The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and one of the largest creature of any kind alive today. They are most often seen in Belize from Placencia or Hopkins. Unfortunately, since whale sharks are night feeders, there really are no guarantees as to when they show up.
3 or 4 days before and after the full and new moons in April and May are the best times to interact with the sharks, they are often sighted through the summer months as well. They roam up and down the coast, the Gladden Spit area about 26 miles off the coast of Placencia is known to host large concentrations of whale sharks during April and May when Mutton and Dog Snappers are spawning (the whales ingest the spawn as food).
Despite their size, whale sharks are a remarkably gentle and curious creature. The whale shark’s gentle natures makes swimming with them a special treat for divers and snorkelers. The whale shark’s curiosity even pulls fishing parties into its thrall. We have sometimes had whale sharks seem to be asking to be petted as they glide alongside our fishing boats.
An opportunity to share the water with a creature larger than a school bus does not come often in life – and is definitely not soon forgotten!
Climbing Victoria Peak is an adventure few Belizeans or visitors get to experience. It’s 3,675 feet high but the going is mostly through tropical rainforest. The entire trip is approximately 40 miles and doing the hike usually takes about 4 nights and 5 days.
Ensure your backpack is fully equipped with all your necessary gear and equipment and your on your way to triumph when you hit the summit! No easy feat – it is said that less than 300 people have actually made it all the way to the top. Will you be one?
It’s amazing and pretty fun to see what puns you can come up with using the word “Belize.”
“Un-belize-able!”
We couldn’t help ourselves, and we thoroughly enjoyed making a list of our favorites to share with you:
1. Unbelizeable!
2. Don’t stop Belizing.
3. Belize it or not!
4. Do you Belize in love?
5. You better Belize it!
6. Belize you can, and you’re halfway there!
7. The less you know, the more you Belize!
8. Do you Belize in magic?
9. I can’t Belize I ate it all!
10. “Belize Navidad” – Merry Xmas!
We can’t believe it’s November! Fast forward through the turkey drawstring pants, cranberry hiccups and office parties… Where do you want to go to deal with your post season’s holidays? Don’t worry, we’re here to give you some ideas.
You walk into your private Pool Villa.
You lounge around your fancy digs.
You, of course, have a cocktail.
You have breakfast at La Ceiba to get you ready for today’s adventure. Shown here, our layered tortillas!
You swim into a cave opening, it’s dark and you’re drenched. You explore ATM Cave and and follow the trail of the old Maya civilization, may even spot some human remains. It was scary, but now you feel accomplished! (Read More)
You’re back at Ka’ana and stop by Frieze Lounge for some victory cocktails!
You’re back in your villa taking in some sun and dipping in the pool.
Back to La Ceiba for dinner! Shown here is our popular Res Snapper on Cedar Plank.
You stop by the Organic garden to see where the ingredients came from.
You have that fourth – err second drink.
You’re in bed feeling great. You can’t wait for what the next day will bring and are wondering if these are 1000 count sheets. (Yes, they are.)
Lamanai means “submerged crocodile” in the Maya language and it’s also the name of the third largest, and possibly most interesting, archeological site in Belize.
Located in the Orange Walk District, the Lamanai temple complex sits atop the western bluff of the New River Lagoon and is surrounded by pristine rainforest.
Lamanai was occupied continuously for over 3,000 years and it’s remoteness contributed to it’s continuous occupation, well beyond most other Maya sites, until at least 1,650 AD.
Set in tropical forest, and providing spectacular views from several of its large temples, Lamanai provides a unique experience into the culture of the Maya and the biological diversity of the tropical forest.
Lamanai features the second largest Pre-Classic structure in the Maya world and unlike other ruins, much of Lamanai was built in layers where successive populations built upon the temples of their ancestors, instead of destroying them.
Although hundreds of ruins are said to remain unexcavated in the nearby jungle, three of the most impressive temples have been renovated: the Jaguar Temple, named for its boxy jaguar decoration; the Mask Temple, adorned by a 13-foot stone mask of an ancient Maya king; and the High Temple, offering visitors a panoramic view from its summit.
What remains of two 16th century Catholic missions are also nearby. Maya natives rebelled and burned the churches to the ground as part of a regional uprising. A make-shift Maya stelae, standing in front of what remains of one church, is widely interpreted as renouncing all allegiance to Christianity.
The site’s protected status provides for an abundance of wildlife inside the park. There are a growing number off howler monkeys that make Lamanai their home and you will most likely see them peering down through the branches as you wander the trails. In addition, the marshlands around the lagoon supports many species of water birds and wildlife, including crocodiles.
NYtimes article on travelers seeking bespoke itineraries, “There is a surge of people looking for the meaningful experience..” Be sure to check out our meaningful experiences and how you can participate here .
Imagine you’re hiking back from a waterfall. You swam a little, and now need a disco nap… Luckily your backpack comes with a secret compartment and a hammock in it. Crisis averted!
Get your VSTR Nomadic Pack By Partners & Spade here.
Location: Big Rock Falls is 45minutes away from Ka’ana, see where else you can hike here.
Belize City was established by English settlers in the seventeenth century, mainly due to the extraction of mahogany and chicle. Houses were mainly built of wood with a lower story of brick; polished mahogany was used profusely for the doors and paneling, and often included “gingerbread” details. Some of the public buildings were built of bricks, which came as balusters in cargo ships or were directly imported for that purpose. A clear example is St. John’s Cathedral, which was the first church built in the colony of British Honduras. It was constructed in 1812, although it has undergone numerous alterations over the years. The exterior of the church is of brick; the interior is fitted out mahogany and sapodilla. It is a historical landmark of Belize from the colonial influence of the country’s past.
An event that defined the architecture and development in Belize City was Hurricane Hattie in October 31 1961. After this hurricane entire families packed whatever was left of their possessions and left the country for the USA and other places. Those who stayed had no choice but to move inland and the development of new areas of the city began. The city continues to expand very slowly.
Since the 1980s we have seen less use of wood as the main material in the construction of residences in Belize. Reinforced concrete is now the preferred construction material whilst wood is mainly used for finishing. Many older structures are at risk of disappearance due to the lack of maintenance, no interest from the government or institutions to preserve them, as well as fire, hurricanes, and termites. These colonial structures are ever-decreasing in number and need to be, if not preserved, at least documented to preserve their historic importance. Most of these buildings can be found in the downtown area and some on the south side of the city, Southern Foreshore, Regent Street, Albert Street, and in the Fort George areas of the City.
Personally, I would like to define the colonial architecture of the city as “Belizean Victorian Architecture.” It was mostly influenced by the Caribbean architecture of the region. A great example of the Victorian colonial architecture of Belize is Government House, now the Belize House of Culture. The house dates back to 1815, and since it was built it has survived two major hurricanes, one in 1931 and Hattie in 1961. It has had periodic renovations, the most recent of which was 2003. Another good example is the former colonial secretary building next to Government House, which was completely renovated and restored in 2003.
Belizean Victorian Architecture was recently included in the 2012 World Monument Watch and this is a big step in the right direction to preserve these magnificent structures
