Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Cool read of the day.  It's all about Caracol Archaeological Reserve, and the Drs. Chase, and LIDAR.  Worth a read.

Video of the day.  Some nice video from all around Cayo, including Xunantunich, Caracol, Cahal Pech, and Mountain Pine Ridge.  

"In this video, I will be taking you to San Ignacio Belize and showing you all the things to do in San Ignacio. Belize is a country with many things to offer, wonderful places, good food and so much more to explore. San Ignacio Belize is one of those wonderful places and has so much to offer. Let's explore all the things to do in San Ignacio Belize together and don't forget to subscribe for more."

The new edition of the CC&L's Gold Book is out.  You'll see a lot of Cayo sites throughout the issue.  Cayo's section starts on page 46.  Caracol's article is on page 52.

"Introducing The Belize Gold Book 2021/2022! Debuting online, our 90-page publication covers a wide range of topics, including destinations, tours and experiences, hotels, and more—for an escape as exciting as it is enriching.

The Belize Gold Book: For the pathfinders. For the discoverers. For the nature lovers. For the epicureans. For the curious. "

Conde Nast Traveller has released a video for their Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  Caracol is on the list, of course.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CESqTyVFkMs/

"Of the original Seven Wonders of the World, only the Great Pyramids of Giza remain. Here, instead, are seven wonders for our time that can be seen firsthand. Find out more about these modern seven wonders of the world now:"

Caracol was named one of the seven new wonders of the world by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine.  They nail it in that Caracol represents adventure, eco, and sustainable tourism instead of the over-hyped mass tourism.  Well deserved recognition for the best Maya Archaeological Site on Earth.

"Only one of the original Seven Wonders of the World remains, so we've picked seven new wonders that you can actually visit in 2020...

The ancient Mayans were a remarkable people. Without the wheel, or advanced tools of any kind, they managed to build vast stone cities in the middle of one of the densest jungles on Earth. Chichen Itza and Tulum, in Mexico, are perhaps the most famous sites, but today they are a crush of souvenir stalls and mass-market tourism. Caracol is different. Located in the rainforests of western Belize, this enormous 30 square mile site is utterly undeveloped, free of crowds (less than a dozen people visit per day) and, because of that, perhaps, the most authentic way to experience the mystery and magic of the ancient Mayans today. There are thousands of individual ruins to explore, but the most impressive is Caana, the Sky Palace, a 143-foot pyramid where the king of this Tollan, or great city, once lived. Climb to the top and the view is the same as it would have been more than 1,500-years ago: no tourists, no souvenir stalls, just jungle and stone pyramids as far as the eye can see."

Travel Awaits has a nice article about many of the adventurous excursions found around Belize, and of course, Cayo sights make up the majority of the list.  They highlight Caracol and Actun Tunichil Muknal, along with Mountain Pine Ridge and the Garcia Sisters.  Definitely worth a read.  

"Atop a plateau near the Guatemalan border rest the ruins of a city that was once the political powerhouse of the ancient Maya civilization. Dubbed Caracol, the nearly 25,000-acre archaeological site is known for its vast agricultural field system and sophisticated city planning. But despite how remarkable it is, Caracol offers visitors lots of freedom to wander around the site on their own. You can even climb the Sky Palace -- the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The site only receives about 10,000 visitors a year, so you won’t have to worry about running into crowds at this curious place. To get to Caracol, rent a car and make your way to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in the Cayo District. Or, take the easy route and set up a guided tour with your hotel."

Style Blueprint has a nice article about visiting Belize.  Surely in Cayo alone there are 700 reasons to visit.  Ka'ana gets a great shout out in the article, along with many of the sites around Cayo, like MPR, ATM, Caracol, and Big Rock Falls.  And of course the amazing food is talked about.  Worth a read.

"Travel to the western part of the country to hike through lush jungles and visit world-renowned historical sites. One option is to take a day tour into the Chiquibul Forest Reserve via the Mountain Pine Ridge to visit one of the largest Maya cities in Belize: Caracol. This ancient city served as the political center of the Maya population. As you explore Caracol, keep an eye out for howler monkey, keel-billed toucans, and other wildlife.

More adventurous travelers can explore historic cave systems, including the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave in the Cayo District. You’ll hike for about 45 minutes through a wonderful nature reserve with numerous crystal-clear stream crossings. After a short swim, you’ll take a guided hike into the cave system, which still contains evidence of the Maya civilization, including ceramics, stoneware and skeletal remains."

Great article about Cayo from the Full Passport.  But, to have two days is 2 weeks too little.  She has a decent itinerary with Cayo for the nature and jungle, and Hopkins for the beach. 

"Located about fifteen kilometers by road from the Guatemalan border, San Ignacio is a popular base for exploring the mountainous, jungle-covered Cayo District of Belize. There’s something for everyone in San Ignacio: backpackers will love the plethora of inexpensive accommodations and the lively bars along Burns Avenue; adventure seekers will revel in opportunities to trek through mysterious, sacred caves and explore the countryside by horseback; history nuts will delight in the abundance of important Mayan ruin sites nearby; and chocoholics will enjoy the chance to learn about the chocolate-making process from the descendants of the people who created it – and sample the goods, of course!

