The Lodge at Chaa Creek is an absolute gem in Belize in the midst of the most beautiful forest. And this year, I was lucky enough to be invited back for two nights of Eco-Kids Summer Camp. For 7 years now, 24 kids from every corner of Belize have been chosen based on an essay forKeep reading »
Hotels & Lodging
Monday Morning on Ambergris Caye’s Leeward Side: THE Sandbar
Saturday afternoon, we headed back around the island and up to the leeward side for some fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and relaxation at Cayo Frances Farm & Fly or “the camp”… Gorgeous night time photo taken by Vishal Billa. Two boats headed up. Family from California is in town… It’s been a beautiful weekend. YesterdayKeep reading »
Ka’ana Boutique Resort – True Luxury & Attention to Details In The Ideal Location
Last week, I visited Ka’ana Resort, just outside of western Belize’s San Ignacio town, for two glorious nights. A short distance from my home at the Belize reef (less than 100 miles), Ka’ana immerses you in a totally different world – and doesn’t skimp one bit on the amenities. Good grief, I would have turned 2Keep reading »
10 Resorts in Belize Where You are Most Likely to Mingle With the Rich & the Famous
I am totally celebrity crazed. I check TMZ.com a few times a week, I love to read US Weekly on my Kindle and I really enjoy Keeping Up with The Kardashian. It’s my thing! Don’t judge! We know that Belize is a vacation hotspot. And in recent years, it’s becoming a hotspot for celebrities. DuringKeep reading »
Quiet Luxury on South Ambergris Caye, Belize: Pelican Reef Villas
Friday, about mid-day, I walked south to Pelican Reef Villas located in quiet, lovely South Ambergris Caye, Belize. It’s a walk I haven’t taken in TOO LONG – here’s an outline of the 1 mile walk that ends in some coconut dragons – and it’s as lovely as ever. Mostly residential and colorful… Don’t beKeep reading »
A Trip Up To Camp: Cayo Frances Farm & Fly – Dogs and SUPs
Yesterday I headed up to camp. The almost-open Cayo Frances Farm & Fly Fishing camp on the leeward side of the island. Not just a farm, not just a fly fishing hang-out but a beautiful spot for reading, camp fires, hammock lounging, sunsets, star gazing, S’mores and now SUPs and kayaks. (My overnight trip.) Oh yes,Keep reading »
It’zana Resort & Residences: Placencia, Belize is Ready for the Next Level
There is no international rating system when it comes to stars for hotels and resorts. If there was, I would imagine that standards would vary greatly for different cities and different countries. In New York, for example, valet service and a top notch crew of doormen would be imperative with your NYC-priced + 5-star experience. InKeep reading »
Overnight at Cayo Frances Farm & Fly – Leeward Side of Ambergris Caye
Also subtitled: The Very Best Day of Elsie’s Life. Sunday afternoon, we headed up to “the farm”…or to the entrance Cayo Frances lagoon – a huge lagoon in the center of Ambergris Caye. And one of a handful of developed properties on that whole side of the island… Sunday was a gorgeous gorgeous day.Keep reading »
Sneak Preview Of Two New Businesses on The Leeward Side of Ambergris Caye
Yesterday was a HOT still hazy day – the type of day that heralds a weather change – and we headed back to “Secret Beach” – the very popular and totally UNsecret beach on the leeward side of the island. Not the lagoon side that you can see from town or the road north butKeep reading »
What a Glorious Day on Ambergris Caye to, Again, Be Bowled Over By Change!
I was gone for just about a month on my India mega-adventure and now I’m back. I am a full time resident of San Pedro. I live here all year- usually leaving once or twice for a family visit in the states for a week or two. But I haven’t been off the island forKeep reading »
The Great House Rises at Mahogany Bay Village, Ambergris Caye
Mahogany Bay Village is Ambergris Caye’s largest development. Almost 2 miles south of San Pedro town and tucked back behind a gate from the road, it is being built at break neck speed by a huge crew. During different phases there will be a hotel of 200ish rooms (Phase One, open this year and managed byKeep reading »
Meditation, the Most Gorgeous Dock and Then Ice Cream: Sunday Morning at Ak’Bol Retreat
A few weeks ago, a meditation invitation was put out to…everyone…by an organization called Peace Revolution. Very Gandhi…and I am on my way to India – I accepted. Plus, I have wanted to meditate for some time. The idea of being able to calm a whirring brain on command is very appealing. The organization wasKeep reading »
Gorgeous Villa Margarita in Hopkins, Belize and Beyond….
Hopkins, Belize time. I had spent two nights at amazing Sleeping Giant Jungle Lodge – enjoying the view, the staff, the food and the amazing suite. But like many who stay in the jungle, I was doing a two-part trip to Belize. Half jungle and half beach. I was headed south, next, to unique andKeep reading »
Sleeping Giant Lodge In the Maya Mountains Continues to Amaze Me
I visited Sleeping Giant Lodge in Cayo, Belize for the first time in August 2014 and was…blown away. I gushed. Yes I did. And you can see it all here. But the casita (larger than my apartment), the pool and the view…I’d seen nothing like it in Belize. (Please…take a look.) This past Monday, afterKeep reading »
A WINDY Boxing Day Walk North: From Costa Blu to X’tan Ha Resort on North Ambergris Caye
I am worried about the beaches! The winds have been up to 30 mph for the past 4 or 5 days…and will continue a bit. While the weather has been clear and sunny, THE WIND! Great for sailing, bar hopping, pool lounging, kite boarding but tough for other activities. Small craft advisories (boats) andKeep reading »
Pedro World: A Large Water Slide and More Coming to Caribbean Villas Resort
September and October are often the times when resorts do some clean-up, maintenance and upgrading. Passing by on the water taxi yesterday from Belize City – I noticed that Caribbean Villas Resort, just south of town, is doing some serious work on their dock and on their beach. One thing stood out to me inKeep reading »
Heading Over to The West Side of Ambergris Caye And An Exciting New Project
Monday I took a trip to the west side of Ambergris Caye. The “reef-less” side. Tiny islands…mangrove shore lines with a smattering of sandy beaches. And a handful of houses…maybe less than 5? There is no power, sewage or water supply on the lee ward side but it is absolutely beautiful. This is still the best mapKeep reading »
Cocoplums and Reading on the Victoria House Dock
Summer is the time for odd (to me) fruits and this time of year, these gorgeous bushes along the beach are bursting with a particularly strange one. Cocoplums. It’s a dark green glossy leaved shrub that first gets white tiny flowers and then these round “fruit”. They start whitish and turn a pretty rosyKeep reading »
A Drive North: The Old Costa Maya Resort is Looking AMAZING & Opening Soon
Yesterday, I took a drive up north to check on a few things….the road (which, based on the HUGE trucks blowing by us) is under heavy construction and set to go even farther north. On Thursday, Mayor Danny said that the road would continue all the way up to the old Basil Jones air strip.Keep reading »
Belize’s First Tourism Hotel Celebrates 50 Years & The Amazing Visionary, Miss Celi McCorkle
The day before the presentation of the 2015 BTB Awards at the Holiday Hotel in San Pedro, Belize, it seems fitting to write about Miss Celi McCorkle. The woman who opened and ran the very first tourist hotel in all of Belize. Who brought tourism to Belize – 50 years ago. Earlier this year,Keep reading »