I get quite a few questions. Often I’m asked for an opinion on a specific hotel. Is the pool good for kids? Is it a convenient location? But just as often I’m asked a more general query – for a beachfront hotel for the traveler who wants to spend a little less on accommodation andKeep reading »
Hotels & Lodging
Mahogany Bay Village Opens As the Largest Resort in Belize & Hilton’s First in the Country
Yesterday Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton officially opened! Late morning on a gorgeous day, there were a few speeches, the Belizean flag was raised and lunch and champagne were served. The largest resort in Belize is OPEN. It marked a project that has been in the works for quite aKeep reading »
After 7 Years, Brahma Blue Resort Re-Opens with New Owners and a Party
Heading Across the Lagoon to Brahma Blue and Play Villas Yesterday I attending the re-opening of Brahma Blue and Playa Villas on a really interesting part of Ambergris Caye. Our caye is a surprisingly large island. Most who have visited and even those who live here have only explored a tiny portion. The most populatedKeep reading »
Pool and Snacks at Costa Blu Resort on North Ambergris Caye
When I first arrived on Ambergris Caye over 10 years ago, there was a large, all-inclusive dive resort way up north that seemed SO far away… 6 miles north of San Pedro town, before there was a road, was Costa Maya Dive Resort. It closed down soon after I moved here – and my firstKeep reading »
Turtle Inn, A Coppola Resort in Placencia, Belize: More Beautiful than I Ever Imagined
A few weeks ago I received an invite. It said only this: would you like to join us for a helicopter ride to Placencia? Ummmm…YES. Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES. I couldn’t believe the amazing offer and…being who I am…I had so many questions! When? Where will we stay? Just for a day? Why me?Keep reading »
Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve: One of the Most Magical Spots in Belize
Hidden Valley Inn is a Special Spot in a Special Country Belize is an amazing country – just about 70 miles from east to west, 170 north to south- so tiny but containing so many natural gifts & wonders. The 2nd largest coral reef in the world, the greatest density of manatees in the Caribbean, the highestKeep reading »
Bloggers, Influencers Visiting Belize – Will It Work For You
Let’s start with this: An influencer is the individual whose can effect a purchase decision is in some way significant or authoritative. I’ve been getting this question more and more from business owners in Belize. “I recently received an email from a travel blogger, asking me for a free week’s stay for his family. What shouldKeep reading »
Getting South of San Pedro Town – Changes and Shopping
Today we have family arriving from the states and my usual shopping list was modified to include “nice things for visitors” – wine from Wine De Vine, smoked fish from the Farmers’ Market and Ian Anderson. So I set off early on a beautiful Saturday morning. (This was my view down the easement by theKeep reading »
Morning Drive By: Wyndham Grand Belize on Ambergris Caye
This morning we were driving to town to run some errands. And about 3 miles north – at the property called The Venezia – a bit of Venice in Belize – I saw this peeking out… …and came to a screaming halt. A Wyndham resort? In Belize? WHAT? Apparently yes. But let’s back up aKeep reading »
Sunday Morning Serenity: Yoga at Beautiful Ak’Bol Resort
Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco-Resort is located about 1 mile north of the bridge in a beautiful neighborhood called Tres Cocos, on a very pretty stretch of ocean. I’ve sung the praises of their dock many times – the BEST swimming dock on Ambergris Caye. With a great, easy breezy beach bar and restaurant toKeep reading »
A New Bar, A VIP Cocktail Party: Shaken Bar at Mahogany Bay Village
Mahogany Bay is the largest development that Ambergris Caye has ever seen. Located about 2 miles south of town on relatively newly claimed land and canals, this project is ambitious…and then some. I first visited the village in June of 2014 – when they opened their very first public space, Rum + Bean Coffee. AlmostKeep reading »
Renting a Home on Vacation: Why Didn’t I Ever Think of That?
When I first started going on vacation in my early 20s, my friends and I always looked for the cheapest, all inclusive places in a warm climate. I’ve seen most lower budget spots in the Caribbean – Aruba, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Paradise Island, Bahamas, Grenada, Curacao. Time off and sun were important toKeep reading »
Pier 366: A New Family Style Seafood House In A Beautiful Location
The resort, the Villas at Banyan Bay, has been on Ambergris Caye for well over 15 years. Located on one of the prettiest beaches on the island – Maratumbo Beach – it is now under new management. And there are some changes to come to the 2 and 3 bedroom condo hotel in theKeep reading »
Thanksgiving on Ambergris Caye? Yes! Here’s How I Did Mine
In New Jersey, TGE (or Thanksgiving Eve) is a holiday when it is very popular to re-unite with your high school class. Many reunions take place at the local town bar and some more formally – as an organized party. This year I missed my 25th Ridgewood HS reunion!!!!!!!!!!!!! Instead, I was crafting for Cayo FrancesKeep reading »
Garifuna Settlement Day in Hopkins, Belize at One Gorgeous Resort: Almond Beach
I spent the weekend in lovely Hopkins Village – a strip of seafront land sandwiched between two rivers. The area is becoming a “tale of two cities” with Hopkins village proper, one of small wooden houses and thatched roof businesses on the beach and Sittee Point, further south by the gorgeous Sittee River. Sittee PointKeep reading »
Cayo Frances Farm & Fly is Officially Open! Explore the Other Side of Ambergris Caye
A new, very different business on the Leeward side of Ambergris Caye is finally open! Cayo Frances Farm and Fly. Please pause, if you haven’t, and watch the AMAZING video produced by Boteboards. Cayo Frances Farm & Fly from BOTE Board on Vimeo. A flyfishing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, S’more eating, lobster grilling, book readingKeep reading »
How Does a Travel Agent See Belize? A Look at a Recent “FAM Trip”
I LOVE to research a trip on the internet…to thumb through travel guides…it has never once occurred to me to visit a travel agent. And while the industry has consolidated considerably since people have been so easily able to buy airline tickets and hotel rooms on the world wide web, it still remains theKeep reading »
Booking a Hotel in Belize: How To Get Your Best Deal
So…you’ve been dreaming of a tropical getaway, snorkeling and sunning, and you thought of Belize. Maybe a friend has visited recently and raved or you stumbled upon one of Belize’s new super cute short videos… …or maybe even my blog or Instagram account and the MANY reasons that Belize is SO DIFFERENT from just your average CaribbeanKeep reading »
Blackadore Caye’s 2nd Public Consultation For Development: Reaching A Balance for Belize
Last night, at the San Pedro High School, the Belize Department of the Environment held the 2nd Environmental Impact Assessment Public meeting for the proposed project at Blackadore Caye, Belize. June 26, 2016: Two additions have been made. 1. A rendering provided of the new Blackadore Plan and 2. A memo from the Government of BelizeKeep reading »
San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize: The Changes, The Restaurants and My Guesthouse
San Ignacio is a central hub for travelers crossing Belize – from the Cayes, from Tikal Maya Site in Guatemala. It’s THE central kick-off spot for “jungle activities” – caving, cave tubing, zip lining, hiking, and more. I haven’t walked through the town that slopes down a steep hill to the Macal River in almostKeep reading »