Tag: conch

5 Can’t Miss Things To Do In Belize

The Best Things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize: Shark Ray Alley

Belize is a stunning and diverse little country on the Caribbean coast of Central America. Originally a British Colony; English is commonly spoken and the country still falls under British law.  Weather you are searching for beaches, waterfalls, caving or Mayan Ruins; Belize is the place for you! Keep reading for our favorite things to do in Belize.

See The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a gigantic marine sinkhole that has become the trademark of the country. Located near the center of an offshore reef; this is the number one thing to do in Belize. If you`d like to see The Great Blue Hole from above; you can take a helicopter or small plane tour from multiple different locations. We would highly recommend doing it this way if you want to have a view of the entire sinkhole.

A more adventurous option is to scuba dive inside the Great Blue Hole. There are pros and cons to both options; but ultimately we decided against the diving because its actually more expensive, its really far (it takes a minimum of 2 hours to get there by boat) and you won`t get that spectacular view only attainable from the sky. We booked through Tsunami Adventures in Caye Caulker who offer both options, competitive prices and good customer service.

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Marvel at Mayan Ruins

There are several Mayan Ruin sites spread throughout Belize. Although Caracol and Xunantunich are probably the most common; you have multiple options based on where you are leaving from and how long you would like to be on the road. Xunantunich is not far off the main highway in Belize making it a common stop for travelers. Although it`s a smaller sight it is unbelievably beautiful!

Caracol is the largest site in Belize and my personal favorite in all of Central America (yes.. even over Tikal!) The reason for that is because it is far less developed. We chose to drive ourselves in on the 2 hour dirt road full of potholes. We got there around 10 am which was before the tours arrived and there was literally no one else there! It was so amazing to be able to explore this marvelous archaeological site without the crowds.

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Snorkel In Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley is an area in the nature reserve where you are guaranteed to see nurse sharks, different kinds of rays, and usually sea turtles! It is accessible from many different locations with Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye being the most common. This was honestly one of the highlights of our entire trip to Belize; you don`t want to miss it!

So how can you be guaranteed to see this sort of wildlife? This area use to be a common place for fisherman to clean out the catch of the day before bringing them in to sell. The marine life got use to this food source and continue to live there to this day.

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Explore Giant Underground Caves

Belize is famous for its massive underground cave systems. There are so many different experiences you can have from rappelling into them to exploring ancient remains. Ian Anderson`s Caves Branch offers cave tubing, climbing waterfalls in a cave system and even an overnight cave stay.

The ATM cave is one of the most popular caves to explore in Belize. It contains skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware left by the Mayan People. The cave is several kilometers long and throughout the tour you will spend a few hours exploring different chambers and swimming around. The average price of a tour is around $125 USD per person; click here for more information!

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Go Hiking At Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Also known as the Jaguar Preserve; Cockscomb Basin is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Belize.There are over than 30 kilometers of maintained hiking trails of varying length and difficulty. Entrance is $5 USD per person and the park is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily.

We chose to hike Tiger Fern Trail which is moderately challenging and took about 3 hours to complete. It leads you to an excellent viewpoint and ends at a gorgeous and secluded double waterfall with a swimming hole! We lucked out and had this little piece of paradise all to ourselves..it was surreal! For more information on other trails, climbing Victoria Peak, camping and more check out this awesome blog post!

 

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U.S. Embassy Belize

A video message to U.S. citizens and Belizeans from U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges.

Red Bank Village and the Scarlet Macaw Tour Belize

Red Bank Village and the Scarlet Macaw Tour

Despite their name, scarlet macaws are not entirely red (or scarlet) colored. Instead, these birds are adorned with brilliantly hued feathers of red, yellow, and blue. Related to parrots, scarlet macaws are very swift fliers and often travel in pairs or small groups.

The species of scarlet macaws found in Belize are ara macao cyanoptera and can be found across Central America as far south as Costa Rica. Every December, they leave their homes in Chiquibul National Park in search of fruits which grow in abundance in and around the village of Red Bank in southern Belize.

Red Bank Village and the Scarlet Macaw Tour 

It is estimated that fewer than 250 scarlet macaws still exist in Belize, and most of these can be found in Red Bank. Despite a ban on poaching, scarlet macaws are a very slow-growing species and so seeing these magnificently plumed birds is truly a spectacular sight as they gather to feed along the river banks. Other birds that can be seen in the area include parrots, toucans, and herons, making a visit to Red Bank a mandatory stop for bird watchers.

