Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave have beautiful new facilities for everyone to enjoy, and they were inaugurated last week by the Ministry of Tourism.   

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNP_ngHFZuc/

"New tourism facilities at the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve were completed under the Sustainable Tourism Program (STP) II, which is a five-year program financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and executed through the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations.

Sunday read.  Great article highlighting a few of the many local cultural attractions that are great experiences for teenagers.  Well written, and Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and the sites in MPR(Rio Frio Cave is pictured above), are all in there.  They loved their stay at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and enjoyed the Green Iguana Conservation Project.

"Our week in San Ignacio barely scratched the surface of the outdoor and cultural excursions offered here..

We wanted to make sure we learned as much as we could about our hometown for the week, so we dedicated a full morning to San Ignacio itself. We toured through the fruit and vegetable market (busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and also really enjoyed learning about the history and process of cacao and drinking chocolate in the Mayan tradition at AJAW Chocolate and Crafts. Additional tours offer cooking classes and lessons on corn processing and tortilla-making at a Mayan women’s co-op...

Xunantunich and Cahal Pech: both these archaeological sites are rich in historical and cultural significance, and both are within easy distance of San Ignacio. Our leader, San Ignacio Resort Hotel guide Cruz, shuttled us only 25 minutes to arrive at Xunantunich, where we walked in the footsteps of Mayan people who civilized this region long before Columbus made his mark (or Christ, for that matter)."

The Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle team took a trip to Mountain Pine Ridge.  They loved Big Rock Falls and Rio On Pools, and stayed at Hidden Valley Inn, where they captured a magical scene at Butterfly Falls.  They made a short video of the 1000 Foot Falls with some of their drone footage..

"Of the 8,867 square miles that make up Belize, 28% of the country is environmentally protected. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, located in the Cayo district, is the oldest and largest protected reserve in the country. Lush green pine and broadleaf forest, beautiful rivers and hidden waterfalls that speckle the area make for a nature lovers paradise.

Abundant in wildlife, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is home to wild cats and magnificent birds such as the Blue-Crowned Motmot, Keel- Billed Toucan, Common Crossbill, King Vulture and the Warbler.

Whether it be trekking through the forest, bird watching, or having a romantic day at the waterfalls, the Mountain Pine Ridge offers an unparalleled experience."

Stunning!  Incredible!  The best aerial footage done in Belize so far, and it all starts out, and ends, in Cayo, at Mountain Equestrian Trails.  So beautiful, you'll be amazed.  Big Rock Falls, San Antonio, Barton Creek Cave, and MPR are all seen in HD.  Thanks, MET, for sponsoring this! 

"A big thanks to Mountain Equestrian Trails for accommodation and providing so much adventure.
http://www.metbelize.com/
Photo Credit: Genaro Shaffer
Website: www.GenaroPhotography.com"

Video of the day.  One of the photographers for the MMAC put together 100's of pictures from the race last month.  He captured pictures from all over Cayo, from downtown San Ignacio to Cahal Pech, to waterfalls and trails in MPR.  He captures the essence of the race really well, and he has the music to go with it - 'We Are the Champions' is one of many great songs.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program of Belize released a great video about their Summer Art Camp, which is for youth between the ages of 14 and 17.  It starts next Monday, June 8th, and MPR is the base for the camp, so the youths will experience nature in one of Belize's nicest reserves.  There are a few spots left.  Rio On Pools is the star of the video that Help International put together.

"This camp is for youth ages 14 to 17 who want to tap into their inner artist and creative learning process.  All week long youth will be in the jungle, learning how to enhance their skills in painting, writing, cooking, and music. At night there will be campfires and games to build friendships and make memories that will last forever.  This is an incredible experience all for $200.  That includes your transportation there and back, your three meals for the day, accommodation, and supplies for classes.  If you are interested in joining us please let Nehanda Higinio know by cell phone at 624-9112 or email at nehandaorange@hotmail.com and she will get you registered and signed up!"

Travel Awaits has a nice article about many of the adventurous excursions found around Belize, and of course, Cayo sights make up the majority of the list.  They highlight Caracol and Actun Tunichil Muknal, along with Mountain Pine Ridge and the Garcia Sisters.  Definitely worth a read.  

"Atop a plateau near the Guatemalan border rest the ruins of a city that was once the political powerhouse of the ancient Maya civilization. Dubbed Caracol, the nearly 25,000-acre archaeological site is known for its vast agricultural field system and sophisticated city planning. But despite how remarkable it is, Caracol offers visitors lots of freedom to wander around the site on their own. You can even climb the Sky Palace -- the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The site only receives about 10,000 visitors a year, so you won’t have to worry about running into crowds at this curious place. To get to Caracol, rent a car and make your way to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in the Cayo District. Or, take the easy route and set up a guided tour with your hotel."

Style Blueprint has a nice article about visiting Belize.  Surely in Cayo alone there are 700 reasons to visit.  Ka'ana gets a great shout out in the article, along with many of the sites around Cayo, like MPR, ATM, Caracol, and Big Rock Falls.  And of course the amazing food is talked about.  Worth a read.

"Travel to the western part of the country to hike through lush jungles and visit world-renowned historical sites. One option is to take a day tour into the Chiquibul Forest Reserve via the Mountain Pine Ridge to visit one of the largest Maya cities in Belize: Caracol. This ancient city served as the political center of the Maya population. As you explore Caracol, keep an eye out for howler monkey, keel-billed toucans, and other wildlife.

More adventurous travelers can explore historic cave systems, including the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave in the Cayo District. You’ll hike for about 45 minutes through a wonderful nature reserve with numerous crystal-clear stream crossings. After a short swim, you’ll take a guided hike into the cave system, which still contains evidence of the Maya civilization, including ceramics, stoneware and skeletal remains."

The YogaSlackers have released the 4th and final video from their win of the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge.  It chronicals the 3 days and nights of their journey through the Chiquibul and MPR.  Lots of great scenery and adventure, and stories, like having to carry their bikes due to there being too much mud.  Wonder if they'll be back for the next one.

"Welcome to the final video in the Maya Adventure Challenge series.  Follow the YogaSlackers as they prowl through untamed jungles for three days and three nights non-stop in the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge.  We'll be there every step of the way to bring you the planning, the execution, the failures, and the triumphs in a four-part video series."