Renowned for its plethora of bellowing waterfalls and natural pools, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is home to one of the region’s most sought after cascades – Big Rock Falls.

After a scenic drive along the Cristo Rey Road en route to the Five Sisters Falls, a feeder road to the left leads you to a small clearing. Followed by a path downhill, the journey becomes steeper as the trail descends into the ridge, hinting at the view that awaits you.  Fifteen minutes of carefree hiking later, the Privassion River comes into sight and the roaring sound of the fall resonates across the valley. An easy climb over the granite boulders along the banks of the river brings you to the base of the waterfall. The pristine water rushing over the forty-five-meter rocks and plummeting into the emerald green pool below is a breathtaking scene which provides a rush of excitement and caters to a refreshing swim.

Experience a departure from the traditional horseback riding tour when you visit the private ranch of the Santiago Juan family. Ride across an open pasture towards the bank of the Mopan River and be led by Luis, your personal guide and ranch hand. An exciting river crossing takes you off the beaten path and on an eye-opening ride that reveals a different, slower way of life.

Considered to be the heartland of a civilization that once was, Belize boasts a rich heritage of archaeological sites. Its Cayo District, one of the last unspoiled places on earth and once the epicenter of the Maya, is dotted with ancient cities and ruins.

Travel across one of the last hand-cranked chain ferries which leads to Xunantunich, “Maiden of the Rock” – one of the region’s most legendary and popular archaeological sites frequented by a multitude of adventure travelers. Perch atop “El Castillo” which rises above the jungle canopy and witness panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys as well as villages. Stop on the way back at a traditional market in the village of San Jose Succotz on the Mopan River, offering local crafts made from cloth, fabrics, slate, wood and other natural products.

With a myriad of spectacular natural attractions, there are plenty of adventures – archaeological sites being only one of them – to discover and explore Belize as a diverse destination!

An early morning departure from Belize’s Twin Town of San Ignacio to Flores, El Petén’s Capital City, will have you at Tikal where you can explore one of the most impressive Maya Pyramids. The Temple Of The Jaguar is sure to be the highlight of your trip as its stone walls, standing at forty-seven metres, rise above the rainforest canopy and allow you a panoramic view of the surrounding expanse of growth. The haunting sounds of Howler Monkeys and sightings of other exotic wildlife will only add to this unparalleled experience. Contact us to customize your tour of Guatemala’s City of Echoes!

With summer around the corner, it’s easy to dream of distant destinations with sunnier climes. Escape to the tropical paradise that is Belize – Central America’s second smallest country and only English-speaking of the seven.

Featured in AquaViews Online Scuba Magazine’s article, Top 10 Summer Scuba Diving Destinations, Belize’s famous natural attractions – the Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole – lure people to its Cayes year after year. With azure warm waters lapping at its white-sand coastlines set on a backdrop of  lush foliage, visitors are treated to stunning  views as well as countless land and water activities.

As a country with great ecological diversity and a famous destination for travelers, visitors are advised to venture beyond its beaches or islands to explore its natural heritage as Belize has a magical interior that shouldn’t be overlooked. With so much to do and see, a good start to your vacation planning is to get ideas of activities and destinations that appeal to you.

1. A true melting pot, Belize’s cultures and traditions compel you to travel inland to witness the many ethnicities which make up its population. Moreover, Belizean people are diverse, friendly and welcoming by nature; interact with them to experience aspects of their customs such as cuisine, dance and music.
2. As an ideal tropical paradise, experience both sides to the “Belizean Coin” – a splash of the Caribbean Sea and a taste of the Central American heat! A “Sand & Stone” vacation, offered by partner resorts, allows you to spend half your days on an island with the remainder inland.
3. Belize’s highlands mean lots of phenomenal cascades. In fact, the 1000 Foot Falls is the tallest in Central America. Refresh yourself in other impressive waterfalls such as Big Rock Falls, Five Sisters Falls and Rio On Pools – all in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
4. Belize’s High Season begins with Winter in North America. Most of the time it’s challenging to find hotel accommodations so book your travel in advance. You can also book your vacation during the Low Season when prices are much lower and hotel accommodations are easy to find.
5. With one of the most extensive and fantastic cave systems, Belize’s Cayo District is riddled with underground passages. Be sure to set aside a day for the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave – sure to be the highlight of your vacation!
6. Dotted with ancient cities and ruins, visit Xunantunich – one of the most popular archaeological sites in the region; the panoramic view from “El Castillo”, the main structure, is definitely worth the trip!
7. Filled with national parks to explore and wildlife sanctuaries to peruse, you’re guaranteed to see exotic as well as native creatures.
8. Follow the annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge if you’re visiting during the first weekend in the month of March. It’s an exciting four-day cross-country canoe race which starts on the Macal River in the Twin Town of San Ignacio and ends on the Belize River in Belize’s Old Capital.
9. Many Belize hotels offer all-inclusive packages, often customizing them to suit your needs and enhance your stay! An inland luxury hotel or jungle resort for example, may have quiet, natural surroundings, nearby attractions as well as personal spas which offer seclusion from too many people.
10. Wander off the Beaten Path! However, be sure to tread carefully through natural sites to ensure Belize remains a jewel for locals and visitors alike.

