Sergio Torres | Belize | tour guide | Central America

Belizean Sergio Torres, my tour guide for my time in Central America, meets me at the airport. I pluck my bag from the plane-side luggage claim, and we take off in a taxi, destined for the Belize Yacht Club, my address for the two days I’ll spend in San Pedro.

Sergio epitomizes professional cool. He has a calm, laid-back demeanor; knows a wealth of information; and is on a first-name basis with what seems like everyone on the entire island. After I drop my bags off in my spacious, tastefully decorated room, and after I pry myself from my private balcony that has an untrammeled view of the tranquil Caribbean Sea, I meet Sergio poolside to establish a game plan.



“Belize has a whole side to it that many tourists do not know about,” Sergio says as we sip locally brewed Belikin beers. “Most people think of Belize as a diving destination. It is certainly that, but there’s much more than diving here on the islands and on the mainland.”

“Actually, I’m dying to take a crack at the Blue Hole,” I reply, triggering a raucous laugh from my guide.

“Yeah, you and every other amateur who comes to town,” he says. “Tell you what: We’ll discuss this more over dinner at the Victoria House resort, which has one of the best and oldest restaurants in San Pedro.”