Belize is the last unexplored frontier near our
borders, a naturalist's paradise! Belize is a beautiful, peaceful
country in Central America in the heart of the ancient Maya World. Ruins
abound, and it is the archaeologists dreamland. It is also one of the
best kept secrets of the Caribbean. The ancient Mayan civilization once
lived throughout Belize, and over 600 of their fascinating ancient
cities can still be seen here. The ones that are listed in the
navigation bar are just a few of the incredible ruins this great
civilization built. From the major site of Altun Ha to the little known
site of Uxbenka, all of these sites are worth visiting.
The history of the Mayans began a long time ago, around 2500 B.C. The
oldest site appears to be Cuello in Orange Walk. Then came the
pre-classic era in which the cities of Lamanai, home to the largest
pre-classic structure in the Mayan world, and Cerros prospered. In the
classic period, the crowning period for the Mayan Civilization, the
enormous sites of Caracol and El Pilar rose out of the forest and
ceremonial centers like Xunantunich built lovely temples and pyramids.
The prosperity of the Maya didn't last forever, and in 900 A.D. most of
the great Maya centres collapsed. But the culture and outposts of the
civilization were still alive and cities like Santa Rita and Lamanai
still were inhabited when the Spanish came. In fact, Lamanai lasted
right up into the 1900s until British sugar cane farmers drove the
remaining inhabitants out to make way for their farms.
The Coast of Belize
In 1502 Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast of Central America,
naming the Bay of Honduras which borders the southern part of Belize’s
barrier reef. The first settlers in Belize were the English Puritans
(which is still reflected in the country’s Mennonite community). The
coast has remained a portal to the country, for tourism and trade.
While 70% of mainland Belize is covered by forests, the country still
has the 2nd largest coastal barrier reef in the world, running from 10
to 40 miles offshore along the entire 185 mile length of the country’s
coast. The coastal marine life of Belize is as vibrant as the colours of
the area and as exciting as the wildlife that prowls the country’s
inland. In addition to several types of sea urchins (watch your feet!)
you’re also likely to see many other creatures.
While snorkeling you can look for Segmented Worms, including Fire Worms,
Feather Duster Worms and Tube Worms, all which have the distinguishing
characteristic of a segmented body. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for
snails, squid, octopus, shrimps, lobster, hermit and regular crabs and
plenty of starfish.
Fish in Belize generally consist of bright red, yellow, green and blue
reef fish. They varied color aren’t just decoration – they act as
camouflage, identification, warning and also aid in courtship. Common
names of Belizean fish include parrotfish, snapper, grouper, mullets,
bonefish, barracudas and angelfish.
CAYO DISTRICT Beginning in the flat savanna near Belmopan,
the Cayo District proceeds up to the Maya Mountains and over to the border
of Guatemala. Cayo contains crystalline caves, cascading waterfalls,
multitudes of Mayan ruins, pure rivers, and friendly people. Some of the
villages are San Ignacio, Benque Viejo, Cristo Rey, San Antonio, and
Belmopan. Others have fanciful names like Unitedville, Black-Man Eddy,
Camalote, Roaring Creek, Valley of Peace, Cotton Tree, and Teakettle.
Spanish Lookout is a Mennonite community of industrious farmers who
provide much of thea gricultural products for the country.
The people of Cayo include Hispanics, Creole, Mayas,
Mennonites, Garifunas, Europeans & North Americans, all of whom
co-exist peacefully. Cayo is well known for its friendly people and
cooperative community. For diversity and adventure, Cayo District is a
"must do!"
No high-rise hotels here. Instead Belize offers its commitment to conservation
and ecotourism with an astonishing 880,000 acres of protected areas, nature
reserves, and national parks within the 2,000 square miles that make up Belize's
Cayo District.
The Mountain Pine Ridge
Forest Reserve
encompasses about 300 square miles of cool pine
forests. Located within the MPR are cascading waterfalls, crystal clear
rivers, enormous caves, and fantastic vistas of Belizean rainforests.
Our jungle lodge is located along the northeastern edge of this protected area
within the limestone karst, broad-leafed rainforest. Major highlights of
a MPR vehicle tour include: Hidden Valley Falls (1000' Foot Falls), Rio
On Bathing Pools, and RioFrio Caves. Endangered species living within
the Reserve are the Jaguar, King Vulture, Orange-breasted Falcon and many
more. Bring hiking boots, binoculars, and a swimsuit for a day you'll not
soon forget.
Caracol - Mayan Ruins
Caracol, a Classic Period complex, covers 30-square miles of thick,
high-canopy jungle, and includes five plazas, an astronomic observatory
and over 35,000 buildings which have been identified. The loftiest among
them, a massive pyramid (Caana) which is capped by three temples and
rises over 140 feet above the jungle floor.
Caracol's central core today, as seen by visitors, consists of three
plaza groups surrounding a central acropolis and two ball courts, along
with a number of smaller structures.
Barton Creek Cave
Road access to the cave is through a picturesque Mennonite farm
community .... Glide through a remote underground water cave system in a
canoes equipped with a powerful spotlights. It is believed that the Maya
once used this cave for ritual ceremonies. While canoeing through the
cave see large and colorful formations, skeletal remains and other
cultural artifacts left behind by the Maya centuries ago. From the
cave's entrance it's about a mile through the cave
to the stopping point.
Slate Creek and Upper Barton Creek in the Cayo
district, and surrounding protected areas, is comprised of approximately
3,750 acre. Slate Creek Preserve functions as an important buffer for
the adjacent Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and forms a wildlife
corridor between the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest to the north and the
Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve to the northeast. Slate Creek Preserve is
special in that within its boundaries lie creeks that play an important
role in the watershed of the Belize River Valley.
Big Rock Waterfalls
Deep in the escarpment of the Mountain Pine
Ridge, Big Rock Falls is another of the area's waterfall treasures.
After receiving good directions or the help of a guide, visitors
embark on their expedition, either by horseback, mountain bike or
vehicle to the hidden waterfall. Traveling in the same direction to
Five Sisters Falls, keep a lookout for a feeder road off to the left
that leads to a small clearing, followed by a trail downhill. The
journey becomes a bit steeper as the trail descends down the
escarpment. About ten to fifteen minutes later, the Privassion River
comes into view and the sound of Big Rock Falls echoes through the
valley. An easy climb over the granite boulders along the banks of
the Privassion brings you to the base of the waterfall. The
tremendous view of water rushing over the huge 150-ft rock
formations and plummeting into the deep perfectly round pool at its
base provides a rush of excitement.
The Chiquibul Forest
Reserve is adjacent to the MPR on the southern border. It
encompasses approximately 265,894acres of uninterrupted tropical moist
broadleaf rainforest. Within theheart of the Chiquibul can be found the
dynamic ancient Mayan city ofCaracol. Home to the endangered Scarlet
Macaw, the Keel-billed Motmot,Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Howler & Spider
Monkey and the Solitary Eagle plusexotic species of plant & wildlife
too numerous to mention, theChiquibul Forest Reserve is perhaps one of
the richest places in theworld in terms of biodiversity.