Travel writing is a job that most people only dream about. Immerse yourself in the tropical paradise that is Belize, cooking with our Culinary Team of Artisans, exploring ancient Mayan caves as well as cities, and relaxing at an upscale resort – all while learning how to turn those unique experiences into travel articles!

After experiencing the wonderful natural attractions, guided by adventure specialists, that Belize as a destination has to offer, devote time at Ka’ana learning the nuts-and-bolts of travel writing. Become skilled at approaching editors, locating outlets for stories, uncovering grand ideas, writing salable articles and, of course, traveling the world for free! Thoughtful critiques of your work will assist you to whet your writing abilities and take you one step closer to being published. You’ll also have free time to interact with other writers over gourmet meals as well as to write under the shade of Belize’s lush rainforest.

Cave Tubing has been described as “part lazy river, part jungle exploration” in AOL Travel News’ article, “Cave Tubing In Belize: What You Need To Know“, since travelers must hike through subtropical trails and wade across shallow jungle-lined rivers to  float along cool waters.

With a myriad of spectacular natural attractions, there are plenty of adventures – cave tubing being only one of them – to discover and explore Belize as a diverse destination!

Greenish Elaenia “Myiopagis Viridicata”

Are you interested in Bird Watching? If so, grab your binoculars because Belize is the ideal setting since its cayes (pronounced keys; meaning islands), coastal plains, savannahs, tropical forests, and wetlands offer a myriad of natural habitats to diverse birds.

White-Eyed Vireo “Vireo Griseus”

The Belize Audubon Society – the country’s foremost environmental organization since 1969 – visited Ka’ana at the beginning of this year. Dedicated to creating a balance between Belizeans and their surrounding, they reported over sixty (60) species of birds throughout  our property. Below is the checklist of birds recorded.

1.) Greenish Eleania          2.) White-Eyed Vireo

3.) White-Tipped Dove          4.) Wood Thrush

5.) Yellow-Olive Flycatcher          6.) Yellow-Bellied Eleania

7.) Scrub Euphonia          8.) Common Yellowthroat

9.) Chestnut-Sided Warbler          10.) Blue-Winged Warbler

11.) Lesser Greenlet          12.) Montezuma Oropendula

13.) Black Vulture          14.) Grey-Necked Wood Rail

15.) Yellow-Throated Vireo          16.) Black-Cowled Oriole

17.) Summer Tanager          18.) Rose-Throated Becard

19.) Yellow-Billed Cacique          20.) White-Collared Seedeater

21.) Groove-Billed Ani          22.) Blue-Black Grosbeak

23.) Black-Headed Saltator          24.) Great Kiskadee

25.) Social Flycatcher          26.) Blue-Grey Tanager

27.) Road-Side Hawk          28.) Yellow Warbler

29.) Northern Waterthrush          30.) Olive-Throated Parakeet

31.) Spot-Breasted Wren          32.) Orchard Oriole

33.) Baltimore Oriole          34.) Red-Billed Pigeon

35.) Clay-Colored Thrush          36.) Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird

37.) Great-Tailed Grackle          38.) Ruddy-Ground Dove

39.) Golden-Fronted Woodpecker          40.) Melodious Blackbird

41.) Masked Tityra          42.) Common-Tody Flycatcher

43.) White-Fronted Parrot          44.) Tropical Peewee

45.) Blue-Crowned Motmot          46.) Tropical Mockingbird

47.) Couch’s Kingbird          48.) Tropical Kingbird

49.) Yellow-Winged Tanager          50.) Yellow-Throated Euphonia

51.) Cattle Egret          52.) Lesser-Swallow-Tailed Swift

53.) Killdeer          54.) Common Pauraque

55.) Brown Jay          56.) Vermillion Flycatcher

57.) Bronzed Cowbird          58.) Thrush-Like Schiffornis

59.) Blue-Ground Dove          60.) Blue-Black Grassquit

61.) American Redstart          62.) Hooded Warbler

Located between the Caribbean Coast, Guatemala and Mexico, Belize is ideal for adventure, exploration and relaxation. Seamlessly combining the best of both worlds – rainforest and reef – visitors can experience the magic that makes it a favorite return destination!  When you’re not diving with nurse sharks in limpid blue bays where colourful fish swim above the coral reefs or lounging on palm-fringed white-sand beaches, discover the dense jungles inland, embrace and interact with the melting pot of cultures that this tropical paradise has to offer while exploring alluring caves as well as ancient cities. Even though Belize is famous as a dive destination there’s more to this small Central American country than what’s underwater!

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/travel/the-planets-top-snorkeling-spots/