Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Belize is getting the recognition it deserves for being the foodie capital of the region.  Cayo has quite a few chef-owned restaurants, and is known for having some of the best food in the country.  Conde Nast Traveller just published a great article on culinary and cultural tourism around Cayo and Belize.  They interview Lyra Spang from Taste Belize in Placencia, and mention the San Antonio Women's Cooperative and Ka'ana.  

"A nation famous for its archaeological sites, rainforests, and reefs is finally getting attention for its diverse and sustainable food scene...

In the Cayo District, home to popular archaeological sites like the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative invites travelers to learn about the Yucatec Maya practices of farming according to moon cycles, and hand-grinding corn to make tortillas. Boutique hotels in the area are also employing Maya women from the community for hands-on experiences. At Ka’ana Resort in San Ignacio, guests can step inside a traditional-style Maya hut where sisters Amrita Cocum and Clarita de la Fuente lead cooking classes around a blazing fire hearth overlooking tropical gardens."

Congratulations are in order for Ka'ana Resort.  They just won the award for Mexico & Central America's Leading Boutique Resort from the World Travel Awards.  This is their 5th year in a row taking the trophy home to Cayo.  Well done!  Keep up the amazing service.

"This is a summer of celebration for Ka'ana! For the fifth year in a row, we have been named Mexico & Central America's Leading Boutique Resort by the prestigious World Travel Awards!

It’s a true honor to be listed alongside some of the most fabulous resorts on Earth. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge excellence, and this particular award is known as one of the most illustrious accolades in the travel industry.

And, of course, we brought the award straight home from the ceremony in La Paz so we could celebrate with the entire Ka'ana family!

Every single team member makes it their mission to bring joy to our guests each day. They work hard to bring a true understanding of Belizean culture, history, and the beautiful natural environment to your luxury stay in our beautiful jungle."

Congratulations Ka'ana!  They've won four years in a row the World Travel Award for being Mexico and Central America's Leading Boutique Resort.  Keep up the amazing customer service.  

The Cayo BTIA, supporting their cause of sustainable tourism, held their first clean-up campaign last weekend, and, wow, they picked up a lot of trash between Cayo and Benque.  Thanks to all the people that made this happen, including Chaa Creek, Black Rock Lodge, and Ka'ana!

"A typical conversation with a Belizean about what they think makes Belize so great will eventually lead to the point being made that it’s Mother Nature’s best-kept secret and a haven for sustainable tourism. Further investigate why and you’ll hear about the historic Mayan Ruins, the miles of untouched jungle, the birds, the great barrier reef and practically every other highlight there is to know about Belize. In addition to all the talk of natural resources, we’re sure you’ve heard us speak of the commitment from Belizeans to be as green as can possibly be...

The hope for this project? That next time more teams join – enough teams to clean up the entire 8 mile stretch of road between San Ignacio & Benque Viejo Town. The longer-term goal? To remind everyone in Belize that together we can make a valuable difference and notable contribution!"

The 2017 Jazz Festival goes from the 3rd through the 11th, and there are 3 events, including the closing concert, here in Cayo.  The Full Moon Concert will be on Friday the 9th at Ka'ana, the Let's Hear it for the Girls Concert will be at the SIRH's Bedran Hall on Saturday the 10th, and the closing concert will be at the Cayo Welcome Center on Sunday the 11th, where Ascenthium and the World Culture Band will be performing.  

Feelgood news of the day.  The Benque Rotaractors teamed up with Ka'ana, and visited Ocatavia Waight Center to have some fun with the older generation.  Thanks, Rotaract, and Ka'ana!

"The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo visited the elders at Octavia Waight Center on a conjoint project with KA’ANA Resort.  The elders were given snacks and drinks, and members of the club also interacted with them by playing games, music, and ladies got their nails painted."

Congratulations, Ka'ana, for winning, 2 years in a row, the World Travel Award for Leading Boutique Resort!  Well done!  That's quality customer service.

