Turtle Inn Resort, PlacenciaLaughing Bird Caye, near PlacenciaWhite-nosed coati, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary44Coastal MainlandHeading east from the Cayo District you pass the tiny Belizean capital of Belmopan before joining the Hummingbird Highway that winds its way south to the coast. The road is the most beautiful in the country, meandering through subtropical forests and huge plantations of citrus and banana. It is possible to break your journey at the surprisingly impressive Belize Zoo or St Herman's Blue Hole National Park, where you can cool off in a natural swimming hole. Along the coast you will find the fishing villages of Hopkins and, a further 48 kilometres south, Placencia.Although the beaches along the coast here are not the finest the country has to offer, there are some lovely places to stay where you can simply relax by the pool. The spectacular outer coral reef system and the Laughing Bird Caye National Park, with their superb snorkelling and scuba diving, are just a boat trip away. The region is also the jumping-off point for visiting Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, which offers fantastic walks amongst pristine jungle, beautiful waterfalls, rivers and streams. Visit early in the day to have the prospect of seeing numerous bird species, tapirs, coatis (a member of the raccoon family), and if you are lucky, pumas and ocelots. Accommodation in Hopkins and PlacenciaHopkins is a small, tranquil village on the coast with just a couple of accommodation options. We like the Hamanasi Resort, a 21 room hotel nestled between the lush Maya Mountains and turquoise Caribbean Sea. The resort is ideally located for snorkelling and diving the Belizean reefs.Placencia is more developed and has a string of hotels stretching along the coast. A great value option is the Robert's Grove Beach Resort with 52 rooms, three swimming pools and a large bar and dining area overlooking a well-kept beach. For something a little special, the Turtle Inn Resort is a property in Francis Ford Coppola's portfolio. Comprising 25 rooms in total, made up of individual cabañas and two-bedroom villas, the resort has two restaurants, two lovely pools and a stretch of sandy beach directly in front of the property.Sunset, Placencia

Belcampo Lodge, Toledo DistrictCave near the Lodge at Big Falls, Toledo DistrictMaya lady, Toledo DistrictMaya women making tortillas, Toledo Districtwww.audleytravel.com/belize l 01993 838 690 l Belize 45Toledo DistrictThe Toledo District in the south, often described as Belize's last frontier, is a fabulous part of the country and less visited than the Cayo and Orange Walk districts. It experiences more rain than other parts of Belize making its untouched rainforests and abundant citrus and cacao plantations incredibly lush and leafy. It is home to remote Maya sites, such as Lubaantun - where the infamous 'Crystal Skull' was purportedly found, and Nim Li Punit, which has 25 of its original carved monuments intact. The region is also home to over 300 bird species and 15 national parks and reserves, making it a wonderful destination for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.Toledo is the least developed area of Belize and consequently traditional culture is stronger here. Maya families will proudly show off their homes and organic gardens to interested visitors and in doing so offer a fascinating glimpse of traditions that have been lost in many places. Tending small cacao plantations is the main economic activity in the area, and you can visit and watch a demonstration of the chocolate making process. This is far harder than it looks, as you will realise if you get the chance to give it a go. Accommodation in the Toledo DistrictDespite its remoteness, the Toledo District offers a surprisingly good number of accommodation options. The lovely jungle guesthouse Hickatee Cottages is arguably one of the best value options in the whole of Belize, while the Lodge at Big Falls has just six cabañas set in verdant forest that is fantastic for birding. For something more comfortable the luxurious Belcampo Lodge offers 12 stunning suites with glorious forest views.Violet-crowned woodnymph, Toledo DistrictCacao fruit, Toledo District