Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Video of the day.  Matt Cook took some comprehensive video of Xunantunich.  Not a lot of people getting in the way of the beauty of the Maya site. 

"In this episode we are guided through Xunantunich. I had to get used to following around guides in Belize. Usually I am the guide. These ancient ruins are kept in great condition. We saw some workers excavating and repairing things. Some of the temple parts are actually fake and made as a cover for the original parts. Next time we will be cave tubing and ziplining in the Belize jungle."

Belize was listed in Conde Naste's Top 10 January holiday destinations.  Ka'ana got mentioned as a place to stay.  

"It is hot and humid and it rains a lot in Belize, beset as it is by tropical storms and hurricanes. But don't let that put you off. It is the perfect Caribbean escape for those who like it rough and palm-fringed around the edges, with tropical jungly highlands, Mayan ruins and the most astoundingly beautiful beaches, just a handful of hippies and beach bums to share them with. January and February are the best months, only pleasantly hot and not too wet."

The Cayo BTIA, supporting their cause of sustainable tourism, held their first clean-up campaign last weekend, and, wow, they picked up a lot of trash between Cayo and Benque.  Thanks to all the people that made this happen, including Chaa Creek, Black Rock Lodge, and Ka'ana!

"A typical conversation with a Belizean about what they think makes Belize so great will eventually lead to the point being made that it’s Mother Nature’s best-kept secret and a haven for sustainable tourism. Further investigate why and you’ll hear about the historic Mayan Ruins, the miles of untouched jungle, the birds, the great barrier reef and practically every other highlight there is to know about Belize. In addition to all the talk of natural resources, we’re sure you’ve heard us speak of the commitment from Belizeans to be as green as can possibly be...

The hope for this project? That next time more teams join – enough teams to clean up the entire 8 mile stretch of road between San Ignacio & Benque Viejo Town. The longer-term goal? To remind everyone in Belize that together we can make a valuable difference and notable contribution!"

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)."

The San Ignacio Resort Hotel hits the nail on the head with their article about skipping the coast, and heading straight to where all the magic happens: Cayo.  All the best adventures are here in Cayo, from caves to lakes to waterfalls.

"As much as we LOVE our gorgeous coastal destinations—we encourage you to skip those common places and try something new while travelling the warm and sunny Central America.

This piece of paradise has an array of activities to offer-- forget diving! Imagine zip lining through tropical forests, enjoying unimaginable views. Or cave tubing through ancient caves where the Maya have more stories to tell than you can imagine. Also, the perfect way to get over the fear of heights has got to be by climbing to the top of a Maya Ruin.

A lot can be said by simply walking on the Hawkesworth Bridge. And it is not the only landmark found in San Ignacio, Belize. Take a cultural tour with us to learn more about what makes this town special. Plus, there’s long-standing Maya Ruins dotted along the area. You will be fascinated by what you can learn from these historical sites."

Brigitte de Graaff, a well known European blogger, wrote a great article about mainland Belize.  Unparalleled indeed.  Pook's Hill and Caves Branch are praised for their beauty.  Great article. Cayo is the best!

"The interior of Belize is characterized by endless diversity. High in the north, close to the border with Mexico, you will find an interesting mix of cultures that can be easily recognized by the rich cuisine. Spanish, Mexican and Asian influences are not to be missed and this region has a pleasantly rippling agricultural culture. Completely opposite is the west of the country, where you can attract yourself as an adrenaline junky. Deep in the jungle you can raft, zipline, cave and tube until you are completely tired and you will still have admired only a small part of all the beauty. This is also the place where you can visit many well-hidden Mayan ruins, or even spot wildlife."

Belize is ranked 3rd in Stride Magazine's Top 7 Adventure Tour Destinations for 2017.  Cayo's Xunantunich and Caracol are mentioned.

"Belize has been a ‘go to’ destination for years among American retirees looking to settle down in a friendly and warm country close to home.  But you don’t need to wait for retirement to take advantage of Belize’s world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.  A guided tour will ensure you gain access to the top snorkeling and diving spots like the Lighthouse Reef atoll, home to the famous Blue Hole.  A tour guide will also provide local insights and historical context when visiting places like the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Caracol."

The Institute of Archaeology posted some pictures of the festivities going on at Caracol.  Dr. Jaime Awe was there to share some knowledge.  Looks like there was a full day of fun.