The Beauty of Southern Belize – a few thoughts

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Having been blessed with such rich, fertile land and a Caribbean seacoast teeming with fish and marine life, it was often said that Belizeans may have been poor, but never desperate, as it was almost impossible to starve amid such natural abundance.

Belize Honeymoon: Top 10 Reasons Infographic

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While destination honeymoons set in exotic tropical locales have been growing in popularity in recent years, new-kid-on-the-block Belize is experiencing an increase in romantic couples seeking affordable luxury in an idyllic setting, according to the Lodge at Chaa Creek’s wedding and honeymoon planner.

Does “Breaking Bad” suggest that Belize is Heaven?

Breaking Bad Belize

Being at the moment on the other side of the world from the Jewel, we don’t get to see Breaking Bad until the day after most viewers do, so it was with even more than the usual anticipation that we waited for it to air. Yes, we’ll to admit to being totally hooked and agree with most of the world that BB is a truly great creation, works on so many levels, blends high art with pop culture, etc.

It’s Official – Belize is a Very happy Country

Holiday Celebrations in Belize

The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s events planner, Denise Duran, said that discovering that Belize was listed as one of the top five happiest countries on earth according to the global Happiness Index, comes as no surprise to her.

It’s Never Too Early to prepare for the Belize Holiday Season

Holiday Celebrations in Belize

If it wasn’t so exhilarating it would be exhausting. But Belizeans love a good party and have perfected celebrating down to a fine art. From September onwards the air is filled with music, the aroma of barbeques, laughter and singing. Which is why those in the know begin planning their Belize Holiday vacations now.

An Off-the-Beaten Path Perfect Picnic in Belize

This has always been one of my favourite picnics spots in all of Belize. Even on the warmest days Mountain Pine Ridge is always refreshing and is one of those places that may seem like a bit of a drive, but once there you think, “That wasn’t far. Why don’t we come here more often?” About fifteen miles from San Ignacio, it’s on the sort of road you take your time driving on, but the views are so pretty you don’t mind.

Is Belize Becoming the New Honeymoon Hotspot?

“Honeymoons are such an important life event for couples that they’re willing to go that extra bit more to share something extraordinary, and more and more they’re discovering that Belize offers the same level of quality and service that more established destinations do, but at a lower cost.

Eco Kids Learn About Belizean Wildlife

Balboa the Boa, nice to meet you

As Eco-Camp 2013 comes to a close, the campers put together newspaper bags in order to carry home all the excellent arts and crafts projects they have done since coming to camp.

Eco Kids Learn About Sustainability

Group Shot in the Stables

After perfecting their songs, campers headed over to the Chaa Creek conference room to listen to a presentation on Responsible Tourism by Mr. Larry Waight, which highlighted several of the ways in which Chaa Creek works to ensure that it remains environmentally responsible.

Doing The Chaa-Chaa-Chaa Through Life’s Jungle

Mick and Lucy Fleming

It is hard to imagine an environment that is more vividly alive than the jungle–lush, teeming, unfurling, changing, challenging, chaotic, diverse, primal, light, dark, and unpredictable. Embracing life’s unpredictability led Lucy from her New Jersey girlhood to finding her place in the world on the banks of the Macal River.

Eco Kids Summer Camp Day 3 – Medicinal Plants

Explaining why the white poisonwood is dangerous

Mrs Salome’s presentation on medicinal plants highlighted several popular Belizean herbs, such as serosee, thyme, and aloe vera, and allowed campers got to practice their bush medicine skills. A couple lucky volunteers pretended to have earaches, and they were cured by using thyme. From the excellent bedside manner displayed by some campers, it would seem there are some future doctors in the group!

Eco Kids learn about The Ancient Maya

Group photo at the lookout

Once we arrived back at Chaa Creek, Mr. Awe gave a presentation on the history and culture of the Maya, from their origins as hunter-gatherers crossing the Bering Straits, to the decline of their civilization thousands of years ago. And just to make sure the campers were paying attention, he split boys and girls into two teams and gave a pop quiz at the end. It was a close call, but the girls scored higher by one point!

Eco Kids Learn about Biodiversity and Conservation

Learning about animal skulls

The first day at Chaa Creek Eco Kids summer camp began a little earlier
than expected for some campers. After all, it’s quite difficult to sleep
when a howler monkey troop comes roaring through at the crack of dawn!

Why I Love the Garifuna Collective

garifuna collective

So it was interesting to hear that the Garifuna Collective has been touring Canada with Ontario singer-songwriter Danny Michel, proving that you don’t need swaying palm trees and sand under your feet to enjoy those majestic sounds.

