5 Can’t Miss Things To Do In Belize

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

 

https://www.madetotravel.ca/things-to-do-in-belize/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=642936046_25040570_114910

 

---

Destination Belize on YouTube

Want to learn more about Belize? Visit Destination Belize YouTube page to see great videos of our beautiful country, people and adventures.

#destinationbelize
#belize
#belizeawaits

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

Destination Belize 2020 magazine

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!

https://www.hamanasi.com/belize/belize-one-week-7-must-dos/

http://www.destinationbelize.com

See More at www.destinationbelize.com

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.    

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. 

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! 

Los Mayas

Por Froyla Tzalam

El Yucatek, el Mopan y el Q’eqchi’ son los tres idiomas y grupos mayas que encontrarás en Belize. Sus comunidades más grandes están ubicadas en los distritos de Cayo, Toledo y Orange Walk. El Mopan y el Yucatek emigraron desde la península de Yucatán en México alrededor de 1200 A.D. hasta la actual región de Petén en Guatemala, y su migración en el siglo XIX llevó a la población actual en Belize. Los Q’eqchi ‘vinieron de Alta Verapaz, en Guatemala. Se estima que durante el Período Clásico (250 a 900 dC), la altura de esta antigua civilización, Belize fue el hogar de al menos dos millones de mayas, dado los nuevos datos descubiertos en Petén a principios de 2018.

Los Mayas actualmente representan aproximadamente 20,000 de la población de Belize de aproximadamente 365,000, y continúan preservando sus raíces frente a la globalización.

Una cultura compartida

La tierra sigue siendo de suma importancia para los mayas rurales, su generosidad nutre el cuerpo y la espiritualidad. El bosque, sus ríos, cuevas y animales se entrelazan en sus dietas, medicinas e historias. El distrito de Toledo tiene el porcentaje más alto de hogares mayas en aproximadamente 38 aldeas.

Todos los mayas de Belize disfrutan de una dieta a base de maíz, que cultivan principalmente en sus aldeas. Los hombres son agricultores de subsistencia, mientras que sus esposas venden el excedente de la agricultura en los mercados de todo el país, junto con sus canastas de jippi jappa, tejidas a mano con una planta de palmeras que crecen en la selva tropical, y chocolate.

La cocina maya del norte tiene influencias hispánicas; Los favoritos incluyen escabeche, cerdo pibil, chimole y relleno. En el sur, la sopa conocida como kaldo ‘(o caldo) es el plato dominante. Todo, desde gibnut, armadillo, cerdo ahumado y pollo puede convertirse en un kaldo ’. Otras delicias culinarias incluyen lancha (pescado de río) y / o entrañas de mole molidas envueltas en una hoja de waha, cocidas sobre brasas (tomates y huevo), el corazón del jippi jappa y el repollo de palma cohune. Tortillas de maíz hechas a mano acompañan todos los platos. Las cocinas todavía usan un hogar de fuego, pero también estufas de gas, mientras que ollas brillantes cuelgan de las paredes, un sello de orgullo doméstico.

Los murales de los antiguos mayas representan su destreza musical, actuando en caracoles, tambores y flautas. Melodías como la canción de la zarigüeya, acerca de un zorro cazando pollo en el gallinero, todavía se tocan en el arpa y la marimba, instrumentos que vinieron de Europa y África. El renombrado Florencio Mes continúa regalando multitudes locales e internacionales con su arpa; Cumplió 80 años este año.

Un mundo cambiante

Pero incluso el Sr. Mes estaría de acuerdo en que el cambio está ocurriendo rápidamente en las comunidades mayas de Belize. Si bien una vez trabajaron principalmente como trabajadores ocasionales en el sector agrícola, en las plantaciones de cítricos, caña y banano, el turismo se ha convertido en un importante cambio de juego. Esta prosperidad económica ha llevado a un mayor acceso a la educación y la atención médica, pero también ha aumentado el consumo de bienes materiales y la desigualdad entre quienes trabajan en la industria de servicios y quienes trabajan en la tierra.

La fahina, una forma de trabajo y gobierno comunal, ya no es una actividad central debido a las grandes poblaciones de migrantes, o debido a diferencias religiosas. La asimilación en la sociedad dominante sigue siendo una de las mayores amenazas para la cultura maya, con consecuencias como la disminución de hablantes nativos y la pérdida de tierras comunitarias.

Un despertar Maya

La buena noticia es que la tecnología ha llevado a una proliferación de la comunicación, el intercambio de información y la conciencia indígena. Una revolución cultural maya está ocurriendo. Las organizaciones culturales de base están promoviendo el “Ser Maya”, ya que trabajan para preservar la música y el idioma. Existe la sensación de que los primeros habitantes de Belize tienen la oportunidad de hacer las cosas de manera diferente y trazar un futuro basado en su visión del mundo y sus valores. Han demostrado una considerable capacidad de recuperación a lo largo de los milenios, y es este mismo espíritu maya innovador el que ayudará a preservar sus raíces y a determinar quiénes son para las generaciones venideras.

http://www.destinationbelize.com

Destination Belize 2020 Sales Kit

 

Find out more about how you can be in the next Destination Belize magazine. This is your chance to be apart of Belizean history while capturing the world’s attention.