"World Travel Awards is proud to announce the 2016 winner for Mexico & Central America's Leading Boutique Resort as Ka'ana Resort, Belize"

American Way magazine talks about this year's 'Road Warrior' winners in  their latest article.  Xunantunich makes a great backdrop in the promo picture.  Cayo attractions get top billing in the story.  Calico Jack's is where they go ziplining, Barton Creek for canoeing in a cave, and Ka'ana is where they stayed.

"Our 14th Annual Road Warrior Contest winners head to Belize for some life-changing adventure: zip-lining through the rain forest, climbing ancient Mayan ruins, swimming with sharks, and a whole lotta rum...  Walking up the vibrant green hills of Xunantunich, tour guides Wolfgang, Brandon and Andy explain that the land was first used as a ceremonial site some 1,400 years ago, with 25 stone temples and plazas; even seating for spectators to watch warriors fight to the death.  Navigating up the stairs of the tallest ruin at Xunantunich, El Castillo, Wolfgang says it was a multiuse facility for royalty and one of the first work sites in Belize.  He runs his hand over stone slabs that were once piled high with animal fur for beds.  A wide frieze of astrological signs, including the face of a jaguar (said to be the god of the underworld), mirrors the original markings here that have been excavated."

A great travel report.  Actun Tunichil Muknal amazed, as did Xunanatunich and Ka'ana's La Ceiba restaurant.  

"After a good hour-long stretch, we hiked hundreds of feet to the top of the temple, where ancient royalty used to address their subjects gathered below.  Seeing the remains of such an ancient city in such solitude and serenity was a majestic experience. If we had been in Tulum or Chichen Itza, hordes of tourists would have been traipsing the steps, lining up for staged photographs.  But perched high atop Xunatunich, breathing in the tropical Belizean air, there was a sense of humbling beauty and connectedness to the past.  Each inhale contained thousands of years of history, and every exhale gave back to the many more to come."

Aurelio Sho is having a Love Story competition. Contact him for more information.  You could win stays at Ka'ana or Cahal Pech Resort.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4Uhicli4A/

"Submit an entry today. Call or email us for the guidelines.

Like! Love! and Share!"

The Cayo Animal Welfare Society, along with ATM, Xunantunich, Hanna Stables, and Ka'ana, was featured in Us Magazine's latest issue, in an article written by Jon Huertas. 

"Belize has horses! I love to ride and try to do it as often as I can so when I found out that I could ride horseback to the famous Belizean ruins of Xunantunich, I said, 'Let’s do this!'  We were driven about 10 minutes away from the property to a small horse farm called Hannah stables.

That is what life is all about: sometimes, we can do what seems like the smallest thing that somehow inspires a good deed. This model can only lead to a positive change in the world...

Belize really was so special to me because it seemed like everyone we met was personally invested in conservation, preservation of their cultural heritage, philanthropy, sustainability and trying to leave Belize and the world better than the way they found it."

Belize was listed in Conde Naste's Top 10 January holiday destinations.  Ka'ana got mentioned as a place to stay.  

"It is hot and humid and it rains a lot in Belize, beset as it is by tropical storms and hurricanes. But don't let that put you off. It is the perfect Caribbean escape for those who like it rough and palm-fringed around the edges, with tropical jungly highlands, Mayan ruins and the most astoundingly beautiful beaches, just a handful of hippies and beach bums to share them with. January and February are the best months, only pleasantly hot and not too wet."

Travel Weekly highlighted Belize in its latest article, and Cayo, of course, gets most of the story's focus.  The San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Ka'ana, and Gaia Riverlodge are all mentioned as great lodging options. 

While ATM is somehow not mentioned, the Black Hole Drop, Actun Loch Tunich, is, as is the Green Iguana Conservation Project.  Caracol, Xunantunich(Hanna Stables gets a shout out in regards to getting there), and Cahal Pech, some of Belize's nicest Maya archaeological sites, are recommended. 

