By JOHN EWOLDT, Star Tribune
Belize became a second home to Dean Sanberg and his wife, Kathleen, in 2006, after they fell in love with the country during a vacation. "My son and I were certified in scuba diving during the vacation while my wife and daughter explored the Mayan ruins," Sanberg said. The family chose Belize, formerly British Honduras, not only for its warm weather, historical ruins, jungle hiking and sleepy atmosphere, but also because Americans can own land with full and free title, which is not allowed in Mexico.
In December, their son was married on the beach in front of their home in Hopkins, a village of about 1,200 people on the Caribbean coast. A local wedding planner used more than 50 different flowers from the jungle and hired a local pastor (in dreadlocks).
The two-story home is also rented out for $105 to $300 per night. Except for airfare, expenses are cheap.
Getting there: Fly from Minneapolis to Houston (Continental) or to Miami (American) and then to Belize. The Sanbergs catch a 5:40 a.m flight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to be on the beach by noon.
Best part: The ocean and the geography. The culture is very diverse but almost everyone speaks English.
Worst part: Having to wear bug spray all the time.
Traditions: A hike through the jungle to Antelope Falls in Antelope Park. It has a pool surrounded by flora that you can dive into and a waterfall that you can stand under. "It's just like a scene from a movie," said Sanberg.
Winter fun: Climbing the ruins, birding, jungle hiking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing.