Flying Over Belize in a Tiny Cessna Airplane

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here – Flying over Belize

Curious about what Belize looks like from the eyes of a Cessna airplane?

Well then, today is your lucky day! We’ve put together a short video from multiple flights over the coast of Belize and its pristine Belize Barrier Reef.

The combination of five short flights took us from the oceanfront airstrip of Placencia to the tiny airstrip of Caye Caulker, all within about 3 hours (including loading and unloading of other passengers).

To our surprise, the small aircraft was quite comfortable, with very little turbulence or sharp movements. Our original fear was that the tiny plane would bounce us around like an amusement park ride, but we were impressed at how smooth the flights were.

Not only are the tiny planes extremely convenient, the short flights served up some outstanding landscapes, making it an adventure on its own (click on the image above to watch the short video).

Nicole getting ready to board our flight from Placencia to Caye Caulker

Cameron at the Caye Caulker airstrip, the smallest airport we’ve ever been to!

Read more of our Belize posts by clicking HERE

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Do you like flying in small airplanes? What’s the most interesting plane you’ve been in?
Share your experience in the comments section below, we’d love to hear about it!

Flying Over Belize in a Tiny Cessna Airplane is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Related posts:

1. Snorkeling with Sharks, Sting Rays and Manatees in Belize
2. Time Lapse Video – Sunrise over Ambergris Caye, Belize
3. The Split at Caye Caulker, Belize
4. City Spotlight – San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize

Traveling Canucks

San Pedro – Ambergris Caye, Belize 

WHERE is it located?

Ambergris Caye is the largest of several hundred cayes (islands) in Belize. Located 35 miles north east of Belize City, the narrow strip of paradise is 25 miles long, a little over a mile wide, and was once part of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula.

San Pedro town is the heart of Ambergris Caye, offering visitors a wide range of restaurants, bars, tour companies, souvenir shops, banks and grocery stores. Since the airstrip is also located in town, almost everything is within a short walking distance. It’s easy to stroll around town on foot or you can rent a bike or a golf-cart (highly recommended).

Ambergris Caye is conveniently located to Caye Caulker, the “other” popular caye in Belize (don’t forget to check out our photo collection from Caye Calker).

WHY should you visit?

Most people chose to visit Ambergris Caye for its white sandy beaches and the Belize Barrier Reef that runs along its coast. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the world, but unlike its famous counterpart, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, it’s only a quarter mile from the shores of Ambergris Caye, which makes it an ideal place for adventure seekers that enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving.

Belize has quickly become one of the world’s top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The most popular snorkeling locations from Ambergris Caye are Mexico Rocks, Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. While the most popular scuba diving spots are Hol Chan Cut, Tackle Box Can and The Blue Hole.

WHEN should you visit?

Ambergris Caye is a year round destination. Some visitors prefer the peak season from November to May, when it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but this is typically driven by people that want to escape the northern cold and snow. This period is considered the dry season in Belize, meaning bright blue, sunny skies can be expected.

From June to October, prices are significantly lower and crowds are considerably less because this is the rainy season. However, showers tend to be sporadic and short, which is not likely to ruin your vacation plans. We visited in May and had sunshine 95% of the time. It’s a good time to visit because its considered to be the shoulder season, which gave us moderate prices and great weather.

If you visit during the late summer months, be on the lookout for hurricanes and strong tropical storms. Though rare and unlikely, hurricanes can be quite destructive and are serious business in the Caribbean – keep your eye on the weather forecast.

WHAT to see and do?

Aside from its endless outdoor activities and water sports, Ambergris Caye has beautiful beaches and a laid back Caribbean atmosphere. No shirts, no shoes, no problem!

Ambergris Caye is the most developed island in Belize Barrier Reef. It has a number of upscale hotels, like the luxurious Victoria House, and its known for its beach parties and tropical night life. It’s an ideal location for travelers that want to spend the day on the water and the evening dancing and drinking fruity cocktails.

The town of San Pedro is also a great place to relax and enjoy a beer at a beach side bar. Renting a bike or golf cart is a popular way to explore the island and check out the mixture of Mexican, Caribbean and English colonial architecture.

