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There is a surprise around every corner in Belize; and guests at Chaa Creek and other area lodges may not know it, but one of the world’s strangest, most unique art galleries is only a short drive away,  a few clicks south of Benque Viejo on the Hyrdo Road.

It’s called the Poustinia Land Art Park, a self-described  “environmental project, in which nature interacts and develops, simultaneously.” The name — poustinia — means “desert of the soul” in Russian, beckoning artists and others to come to the Cayo forest to explore that inner desert.

The converted cattle ranch is a stone’s throw from the Guatemalan border, and is surrounded by Maya archeological sites. You’ll take a guided walk through Poustinia (visit by appointment only) in which you’ll visit various installations on a circular trail; it is all the combined dreams of Luis Alberto Ruiz, whose family owns the land, and a small group of other visionary Belizean and international artists (see New York Times, “And You Thought Art in New York Was a Jungle” by Bruce Barcott). This outdoor art experience is not for everyone; it is a hot, harsh, jungle environment, but that’s part of it — viewing art in the forest which is designed to interact with that forest.

Combine a visit here with the Chechem Ha cave and waterfall, a bit farther down the Hydro Road.

— by Joshua Berman, author of Moon Belize

Tags: art, art gallery, Belize Adventure Travel, belize art, Belize Culture, belize park, Belize Vacation, Belize Vacations, benque viejo, Cayo District in Belize, Cayo forest, environmental project, hyrdo road, park, poustinia land art park