Imagine the courage it would take, for a South Carolina couple with five daughters, to head out into the jungles of Central America in search of a new life for their family. In this high-tech age, where we are all bombarded with the pressures of life and work, such a scenario is very tempting-although few […]
↧
duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge
↧
Ek’ Tun
The way to paradise is not an easy one, but in the case of Ek’ Tun, taking the road less travelled is well worth the effort. The site is literally carved out of the jungle on a hillside with stunning views of the Macal river and the surrounding high cliffs which are dotted with massive […]
↧
↧
Banana Bank Lodge
As you cross the great Belize River and climb up the opposite bank, reality fades further from view with each step. At the top is Banana Bank Lodge, situated on 4000 acres of jungle and ranch land, seemingly out of sight of the rest of the world. If you value your hard earned vacation time […]
↧
The Cayo District – Paradise in Western Belize
Belize is well known for its barrier reef, and as a diving–beach–fishing holiday destination. Yet, few people realize that mainland Belize offers a vast array of natural habitats, from lagoon, marsh and savannah, to jungle and rainforest…each being home to myriad species of birds and wildlife, as well as human cultures. Eventually, as weary divers […]
↧
Chechem Hah – Maya pottery cave
Atop the Vaca Plateau in the Cayo District, rests a small subsistence farm belonging to the Moralez family, who only recently discovered a cave on their property while hunting with their dogs. You can imagine their amazement when, upon later exploring the cave, they found over sixty intact Maya jars and other pottery that have […]
↧
↧
Belize top tourist attractions
Belize District Altun Ha Maya Ruins:This ancient Maya ceremonial center is an easy, half-day trip from Belize City, and is home to numerous species of birds and wildlife. Community Baboon Sanctuary:Just 30 miles northwest of Belize City you will find a unique conservation effort to protect the habitat and population of Belize’s Black Howler Monkey […]
↧
Best Restaurants in Belize
Belize District Chon Saan Palace Restaurant:This Chinese restaurant was established in 1974 in Belize City. Live seafood tanks will tempt you with lobster, shrimp and fish, and their extensive menu is sure to satisfy all tastes. Fort Street Restaurant: A Belize City establishment that offers a wide variety of creative specialties featuring the local bounty […]
↧
Programme for Belize – A visit to the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area
With its recent foray into the ecotourism industry, Programme for Belize (PfB) invites tourists to visit and view first-hand, the efforts of conservation and research in action. Committed naturalists won’t want to miss a visit to the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA), in the northern district of Orange Walk. Since 1988, PfB, a […]
↧
Caracol – A visit to Belize’s largest Maya ruin
Occupied as early as 1200 BC, Caracol has revealed an extensive and varied history. The true name of this ancient city, found in hieroglyphics throughout the site, has not yet been successfully deciphered. Its modern name is Spanish for “snail,” the derivation of which is not entirely clear. One translation of the emblem glyph, indicates […]
↧
↧
Community Baboon Sanctuary
A unique conservation effort brings together eight villages to protect the population and habitat of Belize’s Black Howler Monkey, affectionately called “baboons” by the locals. Within an area of approximately 20 square miles, straddling the mighty Belize River, the Community Baboon Sanctuary combines dense jungle with farmland, pasture, and small village life. The Black Howler […]
↧
Altun Ha – An ancient Maya ceremonial center
As seasoned travellers know, a journey in itself is often as interesting as the destination. A trip to Altun Ha is just such a journey. As you rumble along the Old Northern Highway, which is more pothole than pavement, you’ll see a few small hamlets with their inhabitants eager to smile and wave. Traffic is […]
↧
Chon Saan Palace Restaurant
The Chon Saan Palace Chinese restaurant opened for business in Belize City in 1974, and has become one of the city’s oldest establishments. We have mentioned before that nine out of ten restaurants here are owned and operated by Belizeans of Chinese descent. Chon Saan could easily be considered the premier ethnic restaurant in the […]
↧
Fort Street Restaurant
As you seek out the Fort Street Restaurant in Belize City, you will first notice the lovely old colonial-style residence that houses the establishment. Surrounded by lush greenery, the manor has withstood the tests of time and nature since 1928. While “Number Four, Fort Street” is well known for its fine food, it also accommodates […]
↧
↧
Clarissa Falls Restaurant
Having frequently mentioned Clarissa Falls Resort, and the delicious food served there, we decided it was high time to do a column featuring the restaurant in its own right. Clarissa Falls has become our favourite San Ignacio area lunch spot, and not only because owner/manager Chena Galvez is high on our list of favourite Belizean […]
↧
Restaurants in San Ignacio
Since a visitor usually spends an extended amount of time in the San Ignacio area, here is a helpful list of our favourite eateries: Running W Steakhouse Located in the San Ignacio Hotel at the top of the hill, the Running W is normally considered the premier restaurant in the area. They serve the best […]
↧
La Milpa – uncovering rich layers of Maya history
Deep in the jungle of northwestern Belize lie the ruins of one of the largest cities of the ancient Maya. La Milpa, which covers over 30 square miles of area, was the third largest city in Belize, after Caracol to the south and nearby Lamanai. This site gained some recent attention following the discovery of […]
↧
San Ignacio – The western frontier
Many years ago, the first time we crossed the Hawkesworth suspension bridge (built 1949) approaching San Ignacio, we felt a little like John Wayne ridin’ into Dodge City. It had the look and feel of a real western frontier. There’s the old, colonial-style police station on the left and to the right, down the main […]
↧
↧
Lubaantun Ruins – Place of the Fallen Stones
Visitors who climb the steep hill to the ruins of Lubaantun will be rewarded with an enchanting sight. The dense rainforest setting with its beautiful foliage and the unusual style of stonework give this site a visual impact that none other has. Located in the far southern reaches of Belize, 26 miles northwest of Punta […]
↧
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Imagine a sleepy little Caribbean fishing village with sandy streets, gently swaying palm trees and brilliant blue waters, where time passes relatively unnoticed. This would be San Pedro, and even though most of the fishermen have adopted the tourism industry for their livelihood, the ambience remains the same. San Pedro is the main city on […]
↧
The Smoky Mermaid Restaurant & Bar
The ambience alone, of the courtyard setting of the Smoky Mermaid, makes this a recommended stopover for everyone, if only for a cup of coffee, or a “Frozen Ocean” at the bar. With tropical plants everywhere, and a fresh breeze wafting in from the Caribbean Sea, this is truly a refreshing break in the day. […]
↧