0 Wildlife Adventure in Belize

Howler Monkey Belize

Belize has become one of the most attractive vacation destinations in the western Caribbean not only because it’s the only English speaking country in Central America, but because of the many adventure activities available to enjoy both on the cayes and land. Already an excellent destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing, visitors have also become aware of the many great adventures that are possible on the country’s mainland. Adventures Belize is proud to present to all our visitors the ultimate wildlife adventures encounters. Having a great passion for adventure we have decided to customize and personalize three wonderful tours that will allow you to encounter and appreciate some of the most magnificent creatures found in our country.

Spider Monkey & Howler Monkey in Belize

There are only two different types of monkeys residing throughout the jungles of Belize, the Spider Monkey, and the Howler Monkey. Although the Howler Monkey and the Spider Monkey are both found throughout Belize, they are not found only in Belize; their habitat ranges north into Mexico and south into the Amazon region in South America.

Though there are only two types of monkeys in Belize, there are two genus of the Spider Monkey: the Black-Headed and the Geoffroy's. Each the Black-Headed and the Geoffroy's has at least one subspecies in Belize. The Howler Monkey on the other hand has only one species in Belize, called the Guatemalan Black Howler. The Black Howler is a part of the Mantled Howler Group.

As the names suggest the Black Howler and the Black Headed Spider Monkey are both black in color. However, the Geoffroy's Spider Monkey is caramel colored with a chocolate-colored cap on its' head.

The size of the Spider Monkeys in Belize is about the same for both species and weighs about 15 pounds with males being the largest. Other interesting body characteristics of the Spider Monkeys is that their tails, up to 33 inches in length, are longer than their bodies, which is an average of 25 inches long while their arms are 15 - 25 percent longer than their legs and they have no thumbs.

The Black Howler Monkey is by far the largest Monkey in Belize with males weighing about 25 pounds. Although the Howler Monkey is not the largest monkey in the world a Howler's howl can be heard for about 20 miles away, 4 times more than that of a lion's 5-mile voice ranges. This voice range of the Howler Monkey is said to make them the loudest land animal in the world.

The conservation status for monkeys in Belize is very good. Through conservation efforts in Belize, monkeys are now rarely hunted. Due to Belize's slow development, major habitat loss is not much of an issue. Actually one issue to the destruction of habitat is from nature itself as hurricanes are known to damage the rainforest canopy and put the monkeys in danger, though major hurricanes are fairly infrequent. Started in 1985, the Community Baboon Sanctuary Museum and Visitor's Center is the best place in Belize to see monkeys, especially Howlers, "baboons," as Belizean people call them. Day trips from Belize City out to the “Baboon Sanctuary,” the local name for the Sanctuary, are located at Bermudian Landing. The sanctuary has over 40,000 visitors a year and is a true community effort to help protect the monkeys.

Spider Monkeys are known to make good and popular pets in Belize and Central America. Howler Monkeys do not make good pets. It has been said that Howler Monkeys are the only Central American monkey to have never been kept in captivity by Native Americans.

The Spider Monkeys of Belize have been kept as pets and are of no real threat to humans. However, as a tourist it is best to simply observe both Spider's and Howler's in their natural habitat. Although they are, so cute and adorable monkeys in the wild have been known to throw items such as rocks, fruit, and coconuts at people. Feeding or touching monkeys in the wild could bring harm to you, as they are known to bite if they feel threatened. Monkeys can be as dangerous as any other animal found in the wild.

Belize Booby Birds

Belize Booby Birds

In Belize, the Booby is most often found out on the Cayes, most notably Half Moon Caye, part of which, in 1928, was gazetted as a Crown Reserve Bird Sanctuary under the Crown Land Ordinance. The Crown Sanctuary Reserve was specifically dedicated to protecting the Red-Footed Booby Bird. The Crown Reserve was the first and still is the oldest area designated for the protection of wildlife in Belize.

Half Moon Caye is currently home to a colony of about 4,000 plus birds including the Booby Bird. Boobies like to nest in very large colonies among the orange-flowered Ziricote thicket. At the western end of Half Moon Caye, one has a spectacular view of the Boobies from an observation deck.

