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Save/ShareFew travel writers know Belize like Joshua Berman, who's most recently written for us about its specialty chocolate tours. Berman's just out with an updated edition of a travel guide to Belize from the travel publishing house with the best reputation for Latin America coverage: Moon.
We recently spoke with Berman about all things Belize.
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Q: So, where's the best place to hang in a hammock?
A: Out of range of falling coconuts. Seriously, it's a documented cause of death. Otherwise, I like to hang my hammock on Glover's Reef Atoll or anywhere along the Macal River in Cayo.
Q: What's a great nature appreciation experience to have in Belize?
A: I think the Lamanai archaeological site packs the most natural bang for your buck. Not only are there vines, orchids, and fig trees carpeting 1,000-year-old Maya pyramids and more recent colonial sugar mills, the journey to and from the site includes a phenomenal birding trip up and down the New River.
My advice: Always take the night hike, no matter how tired you are from the day's adventures—I've seen more wildlife during guided nighttime nature walks and boat rides than on day trips.
Q: What's the best way to get off the beaten path in Belize?
A: Easy—buy a bus or plane ticket from Belize City to Punta Gorda (PG). Tourists rarely include southern Belize in their itineraries, even though there are fantastic accommodations there, from homestays to luxe. There are upland villages, ruins, and caves in Toledo—plenty to do to make it worth the trip.
Q: Tell us about the 8th edition of the Belize guide book for Moon.
A: There is a new list of voluntourism and other less-than-traditional ways to visit Belize. These are alternative travel opportunities which include field research and volunteer programs, and trips specifically for teachers and veterinarians. Travelers can work directly with botanists, archeologists, and marine biologists, or help out with community projects like housing construction and trail building.
MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL
On the Chocolate Trail in Belize
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That's right, there are some fantstic accomodations near PG! Including Cotton Tree Lodge-- (shameless plug). Also fantastic chocolate, straight from the source. Check out Josh's article on the 'chocolate trail' in southern Belize.
Posted By Holly Masek on October 20, 2009, 4:10 PM
I would like to add a word about the Garifuna and their rich culture and heritage. We stayed at Hopkins Town in Stann Creek District and got to meet several of the Garifuna. They have a wonderful museum and cultural center just west of Dangriga and had their Settlement Day festival while we were there. There is nothing to compare with authentic Garifuna fry chicken! We learned so much about the people and their culture and intend to go visit this part of Belize again. We were also very impressed with the Mayan culture of Belize after visting the Xunantunich site. Great country and great people!
Posted By Tom B. on October 20, 2009, 8:15 PM
A new activity for Toledo is Ya'axche Conservation Trust's new ranger hike in the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve -- an area usually inaccessible to travellers. It's a good price (US$40 donation, and tour times geared to the public bus times), and a way to give something back as you help a ranger on his wildlife monitoring patrol. Details are on their yct.bz website.
Posted By Kate Morton, Hickatee Cottages on October 20, 2009, 10:20 PM
The Palapa Bar on Ambergris Caye is the perfect place to unwind with fish tacos and a cold beer, the bar is over the water and offers beautiful views of the island and there is nothing like the breeze you catch from the ocean while perched on your stool.
Posted By Mandy on October 23, 2009, 8:30 AM
Caye Caulker dawn or dusk from a Ras Creek sunset tour to swimming with the sharks to eating Miramars shark panades to unwinding at Oceanside Baror Da lazy Lizard!!! BELIZE ITS HEAVEN!!!
Posted By neilH on October 26, 2009, 5:57 PM
If you are going for diving you will be wonderfully surprised. Second largest barrier reef on this planet. Suggest Turneffe Island, you're only a few minutes from some fantastic dive sites. Other wise you could spend a couple of hours on boat just getting to these sites. Half Moon Caye and the "Blue Hole" are musts.
Posted By Kelly Ward on October 28, 2009, 6:59 PM