Belize

Everyone loves the Caribbean in winter. But Belize — less than a two-hour flight from Dallas, Houston, or Miami — has more to offer the February traveler than just gorgeous beaches and coral reefs. “One of the big appeals of Belize is that you can experience the jungle, the water, and the Mayan ruins,” says Barbara Forté, a travel agent at the Boston-based Travel Collaborative. The country, the only English-speaking nation in Central America, also has a mountainous interior, so be sure to take a light sweater for cool evenings. Ideally, says Forté, travelers should spend a few days on the coast and a few days in the jungle interior, stopping off at the ancient Mayan city of Altun Ha.

Average Temperature: 70 to 81 degrees.

Where to Stay: According to Forté, Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn (doubles from $345 a night, www.blancaneaux.com), recently rebuilt after a hurricane, is by far the best hotel in Belize. Located on the southern coast, near the town of Placencia, Turtle Inn has spacious seafront cottages, many of which have outdoor showers and screened-in porches. And the service, Forté says, is spectacular: “They anticipate your needs before you even think of them. It is a magical experience.”

What to Do: Tour the nearby jaguar reserve and Mayan sites, or try sportfishing, sailing, and kayaking in the adjacent mangrove estuary. And don’t miss the reef snorkeling. “It’s great fun, and the coral is so beautiful!” says Forté. Unlike the shallow water off Belize’s Ambergris Caye, which is often filled with eel grass, Forté says, the beach here is deeper and more swimmable. Look for tropical fish, including the regal blue tang (Dory in Finding Nemo). For more information: www.travelbelize.org.