Other Things to do in Ambergris Caye

• Take the 30 minute water taxi or ferry to the nearby island of Caye Caulker, a smaller, laid-back version of Ambergris Caye but with no cars or large resorts. While there, make sure you grab a drink at the popular Lazy Lizard at the Split
• Take a tour to the interior of Belize. Many in-land tours are available to historical Mayan archaeological sites, cave exploring, tubing and horse-back riding through the jungle
• Take a sightseeing, sunset or moonlight boat cruise around the island
• Go fishing for tropical fish, including snapper, grouper, marlin, tarpon, and the list goes on. There are a variety of tours and companies to choose from, catering to all itineraries and preferences

HOW to get there?

The best way to travel around Belize is by boat, plane and/or bus. Ambergris Caye is easily reached by a 1.5 hour boat from Belize City or 2-hour boat from Chetumal, Mexico (here is a photo of the boat we took from San Pedro to Chetumal).

Most people arrive at Phillip Goldson International, located 30-minutes outside of Belize City, and transfer to their desired location using a local airline like Maya Island Air or Tropic Air. The planes are small but very convenient and relatively inexpensive.

It’s possible, and sometimes cheaper, to fly into Cancun International in Mexico and take the luxury ADO bus to Chetumal (5-6 hour trip), where you can catch the boat San Pedro (check the boat/water taxi schedule ahead of time because there are only a few trips per day). The tourist buses are very nice with air conditioning, entertainment systems and large comfortable chairs.

There are also frequent buses that run direct trips from Cancun to Belize City (8-10 hours).

TRAVEL TIPS for Belize

• There is a Departure Tax when leaving Belize
  -US .00 when departing the International Airport (US cash only)
  -US .75 or BZ .50 when departing by land (to Mexico or Guatemala)
  -US .75 or BZ .50 when departing by Sea to an International destination
• Although it’s a Central American country, English is widely spoken and used on signage
• The Belizean dollar is pegged at 2-to-1 to the US dollar (10 Belize dollars = 5 US dollars). We made the mistake of exchanging currency ahead of time (in the US), where the rate was wildly inaccurate. Locals in Belize automatically assume 2-to-1, so don’t worry about doing exchange rate math and don’t let taxis charge you anything other than 2-to-1.

The “Caye Mart” of San Pedro

Local transportation in San Pedro

Typical dock on Ambergris Caye – look at how clear that water is!

City traffic in the streets of San Pedro

Taquitos and Belikin Beer on the beach

Police car in San Pedro

The main reason you should visit Ambergris Caye!
This is the postcard perfect beach at Victoria House

Have you visited Ambergris Caye? Care to share some travel tips with our readers?
Please share your feedback in the comments section below!

City Spotlight – San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Related posts:

1. Find out Why Victoria House is the Gem of Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. Time Lapse Video – Sunrise over Ambergris Caye, Belize
3. The Split at Caye Caulker, Belize
4. City Spotlight – Istanbul, Turkey

Traveling Canucks

Snorkeling with Sharks, Sting Rays and Manatees in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve

No trip to Belize is complete without a visit to at least one of its Northern Cayes in the Caribbean - either Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker (or both if you have enough time!).

Being the second largest reef system in the world, it’s no surprise that snorkeling and scuba diving the Belize Barrier Reef is the top attraction for visitors to the chilled out islands. The most popular snorkeling excursion in the Belize northern cayes is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

Click on the image below to see why

Having trouble viewing the video?
Click here to watch on YouTube –Snorkeling Hol Chan Marine Reserve

We were fortunate to have teamed up with Tsunami Adventures prior to our arrival to Caye Caulker. As you can see in the short video, our snorkeling trip was filled with marine wildlife and colourful soft coral reef.

After an unsuccessful attempt at swimming with whale sharks in Placencia, we were pretty excited to have witnessed a pair of manatees swimming in their natural habitat.

With a face like a bulldog, body like a sea lion and a tail that is flat like a beaver, the cute and fat manatees spend most of their day resting on the sea floor, surfacing for air every 15 minutes (which is the best time to spot them). They are without question the most unique marine mammal we have ever seen.

