Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Caracol got another great write-up, and they described it quite well, along with the fact that not that many people get to see it due to it being remote.  Worth a read.

'One of the largest Maya cities, Caracol, is rarely visited and is lost far in the jungle off the beaten path in Belize.

Caracol may not be a household name, unlike Tikal and Chichen Itza, but it is one of the large Maya archeological sites. It is located around 25 miles south of the Maya site of Xunantunich on the Vaca Plateau, about 1,600 feet above sea level. It was one of the most important Maya centers in the Maya Lowlands during the Classic Period.

Caracol was rediscovered in 1937 by a native logger called Rosa Mai. At the time, Belize (then called British Honduras) was a part of the British Empire. It was visited the next year by A. H. Anderson - an archeological commissioner.'

Feelgood news of the day.  The Rotary Club of San Ignacio donated 18 wheelchairs to the Rotary neighbors next door. 

"Our club has a longstanding wheelchair program working with clubs in the US. John Acott has led the donation efforts for many years. 18 chairs were donated to the Tikal Peten Rotary Club in Flores. The handover took place between the two border posts. 9 of the wheelchairs will be distributed in the Flores/Santa Elena area and the other 9 in Sayaxché, which is a town about 1 ½ hours south of Flores. It is an interesting place as you cross a large river on a huge car and truck ferry, powered by a tiny outboard motor at one corner."

The Maya Mountain Adventure Club is doing Caracol tomorrow, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech on Sunday, and Tikal on Monday.  If you love ruins, now's the time to check them out.  Belizeans get 50% off tours, and students get 75% off.  Link goes to a short video of Mr. Cruz guiding a tour in Caracol.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=224165641089983

"MAYA MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE CLUB TOUR UPDATES!  OFFERING BELIZE RESIDENCE 50% OFF AND STUDENTS 75% OFF TOURS - BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY!!"

Twist Magazine loves Cayo in their latest issue.  They mention many of the more popular sites around Cayo, including Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Ajaw Chocolate, and Mountain Pine Ridge, and they are enamored by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  Great read, and one can get an idea of how Cayo is perceived from the guests' point of view.  

"During your stay in San Ignacio, be sure to take time to enjoy the town itself. The fruit and vegetable market is busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so go on one of those days if possible, and consider booking a session at AJAW Chocolate and Crafts, where you can learn about the history and process of cacao and drinking chocolate in the Mayan tradition.

We spent a week in San Ignacio and barely scratched the surface of the outdoor and cultural excursions offered here. With more time, we would have canoed the Macal River, rappelled into a sink hole, toured more caves, and driven over the border to see the ruins at Tikal. We didn’t miss megaresorts, all-inclusive dining experiences, or beaches."

Video of the day.  1st Day of Summer compiled a great video from around Belize.  Xunantunich, the inland Blue Hole, and other great spots from Cayo can be seen in this video. 

"Be part of the discovery in Belize!"

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."