Ask any backpacker travelling through Central America about Belize and they will tell you Caye Caulker is on their list.
Google it for yourself and you will see why. Bright blue skies, clear blue sea, palm trees lining the waters edge and colourful houses dotting the street give the island its iconic Caribbean feel. There are so many things to do in Caye Caulker!
The howler monkey with her baby lazily laid on the branches high above us. They weren’t moving. It looked like I wasn’t going to see one up close that day. I was standing beneath the shade of the tree tilting my head upward peering through the broad leaves at the black face of the sleepy mother as the baby played hide and seek behind the trunk of the tree for about 20 minutes.
However, the tour guide Geraldine Fremin, was an expert. She got a banana and coaxed the mother down the tree calling to her in a series of grunts and howls, the sounds the monkeys use to talk to each other. The mother slowly and cautiously made her way down the tree to a branch in front of me where she ate her banana and modeled perfect images right out of National Geographic.
Geraldine has been with the local women-run nonprofit sanctuary, the Community Baboon Sanctuary, what the local Creole people call the black howler monkeys, protecting the monkeys for 18-years. Started in 1981, the sanctuary has been a model for saving the nearly extinct monkeys, that were estimated to be around a population of 400 at the time, and for private/public partnerships working toward sustainable tourism. The population increased to an estimated 4,500 monkeys by 2003, she said. The sanctuary is currently in the process of surveying the monkey population to get an updated monkey census.
This was one of the many incredible experiences I had in Belize. A country that is a hidden gem for travelers of all kinds. It has everything: outdoor adventure and nature, cultural to culinary experiences, archeological and historic sites, beaches and jungles, and even some nightlife on San Pedro on Ambergris Caye for partiers.
By Heather Cassell – Full Story at The Seattle Lesbian
The howler monkey with her baby lazily laid on the branches high above us. They weren’t moving. It looked like I wasn’t going to see one up close that day. I was standing beneath the shade of the tree tilting my head upward peering through the broad leaves at the black face of the sleepy mother as the baby played hide and seek behind the trunk of the tree for about 20 minutes.
However, the tour guide Geraldine Fremin, was an expert. She got a banana and coaxed the mother down the tree calling to her in a series of grunts and howls, the sounds the monkeys use to talk to each other. The mother slowly and cautiously made her way down the tree to a branch in front of me where she ate her banana and modeled perfect images right out of National Geographic.
Geraldine has been with the local women-run nonprofit sanctuary, the Community Baboon Sanctuary, what the local Creole people call the black howler monkeys, protecting the monkeys for 18-years. Started in 1981, the sanctuary has been a model for saving the nearly extinct monkeys, that were estimated to be around a population of 400 at the time, and for private/public partnerships working toward sustainable tourism. The population increased to an estimated 4,500 monkeys by 2003, she said. The sanctuary is currently in the process of surveying the monkey population to get an updated monkey census.
By Heather Cassell – Full Story at The Seattle Lesbian
Lesbian Belize Travel Resources
Gay Belize. Not two words we have ever heard put together. As for every destination, we do a quick Google search to see what is available for the LGBTQIA community in that country. Whether this be nightlife, beaches, accommodation or events. However, when we googled ‘gay Belize’, very little came up at all.
We knew there was a community, statistically there must be. We even found a Gay Belize Pride Page on Facebook which has 59k followers. Who knows better about the LGBTQIA community in Belize than an LGBTQIA local? We were lucky enough to find someone willing to answer the questions we had about gay Belize and they provided a very insightful picture.
Read our interview below with Rob*, a 23-year-old local gay male from the Cayo region of Belize.
TGG: What is the stereotypical view on the LGBTQIA community in Belize?
Rob: ”The normal stereotypical view is that many straight men assume that gay guys are feminine. I’ve heard people talk about guys who are not “masculine” enough. Those who embrace femininity are “labelled” gay (it’s just jokes nothing as in physical abuses and stuff like that, although it’s something to not joke about because you can never know if the person is gay and is having a rough time).
Even myself, sometimes I see a guy wearing a pink shirt and I go “ooo interesting”. But that doesn’t mean he’s gay. There are also many gay guys who aren’t feminine. You wouldn’t consider them gay because they are giving you some butch realness, but they are. The same concept and ideologies can be seen with lesbians I would say.”
Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys
After leaving Caye Caulker, we didn’t really know what to do in San Ignacio, our next destination. We knew it was an up and coming place in Belize for backpackers, and somewhere full of activities. But we never expected to see a 1,400 year old skeleton fully intact deep in an underwater cave!
