Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Agreed!  The newly refurbished Running W Steakhouse in the SIRH is awesome.  They've listed the top 15 reasons to check it out, saving us from doing anything but going and enjoying it all.  They are in the top 10, number 7 right now, on Trip Advisor.  Keep up the great...food!

"Looking for familiarity but something completely NEW? Then stop by our Running W Steakhouse & Restaurant located in the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  Recent renovations have transformed this restaurant into a welcoming space with upscale ambiance and casual elegance.  The upgrades also introduced the modern Baroque-themed Lobby Bar featuring signature cocktails and unique appetizers."

The Lucas Botanical Medicinal Trail, located in Bullet Tree, is a great medicinal trail to hike.  It can be found on Paslow Falls road, just off of Bullet Tree Falls road.  It'll be on Trip Advisor soon.  Call Lucas Medina at 665-5421 for more information, or for an appointment.

Ambergris Caye won Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice Award for Best Island in the World...again!  This is the second year in a row that they've won.  Belize - Cayo too, of course - in general gets higher reviews from travellers that use Trip Advisor.  Congratulations, Ambergris!  Be sure and let your guests know that the jungle awaits them.

"For the second year in a row, Ambergris Caye takes top honors.  The beautiful Belize island offers the perfect blend of modern development and laid-back tranquility.  A mangrove swamp is the eye of this white beach island, the largest in Belize, and golf carts are the main form of transportation along the sandy roads.  Reef divers drool over the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole, a 400-feet deep circle of limestone that teems with angelfish, elkhorn coral, cleaner shrimp and stalactites."

Hanna Stables has a great new website to go with their new high ranking on Trip Advisor.  Check it out, and if you want a great ride to Xunantunich, they are the ones to call.

"Hanna Stables is amongst the oldest horseback riding establishments in Belize, and it is part of a larger network that includes Nabitunich accommodations and the 400 acre San Lorenzo Farms.  All of the properties have been in the Juan family for four generations. Santiago Juan is currently the head operator of the properties.  We are happy to provide all guests to Belize with ample horseback riding tours  of nearby Mayan ruins at Hanna Stables as well as comfortable overnight accommodations at Nabitunich cottages and educational opportunities at San Lorenzo Farms."

The Gaia Riverlodge now gets all their electricity from hydropower.  They changed the name from Five Sisters - they get the energy from the Five Sisters falls - and renovated the entire lodge only one year ago.  They have a good reputation since the changeover, and get great reviews on Trip Advisor.  Definitely proving they are a true eco-lodge.

"Using the nearby Five Sisters waterfalls as their energy source, the GAÏA Riverlodge is now run entirely by hydropower energy, eliminating the need for electricity.  But don't worry, the hotel does have a back-up system, an eco-friendly one too that's battery-powered.  The GAÏA Riverlodge is also cultivating an on-site vegetable garden which will bring fresh, or 'hyper-local' as they call it, produce to the lodge's restaurants. Awesome."

The best little zoo in the world received Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence.  The Belize Zoo has a menagerie of rescued and rehabilitated animals.  Currently, Happy the Barn Owl has been their ambassador, visiting primary schools around Belize.  Congratulations, Belize Zoo!

https://www.facebook.com/BzeZoo

"It is thanks to these visitors who recognize this tiny jewel of wildlife conservation and education that TripAdvisor® has recognized TBZ by awarding them with a Certificate of Excellence for the year 2013.  TBZ received a four and a half star rating, making it among the top 10% of attractions rated by TripAdvisor® worldwide."

In related news, many great spots in Cayo have also received TA's Certificate of Excellence, and many new restaurants in Cayo are on now on TA, including Guava Limb, Express Oh!, D Catch, and Mom's Backyard.

This is the month for new websites.  Hun Chi'ik Tours has just released theirs.  Looking good.

"Hun Chi'ik Tours Limited provides tours that are unique, fun educational and above all leave our clients with a memorable experience. to promote greater understanding, respect and appreciate culture and natural beauty of belize."

