INDULGE & TRAVEL
Bountiful BELIZE
By Andre Jacques Durall
Photography by Melissa Kramer
Sweet or salty? It seems a simple question. All you have to know is what you crave. But what if it’s not that simple? What if the question is: mountain retreat or seaside villa? Central America or the Caribbean? Adventures in eco-tourism or effortless days of decadence and pampering? Sometimes it’s impossible to choose. But you don’t have to when you’re in Belize. A small country the size of New Hampshire, Belize believes in having it all. As a member of both the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and the Sistema de Integracion Centroamericana (SICA), Belize considers itself culturally not just Caribbean or Central American, but both. Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America, was known as British Honduras until 1973. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The red, green and yellow plumes of the Keel-billed Toucan, Belize’s national bird, seem the perfect match for a country populated by Garifuna, Mayans, Creoles, Mestizos, East Indians and a handful of German Mennonites. To spend any time amongst these gorgeously sun-kissed people is to be reminded that the rich hues of brown skin are a rainbow in themselves. With its large tracts of tropical rainforests, hundreds of coral sand islands (or cayes, pronounced “keys”) and the second longest barrier reef in the world, Belize provides everything you need for a perfect vacation. A few sun-filled days at each of these Belizean locales is sure to satisfy all your cravings.
Peninsula: The Placencia the suites and villas at this lavish hotel include kitchenettes and wrap-around balconies overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The combination of plush furniture, airy atmosphere and five-star service inspired our photo director to say, “It’s like home, only better.” At the Placencia Hotel, you can wile away your days on lounge chairs and massage tables or indulge in a six-day yoga retreat, whose features include Aqua Yoga, energizing hikes and sunset meditations. Choose your own adventure with custom day trips out to the reef for snorkeling, scuba diving or deep-sea fishing. Hotel staff will take care of the details, including a packed lunch and transportation.
Inland: Blancaneaux Lodge Lush and luxurious are the words that come to mind when describing Francis Ford Coppola’s upscale jungle resort in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. But when you first gaze upon this 80-acre, thatched-roof paradise, it’s evident that both words barely skim the edge of truth. Imagine waking up each morning to the sounds of birdcalls and then sipping coffee in your open-air living room or soaking in your Japanese-style bath, gazing at a sky framed by tropical foliage. At the Montagna Restaurant, you’ll dine on classic Italian cuisine made with ingredients directly from the resort’s private organic garden. Activities include horseback riding, spa treatments, biking, canoeing and exploring Mayan ruins. You won’t miss HBO; you won’t even realize there was no TV in your room until you’re all the way back home. The landing strip on the resort provides easy access for private planes. Otherwise, make arrangements with hotel staff for airport pickup.
Private Island: Cayo EspantoIt won’t take long to figure out why Cayo Espanto has been written up in so many travel magazines. The service starts from the moment you pass through customs at the Belize International Airport, when resort staff immediately take your luggage and accompany you on the hour and a half boat ride (or 20 minute flight) to this private island off the coast of Ambergris Caye. The maximum number of guests allowed on the island is a mere fourteen, so even if you haven’t booked the entire island for the week, privacy is a given. Each “casa” has a private dock, alfresco showers and personal splash pools. Meals are not only tailor-made; they are also served privately in your house or on your dock. For a bit of nightlife, the lively Ambergris Caye is just a ten-minute boat ride away.
Activities: Any coastal or island hotel will offer access to water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving or deep sea fishing. For additional adventures, book a tour with Astrum Helicopters to see the Blue Hole or the 1000 Foot Falls from above. They’ll make arrangements to come pick you up, wherever you are. Or for those who want to see the ancient Mayan Temples and are up for a bit of a physical challenge, join the annual Temple-to-Temple bike race/tour in January of 2007. For the seven day race, you can choose to camp in the wilderness, at the foot of the ruins, or in more luxurious lodging. The registration fee also includes an all-inclusive stay at the Placencia Hotel, where opening and closing ceremonies will be held. The Placencia Hotel will also host the very first Belize International Music Festival in March 2007.
Getting There: US Air, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Taca Air provide international flights into Belize City. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air offer flights within Belize. Currency Exchange Many businesses will accept US dollars at the standard rate of 2 Belizean dollars (BZD) for one US dollar. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants in tourist areas and in tourist-related businesses like diving shops. For local currency, ATMs are the easiest way to go.