Even if you’ve done Caracol, I suggest paying even a brief visit to Cahal Pech since it is a very different type of complex. It’s also worthwhile to enlist a guide to help you understand everything you’re seeing, as there aren’t many signs or readable placards to be found. Rene was able to paint a fascinating picture of the life of a ruling family as we walked through their courtyards, kitchens, bedrooms, and ceremonial sites, which overall gave us a much more well-rounded view of Mayan life."

CC&L has released their 4th issue.  The Discover issue highlights Caracol, and they interview Cayo artist Walter Castillo. 

"Dubbed “The Discovery Issue”, it showcases the wonder of finding the travel experience you’ve been looking for. Under the theme “Belize – A Top Destination to Visit in 2019”, the magazine has a fresh take on how and why you should visit Belize. The Discovery Issue is filled with content that will capture the imagination of readers. It will take them on the unique journey that is Belize. Read about the many opportunities to invest in Belize, how to eat like a local and how to make the best eggnog for the holidays!

From the festive articles that showcase Belizean culture and cuisine, to the artist highlight of well-known painter, Walter Castillo and the focus on sustainable tourism – the magazine is an informative guide for visitors to experience the very best of the country. The pages of the new issue contain eye opening articles about reef building and the healing powers to be discovered on nature walks. Find out what’s new and what’s hot in the travel industry."

Scarlet Studios has a stunning new video out for the Friends for Conservation and Development.  Beautifully shot, and it has the message that's needed: Protect the Chiquibul!  Thanks, FCD, and Scarlet Studios!  Now, more than ever, is the time to help the FCD. 

They also made a video about the Chiquibul Watershed, and how we all depend on it...and it on us.

"The Chiquibul Forest Reserve along with the Chiquibul Park and the Caracol Archeological Reserve compose the Chiquibul Forest. It is in the south-western region of Belize covering over 423,000 acres of rich tropical forest. This area features some of Belize’s most impressive wonders such as the largest cave system in Central America, the Caracol Mayan Site, and a rich biodiversity of plants and wildlife.This vast forest block has been continuously exploited for its natural wealth of resources. Largely by illegal incursions from Guatemala along the western border, targeting the xaté palm, gold, and timber of the forest.

Poaching of wildlife for meat or the illegal wildlife, and habitat loss affects much of the iconic wildlife. Through catching massive amounts of rainfall and the winding Chiquibul River, the Chiquibul provides fresh water for over 40% of Belize’s population. ​ It provides life for Belizeans, and critical habitat for important biodiversity in our country, including the severely threatened scarlet macaw.

Fortunately, the Chiquibul is not without protection. For years, Friends for Conservation & Development (FCD) has worked to protect and preserve this invaluable forest. Through management of the Chiquibul's resources, bio-monitoring and study of the system's ecological treasures, and efforts to curb the illegal incursions into the heart of the jungle all serve to protect this vast natural wealth."

The Institute of Archaeology will have an event at Caracol to celebrate the Winter Solstice, and they are allowing camping. Call 822-2106 for more information.

'The Institute of Archaeology will be hosting an overnight camping event at Caracol Archaeological Reserve in celebration of the Winter Solstice. The event will feature a Belizean-inspired dinner and breakfast, the Pok-ta-Pok game, and a sunrise fire ceremony in honor of the solstice.

Kindly call us at +501 822 2106 or email at iaadminassistant@nichbelize.org to get more information.'

Great travel article about Belize, and it's spot on covering mostly Cayo. From Xunantunich to Caracol to the San Antonio Women's Cooperative. Worth a read.

'A short drive from the co-operative is the Xunantunich archaeological site, which I access by hand-cranked ferry over the Mopan River. There’s a hardly another soul around as I climb the central pyramid, El Castillo’s gargantuan steps up to its giddy heights. At 40 metres, it is one of the tallest structures in Belize (the tallest pyramid at the Caracol Mayan complex, around 25 miles south, tops out at around 43 metres) and from the top I can see over the border into Guatemala in one direction and miles of trees in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to the east.'

Caracol got another great write-up, and they described it quite well, along with the fact that not that many people get to see it due to it being remote.  Worth a read.

'One of the largest Maya cities, Caracol, is rarely visited and is lost far in the jungle off the beaten path in Belize.

Caracol may not be a household name, unlike Tikal and Chichen Itza, but it is one of the large Maya archeological sites. It is located around 25 miles south of the Maya site of Xunantunich on the Vaca Plateau, about 1,600 feet above sea level. It was one of the most important Maya centers in the Maya Lowlands during the Classic Period.

Caracol was rediscovered in 1937 by a native logger called Rosa Mai. At the time, Belize (then called British Honduras) was a part of the British Empire. It was visited the next year by A. H. Anderson - an archeological commissioner.'

Conde Nast Traveler highlighted Belize for its unique stargazing experiences.  With no huge cities, stars are very easy to see.  Photo of the moon over the twin towns from Daren Lamb Photography.  

"See the night sky in a new light with tours that pair culture and cosmos—from a Mayan astronomy excursions to igloos under the northern lights...