Super Tuesday Commemorates 2013 Gold Cup

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This Super Tuesday deal will offer discounts of 30% off rooms from July 9 until the end of August as well as a 20% discount off Chaa Creek’s All-inclusive Belize Inland Expedition vacation packages. And, once again, guests will need to act within a 24 hour timeframe, booking their accommodation or Belize vacation packages between midnight Monday July 8 and midnight Tuesday the 9th to secure the discounts, Mr Waight advised.

Six of the Best – Some Classic Dishes from Belize

When people think of Belize, the first things that usually come to mind are the world class dive sites, the pristine rainforests, the remnants of the vast Maya Empire dotting the landscape, and the warm friendly smiles of the Belizeans

Belize’s Delicate Balancing Act

You find all sorts of things when you Google “Belize”, and today’s discovery was a blog by a Kevin Edmunds, posted on the North American Congress on Latin America website.

Some Words of Wisdom from an old Friend

“To be great, a company must add some sort of positive benefit in the world with its products. Similarly, a company that fails to pay its employees a living wage, or to treat them with care and respect, can never be considered great.

New Direct LAX Air Service a Boon for Belize

Delta 737 800

The recent announcement of direct flights from Los Angeles to Belize has been hailed by Belizean resort owners as a boon for the local tourism industry. According to the Lodge at Chaa Creek’s marketing director Larry Waight, the new service, scheduled to begin December 2013, will encourage more west coast travellers to consider the Caribbean as a viable alternative to destinations like Mexico’s Pacific coast and Hawaii. The direct flights will also make it easier for members of Belize’s large diaspora, many of whom reside in California, to visit family and friends and spend holidays in their country of origin, he added. “It very good news for the entire Belize tourism industry, as it makes a Belize vacation more viable to a larger audience.

Belize’s Blue Hole – The 8th Wonder of the World? Your Vote Counts!

Organised by Trip Advisor’s Virtual Tourist, the 8th Wonder election is attracting attention the world over with many countries, states, municipalities, towns and organisations rushing to get their local wonders recognised internationally with the big ones.

Chaa Creek Hails New Seaweed Farming Venture in Belize

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Belize is such a small country that everything is interdependent, and we all depend on the health of our pristine environment. So to see this fishing trawler converted from an environmentally destructive to an environmentally sustainable business is great news.

It’s Official – Belize is Happy!

Belize Happy Travel Channel

With the world’s second largest barrier reef (some say the world’s longest living barrier reef), huge tracts of unspoiled rainforests surrounding ancient Maya cities and temples, pristine rivers, waterfalls, hundreds of lovely little islands and a stunning Caribbean coast, what’s not to be happy about? Oh yes, then there’s the people. Nowhere on the planet will you find a more multicultural mix of happy souls who have long ago worked out how to live in harmony. Just about everyone who comes to Belize remarks on the natural, easy going friendliness and warmth of Belizeans. And it’s infectious – after a few days even the most harried travellers notice a spring in the step and a propensity towards smiling. It just grows on you…

Why I’m heading to Belize this summer – again

First of all, I’ve done the math, and I don’t think I’d save any money by holidaying up here. We did it the year before last, and after the gas, admissions to parks and other attractions, eating out and everything else, we spent a lot more than we’d budgeted for.

Food is an Essential Part of the Adventure in Belize

Food is an Essential Part of the Adventure in Belize

In order to survive in the increasingly competitive tourism industry, even the most remote resorts must pay careful attention to their kitchens as travellers are placing greater emphasis on a quality dining experience, the food and beverage manager of a popular Belizean eco resort advises. Bryony Fleming Bradley, of The Lodge at Chaa Creek in western Belize, said that the days of adventurous travellers being satisfied with food that was simply hot and palatable are over. ”Some years back, our guests would always comment at how happily surprised they were with the quality of the food we served, as it usually exceeded their expectations of what would be found in such a pristine location.

Chaa Creek Fosters “Transformative” Family Adventures

Chaa Creek - March 2013

Lucy Fleming, the cofounder and GM of the Lodge at Chaa Creek, said that she has been seeing a rise in families taking part in activities and all-inclusive Belize vacation packages such as the Family Adventure package Chaa Creek offers.

Tomorrow’s Environmentalists Start Today at Chaa Creek

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Officially known as the Children’s Summer Camp Scholarship Program, the annual event gives 24 young Belizeans a chance to learn about their natural world through a mix of adventure, social interaction, fun and hands-on education aimed at instilling a sense of wonder and responsibility for the environment, according to program sponsors Mick and Lucy Fleming.

Chaa Creek Spa One of the World’s Top Ten

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The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s Hilltop Spa has been selected as one of the world’s top ten spa values by the internationally respected Gayot’s Guide, according to spa manager Bryony Fleming Bradley, who said the recognition is a first for a Belizean rainforest spa.

Belize’s Green, Family Friendly Adventures Hailed

Chaa Creek - March 2013

The Natural Child World article also highlights other hotels and tour operators in the US, Australia, Mexico and other locations that share a similar commitment to sustainability.