The visibility of the water near the manatees was quite cloudy, but we did manage to catch one good photo with our underwater camera. Here is the Twitpic – Manatee in Hol Chan Marine Reserve

If you’re in Caye Caulker and looking for an adventure, check out Tsunami Adventures and tell them that the Traveling Canucks sent you!

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Do you like snorkeling or scuba diving? Where are your favourite spots?
Share your experiences in the comments section below

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Editor’s Note: Our snorkeling trip with Tsunami Adventures was complimentary, however the thoughts and opinions shared in this post are entirely our own

Snorkeling with Sharks, Sting Rays and Manatees in Belize is a post from: Traveling Canucks

Related posts:

1. Mayan Temples, Tropical Jungles and Whale Sharks!
2. Our Private Island for the Day in the Belize Barrier Reef
3. The Split at Caye Caulker, Belize
4. How to Spot a Whale Shark in the Belize Barrier Reef

Traveling Canucks

How to Spot a Whale Shark in the Belize Barrier Reef

Snorkeling with a whale shark has always ranked high on Nicole’s bucket list. It’s one of those rare natural encounters that few people get to experience in their lifetime. The gentle giants, which can grow as long as 41 feet, are not dangerous creatures and should not be confused with killer whales or sharks with sharp pointy teeth.

A few years ago, when we were planning our Round-the-World adventure, we researched the best locations to find whale sharks. Our hope was to have an opportunity to swim alongside the world’s largest fish, but our itinerary didn’t bring us close enough. Whale sharks only migrate to certain locations around the world, searching for specific food sources like plankton, microscopic plants and fish eggs.

Even if you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, there is still no guarantee of a whale shark sighting.

How to Spot a Whale Shark in the Belize Barrier Reef is a post from: Traveling Canucks

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1. Our Private Island for the Day in the Belize Barrier Reef
2. Mayan Temples, Tropical Jungles and Whale Sharks!
3. The Split at Caye Caulker, Belize
4. Horseback Riding Through the Jungles of Chaa Creek, Belize

Traveling Canucks

Snorkeling at Laughing Bird Caye National Park in the Belize Barrier Reef

Our travels in Belize shifted south to Placencia, a chilled out beach village in the Stann Creek District. After spending a relaxing day at Dianni’s Guest House, we joined Splash Dive Center on an unforgettable snorkeling trip to the Inner Reef at Laughing Bird Caye National Park.

Located 11 nautical miles off the coast from Placencia, Laughing Bird Caye National Park is a tiny island in the extensive Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site. It is the picture perfect tropical island that one fantasizes about, surrounded by translucent aqua blue water and silky smooth white coral sand. It’s a snorkeler’s paradise with incredible soft coral formations, shallow waters and plenty of marine wildlife.

Okay, so it’s not actually a private island, but aside from the lone Park Ranger and a few well-fed pelicans, our group had the entire island all to ourselves for the day! Between snorkeling sessions we took shade under swaying coconut palms, savoring the moment while enjoying a delicious BBQ lunch freshly prepared by our local chef.

Below are some pictures of Laughing Bird Caye in Belize

Arriving at Laughing Bird Caye with Splash Dive Center

The clear, cerulean coloured waters of the Caribbean Sea

Coconut palm trees at the southern tip of the tropical island

Palm leaf shadows on the smooth coral sand

A single bright blue fish in the soft coral reef

The colourful and peculiar reef formations

School of fish feeding off the coral

Cameron snorkeling around the remote atoll

The stunning coral reef in Laughing Bird Caye National Park

Variety of spectacular soft coral just off the shore of the tiny Belizean Isle

Nicole taking a break between snorkeling sessions

The elusive marine wildlife of the Belize Barrier Reef

Coral on a shallow reef crest

Curious Rock Lobster crawling on Brain Coral

Vibrant coral reef only 10 meters from the beach

My personal favourite underwater photo from the day

Park Ranger’s boat anchored on the beach, flat ocean water without a wave in sight

Enjoying our day on a private island, courtesy of Splash Dive Center

Quick Fact – in 1996 the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System was inscribed on the World Heritage List with Laughing Bird Caye National Park designated as one of the premiere protected areas within the World Heritage Site.

