Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team is trying to raise money to help save the Scarlet Macaws in the Chiquibul National Park.  Check out their crowdfunding page, and help them if you can. 

"Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team is a small but dedicated group of Belizeans working to save the last remaining Scarlet Macaws in the remote Maya Mountains of Belize.  Help us raise money for a long-range radio communication system which will enable the team to quickly and effectively communicate in cases of medical emergencies and poacher activity in these remote areas.  This radio system will include a base radio, car battery, extendable antenna, programming, and hand held units for the field crew."

Pictures of the day.  Chiquibul is all its glory.  Thanks, Roni Martinez!

"Tucked silently in the Maya Mountains of south-central Belize, a massive forest lies between an area of the most pristine beauty and the most ravaged landscape left behind by development.  This is the Chiquibul forest, a bit over 7% of Belize and standing as the nation's largest protected area at 264,000 acres.  The biodiversity within, is beyond amazing... the beauty, indescribable.  The financial benefits ascribed to it amount in the billions, yet it is not under full protection.  But why?  If it provides Belize with clean water, clean air, timber, gold and a myriad of other benefits, why not protect it?  The raw truth... wildlife can't speak and the trees can't vote!  Therefore they do not exist to the government?"

Did you know that Cayo has lakes, and pontoon boat tours?  Lake Benque is very easy and inexpensive to get to, and Martz Farm has the 'La Capitana' pontoon boat.  You can see waterfalls, including the Twin Waterfalls, hike the Maya Mountains, swim in granite pools, see exotic wildlife, and even camp overnight if you'd like.  La Capitana even has a BBQ grill on it.  You can cruise in style, and enjoy lunch right next to waterfalls.

https://www.facebook.com/HideAWayCampAdventureToursLtd

"Cayo has lakes, and you can boat them now at Martz Farm. There are quite a few waterfalls to hike to and play in around Lake Benque. You can even camp overnight."

Cayo got another boost with Chaa Creek being on the Huffington Post's 'Top 10 Most Relaxing Eco-Resorts.'  Congratulations, Chaa Creek!

"Belize has become a mecca for geotourism, and The Lodge at Chaa Creek leads the pack as one of the country's best ecolodges.  Visitors enjoy a true rainforest experience at the foot of the Maya Mountains.  The resort has been named the Best Eco Resort & Hotel in the Caribbean for four years in a row by Caribbean Travel & Life.  Enjoy a variety of adventure activities, explore the surrounding natural beauty, and unwind at the full-service spa.  Double-occupancy rooms start at $165 per person/night."

San Antonio Village has a website!  It has quite a bit of information on it, and even a business listings page.  Giving us ideas for the next version of the bestofcayo.com site.  Well done, Clara!

"San Antonio Village, your introduction to the Adventure Capital of Belize and the Heart of Cayo, central to numerous travelers’ destinations and home to the diversity of the jungle, Maya Mountains and the Pine Ridge Forest.   San Antonio is located in the lush 'broadleaf forest' ecosystem, popularly called the jungle.  Just five miles drive will take you to the entrance of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, a totally different ecosystem called 'upland savannah'."