Your Top 3 ‘Must Visit’ Islands in Belize

Belize is a natural beauty filled with an array of diversity. In Belize islands are commonly called ‘cayes’, pronounced ‘keys’. This tiny English speaking country is certainly blessed with many beautiful and immaculate islands, which are but only a short distance away from one another. My top three must visit islands are: San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park.

San Pedro Ambergris Caye is known to be the largest of Belize’s offshore islands and the most developed island- here you can dive the Christ of the Abyss.  The town, San Pedro, is where you will find the most populated part of the island, equipped with an array of lodging, dining, shopping, and nightlife. The island is known as ‘La Isla Bonita’, translated in English as, ‘The Beautiful Island’, a nickname given by Madonna’s hit song, ‘La Isla Bonita’. Tours and activities on the island range from easy, moderate, to strenuous. Choose your adventure: have a relaxing sunset cruise with your loved one, or take a short boat ride out to the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, to snorkel or dive.  San Pedro is said to have been a Maya Trading Post, and the evidence of this exist today, be sure to visit the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site, and unfold the mysteries of the Mayas. With all this said, sure enough it is no surprise that this island has been rated the #1 Island in the world on TripAdvisor.

Take it easy and simply ‘Go Slow’ visiting Caye Caulker. Caye Caulker is located nearby to San Pedro Ambergris Caye, but it is a distinctive atmosphere to San Pedro- here be sure to dive the Hol Chan Marine Reserve for a great reef experience. Looking for paved roads? This cannot be found in Caye Caulker! Kick off your shoes and experience the island life, strolling on the sandy streets. This island has a laid back Caribbean vibe and is popular amongst backpackers, budget travelers and lately even honeymooners, looking for an island escape.  The friendly people of Caye Caulker gives Caye Caulker the nickname, ‘La Isla Carinosa’, translated in English as, ‘Charming Island’, and charming it is. Many locals as well as visitors enjoy the entertainment and swimming at ‘The Split Beach’, a narrow channel that has divided the Island in two. I definitely recommend experiencing the true meaning of Caye Caulker’s motto, “Go Slow”.

This upcoming ‘must visit’ island takes you to Southern Belize. Laughing Bird Caye National Park is located approximately eleven miles off the coast of Placencia Village, Stann Creek District. What is most unique about this island is that it stands on an elongated ridge of reef (faro). Due to its location and form it attracts an abundance and variety of coral habitats and marine life. Unlike, San Pedro Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker, this island is secluded, and uninhabited by humans. Laughing Bird Caye is a protected area and is also listed as a World Heritage Site. Diving, fishing, and snorkeling in this area, is a true natural marine experience that can easily be arranged through licensed tour operators such as: Splash Dive Center Belize.

Belize is a natural beauty and is filled hundreds of picturesque islands. However, if you are planning to experience Belize we do recommend visiting these top three ‘must visit’ islands.

Needing more information on Belize and its Islands be sure to contact Patty patricia@splashbelize.com  or visit us at www.splashbelize.com

Your Next Dream Vacation

At the start of every New Year we begin to envision and plan towards our dreams and future goals. In the hustle and bustle of an ordinary life it should be an obligation to take a few weeks off to enjoy a vacation, one that will allow you to experience the natural wonders of the world. There is but one place that allows you to experience the natural wonders of several “worlds”, and that place is called Belize.

Belize has been referred to for many years as a secret, the secret country in Central America that is marvelous in every aspect, despite the small landmass it occupies on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Belize is approximately 185 miles long and 75 miles wide.  In size Belize is often compared to the state of Massachusetts in the U.S.A, yet it has so much to offer, with an opportunity for 247,019 discoveries (diverse cultures, caves, Mayan temples, rivers, marine life, and many natural resources).

Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation you can bet you will find it in Belize.   Belize is known for its many acres of unspoiled forest that hold the secrets of the Maya heritage, incorporating a vast array of temples, rivers, caves, and mountains. Belize was the center of the ancient Maya world.  Be it no surprise that Belize has one of the only jaguar preserves in the world, the “Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve.”

