The Travel Channel spotlights Belize’s Great Blue Hole, a sinkhole off the coast of Belize a few hours away from us here at Ka’ana. A great diving spot to explore!

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.