Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The SISE Town Council is having the 2023 Father's Day Business Expo on Saturday the 17th along the Macal River.  Lots of local businesses will be there.  They'll have music too.  

Video of the day.  Will Moreno has a great video showing off Cayo.  

"San Ignacio Town is one of Belize's fastest growing areas, nestled in the hills of western Belize. San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town along with the many surrounding villages offers so many captivating sights and scenery for tourists and locals alike.

Facts:
San Ignacio Town in the Cayo District of Belize is attached to its sister town of Santa Elena Town by the Macal River that runs between them and 3 bridges that span the river. Hawksworth Bridge is the oldest and a unique landmark in Belize, built in 1949. It is the oldest drivable suspension bridge still functioning in Belize."

The Belize Gold Book was released digitally today.  Cayo's section starts at page 58.  While they list all the major Maya sites and caves, they focus on Mountain Cow Cave(page 62 and 63).

"Home to the capital, the City of Belmopan, Cayo District’s picturesque small towns, lush tropical forest, and winding rivers are sure to charm you. As the smallest capital in the Americas, Belmopan’s central location makes it a perfect day-stop base for your adventures – whether hiking or exploring limestone cave systems at nearby National Parks. Further west takes you to Belize’s “breadbasket”, the colorful twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, connected by the iconic 1949 Hawksworth Bridge over the pristine Macal River. As the district that borders Guatemala, Cayo inspires irresistible Latin and Maya flavors go on full-display every Saturday morning at the local farmer’s market in San Ignacio with stalls from diverse ethnic backgrounds."

Video of the day.  International Living has a nice short video about Cayo.  Burns avenue is highlighted.  Big Rock Falls is on there.  Worth a watch.  

In related news, the country of Belize was highlighted in a recent video: https://youtu.be/Pif5GEDOOCc

"San Ignacio, in the Cayo District of Belize is exotic and wild, with hand-cranked bridges, mountains, and jungle. Downtown streets are lined with colorful shops and restaurants. Nearby, at the edge of the central town area, is the Macal River, with green parkland along both banks. Children often play in the river, and families picnic in the park.

Learn more about San Ignacio here: https://internationalliving.com/countries/belize/cayo-belize/"

Twist Magazine loves Cayo in their latest issue.  They mention many of the more popular sites around Cayo, including Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Ajaw Chocolate, and Mountain Pine Ridge, and they are enamored by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  Great read, and one can get an idea of how Cayo is perceived from the guests' point of view.  

"During your stay in San Ignacio, be sure to take time to enjoy the town itself. The fruit and vegetable market is busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so go on one of those days if possible, and consider booking a session at AJAW Chocolate and Crafts, where you can learn about the history and process of cacao and drinking chocolate in the Mayan tradition.

We spent a week in San Ignacio and barely scratched the surface of the outdoor and cultural excursions offered here. With more time, we would have canoed the Macal River, rappelled into a sink hole, toured more caves, and driven over the border to see the ruins at Tikal. We didn’t miss megaresorts, all-inclusive dining experiences, or beaches."

Video of the day.  Paul Powton Photography created a couple of videos for the Ministry of Works highlighting the construction and completion of the new Macal River Bridge.  At around 2:30, the drone captures Santa Elena and San Ignacio, along with both of the other bridges, from a few 100 meters above the bridge, and it really puts things in perspective.  The second video is after completion.  

Video of driving across the bridge with a wicked soundtrack!

"Belize's largest & most impressive bridge under construction"

Congratulations are in order.  Cayo was listed on Trip Advisor's top 10 Central American destinations, based upon travelers' experiences in the region.  As it should be, since we have so much to do, including Cahal Pech, seen in the picture.  Cayo came in at 7th place.  San Pedro, the only other Belize entry, came in 1st place. 

"It’s true: parts of Belize are getting touristy. But San Ignacio remains rustic, making it a great base for budget-friendly tropical adventure travel. Canoe on the Macal River, or walk to Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech (just be warned: it's uphill)."

Joe Awe, over at Nine Tours, posted a wonderful little article about the history of the river route that is followed by La Ruta Maya.  Definitely worth a read. 

