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Caracol, located in Belize's Chiquibul National Park, 4 miles from the Guatemalan border, is the largest Maya archaeological site in the country. Around 650 AD, during the peak of its development and expansion, the urban area of Caracol had a radius of approximately 10 km and covered an area much larger than the city of Belize today. In fact, this archaeological site is larger than the impressive ruins of Tikal in Guatemala, but most of it has not yet been restored.

So far, the three main plazas that have been discovered in Caracol are surrounded by pyramid-shaped temples and various sculptures. More than a hundred tombs and a huge number of hieroglyphic inscriptions have also been found. One of the main attractions in this refuge is the "Caana" complex, which in Maya means "place in the sky," since it rises more than forty meters above the plaza below.

This photograph is from the San Ignacio Hotel Resort, which organizes tours to Caracol and other archaeological sites in Belize.

This entry was posted on September 6, 2013 at 1:36 PM and has received 964 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Belize is a small Central American country teeming with wonderful travel experiences for both beach-and-sand tourists as well as eco- and adventure tourists. Read on to find out why Belize should be at the top of your travel bucket list!

1. No habla español?

Unlike the rest of Central America, Belize was a colony of Britain, not Spain. Consequently, the official language of Belize is English. That means everyone from your taxi driver, to your waiter, to the local shopkeeper will speak English – and no need to haphazardly guess when reading maps, signs, or menus either!

2. World-class diving

Belize is perhaps most famous for being one of the world's best scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. Just offshore in the Caribbean Sea lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second longest coral reef system in the world. Underwater explorers will feast their eyes on many beautiful, colorful, and rare marine species such as West Indian manatees, whale sharks, and loggerhead sea turtles. Also check out the Blue Hole – a 400-foot deep underwater sinkhole and a mesmerizing natural wonder that is famous among divers.

3. Surf & turf

The former fishing village of Placencia boasts long stretches of soft sand and turquoise water and also serves as a great base for day trips to nearby lagoons and nature reserves. Ambergis Caye and Caye Caulker are two islands off the northern coast of Belize with a characteristic, laid back island vibe. All three destinations offer easy access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Travel inland and you'll find lush rainforest ecosystems with rich biodiversity. The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve and Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary are particularly well-known for their vast array of wildlife, especially birds. Hiking, cave exploration, canoeing, and waterfalls are all part of the experience in the jungles of Belize.

4. Mayan ruins everywhere

They say you can't throw a stone in Belize without hitting a Mayan ruin. The area that is now known as Belize was actually the heart of the Maya Empire during its peak. There are hundreds of archeological sites within the country, most of which have yet to be excavated. Read our blog entry on the Mayan Jewels of Belize to discover the country's best Mayan sites.

5. Say goodbye to the crowds

Caribbean beaches, world-class diving, lush rainforests, and Maya culture – surely such a spectacular destination will ensure a constant battle for the last spot on the beach/bus/tour? Guess again! Not only does Belize have the lowest population density in Central America, it receives only about 250,000 tourists each year. In comparison, Nicaragua receives four times as many tourists annually, while Costa Rica receives a whopping 8.7 times as many! So, no need to worry about crowds, traffic, or waiting in line after line. In Belize, you'll finally have that peaceful and relaxing vacation you've always dreamed of.

Sustainable hotels and tours in Belize »

This entry was posted on June 5, 2013 at 10:39 AM and has received 1637 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Belize is believed to have been the heart of the famous Maya civilization during its peak. There are hundreds of archeological sites within the small Central American nation, most of which have yet to be excavated. Travelers can explore majestic temples and tombs that have stood the test of time, remaining today as mysterious reminders of a mighty empire that thrived here thousands of years ago.

Caracol

This site is impressive for its sheer size – it is the largest archeological site in Belize with the tallest manmade structure in the country (a 140-foot temple) and the biggest population of Mayan descendants. In its heyday, around 650 AD, the city of Caracol covered an area much larger than present day Belize City and supported more than twice its population.

Altun Ha

Easily accessible from Belize City, Altun Ha was a major ceremonial center and an important trading link between the inland cities and the Caribbean coast. Two main plazas contain about 13 temples and residential structures, though hundreds more remain unexcavated and inaccessible in the jungle foliage. The largest structure is called the "Temple of the Masonry Altars," which contains several priests' tombs.

