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.
Perhaps the only thing better than visiting a waterfall on a hot summer day, is visiting and having the entire place to yourselves. We think Big Rock Falls is one of the treasures of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve because if you don’t know where you’re going you could literally drive past it. Set at the bottom of a semi-steep hill, you’ll know you’re close when the rush of water becomes a roar. Today, we’re sharing images from past guests Whitney and William whose recent private tour to the Big Rock Falls has us falling in love with this site all over again.
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.
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!
Dotted with ancient Mayan caves and cities, azure waters, exotic wildlife, largest barrier reef, lush rainforests, melting pot of cultures, as well as palm-fringed, white-sand coastlines – Belize in a nutshell.
Adventurers, beach and history lovers – they all head to Belize, a small yet diverse Central American country sandwiched between captivating jungles and the Caribbean Sea. Listed as one of the top ten hottest destinations in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine, its attractions lure tourists year after year to discover and experience this truly spectacular destination!
Immerse yourself in Belize – Caribbean and Central American at once – a tropical paradise nestled between the Caribbean Sea at its East, Guatemala at its South and West, as well as Mexico at its North. Its westernmost region, the Cayo District, is the epicenter of inland touring. There are countless adventures you can partake in – some easy, others energetic, but all memorable.
Drive to the village of San Antonio and partake in ceramic pot-making with the Women’s Group to experience the local culture of the region.
Hike through tropical trails and wade across shallow, jungle-lined rivers to cave tube. Float along cool waters illuminated by headlamps, gently pushed by a current. Plunge into the darkness while listening to the sounds of bubbling rapids and cascading waterfalls.
Soar through the subtropical jungle canopy – a thrilling adventure. Zip Lining allows you to gain a bird’s eye view of the lush rainforest below.
Trek through the rainforest to Actun Tunichil Muknal and Crystal Caves – two of the most exhilarating caves in the greater region. View artifacts such as ceremonial stoneware and vessels; burial chambers and sacrificial caverns with calcified remains including the skeletal remnants of the Crystal Maiden – one of the youngest victims to be sacrificed.
Visit the most legendary Maya Ruins in the region – Cahal Pech, Caracol and Xunantunich – the former in the Twin Town of San Ignacio, the centermost in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the latter in the Village of San Jose Succotz. Stop at the Rio On Pools after your trip to Caracol to refresh and relax after a long day of exploring.
Travel across the border to climb Tikal – the most prominent archaeological park in Guatemala where you can also Zip Line through the jungle canopy while listening to the haunting sounds of Howler Monkeys.
The above mentioned are only a few of the exciting activities and tours that Belize as a destination has to offer to the adventure enthusiast so contact us to customize your Belize experience!
Cayo is the westernmost district bordering Guatemala. Nestled between the hustle and bustle of Belize City and the serenity of Stann Creek, Cayo fuses the best of both worlds. Accessibility meets Zen. There’s a distinct reason why Cayo is a famous tourist destination: it offers an intriguing jungle atmosphere to complement seeing Belize through local lens.
An hour’s drive from Belize City, Cayo is Belize’s largest district. Covering almost 2,000 square miles, it comprises farmlands, lush valleys, and mountain ridges. Much of the district is covered in dense vegetation, boasting secrets our Mayan ancestors left behind as their legacy. Trekking to the ancient Mayan ruins can be done in the morning and cave tubing at Jaguar Paw in the afternoon. With the Macal River flowing though the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, canoeing down the river while watching nature refresh itself is another option for a half day.
The people are friendly, diverse, hospitable, and inviting. A true melting pot, residents are eager to exhibit the wealth nature bestowed on them. Smiling faces greet visitors as they enter and warm farewells bid on departure.
Ka’ana Boutique Resort is the newest luxury 5-star resort located ten minutes from downtown San Ignacio. Operating in the most ecotouristic district in the country, we strive to strike the perfect balance between rustic and luxury. A stone’s throw from Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, two renowned Belize Mayan ruins in the Mayan civilization, Ka’ana allows adventurers of varying intensities the chance to explore Cayo at one’s own pace. From all-inclusive packages to unique adventures, Ka’ana and Cayo caters to every traveler who wants to throw the cookie-cutter vacation out the window.
We warmly welcome you to Ka’ana, which means “heavenly place” in the Mayan language.
We are delighted that you have decided to visit the beautiful Cayo District of Belize where there is an abundance of high quality tours and experiences, all of which are worth visiting. Mayan temples, ancient caves, sparkling rivers where you can go tubing or canoeing, majestic rainforest, horseback riding are just a few of those choices, and our concierge will be pleased to assist in planning trips and activities; and creating a personalized itinerary.
After a long day touring our country where else to relax than in our tranquil and romantic spa enjoying a variety of calming and revitalizing massages, body and hair treatments. Werecommend making an appointment before starting your day & adventure.
During your visit we would like you to know that each and every member of the team is dedicated to making your stay a pleasurable and memorable one. Please count on us to be there to assist with any request or service you require.
And so to food! Chef Manolo Castillo is recognized as one of the finest Executive Chefs in Belize and we hope that you will enjoy a carefully balanced culinary range of dishes to tickle and delight all your taste-buds. To compliment the food, we invite you to try some fine wines and cocktails from our wine cellar and Martini Lounge Bar.
Ka’ana was designed as a tribute to Belize and its people – all of the wooden furniture is made of Belizean hardwood by local craftsmen. Also, all of the artwork and slate carvings were commissioned from local artists specifically for display and sale at Ka’ana.
On behalf of the entire team “Kulun Bilesh” which is Mayan for “welcome”. Enjoy your visit.