Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Check out Birding Magazine's article on birding in Belize. Mr. Roni Martinez is in there, as is the Rio Frio Cave, and Black Rock Lodge.

Video of the day.  A great recap of the first annual Cayo West Fest.  This will be one of the many yearly cultural events here in Cayo.  Thanks to everyone that made this fun event happen.

"West Fest 2018, celebrating 3000 years of culture, food and music.  It was a huge success! 

Thank you to all our sponsors Belizing.com, ASK & Belize, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Galen University, Belize, Sacred Heart Junior College, Running W Brand Meats, Black Rock Lodge, Cahal Pech Village Resort, San Ignacio Belize, CELA Belize, BRC Printing Ltd., and Midway LTD. 

It was a pleasure seeing everyone come and enjoy this eco-friendly and family-friendly event. We enjoyed every minute of West Fest 2018 and we look forward to celebrating and enjoying West Fest 2019 with you too!"

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!

Marie-France Grenouillet has some great shots from her recent visit to Belize.  She has some good things to say about Belize, and birding at Black Rock Lodge too.  Check out her photo album.

"My impression of Belize – so small and so “generous”…  I must say that for those who love birds, the underwater world, local authentic villages and, of course, Maya sites, don’t hesitate to visit this small country...  Another superb place is Black Rock Lodge Trails and Grounds.  It is the perfect place to see Keel-Billed Toucans, Emerald Toucanets, the beloved “Collared Aracari” and many other birds.  The scenery is marvelous; it is near a ravine in which the river is running, surrounded by greenery."

Belize got a wonderful write up by Ali Wunderman in Hemispheres.  The best part is the Cayo part, where the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Guava Limb, and Pop's are all mentioned.  She went birding with Roni Martinez at Black Rock Lodge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNV1FRxFUAz/

"Belize was at the center of the ancient Maya world, as evidenced by the vast network of ruins and ceremonial caves found throughout the country. Despite attempts to colonize and wipe out these civilizations, Maya culture survived, with some 11 percent of the population here made up of indigenous Maya. This afternoon, I’m exploring a nearby Maya ruin, Cahal Pech, with the help of Edgar, a guide from the hotel. The central plaza has a languid air, the grass alive with small yellow butterflies, the peacefulness palpable. It’s like passing through a portal to a thousand years in the past—although there was nothing primitive about this society. Edgar shows me the ingenious ways the ancient Maya designed their buildings to indicate the seasons, the sophistication in their architectural techniques. 'I am mestizo,' he tells me, meaning a blend of Spanish and Indigenous. 'To have these archaeological treasures here makes me take great pride in my country’s heritage.'

I wish I could stay in this restful ruin forever, but I need a respite from the oppressive inland heat. After picking up my friend Steph, who works for the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, we point the car toward Big Rock Falls, in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. I brace for rain-carved off-road driving, but we find tightly packed dirt instead; the notoriously bumpy road is in the early stages of being paved.

As we climb into the mountains, the jungle gives way to a sparse pine forest, another example of Belize’s bewildering ecological diversity. 'I love the unexpectedness of it all,' Steph remarks after we’ve scrambled down the rickety handmade staircase to a beach of gigantic boulders at the base of the 150-foot waterfall. I have to agree: It’s hard to believe we were in the rainforest less than an hour ago. Luckily, I’m wearing my swimsuit under my sundress, as Steph shows me how to get a back massage from the cascade, leaving me soothed and invigorated all at once."

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!"

Don't let the title fool you.  This is a great article from the tourist perspective, and it only compliments Belize on its world class beauty and amazing culture.  Black Rock Lodge gets a great mention.  Definitely worth a read. 

 "Rather than a dangerous, crime-riddled country we found chilled-out beaches, stunning reefs, a happy fusion of cultures, pristine mountains and rivers, vibrant festivals, a unique music scene and above all genuinely friendly and welcoming locals."

The Cayo Tour Guide Association has released an epic promo for their upcoming Summer Tourism Eco Camp.  It shows a little from the different places they'll be taking the students.  Black Rock Lodge, Belize Botanic Gardens, Chechem Ha, and Xunantunich are all on there.  You can still get raffle tickets and help out.  Thanks, CTGA!  

"Sure enough, here we are. It is amazing the level of energy needed to do the logistics for the camp.  First of all, we needed the finance and after a few letters were sent out to the local business community, places like Bancaneaux, Turtle Inn, Cahal Pech Resort and Banyan Bay Villas contacted us willing to help.  They gave us lodging for 2 nights for 4 persons, so raffle tickets were done.  Our second raffle is still available for purchase for $5.00 a chance, for which the single prize is 2 nights at Cahal Pech Resort and 2 nights at Banyan Bay Villas, both are for 4 four persons. "