We took a helicopter ride this weekend overseeing the natural beauty of Belize. This unique adventure took us over the Maya Mountains, which practically covers the lower half of Belize. This trip can be taken from Belize airport straight to Ka’ana’s own on site helipad.
It comprises of the Blue Hole National Park (665 ac.), (not to be confused with the “Blue Hole” atoll in the Barrier Reef), the Chiquibul National Park (265,262 acres) and Caracol, the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve (96,000 acres), the Five Blues Lake National Park (4,060 ac.), the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and the Colombia Forest Reserve.
Next up, our eyes were glued to a stunning waterfall somewhat hidden in a crescent of a large mountain. This is actually the largest waterfall in Belize and in Central America; called 1000 ft Falls. This has recently been proclaimed a National Monument and has been opened to the public. Even though the name suggest otherwise, this waterfall is closer to 1,600 feet. This isn’t the only waterfall- there’s many around this area.
After viewing all these amazing waterfalls, we then flew over Caves Branch where we were able to see the beauty of the river as it flows through the cave system. This area encompasses 58,000 acres that are situated beneath a 100 ft rainforest canopy and is bordered by turquoise waters of Caves Branch River.
We then flew across the Sibun Forest Reserve and finally the Southern and Northern Lagoons as we headed for our final landing on the helipad at Ka’ana Resort with these unforgettable images forever imprinted in our heads.
Today marks exactly one month before the predicted “End of the World”- at least according to the Maya Calendar- and we want you to end it with a bang (That is if it really ends, anyway!) Here’s our list of suggestions of the most memorable things you can do here in Belize!
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.)
An important etho at Ka’ana is to be eco-conscious. This, of course, finds it’s way into our design aesthetic. Typically, we like to recycle objects in new ways and use the what we have on the grounds as much as possible (Have you seen our Organic Garden?) We are big on details; they make all the difference, right? See more below or read more about our Accommodations.
1. Fresh flowers in every room picked from the grounds.
2. Palmetto sticks are used throughout the resort, providing great texture and color.
3. Antique explorer objects: compasses, telescopes (Some found nearby!) and others from our owners’ collection to evoke a sense of adventures past.
4. Bamboo, cut and joined together, used for headboards and lamp fixtures.
5. Refurbished wood frames of villa door.
6. Antiqued custom-made metal doors for our Private Villas.
7. Hammocks.
8. Antique Spanish books.
9. Ikat – Typical Central American patterned Fabrics.
1. It’s the end of the world. - The Mayan calendar ends December 21st, better take a vacation! We are taking off $100 each night until then, so your wallet takes a break too: Calendar Countdown.
2. Perpetual summer. - The average temperatures in Belize is in the mid 80′s. Go ahead, live in your swim suit!
3. Say hello to fried jacks. – Belize’s answer to a doughnut. It’s even better with the local jellies. Of course we offer this in our restaurant, La Ceiba.
4. 2 for 1. - See both Sand & Stone: Belize has both Caribbean and Jungle (ahem- Maya ruins!) basically 2 vacations in one! See your Jungle Accommodations here.
5. The Mayan underworld.- See some dark history and explore like Indiana Jones through ancient cave systems. Check out our full list of Excursions.
6. Jaguars? We’ve got a lot.- Belize has the healthiest population of Jaguars. Here kitty, kitty.
7. Reef it up.- Belize has the healthiest barrier reef in the world.
8. Get your cultural fix.- What country has Maya, German decent Mennonites, Garifuna, Mestizo, and Creole all under one roof?
9. Hop, skip and a jump. -Belize is 4 hours from New York, 1 1/2 hrs from Miami, and about 5 hours from LA.
10. Don’t be lost in translation.-Belize is English speaking, so no subtitles needed!
Choosing a destination wedding allows couples a level of freedom that just can’t be found when planning a traditional, hometown wedding. With the World to choose from, if you can dream it – it can become reality. We have the perfect example of a destination wedding experience ideal for adventurous couples at Ka’ana Belize. For those who may not know, Belize is an English-speaking country located in Central America and is easily accessible from most major U.S. airports. In this case, exotic doesn’t mean inconvenient.