Not interested in experiencing miles of natural jungle life? Then be sure to visit one of Belize’s 400 tropical islands, and get a chance to dive into the enchanting Blue Hole, along the Western Hemisphere largest barrier reef. Enjoy the beauty of the magnificent underwater world, a nature so natural and captivating you will be left in awe. Belize is known for its intact Coral Barrier Reef that is home to 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, 500 species of fish, and hundreds of other diverse plants and animals.  With all that Belize has to offer you will enjoy and explore a wide array of activities from the jungle to the beach such as:  hiking, birding, caving, camping, zip lining, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, cultural experiences, and sailing just to name a few.

Relax, and take a breath of pure air! Forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge into paradise. Start planning your dream vacation by choosing one of Belize’s resorts either inland or on any of Belize’s picturesque islands or beaches. Allow yourself to be one with nature, be one with Belize!

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your Dream Vacation by contacting Patricia Ramirez at patricia@splashbelize.com

Getting To Belize: 1 – 2 -3 Heavenly Belize from the US or Canada

Belize is amazing!  Rapidly changing topography allows travellers to experience estuaries, rivers, jungle, mountains, coral reefs, expansive underground caves, glorious waterfalls and an incredible collection of flora and fauna.  Some come in the high season (November to May) to escape winter.  Some choose the quiet days of summer for their Belizean adventure. Both times of the year have their own unique attractions or things to do and the choice of when to visit is totally up to you, your budget and the adventure you seek.

Belize Map

Oh Girls Just Wanna Have Fun…..? Then Belize is your playground….

There is no travel destination more exciting for girls to be themselves and share quality time with their girl buddies than in Belize! If you don’t see yourselves lounging on the beach in the Caribbean or relaxing in a hammock on the beach under swaying coconut palms with a pinacolada  or sun tanning by the poolside or exploring the glorious pyramids of the ancient and mysterious Mayas amidst the lush rainforest, then Belize is not the place for you.

Dozens of private and public white sand beaches, with the magnificent barrier reef only a stone throw away, eagerly wait to be relished. Chic beach and rainforest resorts await the curious for the most breath-taking views of sunsets and tropical landscapes, to luxuriate the body and mind with full service salons and massages.

For the adventurous ladies, take a dive at the iconic BlueHole, or swim with the whale sharks of Gladden Spit. For the more daring, plunge into the deep blue Caribbean from high above the sky.  If not up for much adrenaline rush, take a tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve for a scenic underwater tour snorkeling in a colossal aquarium of the world’s second largest barrier reef vibrant with corals, sponges and abundance of colorful aquatic life.

Ladies beware of the islands of Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Placencia. The quaint feel of the picturesque islands that spoils visitors with a range of exquisite accommodations, food and water sports, a melting pot of cultures and friendly people will steal your hearts!...You may never leave Las Islas Bonitas…


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Pack Your Shorts, Sun Shades and a Camera for the Warm Winter!

Warm coats and heaters are never an option in Belize.  In fact, all you need in this sub-tropical paradise is a pair of shorts, t-shirts, a pair of sandals, sun shades, sun block and a cold beer.  Belize is the place where coconut palms and white sand beaches were born: where mother nature smiles happily after seeing her glorious creation of exquisite oceans, barrier reefs, atolls and rich rainforest. Belize is the place where the great Maya Civilization built their magnificent pyramids and where the Clovis Culture roamed more than 12,000 years ago according to archeologists.

Not far from the equator, the Caribbean jewel enjoys summer year round. As the t-shirt reads, “No Shirt – no problem; no shoes - no problem,” is quite fitting.  Belize is the place where the human spirit reaches new dimensions. This is the place where the concept of love and romance were invented. With only 320 000 souls wandering this 8 800 square miles of tropical wonders, everyone can find their personal piece of paradise.  A multitude of colorful birds call Belize their home and schools of whale sharks travel half way around the world to feed here.  Noah’s Ark must have landed in Belize after the great flood explaining the great diversity in wildlife. Here, flowering flora pushes new frontiers in botanical evolution. A splash of Central American, a splash of the Caribbean, and a sprinkle of neither, the flavors of Belize is elusive and yet lures cultures from every corner of the world to call their home.