The Booby mother will lay only one light blue egg in her nest, which is made from sticks. Using their feet both Booby parents will take turns incubating their eggs for about 44 to 46 days then the babies will learn to fly about 3 months after hatching. Boobies must use their feet to incubate their eggs, as they do not have a brood patch. Mating Booby pairs may remain together over several seasons though they do not stay together for life.

The Boobies love of the Ziricote trees is not a one-sided relationship. The Booby colony actually supports the forest's stability with their droppings, which the forest uses as fertilizer. This unique relationship between Booby and Ziricote has and will continue to endure for many future years if it is left alone as nature intended.

The Booby has a unique variety of color morphs, unlike other seabirds. The Boobies on Half Moon Caye are made up almost entirely of white-colored birds with some black markings on the tips of their wings. Elsewhere Boobies are a light brown and looking into the flock you may see a white-tailed brown morph or a Red-Footed Booby that is entirely brown. Despite plumage differences, all of these adults will have the same characteristic: red feet.

Being a coastal bird, it is no surprise that Red-Footed Boobies eat fish. Like many fishing birds, Boobies will dive into the ocean at high rates of speed from the air to catch prey in the water. Their diet has a main makeup of small fish and squid, which will sometimes swim in large numbers close to the water's surface.

The Red-Footed Boobies in Belize are the smallest of all the nine Booby bird species in the world. There are three Booby bird species in Belize: the Masked, Red-Footed, and the Blue-Footed Booby. The Red-Footed Booby is about 28 inches in length and has a wingspan of just over 3 feet. The Boobies' 3-foot wingspan makes them very powerful and agile fliers, however, they are known for clumsy takeoffs and landings.

Detail: Wildlife Adventure in Belize

0 Belize Kayaking Trips

Belize Canoeing

I was first introduced to kayaking on a trip out to Belize from Spain. We stayed at a vacation rental cottage on a small lake and the cottage came with two kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. We had never kayaked before and although it was a little nerve wracking getting in the first time, I was amazed at how stable the kayaks were, and what fun we could have with them. We explored the lake and all the little inlets; came across a pair of loons nesting; snapping turtles sunning on a log, and on one amazing day, came around a bend in a small bay to see a young moose just getting out of the water. It was one of those hidden gems we never expected to see on that amazing vacation.

Lots of lakes and rivers

Belize offer dozens lakes and thousands of miles of navigable rivers so there are many locations and opportunities for a kayaking or canoe trip. From a half-day paddle around one of the inland lakes, finding tiny inlets to explore and wildlife to see, to a longer camping and portaging trip in a National Park, there is something for everyone. Renting a waterfront cottage is a great option as many of these vacation rentals offer non-motorized boats included in the rental rate. That could be a paddleboat, canoe, rowboat or if you are lucky, a couple of kayaks.

Best places to kayak

The smaller lakes are ideal for kayaking and if you can find a no-motor lake, even better because there is no risk of being buffeted by wake from passing motor boats. Belize's rivers are perfect for this activity but be prepared to portage, which means you have to take the boat out of the water and carry it around an obstacle perhaps a dam or shallow rapids. Kayaking in Belize is also an option for more experienced enthusiasts.

Ve May Belize

Finding a cottage to rent

There are thousands of cottages offered for rental in Belize. You will get a much better deal and more choice outside the high season and will be able to book a weekend or mid-week break, which is not usually available in the summer. Rental agencies will have personally vetted each cottage and can usually give you more information on the kayaking opportunities in the area, although there are plenty of privately advertised cottages available too. Do not forget to confirm what watercraft is available for your group and whether life jackets are supplied for you to use. If they are, you are responsible for making sure they are a correct fit or you may be liable for a fine. Enjoy your Belize kayaking trip! [IMG src: Americapictures]

Detail: Belize Kayaking Trips

0 Explore Belize and the array of unforgettable experiences for travelers.

Archaeology Maya Temple

Belize is a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is the only country in the area where English is the official language, although an English Creole and Spanish are more commonly spoken.

