I do love an invitation. Last week I signed up for a pretty exciting trip to Orange Walk. Most exciting because, for years, I was operating under the belief that those who visited the northwest district of Belize were going to see one of Belize’s grandest Mayan sites – Lamanai. Only. It’s a “do notKeep reading »
Travel in Belize
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 »
The Fun, Funny, Quirky and Just Plain Odd Signs of Belize
Road signs, store signs, and just random warning signs…there are lots of beautiful hand-painted, intentionally or unintentional funny signs and often unexpected signs in this little country. On Tobacco Caye though this one could be in SO many spots. Here are a bunch of photos that I’ve taken over the last few years all around theKeep reading »
Heroes in The Jungle: Belize’s Race To Save The WILD Scarlet Macaw
To see 10…16…20 scarlet macaws flying across the late afternoon sky is almost hard to believe. Always even numbers, these surreally colorful, gorgeous birds mate for life. Shrieking, gliding in tandem and so garishly colored, it’s as if evolution forgot them. There is no missing them in the jungle of one thousand greens. These birds areKeep reading »
Packing for Deep Jungle Camping in Belize And A Bit of Birdwatching
This weekend I head into the Chiquibul Nature Reserve to join volunteers that are camping at the bottoms of huge trees to protect Belize’s Scarlet Macaws from poaching. Last year, I did one night…this year, I will do four. BABY STEPS! Most volunteers head into the jungle for 14 nights. No internet. No electricity. No phone.Keep 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 »
The Chaa Creek Eco-Campers Have the Times of Their Lives
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 »
Traveling from San Pedro to San Ignacio, Belize: So Different, Both So Beautiful
From the reef to the jungle in Belize – easy peasy. Even taking the slowest, budget method (barring bike riding or walking), I was on the 7:30am San Pedro Belize Express water taxi ($46bzd RT) and I arrived in San Ignacio on the bus ($8bzd) before noon. Not bad. Not bad at all. I wasKeep reading »
One Day in Belize City for the BTB Digital Marketing Summit
Aside from the alarm clock going off at 5:30am, this event hosted by the Belize Tourism board was right up my alley. A full line up of marketers, photography, social media and tech expert – people who make a living figuring out what travelers want – all in one room. I boarded the 6:30am, SURPRISINGLYKeep reading »
Traveling from San Pedro, Belize to Cayo & My Fabulous Destination
Yesterday, I departed San Pedro at 8:30am to head west. From San Pedro to the Cayo District – the largest of them all and one that is so jam packed with things to do (caves, rivers, hiking, wildlife, Mayan sites), it’s almost too much. Start point green, end point red. 105 miles by my route.Keep reading »
Belize’s First SERIOUS Deli: The Farm House Deli in Belmopan
Living on Ambergris Caye, Belize, I miss some simple things but I obviously find that the pluses make up for the minuses since in May, it’ll be my 9 year Belize anniversary! I miss magazines and the Sunday New York Times, I miss a bit of shopping but not much and I miss sandwiches. GreatKeep reading »
San Pedro To Belmopan and Back…Picking Up My New US Passport
As of January 1, 2016, The US Embassy in Belmopan, Belize no longer adds additional pages to your valid passport. When it’s full, it’s full. And it was time to get a new one. A trip to Kerala, India would require two full pages for my Indian visa. It was time to move fast. IKeep reading »
Snapshots Around Belize From My Week and Others’ – Both Under & Over Water
My week (or so) has been pretty fantastic. From a trip to Belmopan on Jan 4th to renew my US passport (her pages were full) to Sleeping Giant Resort in Cayo to Estel’s BBQ on Ambergris Caye to snorkeling with a family of squid off South Water Caye. I wish I took this photo. I’mKeep reading »
Exploring Hopkins Village – Filled With Funky and Fascinating Spots and People
After a morning snorkel out to South Water Caye and the gorgeous barrier reef off of Hopkins, Belize, it was time to explore the village. It’s a walk along the beach (about 15-20), a quicker bike ride and quickest of all? Now they rent golfcarts at some of the resorts. I grabbed a key fromKeep reading »
Snorkeling The Reef & Beautiful Southwater Caye From Hopkins, Belize
I’ve been living on Ambergris Caye for the past 8 years and a bit. And I see the reef every day. Depending on where you live on our 26 mile long island, the reef is either within walking distance (in the more remote north part of the island) or a few minute boat ride. But asKeep 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 »
2015: What a Year to Be in Belize! Part Three
Present day: I am just back from gorgeous Sleeping Giant Lodge in Cayo and super charming Hopkins, Belize. And…AND…I’ve been “short listed” to go to Kerala India thanks to everyone’s votes! All I need to do is present a copy of my passport (check) and report to India. INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on February 14th. Kerala. One ofKeep 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 »
From Ambergris Caye To Belmopan to….Ahhhhh….Sleeping Giant Lodge
Sunday was absolute Caribbean perfection. The wind had shifted – and the sea was calm and flat and incredibly blue. Perfect for breakfast/brunch/RIBS at Estel’s on the beach. But overnight, a cold front came through – which in the States/Canada means ominous words like POLAR VORTEX – and here means a shift of the winds. Keep reading »
From San Pedro to Dangriga, Belize For a Free Veterinary Clinic
Yesterday morning, I woke up early to pack for a short trip to Southern Belize. Short in duration, not in travel time. Just one day to help with a free veterinary clinic that I helped with last year. The clinic where I ended up finding the best dog in the world. ELSIE! Who in oneKeep reading »