"There is a river that starts its life in the mountains of Belize from a spring. That spring decided a million years ago that it will find a way through the mountains of a land that later hosted Paleoindians, Archaic people, Proto Maya, Maya people and todays contemporary Belizeans. It ripped its way; it climbed; it pushed; it tore through all barriers it found in its path – cleared all things to the granitic floor that it decided to make its bed.

This river, called the Macal River, is one of two that meet two and a half miles north of San Ignacio and Santa Elena towns (twin towns), and start the longest river in the country called the Belize River. It must be highlighted that the country of Belize may have gotten its name from the name the original Yucatec maya called that river: “Baltiz”, which means “muddy water”."

Cayo's Wet & Splash Bash is this Saturday along the Macal River, and they'll have a lot going on. Live music, DJ's, sporting events. Check it out. They'll have tons of great DJ's and the Caribbean Riddim Band will perform. It kicks off at 10am.

'Cayoooooo!!!
Shhhhhhhhhh!!!
Going down this Saturday @ Macal Riverside.
Just tell a friend to tell a friend.
This is a community event. Lots of kids games. Many surprises.
For the People of the Twin Towns and surrounding areas.
This one will be fire!!!'

The San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town Council is having their Easter Riverside Bash on Saturday and Sunday, the 16th and 17th, and they've got lots of fun activities planned along the banks of the Macal river.

Video of the month.  Video showing Cayo's impressive Independence Mural at the hill to the wooden bridge.  They interview Jorge Landero and Ismeal Humes, the artists the created the mural.  Happy Independence Day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUF6wkwpvNR/

Video of Benque's mural: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH_ff1YCb8w

"Just before journeying across the Macal River from Santa Elena to San Igancio, visitors will now be welcomed by a newly installed commemorative mural. The artwork tells the story of the twin towns' transformation over the last 40 years."

The Pan American Development Foundation, as part of its Flood Risk Reduction Project, will be clearing around 7000 feet of drains around Cayo.  This will help mitigate the flash floods that are common in the area.  Thanks, PADF, and Taiwan!

"As part of the Taiwan-funded 'Flood Risk Reduction Project for San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town,' the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is pleased to announce its support for the Town Council through excavation services in the upper San Ignacio area. This support will clear approximately 7,000 feet of drains, starting at the Santiago Juan Layout entrance to the Orchard Area leading into the Macal River. This intervention will reduce the probability of flooding in the Independence Square neighborhood during the imminent rainy season. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially critical that communities take proactive steps like this to mitigate the negative consequences of floods. Such interventions will reduce the need for evacuations and can slow the spread of the disease in the event of a major storm. This support is expected to positively impact approximately 6,520 residents in this municipality."

The date is set for the National Coastal and River Cleanup.  September 28th, and it starts at 8:00am by the Macal River.  Contact the local Oceana rep for more information. 

Shared on the Cayo Event Calendar: http://bit.ly/CayoCal

"September 28th will be the National Coastal and River(side) Clean Up. Come on out to help clean the riverside of the Macal and surrounding areas! if interested kindly DM me or take a look at the flyer and contact your nearest Oceana Field Rep. We also sign off on Community Service Hours for those who need it!

(Bags, gloves and water will be provided but we're also accepting any donations for these too).

This is done worldwide and was created by Ocean Conservancy not only will trash be picked up but it will also be recorded so that we have a snapshot of the world's trash problem as it affects our oceans and rivers."

The FCD EYG and Todos Por Un Mundo Verde signed the historical Declaration of Yaxha.  The declaration pledges their continued support of conservation efforts for the Chiquibul and Mopan River Valley.  They want to eliminate pollution of the Chiquibul, Mopan, Macal, and Belize rivers.  Congratulations to all the youths that participated in this herculean effort.  

"Friends for Conservation and Development Environmental Youth Group Acting President Ricky Cunil and President of Todos Por Un Mundo Verde Sindy Sagastume sign historical youth declaration for Belize and Guatemala the Declaraion of Yaxha along with their delegations. DECLARATION OF YAXHA We, the youth members of the environmental groups Todos Por Un Mundo Verde established in Melchor de Mencos Peten, Guatemala and FCD Environmental Youth Group established in San Jose Succotz, Belize, meeting at El Sombrero Eco Lodge, Yaxha, Flores Peten, Guatemala on March 2nd and 3rd, 2019, express our commitments to join efforts to work together to work together for the conservation and protection of natural resources that we have in our countries ad for the Chiquibul and Mopan River which we share... 