Warm winters are a promise in sub-tropical Belize. Flat fishing, dipping into a jungle waterfall pool, snorkeling or diving, BBQ on a private island, exploring mysterious temples and caves, zip-lining across dense rainforest canopies or just   Sipping a glass of wine on a secluded beach are best during Belizean winters. Choose your adventure.  There are enough adventures to fill an entire month’s itinerary.  No need to quiver in the cold of the north or stay indoors when you can be having fun in the sun of the south. Belize welcomes you.

Any unlucky anglers who haven’t been to Belize? Here is some bait to hook you….

Belize-is where you go catching not just fishing.  This small, yet so big blue Caribbean jewel, is synonymous with exceptional fishing.  Belize has long been recognized as a world-class angling destination, and fishermen from all parts of the world come for great sports fishing.

What makes Belize so appealing is the vast diversity of fishing grounds, of fish species, different types of fishing and the sheer natural beauty of the unique landscape where these grounds are found.  In addition to the endless numbers of cayes, deep blue water and turtle-grass flats, Belize boosts an abundance of rivers, lagoons, and freshwater lakes adding to the proliferation of fishing grounds.

Blogger- Megan Wood Fishing in Belize- http://meganlwood.com/

Make no mistake; Belize is no ordinary fishing spot.  Belize is home to the “Big Three,” where fly fishing enthusiasts have a chance at the revered Grand Slam – a bonefish, tarpon and permit in one day!

Prized for its incredible strength and speed, bonefish may average between 2 – 5 pounds and are caught on Belize’s flats throughout the year. The virgin waters around Placencia offer a fertile ground to sight and catch this top game fish.

Belize offers good fly fishing for tarpons. In fact, a couple hundred square miles of tarpon flats is featured throughout Belize. Tarpons are perhaps some of the strongest, largest (up to a whopping 200 pounds) and most acrobatic fish in saltwater. The best tarpon fishing months are from November through April or May.  Tarpon Caye lies offshore of Placencia.

Belize’s southern waters are not only known for tarpon and bonefish, but also the amazing number of permit that inhabit the long chain of cayes and flats. Also known as “Silver King

Outside of Belize’s magnificent barrier reef, dozens of other species are found in the deep blue sea including wahoo, dolphin fish (also known as dorado or maui-maui), grouper, barracuda, jack crevalle, yellowtail and mutton snapper. The three Atolls – Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef and Glover’s Reef offer good chances of catching the great Blue Marlin.

So for those who like variety to catch their prize fish, Belize is a top flat fishing mecca offering a number of experienced operators and guides with abundant local knowledge. No matter whether you are a veteran or a novice, Belize’s saltwater fishing features exceptional angling prospects.  So pack your fishing gear or use our fishing gear but come to Belize.  In Belize, you’ll experience the difference between “just fishing” and “catching.”

Belize’s Barrier Reef, an Ultimate Diver’s Mecca

Belize Barrier Reef-Placencia

Belize’s amazing Barrier Reef is any avid diver’ or snorkeler’s aquatic playground that provides the ultimate experience. Divers from all over the world are discovering Belize’s exotic marine life and pristine waters and attest to the barrier reef being a colossal aquarium of exotic critters, graceful invertebrates, and colorful sea life. Spanning most of Belize’s coastline with 185 miles, this reef is the longest in the Western Hemisphere.

Belize has a remarkably high concentration of marine life. Schools of exotic fish, colorful coral gardens, grottos and walls lined with sponges appearing to have internal bioluminescence, caverns decorated with stalactites and ocean critters are ever present. More than 50 species of corals and 400 species of fish call these waters home including the horse-eye jack, barracuda, yellowtail snapper, pompano and goliath grouper often seen cruising the reef.