Exploring ancient Maya temples to discovering underwater life to meeting fantastic locals, it is safe to say there are more things to do here than you could possible cover in one visit. Thankfully, you can always come back. Check out all the places, activities, and amazing experiences for you to discover, here in Belize. With reef, beach, and inland activities to choose from, this is where travelers explore and have adventures of their own making. With so much of our natural environment, still healthy and intact, eco-tourism adventures are offered throughout the country.

Birding Tropical Belize

Birding 

Over 500 species of feathered friends call Belize home from time to time. Some of the best places to see migrant and resident water birds are Crooked Tree and the seashores of Belize. Like everything else here, you can easily watch birds while doing something else. Going on a zip-lining trip? You may see a toucan. Cruising the Hummingbird Highway to San Ignacio? Pull over and check out a few birds. In Cockscomb Basin Forest Reserve? So are birds. If you want someone to show you birds, our resorts and tour operators offer birding trips that will show you all the birding hot spots. So, no matter if you just want to check out a few exotic birds or you are a full-blown “twitched,” here, all you really have to do is look up.

Caving

Belize cave, they range from easy walks to challenging hikes that can often turn into squeezes, crawls, climbs, rappels and swims. Choose your cave accordingly. In most cases, you will find extensive stalactite and stalagmite formations and pottery shards; others have ancient intact pottery and human remains and other natural formation such as underground waterfalls. Just about the only thing you will not find in our caves is boredom.

Fishing

From spin, to fly, to trolling, our abundance of game fish guarantees excellent sport fishing all year round. In addition, since many rivers empty into the Caribbean Sea, you are practically guaranteed a daily catch. Not to mention the fact that our guides have no problem sharing their own secret spots with guests. Explore Turneffe Atoll, which provides you with some of the most desired areas in the world for fly-fishing. Bonefish permit and tarpon are everywhere here. In fact, Belize is one of few places where you can fish a Grand Slam bonefish, permit, and tarpon all in the same day. How many times do you get to win a Grand Slam on a vacation?

Hiking

As intimidating as some of our trails may look on a map, do not worry. Most are designed in loops so you easily return to your starting point. Some trails are self-guided; some require the expertise of a licensed tour guide who can point out birds, wildlife, and local plants. Whatever level of hiker you consider yourself, we have the trail to match what you are looking for. Take a day tour or spend several days camping either one provides you with the chance to encounter exotic tropical plants and birds, or to see wildlife, including howler monkeys, crocodile, or the tracks of the elusive jaguar and tapir.

Horseback

Horseback in Belize

Horseback riding tours can be arranged through many resorts or tour operators. Popular tours travel through the jungles of the Cayo District, or you can see Maya sites like El Pilar, Xunantunich, and Cahal Pech. In northern Belize, you can find horseback riding at the Mennonite community of Blue Creek. Saddle up and explore unexcavated Maya mounds and the farmlands and planes, stretching across the region. It is a ride you surely will not forget.

Snorkeling

Even if you’ve never snorkeled before, our knowledgeable local guides will help you explore the kaleidoscope of colors found in hard and soft corals, sponges, and over 500 species of  fish and marine life. There are hundreds of snorkeling sites of varying depths along the Belize Barrier Reef. Every snorkel spot is a little different from the other and if you go back to the same spot, each time you will see something different.

Booking your next Belize vacation or last-minute getaway is easy online. Browse Belize vacation deals and be rest assured your getaway to Belize, a popular vacation destination, would be a great holiday without breaking the bank.

Detail: Explore Belize and the array of unforgettable experiences for travelers.

0 24 Hours In Panama : A Travel Guide To Panama City

Panama is an adventure wonderland just waiting to be discovered. The country’s expansive rainforests are among the richest and most complex on the planet. It’s the only country where jaguars and pumas prowl just a short drive from the capital. Its vast, roadless jungles are home to over 940 recorded bird species and 105 endangered species, including the spectacled bear, the Central American tapir, the American crocodile, the scarlet macaw, as well as several eagle species.