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

A Battle of Drums

 

A Garifuna music and dance contest with a purpose.

 

In October 2006, Darius Avila and his mother, Olivia Palacio Avila, came up with an idea to revive and promote the Garifuna culture in Punta Gorda: a competition called “Battle of the Drums.” Now a major annual event in Belize, operating under an eponymous non-profit since 2012, the Battle of the Drums takes place on the Saturday immediately preceding November 19, Garifuna Settlement Day, and it’s a musical explosion you don’t want to miss.

The music

Groups made up of six members each descend on Punta Gorda from all over Belize, as well as from Guatemala and Honduras, to compete in five different genres of Garifuna drumming and dance: punta, hüngühüngü, paranda, chumba,and wanaragua.

Puntais the most popular type of Garifuna music; it’s fast paced, and danced by swiftly twisting your waist. Hüngühüngühas a three-beat rhythm and is a circular dance, shuffling the feet and swaying from side to side. Parandais comparable to blues music, with lyrics sharing stories of death, struggles, and personal experiences. Slower paced than punta, the dance involves forward and backward movements of the feet and body. With Chumba, the dancer depicts a chore, task, or some aspect of Garifuna life. Last but not least, wanaragua—also known as the “John Canoe”—involves beating the drum to the rhythm of the dancer, who makes dramatic knee and open arm movements.

Although various instruments are used to make Garifuna music, the ones allowed in the Battle of the Drums are the two types of Garifuna drums—the primeroor the small drum with a sharp electrifying sound, and the segundaor the large drum with a loud base sound—plus the siseraor shaka,gourd shakers made from the calabash tree, special seeds, and hardwood handles.

 

The battle

The battle has two major parts. First comes a “face off” round, where two groups are required to face each other on stage and play up to nine minutes each, but no less than seven minutes. Each group plays a combination of punta, hüngühüngü, and paranda. The group decides the order in which the combination is played. During this segment, the drummers are standing and/or moving on the stage while drumming. The second part requires that each group play three minutes of chumba, and three minutes of wanaragua. For the wanaragua performance, each group is assigned a dancer from another group. The competing groups are judged based on coordination among group members, creativity and style, transition, crowd engagement, and Garifuna attire.

The first Battle of the Drums took place in Punta Gorda Town on November 17, 2006. It was well received, and an even bigger audience attended in 2007 as the event took on a national scope. A year later, it evolved into an international Garifuna drumming competition, with groups from neighboring Guatemala and Honduras, in addition to those from Belize. In 2016, the Battle of the Drums won a Major Festival of the Year Award from the Belize Tourism Board.

Beyond a competition

The Battle of the Drums uses 100 percent of the event proceeds for community outreach, thus funding year-round cultural retrieval activities falling under three umbrella programs: Garifuna Language Preservation, Garifuna Drumming, and Singing and Dance.

Activities under these programs include Garifuna Language in Schools, whereby the Garifuna language is integrated into the curriculum at the largest primary school in Punta Gorda Town, thus exposing over 400 children from ages five to nine to the Garifuna language on a daily basis. Other program activities funded are the Garifuna Drumming, Singing, Dance After School Program; the Annual Battle of The Drums Summer Camp; the Annual Primary Schools Garifuna Translation Contest; the Annual High Schools Battle of the Drums; the Annual Garifuna Children’s Talent Show; the Annual Ms. Yurumein National Contest, a pageant for Belizean Garifuna ladies over the age of 40; the Annual Belize Garifuna Song Competition; and annual support to the National Garifuna Council.

Rhythm of Belize

The Battle of the Drums is a cultural explosion. Over a single weekend, you’ll immerse in the Garifuna culture—experiencing Garifuna food, clothing, language, and music. It’s a “one stop fix” for culture enthusiasts, and those looking for a unique Belizean roots and rhythms experience.

For more information, please visit www.battleofthedrums.bz

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

 

Destination Belize en español!

¿Quieres saber más sobre nuestro hermoso país? Vea lo que Belize tiene para ofrecer con cada vuelta de página.

THE STORY OF CHAA CREEK

The story of Chaa Creek began in 1977 when two young travelers stumbled upon what would later become their adopted home.  In those days most business was conducted around bar room tables in Belize City and it was there that Mick and Lucy Fleming ran into the owner of an overgrown 140 acre farm on the Macal River in the Cayo District.

They soon moved out to the jungle property and within a short while the land was producing home grown vegetables.  In those days the farm had no road access so the Flemings transported their produce by dugout canoe to the ready markets of San Ignacio Town, much as the Maya had done 1,000 years before.

The little farm was soon producing milk, yoghurt, cheese and eggs; as well as two baby Flemings. When other travelers heard about the farm they would often trek out to visit, sometimes staying to lend a hand. As more visitors came, the Fleming’s one room farmhouse became smaller and smaller and the idea was launched to build a guest cottage from materials found on the land.

Chaa Creek Cottages, the first jungle lodge in Belize, opened its doors in 1981 and over the next few decades growth has kept pace with the ever increasing number of visitors.

