Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Belize is getting the recognition it deserves for being the foodie capital of the region.  Cayo has quite a few chef-owned restaurants, and is known for having some of the best food in the country.  Conde Nast Traveller just published a great article on culinary and cultural tourism around Cayo and Belize.  They interview Lyra Spang from Taste Belize in Placencia, and mention the San Antonio Women's Cooperative and Ka'ana.  

"A nation famous for its archaeological sites, rainforests, and reefs is finally getting attention for its diverse and sustainable food scene...

In the Cayo District, home to popular archaeological sites like the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative invites travelers to learn about the Yucatec Maya practices of farming according to moon cycles, and hand-grinding corn to make tortillas. Boutique hotels in the area are also employing Maya women from the community for hands-on experiences. At Ka’ana Resort in San Ignacio, guests can step inside a traditional-style Maya hut where sisters Amrita Cocum and Clarita de la Fuente lead cooking classes around a blazing fire hearth overlooking tropical gardens."

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:"

Belize made another must see list: Conde Nast Traveler's 19 Best Places to Go in 2019.  They focus more on the luxury, seeming to forget about the adventure and ecotourism Belize is known for, and forget that Belize's reef is now the largest living barrier reef, but it's a good mention.  

Picture is of Victor Galvez Stadium grounds.

"Just down the Caribbean coast from the Yucatan with a fraction of the tourism, this Central American country on the world’s second largest living coral reef has been buzzing with new openings that are transforming this one-time backpacker haven into a luxury destination...  The major advantage, of course, is that Belize is only a five-hour flight from New York, with a blend of Mayan, Creole, Mestizo, and European cultures that will guarantee we’ll soon see English-speaking Belize turning up on everyone’s Instagram feeds."

Rio Frio Cave, Barton Creek Cave, Nohuch Che'en, Offering Cave, and Actun Tunichil Muknal(not Mucnal) are all mentioned in this travel article.  Cayo wins again.  They forgot Mountain Cow Cave, and Actun Chapat.

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."

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."

Belize was listed in Conde Naste's Top 10 January holiday destinations.  Ka'ana got mentioned as a place to stay.  

"It is hot and humid and it rains a lot in Belize, beset as it is by tropical storms and hurricanes. But don't let that put you off. It is the perfect Caribbean escape for those who like it rough and palm-fringed around the edges, with tropical jungly highlands, Mayan ruins and the most astoundingly beautiful beaches, just a handful of hippies and beach bums to share them with. January and February are the best months, only pleasantly hot and not too wet."