This small, untapped country offers some of the finest diving, birdwatching, and deep-sea fishing in all of the Americas—yet only the most avid adventurers are aware of it. Panama boasts scores of deserted palm-lined beaches, miles of lush rainforests, great national parks, mysterious mangroves (where you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to a time when dinosaurs walked the earth), steamy cloud forests, mountains, waterfalls, raging rivers, abandoned forts, as well as desert.

In Panama you can spend the morning diving in the Caribbean and the afternoon swimming in the Pacific. You can explore historic ruins of the colonial era…dive for Sir Francis Drake’s lead coffin (supposedly buried at sea near Portobello Bay)…see the rainforest in an aerial tram…ride a dug-out canoe to a native Indian village…discover the remote and mysterious forests of the Darién region right on the border of Colombia (where the roads end a few miles before the border, leaving you with the feeling you’ve reached the end of civilization)…come nose-to-nose with a red-napped tamarind monkey or a trio of colorful toucans…

Conde Nast Traveler, in an article from its February 2005 issue said "Panama has temperate rain forests, great surf and beaches, and more birdlife than any other country in Central America. Now…it also has a newly elected administration that wants travelers to enjoy every bit of it."

Fortunately, Panama is a small country. In a short one- or two-week trip, you can see much of what this diverse country has to offer.

In this special report, the IL team proposes a plan to get the most out of 24 hours in Panama. From a traditional Panamanian breakfast to a trip to the Miraflores Locks to evening drinks in a little boutique hotel overlooking the Bay of Panama…we have it all thought out.

Breakfast in El Trapiche
Exploring the best Panama has to offer is hungry work. Start your day on a full stomach and head for breakfast in El Trapiche, a busy diner in El Cangrejo (Vía Argentina, tel. (507)269-4353). Here you can enjoy breakfast Panama style and indulge in a hearty feed of carimañol—a yummy roll made of mashed yucca and stuffed with ground beef and boiled eggs—and a side of corn tortillas, that more resemble silverdollar pancakes than taco shells. The bill should be less than $8, even with that second café con leche.

Trip to the Miraflores Locks

No trip to Panama is complete without seeing the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Panama Canal. According to the Panama Canal Authority "The history of the construction of the Panama Canal is the saga of human ingenuity and courage: years of sacrifice, crushing defeat, and final victory." This statement, while true, doesn’t go far enough to describe the mighty toll taken by the building of the Panama Canal. Construction began in 1904 and took 10 years to complete. It remains one of the greatest engineering achievements of all time, completed despite landslides, disease, setbacks, and the loss of 75,000 lives in total. Engineers directed most of the actual construction, which cost $375 million, and involved the excavation of 240 million cubic yards of earth.

The Canal, 51 miles long, opened to shipping in August 1914 and was formally dedicated on July 12, 1920. In 1921, the U.S. paid Colombia $25 million as redress for the loss of Panama; in exchange, Colombia formally recognized Panama’s independence.

On average it takes a vessel eight hours to travel from one ocean to the other, passing through three sets of locks. The best place to see the Canal is from the Miraflores Locks (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission free). Make sure to get to the Miraflores Locks for 9 a.m. as this is when you are most likely to see large ships passing through.

Tamales in Casco Viejo

By now you’re probably feeling a tad peckish… Time to hop on a bus or hail a taxi and make your way toward Casco Viejo for tamales. If you’re in luck, you’ll bump into Luis Antonio Visuette on the streets of Casco Viejo, where he has been selling delicious homemade tamales, wrapped in plaintain leaves, for more than 10 years. With his Yankee cap and five-gallon bucket of hot and spicy tameles calientitos, Luis is hard to miss. These lunchtime treats are available in both large (50 cents), and small (25 cents), and are a real hit when washed down with an ice-cold drink. International Living’s local office is located in the Casco Viejo area, in the Cathedral Plaza, next to the Panama Canal Museum and just in front of the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral, so if you want to enjoy your tamales in our office (Luis will be making the rounds) call in for a Panamanian style "power lunch."

