At 12 years of age, Rowan Garel became the first visually impaired Belizean to reach the summit of Victoria Peak, the country’s second highest point. He later dove the Great Blue Hole. His adventures raised funds for the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI). This year, Rowan received a Caribbean Adventure Ambassador of the Year Award from the Caribbean Tourism Organization. As Told To Mike Rudon Written by Lebawit Lily Girma MR: At what age did…
Getting up close and personal with Belize’s vibrant animal world. by Zoe Walker As the sun breaks through the early morning mist, standing on top of the Caana temple at Caracol Archeological Site, a series of echoes travel across the tropical forest canopy. Belize’s loudest creatures, the Yucatan black howler monkeys, are roaring. The frog-like croaks of the keel-billed toucan and the raucous calls of scarlet macaws are thrown in, as they…
How we can stop a $200 million industry from slipping through Belize’s hands By Justine Nicholas for Oceana Belize has a solid reputation in the international fly fishing community. Aside from its high percentage of marine protected areas, tarpon, permit, and bonefish are protected species since 2008. This “catch and release” law safeguards a lucrative niche market in the country’s growing tourism industry. Every year, more anglers flock to Belize hoping to outsmart these fast, clever, and sometimes-acrobatic fish with the perfect fly. But the threats undermining Belize’s attempts at sustainable fisheries management and sustainable…
From steamy fry jacks to cohune cabbage and chocolate, food is the tie that binds all Belizeans. By Laurie Norton Belizean cuisine oozes dishes and ingredients that reflect its melting pot of ethnicities, from the Afro-Caribbean to the Mestizo, and East Indian. Each group has its style, influenced by their heritage. The Maya, for instance, use black recado—a concentrated, seasoned paste—paired with chicken and pork for a smoky flavor. Corn and cacao are also popular ingredients in their recipes. The Garinagu use fresh seafood, cassava, coconut, and vegetables. And you can turn up the heat with…
Diving or snorkeling in Belize reveals a dazzling array of underwater wildlife. By Ralph Capeling One short visit to our shores is enough to convince anyone that our complex reef ecosystem—the longest in the western hemisphere—is precious and must be preserved. Covering 370 square miles in area, a large portion of the reef falls under the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, covering seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls. It’s also home to numerous endangered species, and counts 70 hard coral species, 36…
Belize’s largest and least-explored protected area is ripe for discovery. By Rafael Manzanero North of the Amazon lies a contiguous forest, rich in biodiversity. Three countries share this Maya Forest: Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Although it contains huge reservoirs of the natural and cultural neotropics, little is known about it. The portion located in Belize is known as the Chiquibul Forest, stretching over 327,000 acres. The Chiquibul is home to the largest protected area in the country—including the Chiquibul National Park, Caracol Archeological Site or the…
Exploring our backyard in a whole new way. Imagine waves crashing at your doorstep, the Caribbean breeze as your air conditioning, and the Maya mountains as your wallpaper. Waterfalls are your private shower, and your back doors open directly onto a forest or a spectacular sunset. Living by campervan has been our liberator, taking us one step closer to the nature spectacle that is Belize. As bloggers, my girlfriend Amber and I travel around the country a great deal. By the middle of 2017, however, the commute had become too frequent. Renting cars,…
By: Roni Martinez Across diverse landscapes lies Belize’s big, bright world of feathered creatures. GreenJayPerchLookLeft.jpg From mountain ranges to wetlands, forests, and cayes, birding in Belize is exhilarating. The best time to birdwatch is between February and May, the breeding season for resident species. It’s a time when trails and back roads are dry and accessible. October and November offer…