking experience wouldn’t, gives one a very rewarding goal at the finish line: Mayan jungle pyramids and ruins.

There are some major differences between deep jungle mountain biking, and the traditional form explored by traditional tour operators. The main differences have to do with the speed of the tour, the process revolving around the tour, and the environmental elements involved in the tour.

Mayan Jungle Travel Adventures come in all shapes and sizes. They come in a plethora of lengths and widths; in an assortment of themes and categories. But most of all they are in some way, shape, or form educational, fun, and enlightening. Mayan Jungle Travel Adventures are a one-in-a-lifetime experience.

Though no one really knows when commercial Mayan Jungle travel adventures began, there are theories in local communities that traditional versions began when the first civilizations of Mayans settled in the jungles. Groups of young Mayans for various cultural and/or social reasons would explore the Mayan jungles in search of food, shelter, or fun.

Family vacations have taken a new meaning in this day and age. Hiking trails and tent camping have taken a completely new meaning with today’s adventure vacations travel industry. Bike tours and kayaking are no longer a solo man’s journey in the wilderness.

Today families are setting out internationally to places that where only once frequented by the casual backpacker. A region that has seen more than its share of backpackers until recently is the Mayan world. This is the region that Duende Tours seeks to preserve through an alternative style of adventure vacations meant to educate, entertain, and culturally enrich the foreign traveler.

Very rarely will you come across a learned man or woman in the U.S. ignorant of anything to do with Mayan ruins. Perhaps “Chichen Itza”, “Tikal” or “Palenque” will come to mind, recalling “something” about one of the aforementioned Mayan Ruins. These names are the milestones of the Maya Civilization in terms of size and sophistication.

Towering stacks of half-ton stone comprise these architecturally advanced creations. Even without knowledge of the most popular names, the average person can still recall something about the ancient civilization; one that gave us the calendar, advanced mathematics, astronomy, hydraulics, and architecture beyond belief. The average person will know something about Mayan ruins.

People throw around terms such as “eco tours”, “eco tourism”, “adventure tourism” and “adventure travel tours” all the time. But what do they really mean? Are they simply any kind of adventure travel tours, such as Belize cave tubing? Can you stay at a 5 star hotel during eco tours, or can you only sleep in tents or campers under the stars?

Can you drive motor vehicles during your tour, or must you only travel by foot, on horseback, on bike or via canoe? Must you eat at small taco stands along the side of the street, or can you dine at fancy restaurants? What if the fancy restaurants are locally owned?