Cahal Pech

Located right in the town of San Ignacio, Cahal Pech has a beautiful panoramic view overlooking the city and the Belize River valley. In just a few minutes' walk from the bustling modern town center, visitors can be transported into the world of the ancient Maya. There are seven courtyards surrounded by 34 structures including ball courts, residences, temples, and a sweat house.

Remains of an ancient ball court.

Lamanai

Lamanai, surrounded by dense rainforest and overlooking the New River lagoon, is one of Belize's largest and most picturesque Maya sites. On the outside of one of the buildings is an impressive carving of a ruler's mask emerging from a crocodile headdress. As one of the few sites that were still occupied by Mayans when the Spanish arrived, Lamanai (which means "submerged crocodile") is among the few that has retained its ancient Mayan name. The best way to visit Lamanai is by a guided boat ride up the New River, during which you'll enjoy beautiful views of the forest and exotic wildlife.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich consists of six major plazas and is surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces that are believed to have been inhabited by an elite governing family. Situated atop a limestone outcrop, Xunantunich offers panoramic views of the hilly Cayo District. Locals believe the ruins are haunted by the ghost of a stone woman, hence its name which means "stone woman" in the Yucatec Maya language.

Cerros

Cerros is located on the beautiful Chetumal Bay on the Caribbean coast. An important trading post, Mayan merchants arrived by canoe to trade exotic materials, such as jade. Visitors can climb to the top of the tallest structure to get a panoramic view of the bay, the town of Corozal, and the mouth of the New River.

Want to make the most out of your Mayan adventure? Be sure to check out our 5 Tips for Visiting the Mayan World as well as our list of sustainable hotels and tour operators offering responsible tours of Mayan archeological sites in Belize!

This entry was posted on February 27, 2013 at 11:49 AM and has received 2983 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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This photograph from Ka'ana Boutique Resort, shows us Xunantunich, one of the wonderful Mayan ruins in Belize that was an important ceremonial center during the Classic Period.

This archaeological site, located 130 miles from Belize City in the Cayo District, covers an area of more than 1 square mile. It consists of six major plazas and is surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces that are believed to have been inhabited by an elite governing family. Because sits atop a limestone outcrop, Xunantunich offers panoramic views of the hilly Cayo District.

The name Xunantunich comes from the Yucatec Maya word for "stone woman," referring to a ghost who Belizeans believe still dwells in the ruins. The woman is said to be dressed entirely in black with eyes like fiery embers. She usually appears in front of the 130-foot high building known as El Castillo and ascends the stone steps to disappear into the stone wall.

This entry was posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:31 AM and has received 846 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

There are a few places in the world that promise unique experiences for lovers of diving, snorkeling, and marine life, and one of them is on the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras: the magnificent Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

The Mesoamerican Reef is the second largest reef in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia) and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, extending approximately 625 miles (1,000 kilometers) from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to the Bay Islands on the northern coast of Honduras.

Throughout this reef system are vast expanses of coastal wetlands, seagrass pastures, lagoons, mangrove forests, beaches, and dunes. These ecosystems are home to a rich biodiversity that includes 65 species of stony corals, 350 species of mollusks, more than 500 species of fish, and one of the largest manatee populations in the world. In addition, on the reef and in its surroundings live many endangered species such as leatherback sea turtles, West Indian manatees, black coral, and marine crocodiles, and seasonally it is also home to the largest aggregation of whale sharks worldwide.

This rich biodiversity and the beauty of the landscapes created by the reef's ecosystems make it a great tourist attraction. An estimated one in five people living on Caribbean coastlines is employed in tourism, an industry that is among the primary sources of income in these countries.

For starters, travelers can enjoy beautiful, fine white sand beaches that are products of the disintegrated remains of corals, calcareous algae, and other reef organisms. Tourists can also explore the coastal wetlands and mangroves of this reef, which serve as the nursery for many species of fish and provide an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife on canoeing and kayaking excursions.

However, scuba diving is the way that tourists can best experience the reef in all of its splendor. The warm, shallow, crystal clear waters of the coast bordering the Mesoamerican Reef offer impressive visibility of the hundreds of multicolored fish, turtles, manatees, and other marine species, as well as many types of coral.

Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Costa Maya are some of Mexico's most popular sites for diving. In Belize, the biggest attraction is the Blue Hole; considered one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, it is located in Lighthouse Atoll and consists of a system of underwater caves and passages with stalactite formations dating to the last ice age. On the Caribbean side of Guatemala, the port of Livingston is popular for diving directly offshore and in the nearby Belize Cays. Finally, Honduras boasts sites such as Tela, Cayos Cochinos, Puerto Cortes and the Bay Islands (Roatán, Guanaja and Utila).

