The skeletal remains of an adult Maya, along with several artifacts and ceramics – reported to be over 2000 years old – was discovered during the replacement of drainage pipes on Burns Avenue: one of the busiest streets in San Ignacio, Cayo.

In addition, bone tools, ceramic vessels, conch shell fragments, deer antlers, obsidian blade fragments, peccary teeth and pottery shards were buried with the individual who, according to renowned archaeologist Dr. Jaime Awe, was a male. Of the ceramic vessels obtained, three were complete while the pottery shards included an etched Juventud-Red vessel which possibly dates the site as early as the Middle Pre-Classic Period. What’s more is that the situ, which may have been abandoned after being destroyed by flood waters, is believed to be a part of Cahal Pech, thus proving that the “Place Of Ticks” was as extensive a settlement as was originally thought.

The artifacts, ceramics and remains will be displayed in the Welcome Center which is currently under construction as part of the development and rehabilitation of San Ignacio Town. For the time being, though, locals and tourists alike flock to the site to offer assistance, speculation and support to the archaeologists who’ve halted public works until their excavation is completed.

For more information read “Burns Avenue Becomes New Tenochtitlan” and “The Maya Arise On Preclassic Burns Avenue.”

Venture off the beaten path and explore the remnants of a civilization that once was.

Enjoy 3 nights at Ka’ana – your exclusive out-post for adventure, culture and history – as you dine on Belizean gourmet cuisine while reliving colorful periods in Maya tradition as seen by an animated Maya Chiclero Storyteller. Horseback ride across open pastures and rivers to Actun Can: a Maya Ruin which has since been reclaimed by nature. As the adventure continues, tour Guatemala’s excavated “City Of Echoes” – Tikal – one of the most impressive Maya Cities in Central America!

For more information visit: Belize Specials – Spring Offer.

Join us on January 6, 2012 at 3PM EST (2PM Belize Time) as we (@Kaana_Belize) participate in and support the Belize Tourism Board’s (@belizevacation) second Visit Belize Live Twitter Chat.

Leading and moderating the conversation with a pre-written set of questions will be co-hosts Joshua Berman (@TranquiloTravel) – renowned Freelance Travel Writer and Moon Guidebook Author as well as Norbert Figueroa (@GloboTreks) – Belize’s Third Road Warrior for the Belize Tourism Board and the Matador Travel Network (@MatadorNetwork).

Learn about all things Maya – the essence of their culture and life as well as facts to the mysteries and secrets that surround this civilization that once was. Visit Julie Schwietert Collazo’s (@collazoprojects), Matador Travel Network’s Managing Editor, Blog for more information – Belize Live Chat: Maya 2012.

Remember that “to participate, log on to Twitter and be sure to search for and use the #VisitBelize hash tag.” We’re excited and looking forward to interacting with you by answering your questions concerning the #Maya of #Belize and Central America!

Actress Kathryn Felicia Day highlights her visit to the epicenter of inland touring – Belize’s Cayo District – having utilized Ka’ana as her exclusive outpost. From grazing pastures to diverse eco-tours, she depicts her journey to Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave and Xunantunich Maya City – two of the region’s most impressive and popular attractions.

Ka’ana’s “Overnight Adventure At Caracol” has been featured in Smarter Travel’s “10 Best Places To Be When The World Ends.” Smarter Travel, a Smarter Travel Media LLC Company, is one of the largest online travel resources offering deals, news and tips to its online members.

The piece, written by Jamie Moore – author and freelance writer, describes the experience as an amazing “bucket-list trip to see the last page of the Maya calendar” and highlights features of the experience including the Caana Temple climb, Ka’ana room replica, Maya gourmet dinner, and private-guided, torch-lit tour.

Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa proudly presents its newly redesigned website, a unique web portal devoted to luxury experiential travel in Belize. The design incorporates a modern look optimized with bold colours, as well as graphics, and offers a fresh display that technically provides our online visitors with significant improvements in navigation. It is our goal to offer a captivating design and seamless interface, blended with rich content and streaming media. In addition to an impressive photo gallery, our home page features stunning rotating images centered on Belize as a Destination and Ka’ana as its Premier Luxury Resort. The new site, created and maintained by Amy Weibel, embodies our ethos and commitment to pay respectful homage to this truly spectacular destination. Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa is pleased to redefine its World Wide Web presence.