Bountiful BELIZE
By Andre Jacques Durall
Photography by Melissa Kramer
Sweet or salty? It seems a simple question. All you have to know is what you crave. But what if it’s not that simple? What if the question is: mountain retreat or seaside villa? Central America or the Caribbean? Adventures in eco-tourism or effortless days of decadence and pampering? Sometimes it’s impossible to choose. But you don’t have to when you’re in Belize. A small country the size of New Hampshire, Belize believes in having it all. As a member of both the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and the Sistema de Integracion Centroamericana (SICA), Belize considers itself culturally not just Caribbean or Central American, but both. Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America, was known as British Honduras until 1973. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The red, green and yellow plumes of the Keel-billed Toucan, Belize’s national bird, seem the perfect match for a country populated by Garifuna, Mayans, Creoles, Mestizos, East Indians and a handful of German Mennonites. To spend any time amongst these gorgeously sun-kissed people is to be reminded that the rich hues of brown skin are a rainbow in themselves. With its large tracts of tropical rainforests, hundreds of coral sand islands (or cayes, pronounced “keys”) and the second longest barrier reef in the world, Belize provides everything you need for a perfect vacation. A few sun-filled days at each of these Belizean locales is sure to satisfy all your cravings.
Peninsula: The Placencia the suites and villas at this lavish hotel include kitchenettes and wrap-around balconies overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The combination of plush furniture, airy atmosphere and five-star service inspired our photo director to say, “It’s like home, only better.” At the Placencia Hotel, you can wile away your days on lounge chairs and massage tables or indulge in a six-day yoga retreat, whose features include Aqua Yoga, energizing hikes and sunset meditations. Choose your own adventure with custom day trips out to the reef for snorkeling, scuba diving or deep-sea fishing. Hotel staff will take care of the details, including a packed lunch and transportation.
Inland: Blancaneaux Lodge Lush and luxurious are the words that come to mind when describing Francis Ford Coppola’s upscale jungle resort in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. But when you first gaze upon this 80-acre, thatched-roof paradise, it’s evident that both words barely skim the edge of truth. Imagine waking up each morning to the sounds of birdcalls and then sipping coffee in your open-air living room or soaking in your Japanese-style bath, gazing at a sky framed by tropical foliage. At the Montagna Restaurant, you’ll dine on classic Italian cuisine made with ingredients directly from the resort’s private organic garden. Activities include horseback riding, spa treatments, biking, canoeing and exploring Mayan ruins. You won’t miss HBO; you won’t even realize there was no TV in your room until you’re all the way back home. The landing strip on the resort provides easy access for private planes. Otherwise, make arrangements with hotel staff for airport pickup.
Private Island: Cayo EspantoIt won’t take long to figure out why Cayo Espanto has been written up in so many travel magazines. The service starts from the moment you pass through customs at the Belize International Airport, when resort staff immediately take your luggage and accompany you on the hour and a half boat ride (or 20 minute flight) to this private island off the coast of Ambergris Caye. The maximum number of guests allowed on the island is a mere fourteen, so even if you haven’t booked the entire island for the week, privacy is a given. Each “casa” has a private dock, alfresco showers and personal splash pools. Meals are not only tailor-made; they are also served privately in your house or on your dock. For a bit of nightlife, the lively Ambergris Caye is just a ten-minute boat ride away.
Activities: Any coastal or island hotel will offer access to water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving or deep sea fishing. For additional adventures, book a tour with Astrum Helicopters to see the Blue Hole or the 1000 Foot Falls from above. They’ll make arrangements to come pick you up, wherever you are. Or for those who want to see the ancient Mayan Temples and are up for a bit of a physical challenge, join the annual Temple-to-Temple bike race/tour in January of 2007. For the seven day race, you can choose to camp in the wilderness, at the foot of the ruins, or in more luxurious lodging. The registration fee also includes an all-inclusive stay at the Placencia Hotel, where opening and closing ceremonies will be held. The Placencia Hotel will also host the very first Belize International Music Festival in March 2007.
Getting There: US Air, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Taca Air provide international flights into Belize City. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air offer flights within Belize. Currency Exchange Many businesses will accept US dollars at the standard rate of 2 Belizean dollars (BZD) for one US dollar. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants in tourist areas and in tourist-related businesses like diving shops. For local currency, ATMs are the easiest way to go.