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Have you ever visited the Belize Barrier Reef? What did you think?
Share your experience in the comments section below!

Our Private Island for the Day in the Belize Barrier Reef is a post from: Traveling Canucks

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1. The Split at Caye Caulker, Belize
2. Time Lapse Video – Sunrise over Ambergris Caye, Belize
3. The Mysterious Moai of Easter Island
4. All About the Details at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, Belize

Traveling Canucks

The Lazy Lizard at the Split, Caye Caulker, Belize

Perfectly situated at “The Split”, the Lazy Lizard is easily Caye Caulker’s favourite watering hole. Down-tempo beats blast from large speakers as travelers and residents come together over cold Belikin Beers and bright lime-green cocktails. Tanned, half-naked foreigners sprawl out on the concrete pier, periodically swimming in the shallow waters to escape from the relentless Caribbean sun.

It doesn’t have the nicest beach on the island. In fact, the beach is more like a dusty road that ends at the water’s edge. But it does provide the best spot for walk-in swimming and has become one of the island’s most popular spots to catch a Belizean sunset. The party atmosphere at the Lazy Lizard attracts the Happy Hour crowd at all times of the day, making it the ideal spot to catch the smooth Caribbean vibe.

The Split, a channel dividing Caye Caulker in half that was created by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, is located at the northern tip of the inhabited half of the island. Although Caye Caulker it’s the second largest of the Belizean cayes, it’s still only 4 miles long with the village section only stretching about a mile long.

As the photo illustrates, life moves much slower on Caye Caulker.

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Have you visited Caye Caulker? Did you check out the Split while you were there?
Share your experiences in the comments section below

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The Split at Caye Caulker, Belize is a post from: Traveling Canucks

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1. Time Lapse Video – Sunrise over Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. Our Private Island for the Day in the Belize Barrier Reef
3. All About the Details at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, Belize
4. Horseback Riding Through the Jungles of Chaa Creek, Belize

Traveling Canucks

Horseback Riding Through the Jungles of Chaa Creek, Belize

Set on the edge of a grassy knoll overlooking the Macal River, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a destination all on its own. After enjoying our stay at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, we took the 10-minute taxi ride to one of Cayo District’s most popular attractions - Chaa Creek’s 365 acre nature reserve.

After settling in to our eco-lodge, we enjoyed lunch with the friendly marketing team at Chaa Creek before heading into the private nature reserve to tackle a 3-hour horseback riding tour.

Click on the image below to watch the short video

Having trouble viewing the video?
Click here – Horseback Riding at Chaa Creek

Growing up riding horses, Nicole is very comfortable on the back of a horse and ranks horseback riding high on her list of favourite outdoor activities. Cameron on the other hand, not so much.

The last time Cameron was convinced to get on a horse was back in 2006 when we were in Costa Rica. Hesitant and nervous, it didn’t take long for him to get comfortable and catch the rhythm. Thankfully, his horse “Independence” was understanding and well trained to handle inexperienced riders.

The acreage was stunning and seemingly endless. During our ride we passed several unexcavated Maya archaeological sites, having over 70 ancient Maya sites located on the nature reserve.

Our team traversed through thick jungle trails and open meadows, at times picking up a good canter and gallop. It was the perfect way to experience the foothills of the Maya Mountains at Chaa Creek!

Where is the coolest place you’ve gone horseback riding?
Share your experience in the comments section below

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Editor’s Note: Our tour at the resort was complimentary, however the thoughts and opinions shared in this post are entirely our own

Horseback Riding Through the Jungles of Chaa Creek, Belize is a post from: Traveling Canucks

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1. Time Lapse Video – Sunrise over Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. Mayan Temples, Tropical Jungles and Whale Sharks!
3. All About the Details at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, Belize
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Traveling Canucks

Time Lapse Video – Sunrise at Victoria House, Ambergris Caye, Belize

My first attempt at a time lapse video. The early morning photos were taken from the private beach at Victoria House, the luxurious resort we stayed at in Ambergris Caye. I woke up at 5:00 AM to set up the tripod and start shooting, happy that my body co-operated that morning (although my trusty sidekick did not have the same will power!)