They have good reviews on Trip Advisor:  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g291971-d2092373-Reviews-Hun_Chi_ik_Tours-San_Ignacio_Cayo.html

Chaa Creek not only won a Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice awards, but made the Oyster.com list for 15 Unique Hotel Stays.  On TA, they won in the Best Small Hotels category, and they remain on the Best Family Hotels category from last year.  Read what Oyster.com has to say about them.  Congratulations, Chaa Creek!

"Chaa Creek, one of Belize's first eco-lodges, has evolved from its humble beginnings as a working farm to become a premier luxury retreat.  This sophisticated operation includes rustic-luxe, thatched-roof cottages, wonderful service, and modern amenities such as an infinity pool with jungle views and a full-service spa.  The riverside setting on a private rainforest reserve is phenomenal, and myriad tours and outdoor activities are offered through the hotel.  To top it off, room rates are fair for what you get -- and there are even budget accommodations available at Macal River Camp (pictured), located on the property."

Congratulations to Twin Palms Bed and Breakfast, for not just being ranked number 1 in Cayo, but also for having 127 perfect reviews, and winning the Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice award for Best B&B.

"I was in Belmopan for a few nights for business and Anna and team at Twin Palms made my stay effortless, incredibly comfortable and stress free.  I was upgraded to one of the separate suites that had a kitchenette, it's own wifi and a beautiful spacious bedroom.  Any concern or issue I had was quickly addressed by Anna.  I was even provided with a cell while staying there so I could call a taxi service to take me to and from my meetings.  When I needed to print off documents or order food from the local restaurant Anna was there to help.  Even the cleaning staff that tended to my room daily were lovely.  I can honestly not recommend this bed & breakfast enough.  If I ever return to Belmopan I will definitely be staying at Twin Palms.  Thank you so much Anna and Tim for your amazing hospitality"

The 2016 Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards are out.  5 of the top 10 B&B's in Belize are in Cayo.  Congratulations, Twin Palms(1st), Vanilla HIlls(3rd - Bullet Tree Falls - pictured above), and the Jungle Dome(15th) for making the list of best B&B's in Central America!

The best lodges in Cayo, and their ranking out of 10:

1 The Inns at Twin Palms, Belmopan, Cayo

2 Vanilla Hills Lodge, San Ignacio, Cayo

3 Belize Jungle Dome, Belmopan, Cayo

4 Marz Farm Treehouses and Cabanas Ltd. Cayo

9 Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge, San Ignacio, Cayo

The Green Iguana Conservation Project is ranked number 1 in San Ignacio for activities on Trip Advisor.  They recently received another Certificate of Excellence too.  They have a new brochure out, and it really was done well.  It's a fantastic educational experience, and is being enjoyed by all ages. 

Cayo hotels and B&B's are all over this year's Travelers' Choice Awards, just like last year.  Cayo hotels had half of the places on the Best Bed and Breakfast list, and half on the Best Bargain Hotel list.  Congratulations to all the winners of this year's Trip Advisor awards.

The Inn at Twin Palms

Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge

Moonracer Farm

Table Rock Jungle Lodge
Martz Farm

Amber Sunset Jungle Resort

Black Rock Lodge

Rumors Hotel

Calico Jack's Village

Clarissa Falls

Sleeping Giant

Ka'ana Resort

Caracol and Xunantunich both made tripadvisor.com's top 10 list for Central American landmarks.  Caracol was ranked 4th place, and Xunantunich was 7th.  There were 4 other Mayan sites listed, with Altun Ha in the 8th place and Tikal next door in Guatemala on the list twice.

The Soul Project might have a small menu, but the food they have is amazing.  The tostadas are good, and the tacos are fantastic.  Cayo really has a great line up of places to eat and play at.

In related news, they are now on Trip Advisor.  Give them a review if you can.  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g291971-d4090940-Reviews-Belize_Soul_Project-San_Ignacio_Cayo.html

"Original nuevo Latino Cuisine, Menu"