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<\/a><\/p>\nGetting to Belize<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Belize is an easy, under 3-hour flight, from Miami, Denver, Houston or Atlanta. We flew Columbus –> Dallas and then Dallas –> Belize City and experienced one of those seamless travel days where all flights are on time and all of the luggage arrived with us. Does that happen for anyone anymore?<\/p>\n The Jungles and Mountains of San Ignacio<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Where We Stayed<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Black Rock Lodge is a fully equipped, 20-cabin eco-resort located in the rainforest of western Belize on the banks of the Macao River.\u00a0Black Rock produces their own clean and renewable energy, has the\u00a0most advanced waste treatment system, and has an on-site organic farm where guests can interact with our chickens, goats, and more. With so much to do on the grounds and a restaurant on site,\u00a0I could have stayed an entire week at Black Rock Lodge, never leaving the grounds, and would have been blissfully happy.<\/p>\n We stayed in a Riverfront Suite cabin that overlooked Black Rock Canyon, the Macal River, and the surrounding rainforest and wildlife. Our cabin was a spacious single room that was surrounding by windows and sliding doors \u00a0built to take advantage of the fresh mountain breezes. We had easy access to the restaurant, river, and hiking trails.<\/p>\n What to Do<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Explore the Grounds of Black Rock Lodge<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n There is so much to do at Black Rock Lodge that we really could have been busy for our whole stay without leaving the grounds. Black Rock offers miles of hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, yoga, swimming, cave spelunking, and birding. The grounds are simply breathtaking.<\/p>\n Xunantunich is an Ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize. It\u00a0is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border. It served as a Maya civic ceremonial centre to the Belize Valley Region in the Late and Terminal Classic Periods. At that time, when the region was at its peak, nearly 200,000 people lived in the Belize Valley.<\/p>\n From Black Rock Lodge, we traveled to the Mayan village of San Jose Succotz, on the banks of the Mopan River. Once there, we boarded a small hand-cranked pontoon ferry to cross the river get to Xunantunich. Our guide from Black Rock Lodge took us on an educational tour of the ruins.<\/p>\n Where We Ate<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Black Rock Lodge<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The lodge restaurant at Black Rock Lodge offers home made cuisine from farm fresh ingredients and local produce. Most of our meals were here when we stayed in the jungle and they were absolutely delicious.<\/p>\n Benny’s<\/span> Kitchen<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This place is a little open-air restaurant near Xunantunich that serves delicious Mayan, Mestizo, and Creole dishes at very affordable prices. Our guide from Black Rock Lodge took us to lunch at this lovely restaurant when we were out visiting the\u00a0Ancient Maya archaeological site.<\/p>\n Ambergris Caye – Where the Ocean Meets the Reef<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Where We Stayed<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Xanadu<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Nestled amongst tropical indigenous gardens, Xanadu is an eco-friendly boutique resort located on the beach overlooking the world\u2019s second largest barrier reef and the Caribbean Sea. Xanadu is\u00a0a mile south of San Pedro Town on the island of Ambergris Caye. Xanadu features an\u00a0outdoor oasis all of your own with a private deck complete with lounge chairs and hammock and access to a pool and hot tub right on the ocean.<\/p>\n We stayed in a 3-bedroom monolithic dome, which is a\u00a0round, steel-reinforced concrete building known for its energy efficiency, low maintenance, and ability to offer near absolute protection from natural disasters. Our dome overlooked the ocean and was located steps away from the pool and hot tub on site.<\/p>\n What to Do<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Explore the Grounds of Xanadu<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Xanadu offers a variety of activities on site including: a pool and hot tube area, kayak and paddle boarding, snorkeling, a bird nature walk, bicycles, and golf carts.<\/p>\n Take a Glass Bottom Boat Tour<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Check out the Reef Runner Glass Bottom Boat, the perfect way for groups varying in ages to experience the sea. The Glass Bottom Boat tour takes you on a sightseeing and snorkeling tour along the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the second longest Barrier Reef in the world.<\/p>\n Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Hol Chan Marine Reserve is the oldest reserve in Belize. Its name translates to “Little Channel,” in reference to a coral-filled gap in Belize’s barrier reef. Approximately 3 square miles, this aquatic zone is a sanctuary for turtles, stingrays, eels, sharks, and other fish. The reserve is separated into four parts: the mangroves, the reef, the sea-grass beds and Shark Ray Alley. Yes, I did swim with the sharks while the children stayed on the glass bottom boat!<\/p>\n Explore San Pedro<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The only town on the island of Ambergris Caye is about one and a half miles long and in some places about a mile wide.\u00a0 It is a laid back atmosphere and is home to the majority of the shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels on the island.<\/p>\n Where we Ate<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Belize Chocolate Company<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Craft chocolate made from Belizean beans… Need I say more?<\/p>\n Caliente<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Celi’s Deli<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Extremely hungry, we stopped by this unassuming deli for easy to go sandwiches. The sandwiches did not disappoint.<\/p>\n El Fogon Restaurant<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n El Fogon Restaurant serves traditional Belizean dishes that are cooked over a fire pit\/firewood stove. Everything we ate was incredible.<\/p>\n The Baker<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Baker uses locally sourced ingredients from Belize to create simple artisanal baked goods, with a mixture of Caribbean and European influences. A lovely place to stop in for breakfast, especially if staying at Xanadu.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nBlack Rock Lodge<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nVisit the Xunantunich Maya Site\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n
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