Belize Barrier Reef- Sea Turtle

With spectacular strings of unspoiled islands atop sparkling clear waters and three atolls, Belize is a mecca for divers and a water-borne Garden of Eden for water sports enthusiasts.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, an offshore caye, is an excellent diving area easily accessed from San Pedro and Caye Caulker – two formerly sleepy fishing villages offshore and now popular tourist destinations and hub for divers. Inside the reef, coral rises to the surface in a long snaking ridge. Outside, the reef gently slopes down to some 40 feet, revealing many shallow water corals and a plethora of gorgonians. The sloping ledge is deeply cut with cracks and crevices winding to the reef’s outer edge where a great wall drops to the depths of the sea.

At Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef and Glover’s Reef, the atolls provide scenic underwater topography and offer excellent variety of diving options. 

Belize Barrier Reef- Conch on Sea-floor

A truly fascinating phenomenon at Lighthouse Reef is the iconic Blue Hole. A titanic cave, once dry as demonstrated by the presence of stalactites, has been submerged since the end of the last Ice Age. A portion of its ceiling collapsed at some point in time, creating a blue hole more than 400 feet deep and nearly 1,000 feet across. At 100 feet, the wall gives way to a deep undercut. At a depth of 130 feet, the softly lit cavern’s 25 feet and upside-down monoliths hang from the ceiling. The sight of stalactites, silhouetted against the blue glow of the filtered light coming from beyond the ledge, is no ordinary experience. Some are so large that five divers side by side would not be enough to encompass them.

For all these reasons, Belize is the ultimate archipelago of natural and unspoiled beauty like a shining gem in the sun and mecca for divers from all over the world. But don’t take our word for it, be on the inside of Belize’s underwater paradise!

A Family Vacation in Placencia- Monkey River Tour

Choosing a fantastic vacation destination this year was a difficult decision for my family.  My two children Harry and Britney are turning 12 and 15 years respectively this year and we were all in agreement that a destination in the Caribbean and off the beaten path would be a good change from the usual yearly visits to well- known destinations.  After doing a bit of research, we found out about Belize and its many diverse offerings of reef and inland adventures in the tiny but lovely country of Belize which is literally in our backyard just two hours from our home state Florida. Little did we know then that we ever about to venture into of our best vacations ever while creating lifelong memories.

Our days were filled with dive and snorkeling visits to idyllic spots like the famous Blue Hole, Glover’s Atoll and countless inland tours as well as cultural experiences.

One particularly memorable trip was the Monkey River Tour.  This wildlife adventure started with an hour boat ride from Placencia Village on the Peninsula to the mouth of Monkey River where the excitement of the journey continues.  Our knowledgeable guide, a native to Monkey River Village, led our tour group through an interesting lesson on the history of Monkey River Village while he pointed out the surrounding abundant wildlife.

Cruising along Monkey River for approximately 30 minutes and relishing a short inland detour, our tour group was surely in for a real scenic treat in nature.  Lush tropical canopy dominated the river sides with occasional tall trees among the smaller plant life like mangroves, bamboo, palms and swamp cypresses.  The rich forest smell was invigorating and the view of the biologically diverse forest was breath taking. We were so pleased to learn that sixty percent of the country remains covered with such similar tropical ecosystems. Indeed the little Caribbean jewel appears to be serious about environmental protection.

Along the inland trail, Harry and Britney were intrigued by the exotic birds spotted such as the magnificent Osprey eagle, the enormous King Vulture, and even spotted the brilliantly colored Keel Billed Toucan hovering high above the tall empress palms as pointed out by our guide, James. Certainly a naturalist’s paradise, Monkey River was teeming with football-size turtles, crocodiles and many species of lizards such as the ‘Jesus Christ Lizard’ named locally for its ability to run across the water edges using its webbed hind feet. And just when we thought there was nothing more to see, our bodies cringed with goose bumps as a group of boisterous black howler monkeys swept pass a few feet above our heads howling and swinging.  The experience reminded me briefly of a scene in Indiana Jones shot in the depths of a mysterious neo-tropical rainforest. The setting was surely one to ignite the imagination. The path was filled with many exotic orchids in many sizes, shapes and colors.