Sadly, the Mesoamerican Reef faces major threats caused by pollution, over exploitation of resources, and uncontrolled coastal development, among others. For this reason, and because of its immense importance for wildlife and the economy, the countries near the reef have created several national parks and protected areas to help conserve it. Some of these are Cozumel Reefs National Park, the Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, and the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park.

Similarly, initiatives such as the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI) and several community projects aim to implement best sustainable tourism practices to reduce the negative impact of tourism activities on the wonderful Mesoamerican Reef.

If you want to experience the reef responsibly, search our listing for sustainable hotels and tour operators on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

This entry was posted on November 13, 2012 at 12:28 PM and has received 1058 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Our Making a Difference award winner for this month is Blancaneaux Lodge, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ eco-resort owned by legendary Hollywood film director, Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola first found the abandoned lodge in the remote reaches of the Belizean rainforest and decided to bring it back to life, first as a private vacation home and then as a resort open to the public – all the while maintaining a firm commitment to protecting the beautiful natural environment in which it is located. Neil Rogers, Director of Marketing for Coppola Resorts, tells us the story of how Mr. Coppola stumbled upon this jungle paradise, and what he's doing to uphold the highest standards of sustainability there.

Q. What are the origins of Blancaneaux Lodge, before Coppola found it as an abandoned complex?

Rogers: Blancaneaux Lodge is named after the original owner of the land, Michael Blancaneaux, a French botanist who worked with the Natural History Museum in London. He had traveled throughout southeastern Mexico and British Honduras, the former British colony now known as Belize. During his travels, he learned numerous Mayan dialects and occasionally helped broker peace between the Mayans and the British forces. For payment of his services to the British crown, he wrote to the governor of British Honduras and requested 60 acres of land on the banks of Privassion Creek. This parcel of land is now the site of Blancaneaux Lodge.

Q. How did Coppola find Blancaneaux Lodge?

R: In the early 1980s, Francis Ford Coppola visited the fledgling democracy of Belize to try to convince the government to apply for a satellite license and become a communications hub. They turned him down--but during that trip, Coppola fell in love with Belize, whose verdant jungles reminded him of the Philippines, where he'd filmed Apocalypse Now. He visited an abandoned lodge overlooking a creek in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and bought it. For more than a decade afterwards, his family and friends used it as a private retreat.

Then, in 1993, he opened his jungle paradise to the public. According to Coppola, having a resort in the remote reaches of Belize isn't intimidating at all. It's like being on location for a movie, he said – you just bring everything with you or build it yourself. Coppola has done just that. He is delighted that he can be deep in the rainforest and still use a laptop computer that runs on clean, renewable energy provided by his river-powered hydroelectric plant.

Q. Why is sustainability so important for Blancaneaux Lodge?

R: Coppola sees his role as that of a conservator, preserving the pristine environment in which Blancaneaux exists. Consequently, he is a strong supporter of Belize's commitment to ecotourism. At Coppola Resorts, we believe that individual tourism businesses can make a real difference through adopting and championing sustainable practices. By working closely with a wide range of community-based partners and by inspiring our own staff, we hope that real and meaningful change can be achieved in the long term.

As hoteliers, adopting sustainable practices and conserving resources on one's own property is a great start, but what ultimately defines a company's true commitment to conservation and sustainability is support for the wider challenges faced by protected area managers, NGOs, and local communities. Blancaneaux Lodge is lucky enough to be located in one of Central America's last remaining wilderness areas. In order to protect this undeveloped and complex landscape and preserve it for our guests and future generations of Belizeans, we strive to learn more about the region's rare and endangered species and their critical habitats. To this end, we collaborate with local and international researchers, make our own operations as environmentally friendly and sustainable as we can, encourage our staff to spread sustainable ideas in their own communities, and help inspire school children through fun, hands-on conservation outreach.

Q. What conservation projects is Blancaneaux Lodge involved in?

R: Blancaneaux Lodge works closely with Friends for Conservation and Development, the Belize Raptor Research Institute, and the Ix Jaguar Density Research Project. We also support the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund-supported Neotropical Bat Risk Assessment Project, Northeastern State University's mesocarnivore survey, and the scarlet macaw monitoring and nest site protection work undertaken by a range of partners including the Rainforest Restoration Foundation, the Loro Parque Fundacion, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Environmental Coalition (MPREC).