Arguably the biggest perk of Belize as a destination wedding location is that it’s covered in Mayan ruins. Luckily for us, Ka’ana is located smack-dab in the middle of the ancient Maya civilization. Belize is the only country which allows wedding ceremonies to physically take place on Mayan ruins – offering the backdrop opportunity of a lifetime. As a result, Ka’ana offers couples everything from a ceremony for 30 guests at nearby Xunantunich (an ancient Mayan city one-and-a-half miles away from property), to a small, intimate wedding for two followed by an exclusive overnight stay on a ruin in a luxury tent complete with a traditional Mayan dinner cooked over a fire.
The Yaxha Overnight Experience is one package Ka’ana offers and would no doubt make for a night to remember:
A one-hour drive from Ka’ana Belize is a Maya civilization just past the Guatemalan border where guests can have an entire ancient city to themselves. Ka’ana’s Yaxha Overnight Experience Package begins with a ride through the Belizean jungle and into Guatemala’s Yaxha National Park. Enter the 1,100 year-old city just after dusk where an expert guide will lead guests to their meal prepared by a local Maya cook at the base of the ruins.
After dinner, the guide will lead the ascent to highest temple where guests can enjoy views of the Guatemalan countryside while an archaeologist expounds upon the intricate excavation of the Yaxha Temple. At the end of the evening, guests can retire to their luxury tent– a replica of the rooms at Ka’ana complete with a king-sized bed. After Maya coffee the following morning, guests have the option to cross Lake Yaxha via boat to visit another, not-yet-excavated Topoxte Maya ruins before returning to Ka’ana.
The Yaxha Overnight Experience Package starts at $4,500 USD and includes the following for up to two guests:
• Roundtrip road transportation to Yaxha
• Tour hosted by a licensed archaeologist and local guide
• Personal Butler
• Exclusive accommodations in a luxury tent in the plaza of Yaxha Maya City
• Turndown service
• Authentic Maya dinner & breakfast
• Sundowners with sparkling wine, cheese, and fruit
• Boat ride across the lake to Topoxte Maya ruins
Perhaps you and your destination wedding guests want a healthy balance of adventurous and traditional? Not a problem because Ka’ana also offers more traditional wedding packages on property. Despite being located in the epicenter of an ancient civilization, Ka’ana is a luxury resort which boasts modern design, private villas, impeccable service and fabulous food. If your destination wedding planning is already underway, consider Ka’ana for the romantic honeymoon of a lifetime. For more information on the resort or to start planning your very own Mayan adventure, visit kaanabelize.com.
Hopkins was built in 1942 after a hurricane washed away Newtown just up the coast; it is a loose coastal colorful fishing village. Ignore the monstrous condos going up on either end of the Hopkins coast road—nearly everything in between remains chill, spread out, and reasonably priced. Hopkins’s thousand or so inhabitants are mostly Garifuna, making this one of the more exciting places to be for Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19).
Stay at our extraordinary two bedroom villa with a group of friends. Explore Belize on land and water with adventures that will transform into memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy delicious farm to table cuisine at Ka’ana and sip cocktails under the stars with your loved ones.
Watch to pack: Men’s
1. Max Bill by Junghans Stainless Steel Automatic Watch 2. Oliver Peoples Sunglasses 3. Maison Martin Margiela shirt 4. Nudie Average Joe Straight-Leg Washed Denim Jeans 5. Car Shoe suede driving shoe 6. James Perse Crew Neck Cotton T-shirt 7. Orlebar Brown swim shorts 8. Havainas flip flops 9. Miansai Utility Rope and Anchor Bracelet 10. Paul Smith striped cotton beach towel
What the pack: Women’s
1. Day Birger et Mikkelsen ferdousi tasseled scarf 2. Equipment dress 3. Illesteva sunglasses 4. Proenza Schouler clutch 5. Chloe blouse 6. Aurélie Bidermann wrap bracelet 7. ALC skirt 8. Chloe ballet flats 9. Zimmerman bathing suit 10. K. Jacques St. Tropez sandals
