The Lodge at Chaa Creek was given another nod from USA Today by topping the popular publication’s recent list of Belize Rainforest Luxury Vacations. Chaa Creek was previously singled out by USA Today in February as being one of the world’s top family vacation spots for Spring break

“Responsible tourism”, I think, “not anything I’ve ever done”. And I think it’s time. I think it’s time I see what it means to co-exist with the plants, the little green tree frogs, and the butterflies. To not just look at nature from afar or on the tv, but to be a part of it. And that’s what responsible tourism is – coexisting. Not plowing through or tearing down, but fitting in. Fitting in with nature. Afterall, that’s what we all want, what we all need…to fit in.

I feel as if I’m dreaming again. Beneath a brilliantly blue, cloudless sky, I’m swimming in warm, turquoise waters drenched in tropical marine life. Sharks, eels and rainbow-coloured fish dart past me. Octopuses, turtles and rays glide along the seabed.

When traveling, it is always a good idea to carry at least two forms of photographic identification, especially if you plan on using some form of travel insurance. Passengers without proper identification will not be permitted to board. Even when I am traveling stateside, I always bring my passport for identification. Other acceptable forms of identification include a military identification, a driver’s license, DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards, and Native American Tribal photographic identification. Passengers over the age of eighteen are required to have proper identification.

A day in the life of a travel writer in Belize. Author of Moon Belize, Joshua Berman, shows a brief glimpse of what it takes to update a guidebook.

In the midst of surviving the worst natural disaster in modern history, the government and people of Japan continue to support important environmental and cultural projects in Belize. Japanese Ambassador in Belize Hiroshi Yamaguchi presented a US$2.7 million grant to the Government of Belize to help improve the lives of children in Belize’s Maya communities last week.

Beginning in March and running through April, May, June and sometimes further into the summer, the annual migration of these gentle giants to Belize is a rare, truly magnificent sight. In fact, Belize shares the distinction of hosting whale shark migration feasts with only a handful of other places in the world, including Madagascar, South Africa, Australia, Mozambique, Indonesia and the Yucatan.

We didn’t encounter a single human in our half-hour walk on shady trails from the park entrance to majestic Temple IV, one of Tikal’s major attractions. Armando was highly attuned to the sounds and movement of the jungle, walking ahead of us with his head cocked at an angle, listening hard. His familiarity with the calls of indigenous birds, the hiding places of insects, and which species were likely rustling the branches enabled us to spot inhabitants of Tikal that we never would’ve known were there—and in some cases, wish we hadn’t.

It is so gratifying to see organisations like Planeterra and Cornell University taking an active interest in supporting small countries like Belize in efforts to protect our natural environment and social well being.

It seems like every week I have one more friend or acquaintance ask me some question about Belize. I guess the Jewel, as Belizeans fondly refer to their home, is becoming more popular, even though it’s still the most uncrowded earthly paradise I’ve been to.This month I’ve had a couple of questions about spending Christmas in Belize, and since this 10 reasons format keeps me from rambling on about my favourite home-away-from-home, here we go with:

Most recently I joined the Sustainability Committee at work so I asked myself why not think sustainably while I’m on Vacation too? Preserving that which has not yet been lost. Your “Carbon Footprint” can be reduced by thinking and going green so it’s a great idea to be environmentally responsible. After all we are the only solution to our problems.

Condé Nast’s Brides Magazine has declared Belize holidays to be the perfect choice for a perfect honeymoon. After polling over 60,000 travel agents, the monthly magazine, read by more than 6.5 million prospective brides around the world, found that the Central American country was the fastest emerging destination for honeymoons. This was largely due to the strenuous efforts of the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), which has been promoting its Belize in Love campaign for nearly two years, marketing to young lovers and brides-to-be.

Maya archeology in Belize continues to reveal more insights into this fascinating, enigmatic culture, and discoveries at sites such as the huge metropolis of Caracol, in Belize’s Chiquibul National Forest promise to keep adding to our knowledge of ancient Maya civilisation and cosmology.

Belize Maya civilisation existed from about 2000 B.C., peaked, and then collapsed about 1,000 years ago. A complex culture with advanced writing, an accurate calendar, highly evolved mathematics and precise astronomical calculations, the Maya built huge, well planned cities, massive pyramids, temples and palaces.

In the coming months, a team of graduate students from Cornell’s Johnson School and College of Architecture, Art and Planning will work with the Belize Tourism Board and researchers at the University of Belize to examine the tourism industry and the costs associated with maintaining a sustainable destination.

We desperately need this vacation more than anyone because together we’ve battled more than most people do in a lifetime and we’re just now getting our life started together at 30 & 40 years of age. We truly deserve to lay back and relax for once. We can’t wait to spend a vacation in Belize together, as husband and wife!

Jungle hiking, beach lounging, museum visiting – there are plenty of ways to get to know Belize, but none with the unique mix of excitement and relaxation that you get with cave tubing. Part lazy river, part jungle exploration, cave tubing is an adventure sport for adventure beginners; a theme park ride in the wild.

This vacation would be a FUN adventure for my family that I could feel good about. Eco-tourism is a wonderful tool in the protection of natural resources for areas in need of the business. It provides a reason to keep diverse, natural habitats and provides, perhaps, a sense of pride for the local community.

Belize’s Chaa Creek was one of the top choices, with a description that read:

Nestled in the rainforest, this eco-friendly resort offers nature-loving families the opportunity to immerse themselves in well-preserved beauty and a different culture. Guests can focus on land-based activities, like horseback riding among Mayan ruins, or choose elements of surf and turf with the Jungle & Sea family package.

The carbon footprint we leave must be minimal and carefully considered when traveling to places that have history, natural beauty and cultures before us. We be must be considerate of this and we must ensure future explores enjoy the history before us which must be carefully managed for the future. Well, I found this and more at Chaacreek resort, A ECO resort that that has been recongized as the best of the best with it’s owner leading the ECO industry with there stewardship in maintaing one of the worlds gifts.