We support environmental initiatives in several ways. We help gather data for wildlife research in the form of retrieving and recording footage from motion sensitive cameras, satellite telemetry monitoring of raptors and macaws, and bi-monthly point counts for raptor monitoring. We provide logistical support to researchers and their staff, including accommodations, food, transportation, and manpower.

Educational outreach is also extremely important to Blancaneaux Lodge. We provide community education and outreach support in collaboration with NGO and international funding partners. For example, we participated in a poster campaign aimed at educating local farmers and communities that raptors help them and are not a threat.

We support local NGOs by increasing their visibility and key messaging via media support. Whenever we have visiting journalists, we invite NGO leaders to meet with them in the hopes their valuable conservation work will be highlighted in the resulting media coverage.

Q. How are you supporting the local community?

R: We primarily support local communities through direct and indirect employment and through a policy of sourcing goods and services locally. Almost 100% of our staff at Blancaneaux Lodge is Belizean, and as a hotel group, we are one of the largest employers in Belize with a guest to staff ratio often in excess of 1:3 during our busiest periods.

We provide educational scholarships for girls enrolled in local schools, contribute monthly to the locally-run Cornerstone Foundation, donate to local charities, provide used furniture to schools, and encourage our "green team" at the lodge to promote sustainable practices in their own communities.

We recently collaborated with the Rainforest Restoration Fund with support from a Woodland Park Zoo Jaguar Conservation Fund grant to establish a Wildlife Watching Club pilot project at the San Antonio Village School. The school and community are located close to Blancaneaux and are adjacent to two protected areas: the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and the Elijio Panti National Park. Our goals are to curtail hunting by children and adolescents, establish pride in local wildlife and protected areas, and, in time, turn the youth into Belize's future environmental ambassadors and field biologists.

We provide classroom lectures on wildlife and their habitats, conservation, and organic farming. We then supplement classroom activities by taking the students into the field to go birding and service motion-sensitive jaguar research cameras. The field trips by our naturalist guides are followed by refreshments at Blancaneaux Lodge, where wildlife photos from the remote cameras are downloaded to laptops so the kids can see them. We also provide tours of our organic gardens, where they can learn about organic farming and sustainable practices from our staff. A secondary goal is to establish an organic garden for the school.

Q. Of all of the hotels in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve area, what makes Blancaneaux special?

R: There are actually only a handful of hotels located within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, and all of them share a wonderful and spectacular ecosystem. One of the factors that make Blancaneaux Lodge so special is the spectacular setting, along with the tumbling waterfalls, huge granite boulders, and many rock pools of Privassion Creek.

We're located at the western edge of the Mountain Pine Ridge and, within just a few miles, there are steep escarpments and canyons that drop into the lush moist broadleaf forests of Elijio Panti National Park. This ecotone (transitional) habitat is very diverse and has one of the highest densities of jaguars in the Americas--we've recorded 11 individual jaguars within a 10-mile radius of the lodge. There are also high densities of puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Birders can enjoy varied habits and more than 350 species close to the lodge. There are well over 100 orchid species close by, and the region is pock-marked with caves rich in Maya artifacts. Also nearby are Caracol, Belize's largest Maya site, Chiquibul National Park, and Belize's only nesting site of the endangered scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoperta).

Beyond the natural wonders, there's the amazing service provided by our staff and the welcoming attitude and friendliness of the locals that Belize is famous for. Blancaneaux Lodge has been voted the #1 Resort in Central and South America for two of the last three years in the annual Travel + Leisure Readers Poll--something that we're very proud of. We believe this recognition is a reflection of how much effort our staff puts into making our business successful and sustainable in the long term.

This entry was posted on October 9, 2012 at 10:04 AM and has received 3156 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Our Making a Difference award winner for this month is duPlooy's Jungle Lodge, a Rainforest Alliance Verified eco-hotel situated on the banks of the Macal River in Belize. duPlooy's blew us away with their thoughtful and comprehensive sustainability plan (available on their SustainableTrip.org profile), which tackles important issues such as energy consumption, food sourcing, building materials, community outreach, and more. We spoke with owner Judy duPlooy to find out more about her impressive Belizean lodge.

Q: What kinds of wildlife can guests expect to see at your lodge?

duPlooy: Guests can enjoy what we call the "morning show" - with your complimentary coffee each morning, you can see up to 20 bird species visiting our feeder. We encourage guests to start looking for the species they see at the feeder in bird books and on bird walks. Exposing our guests to these creatures increases awareness of the need to protect them.