Click on the image below to view the time lapse video

Having trouble viewing the video?
Click here – Time Lapse Video at Victoria House, Belize

It was a windy morning, which created great cloud movement. It’s amazing how quickly the sun starts to rise once it has made it’s morning appearance. As is often the case, Mother Nature rewards the early riser!

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What is your most memorable sunrise?
Share your experience in the comments section below!

Time Lapse Video – Sunrise over Ambergris Caye, Belize is a post from: Traveling Canucks

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Traveling Canucks

It’s All About the Details at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, Belize

Having just returned to San Ignacio, Belize after spending a few nights exploring the ancient temples of Tikal in Guatemala, our travels through Central America lead us to the popular Ka’ana Boutique Resort.

Located in the heart of the lush Cayo District, Ka’ana offers its guests a slice of luxury while they explore the region’s popular attractions. The resort is only a short 10 minute drive from the town of San Ignacio and the Guatemala to Belize border crossing, making it easily accessible for travelers coming from either direction.

Ka’ana Boutique Resort knows who their guests are and caterers to them perfectly. It is clear that the staff pays meticulous attention to the details, the subtle things that separate the ordinary from the extraordinary.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a delicious lime and ginger beverage that was prepared with handpicked ingredients from the resort’s organic garden. We then entered our air-conditioned room and found a personalized handwritten welcome card and freshly cut flowers from the gardens displayed all over our pristine Casita. It was a very nice touch that set the right tone.

All rooms have spacious balconies with private hammocks, an espresso maker for peaceful morning coffee and an evening treat with turn down service before bed. With only 15 superbly appointed Casitas and Balam rooms, we instantly felt the luxurious yet intimate atmosphere that Ka’ana has created with its boutique resort.

Integral to staying at Ka’ana is dining at the La Ceiba Restaurant, located in the main building of the resort. All freshly prepared drinks and meals combine traditional Belize culture with a modern flair and touch of sophistication. You can even ask to have dinner beside the pool or in the privacy of your suite!

Seriously – how delicious does that plate look? It tasted even better!

The chef and mixologist use only organic and local ingredients, many handpicked from the resort’s organic garden. Instead of the traditional Pina Colada, why not try the Sweet Corn Colada?

Ka’ana offers a customized experience for each guest. If unwinding is your style, the infinity pool is the perfect place to relax while watching the over 300 bird species found in the area. If you prefer more adventure, the resort is the optimal base for exploring the major attractions, with private tours easily organized by the resort.

Guests are also able to split their time between Ka’ana Boutique Resort and its partner luxury resort Victoria House, located in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. It became very clear to us that Ka’ana’s objective is to expose its guests to the best food, guides and experiences, sharing its love for Belize while not forgetting the subtle details.

A few things that stood out for us during our stay:

• Simplicity. We enjoyed fresh ground coffee (not pre-packaged bags) outdoors on our private balcony, listening to singing birds while the morning sun began to rise
• Connectivity. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the facility, a definite must for modern travelers with digital needs!
• Delicacy. Our dinner at La Ceiba Restaurant was one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time. The fusion of flavours and ingredients was outstanding, and very unique
• Intimacy. We felt it was the perfect model for what a Boutique Resort should embody, the opposite of the typical all-inclusive. Staff called us by first name and always seemed to appear at the perfect time
• Courtesy. Cameron had brushed up against a plant pot that rubbed red residue on his white shirt. We noticed this at dinner and upon returning to our room, a staff member collected the shirt and returned it clean the following morning!
• Leisurely. Thick, comfy poolside lounges surrounded by colourful jungle and singing birds, sipping on freshly squeezed watermelon juice in the hot, tropical sun

It was easy to see the extra thought was put into the details. It was the little things that made us feel welcome and very comfortable (and the king size bed and air-conditioning didn’t hurt either!). With limited time to spend in the Cayo District, we left Ka’ana Boutique Resort wanting more, which is always a good sign.

I guess that just means we will have to return someday!

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Have you visited Belize? Care to share your favourite places to stay?
Share your experiences in the comments section below

All About the Details at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, Belize is a post from: Traveling Canucks

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Traveling Canucks