Where in Belize Is Red Bank Located? 

Red Bank is a small, predominately Maya village located in Stann Creek District just a short distance from Toledo District in southeastern Belize. Red Bank is located a few miles south of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Best Time To Do This Tour

The scarlet macaws move across Belize according to seasonal requirements. Generally, scarlet macaws arrive at the lower elevations in and around Red Bank in December and stay until March before heading to the Chiquibul National Park for the breeding season. The prime viewing time to see these birds is March.

How to Get to Red Bank Village 

The village of Red Bank is located in Stann Creek District just a mile from Toledo District in southeastern Belize. The village is located 39 miles southeast of Belmopan and 37 miles west of Placencia just a few miles off the Southern Highway.

The Best Way to Experience the Scarlet Macaw Tour 

The density of the wilderness around the village and the relatively small number of scarlet macaws make hiring a professional guide mandatory. Be sure to bring along insect repellant, hiking boots, and a long-sleeved shirt and pants. Of course, don’t forget your binoculars and a camera! Most tours also include a homecooked meal of traditional Maya fare in the village.

https://www.belizehub.com/scarlet-macaw-tours-in-red-bank-belize/

Why Visit Belize in March 2020

With fantastic weather, Belize in March is at the top of tourist season, with countless opportunities to fish, dive, snorkel, sail, and explore the lush landscape of tropical rainforests, mountain peaks, and rich fertile plains. March is also when many high-energy festivals and celebrations occur throughout the country, making it the perfect time to visit the tropical paradise of Belize.

Instead of shivering through another month of winter in the United States and Canada, why not come on down to Belize and relax under the warm sunny rays of a tropical sun? Or do one of the following activities or tours:

  • Visit Mayan Ruins – Once the beating heart of the ancient Mayan empire, Belize is home to dozens of amazing ruined cities, including huge stone pyramids that visitors can climb and explore.
  • Cave Tubing – Tubing down a river has a special twist in Belize, where visitors can ride their inner tubes through an exciting series of spooky caves.
  • Zip Line – Few experiences can compare to swinging down a zip line high above the canopy of a lush tropical rainforest.
  • Swimming in the Mopan and Macal Rivers – Few activities will warm your spirit as splashing in the lovely waters of the gorgeous Mopan or Macal River.

Belize Events and Festivals in March

  • La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge – On several consecutive days, canoeists from around the country and region make their way via the Macal and Belize Rivers from the town of San Ignacio in the west of Belize to the biggest metropolis in the east, Belize City.
  • Baron Bliss Day – A special holiday unique to Belize, celebrating one of the country’s national heroes. A regatta is held every year near the lighthouse outside of Belize City where Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss is buried. Sailboat and horse races vie for kite-flying competitions in honor of Belize’s great benefactor.

Top Things to Do and See in March

Placencia Village

  • Visit the amazing ATM cave in Cayo District
  • Head over the border to nearby Guatemala to explore the ruins of the legendary Mayan city of Tikal
  • Work on your tan
  • Go snorkeling or scuba diving with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the deep
  • Explore the ruins of the lost Mayan cities of Xunantunich or Cahal Pech
  • Relax on the beach and splash in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea

What is the Weather Like in March

The weather in Belize in March is almost perfect, with long, sunny days and refreshing breezes at night. Rainfall is extremely rare, and daytime temps average around 83F (28C). Nights are pleasantly cool, with offshore breezes bringing the temperature to a comfortable average of 74F (23C). Shorts, sandals, and a T-shirt, with perhaps a light jacket at night, are all the clothing you’ll need when visiting Belize in March.

Belize in March 2024: Where to Go and What to Do

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

Belize: One Week, 7 Must-Dos

Tucked just below the Yucatan Peninsula is the stunning jewel of Belize. With rainforests teaming with birds, striking ancient Mayan ruins and the world’s second-longest barrier reef, Belize boasts a dizzying array of activities and sites that could keep one busy for a year. If you are like most, however, you will only have seven vacation days. Here’s a list of must-do activities for that one week in Belize.

1. Dive or Snorkel the Barrier Reef!

At 185 miles long, the Belize Barrier Reef is the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere. Off Belize’s southern coast is the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, the largest marine reserve in the country where you can spot fevers of eagle rays and schools of Creole wrasse.   Just beyond the barrier reef lie 3 of the Caribbean’s 4 atolls.

