When Lonely Planet highlights a destination, it definitely becomes less lonely, but not to worry – the Belize leg of La Ruta Maya remains one of the most uncrowded, laid back and friendliest ways to explore the heartland of the fascinating ancient Maya civilisation.

The ancient Maya civiliza­tion’s many achievements include a written language, advanced mathematics, sophisticated surgery, and astrological calculations that continue to astound scholars… and the list goes on.
But for many people, the Maya’s greatest achievement is something loved all over the world today—chocolate.

Chaa Creek’s marketing administrator Larry Waight said that the eco resort has seen a rise in what it calls “romance adventure packages”, where couples opt to mix their celebrations with tropical adventures such as exploring Maya temples and archaeology sites, diving the Caribbean and Belize Barrier Reef, canoeing jungle rivers, horseback or mountain bike excursions and other activities.

The sign on the right said The Lodge at Chaa Creek and Joe made the left turn and instantly we were on dirt road. Back to nature…love it! Travelers come from all over the world to escape from the hustle and bustle, unwind and explore living creatures like birds, wildlife and butterflies and smell the hundreds of species of plants in their natural environment.

The thought of just a seven hour window to wander around Belize was nerve wrecking and at the same time unsettling. Many questions came to mind: What if the ship leaves without us? What are we going to do if we are stuck in traffic or the van breaks down?

Is there anybody who would not love to take a short break from the busy life and leisure around in his favourite location? Holidaying with loved ones is what anybody would dream of to get away from the hectic boring life. However, it is sometimes astonishing to find that post-vacationing or holidaying can be stressful too.

For more than 3,000 years, from 2000 B.C. until the Spanish started sending colonists across the Atlantic in the early to mid-1500′s A.D., the Mayan civilization reached and maintained a high level of cultural development. In addition to mastering writing, math and astronomy, the Mayans made full use of the natural resources available in what is now Mexico, Central America and parts of South America. This innovative culture learned to not only mine successfully, but managed to turn their somewhat inhospitable tropical swampland into crop-bearing tracts of land.

After centuries of struggle to preserve their culture and, in many instances, their lives, from foreign greed, the Maya are now facing a new battle as a global conglomerate attempts to introduce GMO (genetically modified organisms) corn into Belize. Fortunately, people are beginning to heed the alarm.

An ancient Maya white road known as a sacbe has been discovered buried under roughly 17 feet of volcanic ash at the archaeological village of Ceren in El Salvador by a University of Colorado Boulder team. The sacbe, shown here with a drainage canal on the left and several corn plants preserved by ash on the right, is roughly 1,400 years old and is the only one ever discovered constructed without stone linings.

More and more people are opting to celebrate traditional holidays in exotic locales, and in response to this trend, Chaa Creek is taking bookings for this year’s Christmas vacation packages early.

One way to honor Steve Job is by watching this video:

Rocker Gene Simmons is probably smiling and scratching his head as he asks himself that age old question. What is it about Belize and romance?

Happy Birthday Belize! Wow, we’re 30 years old today, and that calls for a party.
Now, there’re several must haves for a good party, and let’s check them off…

Our friends at The Belize Zoo are doing interesting and exciting things. Already dubbed the best little zoo in the world, now it can be referred to as one of the most fascinating places to have a wedding in Belize.

United, American Airlines, Continental, and Delta just engaged in a serious fare ware to Central America!

They’ve made an unadvertised price drop to Belize City (BZE) down to $634 roundtrip after taxes.

Granted, Belize is unlike anywhere else when it comes to natural beauty and breathtaking flora and fauna, and I defy anyone to not take at least a passing interest in the amazing, colourful birdlife of that little Caribbean paradise, but still, my sudden love affair with our fine feathered friends came as a complete and now very welcome surprise. Even my best mates shook their heads in wonder.

For many of us, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since that long awaited event, and each year the celebrations seem to get bigger as Belizeans from all over the country (and a fair few overseas) take the time out to acknowledge and vigorously celebrate just what a special, unique Caribbean paradise the Jewel has become.

WCS conservationists help Belize develop a management program to restore the health of both fisheries and the coral reef ecosystems at its Glover’s Reef and Port Honduras Marine Reserves.

“We are trying to make transportation to Mexico easy for Belizeans and also to provide international tourists the easiest and most comfortable way to travel to Belize,” stated the ADO press release. “We foresee that the new routes will increase the number of tourists entering Belize and to contribute to the tourism industry. Tickets to Merida or Cancun from Belize City are $79 one way.”

Here are five things you should know about Labor Day: