Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Bay Leaf Palm which is scientifically known as Sabal mauritiiformis.

The year 2012 has spurred interest in the Maya people and the outlook toward this enigmatic civilization grows each day as we approach the winter solstice of 2012. In the Maya Heartland of Belize, the Maya are very much in our presence and we honor their hard work and dedication in contributing to Belize’s rich heritage.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Teeth of the American Mostodon whose scientific name is Mammut americanum. The American Mostodon first appeared during the early Miocene period and persisted in the fossil record until the end of the Pleistocene era and were widespread throughout North and Central America.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Cowhorn Orchid and it is scientifically known as Cyrtopodium punctatum. This species of orchid is commonly found in diverse ecosystems ranging from Florida, Cuba, Central America and to Northern South America. Its dazzling flowers are distributed in the following Belize’s districts – Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, and Stann Creek.

The Barton Creek Cave Site is best known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Cayo District, Belize. The cave’s large riverine passage and pristine formations are just two of the reasons why this site is appealing to both local and foreign visitors. Beside its natural beauty, the site is made even more interesting by the presence of a wide range of cultural remains that were deposited within the cave by the ancient Maya.

Belize is the heartland of the Maya civilisation, and this legacy takes on even greater significance with the approach of the Winter Solstice of 2012 – an event of almost indescribable importance to the Maya and a time for major celebrations, activities and events throughout Belize.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek in the Cayo District of Belize has some pretty awesome horse stables. We went riding with them on a guided trail ride tour with an awesome guide who showed us everything from local wildlife to trees and fruit. We rode to an unexcavated Maya site on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful rainforest sourrounding Chaa Creek.

After years of research and consideration, Cecilia and Robert are focused on moving to Belize. They think this could be a place where they want to live, at least part-time. But what really attracted them to Belize, over all the other countries they considered, was finances. “We aren’t wealthy people, but we’ve managed what we have,” says Robert. “We see this new adventure as a next step in that process.”

Adventuring in Belize by Amelia Thomas – Lonely Planet Author
Galloping along Central American mountain trails, accompanied only by the thrum of hooves and the occasional flash of a toucan among the trees, might just be one of the world’s top ways to start your morning. But incredibly, in lovely, lush Belize, where eco-slanted adventure travel is king, the day gets even better from here.

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?

Belize, considered to be one of mother nature’s best kept secrets, today announces exciting adventure travel packages for the fall season. These itineraries are designed for the traveler who wants unrivaled access to nature through activities that stray far from the typical vacation. With 40 percent of the country under some form of protection, Belize is one of the world’s best places to experience nature and adventure.

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).

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.

The primary focus of the workshop involved training in the utilization of an educational publication entitled “A Teacher’s Resource Guide to Maya Archaeology, Ecology and Tourism of Western Belize” produced by the Belize Foundation for Conservation with support from the U.S. Peace Corps and the Ministry of Education. This resource guide was first introduced into Cayo District schools after the first workshop in November of 2003 and since then over 80 Belizean teachers have benefited from the training.

Yes, the competition entry essays have all been submitted and carefully read, and the winners have been selected. And now, 24 very lucky young people aged between eight and 13 years old will be taking part in an incredible opportunity to experience, up-close and personal, Belize’s beautiful natural environment while learning about how to help preserve this stunning national treasure and ensure its survival into the future.

Gardening has always been a hobby of mine, and I have heard so much about Chaa Creek garden. I would love to have the adventure and experience of going to your summer camp. If I am accepted, it will be the first time that I will go to a summer camp.

Last summer I had so much fun and many of my favorite memories were formed.I would love to go again to make new memories and new friends.When I try to tell my friends about it, words flow out of my mouth before I can stop them and I get so carried away.I under stand if i dont win and some one else takes my place to also have the once in a life time chance.

It is now clear that Maya traders paddled huge dugout canoes filled with cacao, jade, obsidian, cotton and other trade items up and down the coasts of Mexico, the Yucatan, Belize and Central America. In 1502, Ferdinand Columbus, the son of Christopher, reported coming across a huge Maya canoe with 25 paddlers carrying cargo and passengers.

It is very important to me to travel to places that are environmentally friendly. Observing and interacting with the environment, learning about about the culture of the local inhabitants, and their interaction with the land is hugely vital to me. I attended high school at the “School of Environmental Studies”. As part of my senior thesis I worked with a local battered womens’ hostel and helped them go totally green. Like the “Go Green” of …

By Lorenzo Gonzalez
All and every Saturdays, in western Belize, residents of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town and villagers from all over the Cayo District come to San Ignacio to sell their local produce.
There you can witness a wide array of different foods, fruits and vegetables and many miscellaneous items. Villagers start setting up their stalls from early morning and at the crack of dawn the market place comes alive with many people buying, trading and conversing amongst …