Snorkeling the Southern Barrier Reef

Glover’s Reef Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of staghorn coral and swim-throughs, as well critical grouper spawning grounds. Made famous by Jaques Cousteau is the Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef Atoll. This trip typically involves a commitment of a 2-3 hour boat ride to see the collapsed cave that is 1000 feet across and 400 feet deep surrounded by a ring of coral. Regardless of where you go, be sure that you choose a reputable dive and snorkel facility.

2. Explore a Cave!

Spotting formations while cave tubing

With its limestone substructure, Belize is ideal for spelunking. Here it’s the real deal. The only lights in these subterranean mazes are the ones on your helmets.   Guides lead you past massive stalactites, stalagmites and crystalized flow formations. Caves were sacred ceremonial sites for the ancient Maya, who believed they were the entrance to “Xibalba” the Mayan underworld. To this day pottery chards and skeletal remains are found in many of Belize’s cave systems. Check out St. Herman’s Cave along the Hummingbird Highway or the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, a.k.a. Crystal Maiden Cave, in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. For the more adventurous, try cave tubing! Imagine floating down an underground river in the comfort of your own inner tube – with only your headlamp lighting the way.

3. Try Birding!

Juvenile Chachalaca

Never been a birder? After a trip to Belize, you will be! Belize is home to 600+ species of birdsranging from the colorful national bird, the keel-billed toucan, to statuesque jabiru storks to raucous parrots. Along the coasts and cayes you’ll find sand pipers darting in the tides, pelicans scooping up fish and boobie and frigate colonies clinging to mangroves. In the coastal savannahs are a variety of wading birds including roseate spoonbills, wood storks and tiger herons. In the dense mountainous rainforests are red-capped manakins, jacamars, blue-gray tanagers and more. Belize is the type of place where you become a birder, and if you already are one, it’s the place where you’ll add many new birds to your life list!

4. Go back in time with spectacular Mayan Ruins!

El Castillo at Xunantunich

For two millennia Belize was at the heart of the ancient Maya world. Throughout the country are hundreds of Mayan sites, some well excavated, some swallowed by the jungle. Every visit to Belize should include visiting at least one ancient Mayan ruin!

Near the western border is Xunantunich, whose main pyramid has impressive hieroglyph friezes and views for miles over the Maya lowland. Deep in the Maya mountains is Caracol, the sprawling city-state that once defeated Tikal.

Mayan hieroglyphs on pyramid

In the south are several important sites, including Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun. Walk amongst ancient Mayan temples and feel yourself transported to a long lost civilization.

 

5. Swim in a Jungle Waterfall!

Swimming at Antelope Falls

No trip to paradise can be complete without a refreshing plunge in a rainforest waterfall pool! When that paradise is Belize, the only question is which waterfall you’ll choose! At the world’s only jaguar preserve, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, there are several waterfalls you can hike to.

In Mayflower National Park a steep climb to Antelope Falls is rewarded with a well-deserved swim in a pool above the main falls AND a fabulous lookout to the Caribbean Sea on the way down. Elsewhere in Belize, there is no shortage of secluded waterfalls to discover – don’t leave without taking a dip!

6. Zipline Through the Rainforest Canopy!

Ziplining at Bocawina

A rush like no other!   Try ziplining through the rainforest canopy past towering trees and curious birds, often with the roar of howler monkeys in the background. With extremely safe equipment and experienced guides, almost all ages are able to experience this thrill.

7. Hang with the Locals!

One of the great things about Belize is it is a cultural mixing bowl. Here you can make chocolate with Mayas and in Garifuna communities like Hopkins, catch the beat at a local drumming center.   The cuisine combines elements of these cultures, along with Creole, Mestizo, East Indian and even Chinese. And if you see a horse and buggy on the road, you’ve likely encountered a Mennonite. The best part is that English is the official language of Belize and the locals are very friendly. So, grab a Belikin beer and make some new friends.

 

 

 

 

With only one week, you’ll be busy with the activities above. If you have some extra time, there are a few more adventures you might squeeze in:

  • Stargazing! With little light pollution in Belize, the Milky Way is yours.   If you look carefully, you can even see the Southern Cross constellation, not visible in most Northern Hemisphere skies.
  • Jungle horseback riding with Outback Trails through citrus orchards and into the jungle.
  • Spotting howler monkeys on a Monkey River Tour.
  • Taking a Garifuna or Mayan cooking class.