Explore Casco Viejo

Located at the mouth of the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo is the oldest city on the Pacific Coast of the Americas…although it was there long before the Canal was built.

In fairness to history, the original Panama City (now known as Old Panama or Panama La Vieja) was founded in 1519, about two miles from the center of Panama City as we know it today. From here, expeditions were mounted to conquer the Inca Empire of South America and all of the wealth pillaged from Peru, Chile, and California flowed to Spain through Old Panama. It is no surprise that this booty attracted pirates like Henry Morgan, who looted the city in 1671.

During Morgan’s attack, this original Panama City was burned to the ground. Two years later, in 1673, the capital was moved two miles to the west, and present-day Panama City was founded. This is the area now known as Casco Viejo.

As the city was being rebuilt by the Spanish settlers, they decided to build a massive surrounding wall and a stronger fortress for its protection and to ensure that the enormous wealth in gold and silver that passed through it would never again be susceptible to the likes of Henry Morgan.

The new city boasted a cross-sectioned design of 38 blocks, with three main streets running from east to west and seven streets running from north to south. Unfortunately, this urban development was interrupted by various fires that devastated its streets. In 1737, the "big fire" destroyed two thirds of the city, and the "small fire" of 1756 destroyed more than 90 houses. These and other catastrophic fires help explain why so few true examples of Spanish colonial architecture exist today.

The fortress still survives, though, and today houses several important, cultural, and historic buildings and monuments. But it is the architecture of Casco Viejo that makes it so special. The old Spanish colonial style is overlaid with French balconies and architecture, remnants of the French inhabitants who made the initial attempt to build the Panama Canal in 1881. Over the years, a Caribbean influence also took hold and, today, Casco Viejo is a melting pot of architectural inspiration and style, with some buildings dating as far back as 300 years.

Museums, shopping, and fortune telling

Up until the early parts of this century, Casco Viejo remained a thriving cultural center. But as Panama City modernized, and as the automotive age made transportation easier, it spread outward, leaving Casco Viejo behind. The old city’s narrow labyrinth streets were difficult for cars to maneuver and its buildings were obsolete in comparison to modern skyscrapers being built. By the mid 1900s, Casco Viejo had gone the way of most city centers of that century. No longer the center of Panama City, it was too oppressed for the upper class and quickly became a poor area of tenement-style housing.

The area is currently undergoing a complete transformation, however. Restaurants and bars are opening with gusto, tourists are coming in growing numbers, and people from all over now want to make their homes in Casco Viejo.

In 1997, UNESCO declared Casco Viejo a Patrimony of Humanity. Today, it is revered as the historic center of Panama City. Two- and three-story houses with flower-adorned balconies overlook narrow streets. At its tip is French Park, where you will find the French Embassy and a monument to the hardy French builders who began the Panama Canal. On one side is an historical Spanish building called Las Bovedas, now housing an art gallery and French restaurant. Panama’s Supreme Court was once housed here. A walkway around the monument offers a nice view of the Amador Causeway, Bridge of the Americas, and Panama City’s skyscraper skyline to the east. A plaque commemorates the firing of canon shots to ward off a Colombian warship and solidify Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903.

There are excellent museums in the Casco Viejo area, including the Museo de Canal. Here, you can learn about Panama’s history as the connector between the Atlantic and the Pacific from pre-Hispanic to modern times. Next door is the Museum of National History and across the way is the National Cathedral. Nearby is a small museum dedicated to religious art, found in the old Santo Domingo monastery. This is where you will find the famous Flat Arch, which reportedly helped convince engineers that Panama was earthquake-proof and a geologically stable area for building the Canal. A few blocks away is the old San Jose Cathedral, with gleaming spires inlaid with mother-of-pearl and its beautiful gold altar, intricately carved of wood and gilded with gold. This is a must-see when you visit Casco Viejo.