We've also counted six hummingbird species visiting the feeders and flowers around our deck, and a small colony of bats lives at the end of our canopy walkway. Kinkajous, also known as honey bears, regularly visit our deck at night.

In total, over 300 species of birds can be found around the property. Agoutis, armadillos, and gibnuts run around near the rooms and in the botanic gardens. Coatamundis have been seen on the trails in the rainforest restoration area. People also see foxes quite often, as well as the occasional jagurundi, margay, or jaguar. There are 38 species of bats on the property, 9 species of frog, tarantulas, iguanas, basilisk lizards, and several other lizard species. River otters have been spotted occasionally by the river.

Q: Why is beef not on the menu?

dP: duPlooy's has never served beef, in part because cattle ranching is responsible for a lot of deforestation in the region. Ranchers clear forestland to provide pasture and grow food for the animals. There is also a methane problem associated with raising cattle, and we often do not agree with the way these animals are treated.

As an alternative, we serve organic or free range chickens and eggs when possible.

Q: What can your guests do to learn about local culture and customs?

dP: To learn about ancient cultures, travelers can visit the four major Mayan sites accessible from duPlooy's, as well as caves that are designated archaeological sites. Guests learn about present-day Belizean culture through interaction with our staff and their guides. They can also visit a local women's co-op, the local market, and the town of San Ignacio.

In October, we will be opening our food deck, which will feature a Mayan-style fogone (stove) and participatory cooking demonstrations for our guests. If space allows, we will also open this to the public. We will also feature food from other cultures of Belize and unusual fruits from the gardens.

Q: What do your guests say they enjoyed the most when they leave duPlooy's?

dP: They enjoy the adventures – caves, Mayan sites, and horseback riding. Guests also love our botanic gardens and trails and tubing, swimming, and canoeing the Macal River from our beach.

We like it best when they complement our staff, service and food -- which they often do!

Q: Why is sustainability so important to your hotel?

dP: When we came to Belize in 1988, we recognized the importance of sustainability. Time has only reinforced this notion, as we are seeing more and more natural resources destroyed all over the world. The idea that something should be left for future generations is one that we would like to share with others. The property has been organic and has composted organic waste since 1988. We have chosen not to grow our own vegetables, but rather to support local farmers and encourage them to grow organically. We have seen a great response to our needs, as farmers include more variety of produce in the market and make more efforts to stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

We have tried to avoid having thatched roofs as much as possible, because the palm commonly used for thatching is generally not harvested in a sustainable fashion. The only thatched roofs we have are on our Maya house in the botanic gardens and a palapa on duPlooy's property, and these roofs were constructed from sustainably harvested palms grown on the property.

Q: How are you supporting the local community?

dP: There is a program at the adjacent Belize Botanic Gardens to host local school visits. We support the program in conjunction with the International Palm Society and the Darwin Initiative. Children visit the gardens and learn about environmental issues as well as the importance of conservation. We have developed an environmental board game, which they play after their walk through the gardens to help them retain what they have learned.

With European Union funding, Belize Botanic Gardens and duPlooy's have initiated a Professional Gardeners' Training Program that offers training to under-employed and unemployed Belizeans. The program emphasizes native plants, organic agriculture, and conservation. We believe there to be a good job market for trained gardeners in Belize, especially within the tourism industry.

Q: Of all the hotels in the area, what makes duPlooy's special?

dP: At duPlooy's you can have breakfast with aracaris, happy hour with hummingbirds, and dinner with kinkajous on our jungle deck. Our extensive trail system can take you to a cave, upstream to canoe or tube back to duPlooy's beach, or even to the Xunantunich Mayan site.

Guests love our beautiful location on the Macal River with a natural beach as well as our beautiful grounds. There's also our friendly and attentive hotel staff and guides and our delicious healthy food, locally sourced wherever possible. We also have lots of on-site activities – gardens, canoeing, tubing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and birding.

Adjacent to the lodge is Belize's only botanic garden, which features a 37-acre (15-hectare) rainforest restoration area, medicinal trail, native orchid house, traditional Maya house, savannah trail, palm exhibit, 30-foot lookout tower, and some of the best bird and nature guides in Belize.

Visit duPlooy's profile on SustainableTrip.org to learn even more about this spectacular hotel!

This entry was posted on July 25, 2012 at 11:09 AM and has received 985 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.