 

Whatever you do on your trip to Belize, be sure to spend some time swaying in a hammock on the beach. And then come back for more!

Top 3: Los hoteles más románticos de Centroamérica

Verdaderos templos del amor y romanticismo, así son estos hoteles reconocidos con los Traveller’s Choice de TripAdvisor.

románticos Centroamérica Hoteles
Foto: Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux

Destination Belize Beyond The Pages

CHAA CREEK – A PIONEER IN ADVENTURE TRAVEL TO BELIZE SINCE 1981 http://www.chaacreek.com

Wondering where to stay in Belize? Grand Caribe Belize truly has a place for everyone. From spacious Caribbean-themed, kid-friendly resort condos, to luxurious beachfront walkouts or our cozy studios, you’ll find the perfect place to stay—all with outstanding beach and pool access. https://www.grandcaribebelize.com

 

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

 

See More at www.destinationbelize.com

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FIND OUR ROOTS FEEL (Y) OUR RHYTHMS

Bileez! It’s a name that remained shrouded in mystery for centuries, its etymology only recently confirmed to be of Maya origin. And as you begin exploring and making your way around “The Jewel”—as Belizeans call their home–you will quickly realize that this small country in the heart of Central America is, indeed, one big, colorful collage of origins.  

Belize is roots. And Belize is rhythms.  

It’s a small place overflowing with ancient customs, indigenous tongues, and traditions passed on from generation to generation. It’s a nation whose people are intent on preserving their ancestry, and fiery in protecting their pristine environment against the vices of the modern world. It’s a haven for diversity—a land that has welcomed settlers and migrant populations across the centuries, with seven major cultural groups enriching every corner of the country.    

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In Belize, roots are 

The two thousand year old Maya temples you’ll climb  

The incomparable living Barrier Reef, where hundreds of critters await 

The caves and crevices where sacrificial relics lie   

The idyllic cayes, where fishing and flip-flops are a way of life 

The medicinal plants, and the furry kinkajous on your rainforest walks  

The riverside Kriol communities, and the mangrove cathedrals hugging your boat 

The vast reserves and jungle hikes, where you’ll conquer your fears  

The sizzling tacos, and steamy johnnycakes that fill your belly on the road 

The Mestizo fiestas, and the thatched-roof villages where time seems to have stopped 

That sweet Belizean rum, and the spicy micheladas curing your hangovers. 

 As you discover more roots on your journey across the Jewel, you’ll fall into a world of vibrant sounds. 

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In Belize, rhythms are 

The drumbeats of the Garifuna, and the swing of their punta 

The beat of the steel pan, and the thump of the sambai 

The song of scarlet macaws, and the croaks of the keel billed toucan 

The melodic sounds of Kriol, Qeq’chi, and Chinese 

The ring of the Maya marimba, and the nostalgic blues of paranda 

The chilling roar of howler monkeys, and the gush of 1,000-feet waterfalls 

The stealth prowl of jaguars in the night, and the squeal of manatees underwater 

The mystical deer dances, and the shamans of yesteryear  

 The cheer of marching bands, and the joyful spirit of September carnivals 

The stories shared over Sunday dinner, and that sweet, slow Caribbean pace. 

 Wherever you end up in the Jewel, find di roots, and you’ll feel di rhythms—ours, and yours.  

 

That’s the real meaning of Bileez! 

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Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas

 

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Special Offers and Packages

Grand Opening Villa Special

Stay between January 1 – March 31, 2020.  Save 20% off published rates on Manatee Villa, Seahorse Villa, Turtle Villa or Hummingbird Apartment.  Discount on room rates only.  Taxes and fees apply.  Subject to availability.  Not valid with any other offer except military discount.  Minimum stay 4 nights. Use code NEW2020 at check out.

Grand Opening Bungalow Special.

Stay between January 1 – March 31, 2020.  Save 30% off published rates on any bungalow rental.  Discount on room rates only.  Taxes and fees apply.  Subject to availability.  Not valid with any other offer except military discount.  Minimum stay 4 nights. Use code GRAND2020 at check out.

Active, former, and retired military personnel receive a 10% discount.

We are happy to offer at 10% discount on any stay for active, former, and retired military personnel.  Contact us when booking to apply the discount!

Book a one-week stay and receive a complimentary massage.

We are happy to offer one complimentary massage in The Siren’s Spa, located within the Sirenian Bay Resort, with your reservation for one week or more.

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Welcome

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