Founded in 1966, Tzell Travel Group LLC – one of the largest travel companies in the world – is committed to delivering high quality, personalized corporate or leisure travel experiences to their clientele. Currently ranked first among travel management companies by Business Travel News, the travel powerhouse is based in New York City with offices in twenty states and an international headquarter in London.

For the past couple of years, Tzell has selected an agency, cruise line, hotel/resort, spa or other travel-related entity as their Partner Of The Month which they then announce via Facebook. In turn, those partners provide them with Tzell-exclusive amenities and offers. This month, they’ve opted for a destination as their partner – and that destination just so happens to be, you guessed right, Belize! Experience “A Departure From The Ordinary” with Belize’s eclectic people, exotic wildlife, Maya heritage, verdant rainforests, pristine beaches and – of course – its world-renowned Barrier Reef with Tzell Travel in December.

Join us on December 2, 2011 at 3PM EST (2PM Belize Time) as we (@Kaana_Belize) participate in and support the Belize Tourism Board’s (@belizevacation) most recent initiative: #VisitBelize Live Twitter Chat.

Leading and moderating the conversation with a pre-written set of questions will be Norbert Figueroa (@GloboTreks) – Belize’s newest and third Road Warrior for the Belize Tourism Board and the Matador Travel Network (@MatadorNetwork).

Learn more about this Central American country and become “One With Belize”. Prizes include our Authentic Maya Gift which contains: All Purpose Maya Healing Oil, Belize Wooden Bookmark, Birth-Month Maya Slate Necklace, Homemade Maya Candles, Rub-A-Dub Soap Bar, and Skin Cooling Cream-Oil – all wrapped in a Maya Woven Pouch. Visit Julie Schwietert Collazo’s (@collazoprojects), Matador Travel Network’s Managing Editor, Blog for more information and list of sponsors: Belize Live Chat On Twitter.

Remember that “to participate, log on to Twitter and be sure to search for and use the #VisitBelize hash tag.” We’re excited and looking forward to interacting with you by answering your questions concerning #Belize as a destination!

Acclaimed Belizean conservationist, director and founder of The Belize Zoo And Tropical Education Center, Sharon Matola, has been recognized for her dedication as Belize’s premier wildlife educator. In a recent interview, Matola confessed that she was both honored and stunned to be considered for such a prestigious international award and prize.

According to a public statement, “the work of all the biennial Indianapolis Prize nominees spans the globe, representing a range of species and locales.” Matola’s efforts here in Belize have been defined by the Jaguar along with the endangered Scarlet Macaws and Tapirs of Central America.

The Indianapolis Prize Committee will convene in March to review the applications in order to select six finalists, who will then be announced in the spring of 2012. With any luck, Sharon, who was nominated by Marsha Johnston, an editor and freelance writer, and supported by Bruce Barcott, author of Last Flight Of The Scarlet Macaw, will be one of those.

The Prize Jury will then determine the winner, who will be announced in mid-2012 and honored at the next Indianapolis Prize Gala. In addition to receiving the $100,000 prize, the recipient is also awarded the Lilly Medal, an original work of art that signifies the winner’s contributions to conserving some of the world’s most threatened animals.

Following a scenic 60-minute drive through rugged terrain, Calico Jack’s Village – sitting atop an incline in the Mountain Pine Ridge Region and surrounded by a private 400-acre reserve – comes into sight. Once there, you’re outfitted with climbing cable gear, helmets and leather gloves after which you’re instructed on how to traverse from one platform to the next – all while hooked to the railing from your harness; safety is the priority. Your guide then quickly explains the intricately designed course you’ll be zipping through: fifteen connecting platforms, including a suspended bridge, and culminating with a ride on a hydraulic jungle elevator which lifts you fifty-five feet above the jungle canopy!