Casco Viejo is home to the Presidential House. If you want to see this, be sure to come on a Sunday as it is closed to the public for the rest of the week. Famous sons and daughters of Panama also make their homes here, including actor/singer (and now Panama’s minister of tourism) Ruben Blades, and boxer Roberto Duran.

Bargain hunters can take a break from the historical sights at Salsipuedes, which roughly translates to "get out if you can." Located just before the entrance to Casco Viejo, it is Panama’s bizarre bazaar, a street so narrow and filled with vendors that it is dark at noon. A few steps away is Santa Ana’s Plaza, where you can have your fortune told for just $5.

Dine at The Bristol

To finish off your day in style, make your way to The Bristol Hotel, just a short taxi journey from Casco Viejo. Dining at the Barandas Restaurant at The Bristol Hotel is an event to savor. The Panamanian-inspired gourmet cuisine, restful ambiance, stunning presentation, elegant settings, and attentive service combine to create an unforgettable dining experience.

A Trip To Panama Caught Your Fancy?

Hopefully, this special report has given you a few ideas on how to spend your time in Panama, but don’t forget that this amazing country has much more to offer. Pacific Coast beaches near the city; Coiba Island National Marine Park; and the Darién Province to name just a few.

Detail: 24 Hours In Panama : A Travel Guide To Panama City

0 A Belize Vacation Package Has Something For Everyone

A Belize Vacation has everything you could wish for if you are an outdoor enthusiast and you like a bit of adventure on your travels. Belize offers almost unlimited opportunities to do a wide range of things.

You might well choose a Belize Fishing Vacation, as Belize is a mecca for fisherman, because you aren’t just restricted to game fishing, although this is pretty good with all the lagoons and the ocean side of the reefs with all the big fish you could crave for.

When you add the many rivers that empty in to the Caribbean you will realise that you can add spinning and fly fishing to your repertoire on a Belize fishing vacation. Most guides and boatmen speak English.

If you hanker after a Belize Adventure vacation then there is caving, canoeing and kayaking, as well of course as hiking and walking. The best hikes in Belize include Cockscomb Basin Forest reserve in Southern Belize, Guanacastle National Park, Blue Hole National Park, Tikal National Park, and all need further investigation.

The best Belize adventure vacations might include things like chartering a boat and sail to isolated Islands, kayaking and camping around Glover’s reef Atoll. Why not try riding an inner tube through the Caves Branch River Cave System, which is real easy caving for beginners.

Similarly try canoeing, kayaking or inner tubing on the Macal or Mopan Rivers in Western Belize, and finally horseback riding in Western Belize through the Cayo District.

You can of course do all or some of these things on a Belize honeymoon, but the likliehood is you will be looking for a gorgeous Belize beach resort, the best Belize luxury resort you can find, perhaps a Belize all inclusive vacation.

You are almost spoilt for choice for your Belize Honeymoon vacation, and of course Belize isn’t restricted just to honeymooners, it is a family friendly place as well, and a vacation on a Belize Caye is unforgettable. There are several levels of accommodation from the luxury resort to the cheap Belize hotel, so it is important that you do your research before you book.

At the luxury end of the market in Belize.

If you are looking for a Jungle adventure you might consider the Maruba Resort Jungle Spa, or if it is caving, then the Jaguar Paw near Belmopan.

Ambergris Caye has Captain Morgan’s Retreat, Victoria House, and off Ambergris Caye is almost a private island called Cayo Esperanto, which is absolutely perfect for the Belize beach honeymoon.

Turtle Inn at Placencia is almost the ultimate Belize Beach honeymoon destination designed by Film Director Francis Coppola, El Pescador South at Punta Gorda a real luxury Belize resort.

For a cheap Belize Hotel it is worth investigating Ambergris Caye, where you will find the San pedro Holiday Hotel, Tides Beach resort, Ruby’s, to name a few.
At Punta Gorda there is the Coral House Inn, and at Placencia there is Tradewinds.

Belize has it all, the weather the best beaches, beautiful cayes, and an exciting interior to explore and have fun.
Belize needs a visit, why not start investigating it now!!

Detail: A Belize Vacation Package Has Something For Everyone