Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the White-lipped Mud Turtle which is known scientifically as Kinosternon leucostomum. Pretty and personable, this turtle can be found in quiet waters with soft bottoms in southern Mexico and Central and South America.

Driving deep into the woods on dirt roads with Ben in a jeep, we arrived at The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s Macal River Jungle Camp. These little houses are called casitas.

My family is so excited about a new year’s resolution we just made that we want to share it around. At the dinner table the other day we were talking about the new year and what it had in store for us, and the discussion got around to New Year’s resolutions. As usual with my teen son and daughter, they began challenging each other to come up with the coolest, most do-able resolution for 2012, and without noticing, we parents were soon drawn into the contest.

“To be recognised by National Geographic as one of the top ten destinations in the entire world, well, that pretty much says it all,” Chaa Creek owner and GM Lucy Fleming said. “As lifelong travellers and having been in adventure travel for over three decades, we naturally recognise National Geographic as the world’s top travel authority. To be recognised by an organisation and publication we hold in such high esteem is truly an honour.”

“Walking in a winter wonderland…” That old song always conjures up memories, and for those of us born in northern climes, those memories invoke white pastoral scenes, snow laden fir trees, roaring fireplaces, red cheeks, mittens, even the odd sled or two with tinkling bells. Whether it was Peggy Lee or Dean Martin singing, the song never failed to stir something inside.

The thought of just a seven hour window to wander around Belize was nerve wrecking and at the same time unsettling. Many questions came to mind: What if the ship leaves without us? What are we going to do if we are stuck in traffic or the van breaks down?

Belize lies at the crossroads between the Caribbean and Latin America. You can physically see the changes in people, architecture and landscape as you drive from the port of Belize City into the mountains beyond San Ignacio and the Guatemala border. Belize has long been known as the dive capital of the Americas, far fewer visitors have recognised the quality and uniqueness of its spa and wellness facilities.

Hi, my name is Shaneli Pop, I am 10 years old and I live in beautiful Cayo District. I really want to be an eco kid because I want to discover the life between the plants and animals. I want to help protect the endangered animals. I also want to help the plants grow big and beautiful. I have seen with my naked eyes how men cut down trees and I felt bad because I couldn’t do any thing.

Just because many of us are now parents and grandparents doesn’t mean that we gave up our love of a good time or an appreciation of nature, togetherness and family. What we want to do this summer at Chaa Creek is make it that much easier and affordable to keep on rockin’ with those we love.

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is a grueling multi-day canoe race traveling a perilous river route across the country of Belize. The route runs west to east along the Macal and Belize Rivers, once the only link between beautiful San Ignacio, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, and the bustling port of Belize City.

FEATURED PLANT: Polly red head

Polly red head is a ‘weed’ that grows all over Belize. If you let it grow in your back yard, not only can you appreciate the eye-catching bright orange flowers but you will also invite hummingbirds and butterflies into your garden. The bright red berries provide a snack for many different birds. Why not taste them too as these fruits are edible, turning black when they are ripe. Polly red head is easy to find in …

Over the course of the next couple of days we counted one new adventure after another. We witnessed each stage of a “Belizean Blue” butterfly’s life-from egg, to caterpillar, then pupa, before spreading its wings. Far from simply viewing a sterile science exhibit documenting this marvel of nature, our education was experiential. In a large, screened-in space, we held a delicate pale green pupa and stood amidst widespread fluttering of translucent azure wings, as scores of the species wafted through the air, unpredictably darting here and then there. Who knew insects could be so fun?

WHY WE WANT TO VISIT THE LODGE AT CHAA CREEK (AGAIN)
We have traveled to many places in the world, and Belize is one of our all-time favorites.  The appeal of Belize is that in one small, easily traversed country, we found adventure, stunning sights, magnificent animals as well as soul-restoring luxury.  A hike in the jungle followed by a massage or a facial in a world-class spa is an experience I would dearly love to repeat.
Chaa Creek has everything the …

Home to the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, Belize has long been popular with scuba divers who head to the island of Ambergris Cay to float among the manta rays, turtles, dolphins, and sharks. As of late, however, travelers are heading inland to hike in a rainforest full of parrots and butterflies, visit rarely seen Mayan ruins, and canoe along the Macal River. This is where you’ll find a 365-acre nature preserve in the Cayo district called Chaa …

By LAN SLUDER

Despite worthy and growing competition, Chaa Creek, which first opened its doors in 1981, remains the premier cottage colony around San Ignacio.

Mick and Lucy Fleming started Chaa Creek when tourists were almost unknown in Cayo. (In 2004, Lucy was elected president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association.) Over the years, they’ve expanded, improved and fine-tuned their operation until it has become one of the best-run, most-professional operations in all of Central America.
Everything works here: The grounds, comprising a …

by Dan Koeppel
Imagine bunking down in a fully equipped tree house or a cozy lodge, surrounded by miles of wilderness. Join the many couples today who are seeking adventure-and luxury-in nature-filled Central America.

Wild and lush Belize could be the best bet for adventure seekers who also love champagne. Belize is Central America’s only English-speaking country, and it offers the area’s most sophisticated infrastructure. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find solitude: Belize is so lightly populated the entire country has …

Imagine yourself floating on an innertube in the Macal River within a rain forest in Belize. Your hands and toes are dangling in the water. You have what is a perfect view of the rain forest, the sky and the river in front of you. Your hand reaches out into the water and cups the current initiating a slow spin in a circle as you continue down river.