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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Filled with national parks to explore and wildlife sanctuaries to peruse, you’re guaranteed to see exotic as well as native creatures.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Hidden in the heart of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and deep within the jungle, discover one of the most impressive caves – Actun Tunichil Muknal. After an exciting drive, trek for 45 minutes along with your guide through densely-vegetated trails teeming with flora and fauna, and wade across stream beds – all on your hike to this alluring spelunk. Upon arrival you will be outfitted with the necessary equipment in preparation for the journey that awaits you. Its hourglass-shaped entrance beckons you to travel back in time and unveil the mysteries and secrets of the Mayan Underworld. Witness Burial Chambers and Sacrificial Caverns with calcified remains, ceremonial vessels and other artifacts these esoteric ancients left near the end of their empire. Spend approximately 3 hours in this truly spectacular cave which exposes visitors to a natural museum where culture, geology and history merge to form an unrivaled Adventure Trek which many refer to as the highlight of their Belize experience!
At a recent sales meeting for the Signature Travel Network, a presentation was made about today’s affluent traveler and their different market segments. These included Active & Adventure, Beach Resorts, Family & Friends Travel, and Culture & Discovery. With that said we’ve gotten a number of people who’ve asked about the third market share on that list and whether or not Ka’ana – this luxury resort in San Ignacio – is also a Belize family resort. Yes we are! As an inland resort, our appeal is the ability to do adventure touring and children about 5 years and older are in absolute heaven here. The ability to play in the jungle, ride horses, swim in caves, zip line and climb Mayan sites is unparalleled, not to mention that it ensures a good night’s sleep at the end of the day.
Our proximity to the major touring attractions means minimum travel time and maximum adventure time. At Ka’ana Belize Resort, we thoughtfully combine the comfort and elegance of a modern resort with a friendly, welcoming ambiance for those seeking a relaxing Belize family vacation. Children under the age of 12 stay absolutely free when sharing rooms with an adult. Extra beds and babysitting services are also provided upon request for a minimal fee.
If you choose to stay on site our amenities include complimentary wireless internet access, televisions with DVD players and an outdoor Infinity pool. You can even get involved in preparing your own meals by joining a Culinary Class at our restaurant which provides healthy, well-balanced meals with fresh local ingredients sourced from our on-site Belize organic garden. Our Culinary Team will gladly tweak their gourmet menu to please younger palates.
For those who read this blog and are still thinking about that last market share, the “Culture & Discovery” one, stay tuned for our next blog post that will introduce some incredible new touring options that immerse travelers in the culture and facilitate the discovery.
ATM is the most impressive and ultimate cave adventure in the country of Belize! This cave is full of excitement and challenges that promise to be an unforgettable experience. You will be hiking through the tropical forest of Tapir Mountain Reserve until you reach the crystal clear waters at the entrance of the cave. You will encounter stunning stalagmites & stalactites, hidden chambers, untouched Mayan artifacts and human remains that reveal Mayan ancient rituals from thousands of years ago.
Inside the cave, visitors climb and swim, while passing through tight spaces adding more excitement to the tour. The guide will be explaining to you the history of the cave and about the Mayan rituals that will leave you amazed!! This four hour tour is an great value for those that are up for an amazing caving adventure.