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip and Monkey River Village has certainly inspired us to appreciate nature in a differfleadent light. We are also thankful to our tour operator, Splash Dive Center for making all our tour arrangements and for contributing to us having a fabulous time in Belize!

Maya’s ‘Time of No Time’: A Call for a New World Age or a New World Fake?

On March 20 2012, the sun will be directly above the earth’s equator making the length of day almost equal to that of night. This occurrence is referred to as the March Equinox.  For many of us, day and night usually evoke certain feelings and affects our behaviors and activities.  For example, most people sleep at night time.  So by extension, it is possible that other astrological conditions perhaps have an unrecognized effect on our moods, or even on our evolutionary processes as human beings?

Splash Dive Center Maya Logo

These are indeed interesting questions to ponder on and the concept of ‘Time of No Time,’ really challenges us to think about the realm of possibilities.  In Maya Prophecy, the Time of No Time began in 1992 and ends December 2012.  According to the Maya this 20 year (Katun), is a period of enlightenment that humanity prepares to enter a Golden Age of higher consciousness and harmony with all that surrounds us as planet earth, within our solar system, is about to complete a galactic day (26,625 years). Just as earth rotates on its axis around the sun in a 365 days cycle, the Mayas discovered that our solar system similarly rotates within its ellipse around the center of the grand galaxy completing one cycle in 26, 625 years.  On this day, the earth aligns with the center of our solar system and with the center of the galaxy.  This must be an immensely important time that ushers in an equally important evolutionary process from the perspective of the infinite universe.

Maya Prophecy claims that the center of our Milky Way Galaxy beams a powerful source of light every 5,125 years allowing for greater synchrony and evolutionary processes among the stars and planetary systems contained within.  They believe, that this beam of a powerful source causes our sun to respond with intense solar winds affecting earth’s magnetic fields triggering a series of changes that impacts humanity’s evolution on earth.

Xunantunich-Belize

Consequently, the concept of Maya 2012, tells us that as our solar system prepares to complete this cycle around the galaxy, that a New Age or a new World Order is about to be unveiled. In this enlightenment, people will recognize their deep interconnectivity with all that exists in his environment forming a minute part of the massive cosmic universe.  The Maya claim that in this progressive state, the people will better appreciate the important role they must play in maintaining and preserving the delicate ecological balance of mother earth before continuing as the dominant specie.  The people will rid themselves of destructive behaviors: obsession with worldly possessions, destruction of the environment and of the human spirit. It is in this context that the Maya belief that the newly naturally selected stewards of earth will evolve to higher levels of consciousness where respect for all, peace and harmony prevail.  So in essence, the Maya’s ‘Time of No Time’ is a colossally important transitory period to usher in a new age of positivity among mankind.

Maya Temple Lamanai-Belize

Either way, humanity is at important crossroads in its development especially noting critical changes in the climate, global economic landscape, technology, warfare, world views and paradigm shifts in power structures.  These global trends are timely and important reminders that the powerful messages from the Maya in relation to 2012 are worth listening to.

Regardless of what we choose to believe from the Maya, science is now affirming astounding discoveries shared thousands of years ago by this astronomically astute civilization that far exceeds any other.  Belize is very proud to be home to this mystical and advanced civilization that is now causing heightened global attention.  Most recently, the tiny Caribbean jewel hosted Prince Henry of Wales for a personalized tour of one of Belize’s foremost archeological sites.

Splash Dive Center, your personalized destination management company, invites everyone to witness first-hand the magic of Maya culture as well as Belize’s other unique and mesmerizing experiences and adventures.