"Neatly wedged between Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, don’t let its size fool you – there’s plenty here for a standalone holiday. Its Mayan experience is at the heart of it all, predominantly in the western Cayo District, home to the unassuming capital Belmopan, aka the ‘Garden City’ thanks to surrounding waterfalls, caves and rivers that are ideal for hiking, birdwatching and soft adventure.

The tourist hub, though, is San Ignacio, a small town of lively local bars and restaurants, and a good base for Caracol, Belize’s most impressive Mayan city; Cahal Pech, the oldest known site in the Belize River Valley; and the temples of Xunantunich, where a new tomb was discovered in 2016. Hanna Stables offer horse-riding tours here, including a quirky ferry crossing with horses in tow.

Cayo District is home to the Actun Loch Tunich cave, where a hike and abseil take you 300 feet down into Central America’s largest cave system."

The 2017 Belize International Jazz Fest had its closing ceremony at the Cayo Welcome Center, and it was the best fest yet!  A wonderful night with a wide range of music from more than 10 groups.  2 stages meant virtually constant music.  Ascenthium rocked the night.  The World Culture Band delighted the crowd.  

Moreno Son ended up stealing the show.  Within seconds of finishing their sound check, they harmonized, danced, had fun, and jammed in perfect unison with their distinctive Cuban music.  Panerrifix also played, as did Hitalo, who played with Deborah Gilharry at Ka'ana on the Friday before the closing concert.

Moreno Son pictures.

Ascenthium pictures.

Jazz Fest picture album on fb.

TripAdvisor's 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards are out, and not only did Belize have 4 spots on the list, but Vanilla Hills, located in beautiful Bullet Tree Falls took 1st place in 'B&B's' for all of Central America!  The Inn at Twin Palms, located in Belmopan, came in at 17.  Sleeping Giant took 5th in the 'Small Hotels' category while Ka'ana took 21st.  

Clarissa Falls took 5th and Black Rock took 8th in the 'Bargain' category.  Sleeping Giant also took 2nd for Service and 6th for Romance.  Ka'ana was also 9th in Romance.

Congratulations to all the amazing winners!

Ka'ana has started their Explorer Series, and they interviewed Santiago, owner of Hanna Stables.  Fascinating gentleman, and if you've ridden with him, you know that he is a true caballero.  If you haven't, then it's more than worth riding to Xunantunich with him. 

"A fantastic tour guide and owner of Hanna’s Stables, Santiago is an expert at giving visitors a truly incredible experience in the jungles of Cayo!"

The Rotaract Club of Benque and Ka'ana are teaming up to create a special fundraiser to aid the Octavia Waight Centre.  There will be a fabulous dinner with a special performance by Alberto Rodriguez.  The door prize is a night in the Balam Suite.

Cayo really steals the show in this travel article from the San Francisco Chronicle.  It's pretty comprehensive as far as attractions go.  3 of the 5 places to stay mentioned in the article are in Cayo: San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Ka'ana(which was just in an article about wellness travel), and Caves Branch.  The Guava Limb Cafe and Pacz Tours are also specifically mentioned. 

Humorus post of the day.  Ka'ana has come up with a pair of chic sunglasses for Cayo.  The leonard matte tortoise shell acetate sunglasses that have the name of 'Illesteva.'  Cool.  Funny.  Has anyone worn them on Xunantunich?

"On the western side of Belize, you will find the Cayo District spreading over 2,000 square miles of luscious landscape.  This area shows an incredible wealth of interest and activities for tourists and is also the gateway to Guatemala and the incredible ruins of Tikal.  The Mountain Pine Ridge is often named the main attraction of the area, but the Cayo District also includes many great Mayan ruins, the towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, the border town of Benque Viejo and the lush valley between the scenic Mopan and Macal rivers."