It is worth mentioning that the groups have implemented activities such as: awareness and education outreach, local and binational clean-up campaign, reforestations, binational workshops and exchanges and dissemination of information through the media, all these contributing to the strengthening of both groups.

Recognizing that pollution is currently a global problem that seriously affect humanity since developed or developing countries are the ones that produce the most garbage, many of these ending up in the oceans, and negatively affecting the lives of many species leading to their extinction. Pollution by smoke is the cause of many diseases such as cancer or asthma in humans, mainly in large cities mostly in the Asian continent, but we are not oblivious to this reality. Our ecosystem is directly affected by deforestation, illegal logging, forest fires, clandestine gold ranching, poisoning of rivers for fishing, all leading to the extinction of many species that inhabit rivers and terrestrial species. Due to our local geography, the headwaters of the Chiquibul River originates in the Maya Mountains of Belize and this river crosses over to Guatemala, passing through several communities that are settled on the riverbanks and joins the Macal River still in the territory of Guatemala in the community of Los Encounters. The Mopan River then later enters Belizean territory and joins the Macal River which discharges into the Caribbean Sea. Humans are the only specie that causes pollution par excellence because they produce waste in almost all the activities carried out and much of that garbage do not reach their proper destinations at the garbage dump sites; thus causing pollution of the environment and especially of our waters.

Only by working together can we do great things for our environment, which is why we ratify our commitment to work hard to achieve the fulfillment of the visions, commitments and recommendations that have been embodied in this binational youth declaration that will guide our actions to be taken by the organized groups in Guatemala and Belize respectively. VISIONS We, the youth have a Vision of a world where the natural resources in our countries are valued and protected, where we can coexist in harmony and sustainability with nature without compromising our environment. 1. Strengthen the collaboration work to achieve the accomplishments of the activities embodied in binational actions plan 2018-2019 developed jointly by both environmental groups. 2. Together, work towards the mitigation of the pollution of our rivers by contamination such as garbage, toxic waste, extensive livestock and grey waters. 3. To be directly involved with the topic of environmental awareness and education; with this we seek to educate children and young people so that they can change their attitudes and behaviours, thus instilling a culture of protection and conservation of our natural resources. 4. With the resources available, work for the conservation, protection and mitigation of the pollution that affects our rivers and which can be carried out through presentation and workshops in the areas where there is greater contamination. 5. Carry out clean-up campaigns and involve the people who reside in the areas where the activities are carried out in order to influence a change in environmental culture."

The 1st annual Cayo Day was a blast for everyone.  Great music from the New Sensation Band and Tanya Carter, and there was ziplining.  Thanks, SISE Town Council!

"Ziplining! They had ziplining across the Macal! Wow! Great time at the 1st Cayo Day. Thanks, New Sensation Band and Tanya Carter!"

Video of the day.  The Pontoon Waterfall Adventure Tour is the tour where you can see the waterfalls created from the rivers that go through Mountain Pine Ridge as they flow into the Macal.

"Journey Deep in the mystical Mayan mountains and set sail onboard the pontoon, Jungle Splash!  Be on the look out for various wildlife that call this tropical rain forest home as you explore 3 different waterfalls!"

Great article about the La Capitana Pontoon adventure.

"'While staying at Martz Farm Treehouses and Cabanas Ltd in the Cayo District, we were excited to learn that one of the many adventures they had to offer is their signature La Capitana Pontoon Boat tour on the nearby Macal River. Years ago, we had kayaked the same stretch of river before the Vaca Dam was completed in 2010, and we were eager to see how the area had changed. Now, this section of the river has transformed into a lazy tributary, perfect for a pontoon boat tour. What better way to weave through the lush jungle landscape and dramatic cliffs that border the river while exploring waterfalls and playing in the cool mountain water? We couldn’t get our swimsuits on fast enough!"