The small nations that form a bridge between North American Mexico and South America are also edged by the world's second largest barrier reef. Less well known than Australia's famous attribute, the Great Western Barrier Reef runs along Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, through Belize then on to Honduras before stretching further south to Nicaragua and Panama.

There is scuba diving all along this substantial reef but Belize and Honduras are the two countries that attract divers with their easy, Caribbean style.