The Mayan people lived according to the cosmos, building temples and structures to optimize celestial observation and interpretation. In few places is this clearer than the Caracol Mayan Ruins in Belize’s Cayo District. Here, guides lead visitors through the site’s many structures (including a complete astronomical observatory), teaching about the Mayan calendar and the culture’s reliance on the constellations. Come nightfall, travelers can experience Belize’s dark skies from virtually any of the country’s accommodations—including Ka’ana Resort, which has its own stargazing deck, just two hours from the Caracol ruins. The resort can also arrange visits to Caracol for guests."

Mojo Travels has a top 10 list for reasons to visit Belize.  Many of Cayo's caves are mentioned.  Cockscomb Basin is mentioned in regards to wildlife.  Caracol and Xunantunich are on there, in the number 1 spot.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CM8h0PIFt_9

Cayo's primary Maya Archaeological sites have been reopened.  Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and El Pilar are open for hiking, exploring, and learning.  Have fun!

"The following sites are open for visitation effective immediately: Santa Rita, Cerro Maya, Lamanai, Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol, El Pilar, Xunantunich, Serpon, Nim Li Punit, Lubaantun.

We look forward to welcoming visitors to the sites. Please practice social distancing and proper hygiene."

ABTA Magazine has a great article about Belize, and they highlight Cayo, and Caracol.  They loved Ka'ana too.  Worth a read.  

"With extraordinary Mayan ruins, rich wilderness and marine life, glorious tropical islands and a hospitality industry built around sustainability, Belize could be Central America’s best-kept secret, writes Emily Eastman

The road rattles and buckles beneath us as our driver navigates deep ruts, vast stones and puddles of undetermined depth. To call the route to Caracol bumpy would be imprecise; these roads are rugged, stomach-churning, and worth every jolt for the destination: the largest Mayan site in Belize, situated deep in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve."

My Beautiful Belize's Mary Gonzalez took a trip to Caracol, and wrote a great article about it.  Some nice pictures in there too.

"What was once a bustling city is eerily quiet when we arrived. The only sounds are those of leaves rusting in the breeze, interspersed by an occasional roar from howler monkeys calling to each other high above the treetops. When we make our way past the entrance, darkened by the thick trees, it’s to emerge near a few tall structures. The sight of trees and their roots intertwined with the stone edifices is a testament to the amount of time Caracol lay undiscovered and untouched. In fact, despite having been discovered in 1938 by Rosa Mai, a logger seeking mahogany in the Chiquibul Forest, actual mapping didn’t take place until between 1951 and 1953...

The hope is that Belizeans and visitors alike will be able to take in the majesty of Caana, Belize’s tallest man-made structure (at 136 feet). For now, we risk our private vehicles on unfamiliar terrain, driving through a bit of a potholed section of dirt road. On this trip, we’re surprised to drive on patches of paved road, clearly old and washing away, deeply rutted in several large parts, but still navigable enough. It’s all worth the bumps and jumps, as we eventually pull into the parking area near the visitor center to make our way through the famed Maya city of Caracol."

Nice article about what to do when visiting Belize for the first time.  Caving, Maya archaeological sites, and visiting the reef are the 3 focused on.  The Old House Hostel gets a great shout out for Cayo, along with the Soul Project.  Xunantunich, Caracol, and Actun Tunichil Muknal are highly recommended.

"No matter what level of adventure (and even history) you’re looking for, there are plenty of options to embrace the Belizean cave system in a truly epic way or in a slow, relaxing way, or both! It’s up to you.

National Geographic has Belize on its list of places to visit in 2019.  They highlight the move to protect the reef, and eliminate single use plastic, and of course, mention Caracol. 

"Why go now: Support bold moves to save the oceans...

Back on land, head to Belize’s largest Maya site, Caracol, which is bigger than its famous neighbor, Tikal, in Guatemala—but with a fraction of its visitors. The Belizean government plans to pave the road to Caracol in 2019, making the archaeological site more accessible."

Caracol, Xunantunich, and Actun Tunichil Muknal are all highlighted in Green Globe Travel's list of amazing Maya Archaeological Sites(not ruins please).  They have an interesting take on the translation of Xunantunich...  There's some good history information in the article.

"Built some 1300 years ago, Xunantunich (whose name means 'Sculpture of Lady' in the Maya language) was the ceremonial center in the Belize Valley.

The site is located along the Mopan River, near the border with Guatemala. Its central feature is Belize’s second tallest structure (at 130 feet), which is rather generically referred to as 'El Castillo.'

Though archaeological evidence indicates the area was populated as early as 1000 BC, it didn’t blossom until it was connected with nearby Naranjo in the late seventh century. The site consists of over a dozen palaces and temples, half a dozen plazas, ball courts, and much more that still has yet to be unearthed.

One of the highlights of Xunantunich is that visitors are allowed to climb to the top of El Castillo. The stunning scenic view from the top includes the surrounding ruins, then stretches out over miles and miles of jungle. Another nice part of this site is that it doesn’t have the overwhelming crowds that mass tourism attractions like Chicken Itza get."