San Ignacio is definitely an adventure activity hot-spot, and many travellers find themselves getting ‘stuck’ here for longer than intended! You could spend the day horse riding through the stunning hills, tubing the crystal clear rivers or swimming through caves to find lost civilisations.
The town itself is relatively small and very colourful. Most hostels/hostels are in the same area, which is where you can also find restaurants, markets and places to book your trips. Read on to find out what we did and how we got there, and take a look at our YouTube video to see what we saw whilst in San Ignacio.
Getting to San Ignacio
You can get here easily by a transfer bus from Belize City which takes 3-4 hours. We booked through Mundo Maya travels for $20. Alternatively, for those on a tighter budget, you could go to the local bus station (taxi drivers will know where this is) and look for a bus whose final destination is Benque. This would cost up to $4 instead but takes much longer, with more stops, no A/C, and you may have to keep a closer eye on your belongings!
Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys
Ask any backpacker travelling through Central America about Belize and they will tell you Caye Caulker is on their list. Google it for yourself and you will see why. Bright blue skies, clear blue sea, palm trees lining the waters edge and colourful houses dotting the street give the island its iconic Caribbean feel. Stepping foot on the island you’ll immediately see the famous signs advising you to “Go Slow”. In fact, you’ll also hear the local villagers saying this numerous times a day as the answer to many questions asked. It’s the local way of saying “don’t worry, just chill out.”
But is life on Caye Caulker all about just going slow, or is there enough to fill your time there? Whilst we love a stunning Caribbean island as much as the next person, it doesn’t take long before we get itchy feet and need to do something! Here’s a snapshot of our 4 days in this tropical paradise.
Getting to Caye Caulker
Belize is bordered by Mexico to the North, and Guatemala to the West. It is easily accessible from both countries overland if flying is out of budget. Getting to Caye Caulker from either country will involve bus travel to either Chetumal, Mexico, or Belize City if coming from Guatemala. Then you will take a water taxi to Caye Caulker.
Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Riverside Villa provides the ultimate serene, secluded and romantic setting in Belize. It is located on the fast flowing banks of the Privassion which flows through the Mountain Pine Ridge, a largely undeveloped forest reserve in the Cayo District of western Belize. It’s a truly unusual location on the banks of a gorgeous river where the Mountain Pine Ridge and the jungle meet. Although the villa is privately owned it is managed by the caring and LGBT friendly staff of the adjacent Gaia Riverlodge. Guests can take their meals at the lodge’s restaurant overlooking Five Sisters waterfall (where breakfast is included in the rate). A full kitchen is also provided if you wish to enjoy your meals at the villa. At your request Gaia will deliver your meals to you at Riverside villa.
Riverside Villa consists of two log and thatch cabanas connected by an open air deck with a full dining table. The cheerful sleeping cabana which holds the bedroom and bathroom is warmly furnished with a bamboo bed and Mayan fabrics and wall hangings. The full bath contains a fancifully tiled bathtub and beautiful hardwood furnishings. A screened in porch at one end of the bedroom has a hammock as well as two chairs. It is nestled into the trees and overlooks the garden with the river just beyond.
The larger cabana contains a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, writing desk and a small library. It is surrounded on four sides with fully screened porches arranged into relaxed and comfortable living spaces. Hammocks and seating areas are situated to take advantage of the tropical gardens as well as the entrancing views of the river. All furnishings are locally made by Belizean craftsman. Colorful Mayan rugs, fabrics and wall hangings complete the cozy ambiance of the interior.
We have recently installed a hot tub at the villa which has a fabulous view or the river. Far away from light pollution you will enjoy incredibly starry skies on clear nights. It is also the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee as the mist rises off the river. Our hot tub contains no chemicals. Guests fill it from the hot and cold water faucet to their preferred temperature. Because our water comes from a spring high up on the property we have tons of water pressure and so it fills up quickly.
We have great swimming holes directly in front of the villa. After a cool dip enjoy relaxing in the thatch covered palapa next to river with two hammocks and a picnic table.
Additional Guest Accommodations – Riverside Villa was designed as a spacious one bedroom home. Over the years we have had many requests from guests interested in traveling with a third or fourth party. Recent additions and upgrades have made this possible. Please see out website for details.
The Cayo location is adventure central Belize. Our website also describes tours in the area. transportation and many other details about your visit. Hope to see you soon!
See the Riverside Villa Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here
Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Belize
]]>