The Chaa Creek road was built by the British Army Corps of Engineers in 1983 and was accompanied by the addition of a dining room to cater to the six existing cottage rooms.  Two years later indoor plumbing was installed and a further six cottage rooms, a 6,000 gallon water tower, staff quarters and a gift shop were built.

The year 1987  brought electrification to Chaa Creek which meant that washing machines replaced scrub boards, a deep freezer saw the end of salted blocks of ice and a submersible water pump retired the gasoline engine relay pumping system.  A batch of new canoes took guests on excursions down the Macal River.

The luxury of a hot water shower was introduced in 1988 while an ice machine helped make the perfect margarita for guests who relaxed on the deck of the bar.  The cottage rooms had grown by four to a total of 16.  To round off the year an office was built and outdoor lighting was installed in the gardens.

All of the cottages were upgraded in 1990 and a new business office was established in nearby San Ignacio Town. In order to accommodate horseback riding and hiking, nature trails were cut through the forested property which had by now expanded to 330 acres. The property was officially designated a private nature reserve.

By 1992 there were 26 members of staff in residence at Chaa Creek. Infrastructure was upgraded and a new horse corral was built for the increasing number of horses. Chaa Creek also played host to a team of archaeologists who were invited to investigate the ancient Maya sites that dotted the property. Their reconnaissance mapped out over 70 ancient sites.

The Chaa Creek Natural History Centre was established in 1995 to become the first one of its kind in Belize. The Centre houses interpretive displays of the local flora, fauna, ecosystems and geology of Belize. Maya archaeology exhibits display  ancient artifacts recovered from within the reserve and offer interpretive views of the life and culture of this early civilization. There are also anthropology exhibits depicting the life and culture of the modern Maya. Natural resource conservation and ecology exhibits offer educational information to the hundreds of local and international students that visit the facility.

In 1997 the Macal River Camp was constructed along the banks of the Macal River just downstream from the Lodge.  This facility is totally solar powered and consists of ten raised platform screened cabins with its own kitchen and dining area.  The camp was built to accommodate student groups and provide an option for the more budget conscious traveler.

Further building and renovations in 1997 resulted in a total of 21 cottages at Chaa Creek including a Luxury Suite and a Jacuzzi Suite. 1998 saw the addition of electric lighting to replace kerosene lamps and fans for added guest comfort.

The Spa at Chaa Creek was constructed in 1999 and offers our guests a complete line of professional and refreshing spa services while enjoying a panoramic view of the majestic Macal River valley and the Maya Mountains beyond. Next in 2000 came the opening of The Conference Centre at Chaa Creek.  This beautifully designed structure was put in place to provide a facility for both local and international conferences, meetings and social functions.

Two spectacular Tree Top Jacuzzi Suites overlooking the Macal River were constructed in 2002 to replace two of the older cottages which were taken out of service. 2003 saw the addition of the expansive Orchard Villa and the Sky Room with its enchanting view of the river valley. This expanded the accommodations inventory at Chaa Creek to a total of 23 outstanding cottages, suites and villas.

The construction of a fully equipped carpentry shop was completed in 2003.  This provided Chaa Creek with the ability to design and manufacture our own furniture and other items of wood construction that are found throughout the property.  Expansion and improvement of the trail system within the now 400-acre Chaa Creek Nature Reserve was completed in 2004. With over 10 miles of well-maintained trails, the Nature Reserve offers our guests exceptional opportunities for naturalist hiking and birding as well as horseback riding.

Next to come was the Chaa Creek Stables which opened in 2005. This functionally designed structure houses our equestrian centre and provides our guests with an enhanced and professional riding experience.

Our cottage accommodations have also benefited from annual renovations, and during 2005 and 2006 a complete remodel took place. All rooms and suites now have large new bathrooms, many with outdoor walled showers, al fresco Jacuzzis, and spacious private sun decks for wildlife viewing.

In January 2009, the guests of Chaa Creek were treated to the cooling luxury of a 56,000 gallon swimming pool. This eco-friendly infinity pool was built with both adults and children in mind. Its bi-level configuration allows for swimming and paddling pools, as well as generous lounging space for dining, sun bathing and relaxation.

2010 added more infrastructural advancements by securing direct electrical lines from the national provider, BEL, as well as upgrading telecommunications internet symmetry with Belize Telecommunications Ltd. The following years continued the evolution with the renovations of several rooms and by adding the purchase and renovation of a San Ignacio townhouse to host the iconic Guava Limb Restaurant & Cafe in 2012. The award-winning café, along with a new bakery facility at Chaa Creek, has produced mouth-watering delicacies for the most discerning of tastes for Belizeans and visitors alike.

The most exciting new entries onto the Chaa Creek landscape are the strikingly beautiful Ix Chel Villas set within their own secluded private gardens with private plunge pools and jacuzzies. The two state-of-the-art Villas are comprised of two suites each that can be booked together for family travellers or independently for honeymooners. A private butler attends to the villa guests activities requests, needs and desires.

https://www.chaacreek.com/about-chaa-creek/our-story

http://www.destinationbelize.com