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:

Today we are proud to share with you a photo of the two owners and founders of Chaa Creek – Mick & Lucy Fleming.

With summer drawing to a close, it’s time to start thinking about the holidays. And for Belizeans living away from the Jewel, that brings back thoughts of family, old friends, the old places and all the things we used to do during the holidays.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s Guest Services Manager Ben Awe and Marketing Representative Lorenzo Gonzalez attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cayo Welcome Center which is a part of the Cayo Destination Management Plan, a subhead of the Belize Sustainable Tourism Project (STP).

Sharing the honor with other Top Green Travel destinations such as Loas, Coral Bay Australia, the Galapagos Islands, Kaikoura New Zealand and Dubai, Eco Belize has been selected as a top Green Travel destination by Care2 and Planet Green.

Today’s picture of the day is the Dragon fruit and its scientific name is Hylocereus costaricencis. It is locally known as Pitaya in Belize and other Central American countries.

A Belize Tourism Board project that is well on its way and has been exceeding expectations is the My Back Yard Show. Emaun Hyde, the young and vibrant host travels to several locations in Belize featuring the many attractions and activities that are available.