COROZAL DISTRICT, BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA

Hi reader, This is the hometown of the writer of this blog. Trust me it is a nice quiet retirement haven.

Visitors will find a haven of tranquility in this slow pace, easy going town ....
Corozal Town is located nine miles from the Mexican border and Chetumal, capital of Mexico's southern state of Quintana Roo and is located between two scenic rivers, the New River and Rio Hondo. Traditionally the heart of the country's sugar growing and processing industry, Corozal today is also well-known for its Free Zone.

Corozal is a convenient base for day trips to Chetumal, or for excursions to the Mayan ruins and beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula. San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Belize's most popular destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, is 15 minutes by air from the Corozal airstrip.
While English is the official language, Spanish is widely spoken, as there are many Maya and Mestizo descendents of those who fled Mexico during the Caste Wars of the mid-1800's. Corozal is Belize's fourth largest populated district, with 33,000 residents.
In Corozal everything is close to the sea, including several seaside parks, the market and Corozal's bright new yellow history museum. One museum exhibit displays Maya artifacts in a traditional 1800's market setting. Things to Do...
Santa Rita, a small partially excavated Maya archeological site, is located a short mile from the town's center. The caretaker will be happy to show you around and fill you in on the ruins history for a small admission fee.
Discover the area's vibrant history as depicted in a wall size mural, painted inside the Town Hall. Visitors are welcome to view it up-close during work day hours. It's located across from the central park.
Forty minutes by boat gets you to the picturesque fishing village of Sarteneja, with its impressive display of hand made wooden sailing boats. Shipstern Nature Reserve is about three miles from the village.
Cerros, accessable by boat from Corozal, lies across the Corozal-Chetumal bay and was an early Maya trading center.
Tarpon, bonefishing or deep-sea fishing can be arranged with local fishing guides.
Four Mile Lagoon is between Corozal and the Mexican border where you will find a number of inexpensive beach spots for swimming, RV's and camping.
Chetumal, just on the Mexican side of the border, is a prosperous middle class city of 250,000 and capital of Mexico's southern state of Quintana Roo.

Getting There ....
The 85 mile drive from Belize City, along the Northern Highway, takes an hour and a half to 2 hours. There are also domestic flights with Tropic Air and Maya Airways. Flight takes about 30 minutes.
Private VehicleNorthern Highway runs from Belize City to the Mexican border and is paved with good gas availability.
BusPublic buses have frequent scheduled services along the Northern Highway from Belize city to Corozal and on to the Mexican border town of Chetumal.

Don't just take my word for it, come visit us. I am sure yu will love our town and district on a whole.

Love, Brenda Aurora Ysaguirre

TOLEDO DISTRICT, BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA

Southern Belize
Toledo, the southernmost district of Belize, is 1669 square miles of rainforest, mountains, rivers, and Maya Villages. Toledans often refer to their home as "the forgotten land"-it is the least visited destination in Belize.

As the most sparsely populated and least developed region in the country, Toledo is certainly not for the ordinary tourist. However, for those with the spirit to venture off the beaten track, the natural and cultural diversity of Toledo makes a visit to a Southern Belize an unique adventure.
The land is blanketed with some of the most pristine rainforest in Belize. The uplands to the Northwest, consist of the foothills of the Maya Mountains bordered by limestone outcrops - rugged, unexplored territory.

The coastal lowlands consist of softer grounds, formed from the flood deposits of the many rivers draining the uplands. Towering riverine forests line the rivers and flood plains, while pine ridge savannahs and mangrove surround coastal lagoons.
Tradewinds and the Caribbean Sea caress the eastern coastline of Toledo. Coastal lagoons are prominent, providing a rich habitat for an abundance of wildlife, and the last stretch of the 186 mile Belize Barrier Reef lies 40 miles offshore from the mainland.
Toledo is blessed with a multitude of natural attractions, including caves, sinkholes, and waterfalls strewn throughout the rainforest. Jungle-covered ruins still exist as if just discovered. Five major protected areas have been declared wildlife reserves. These natural treasures abound with wildlife and over 2000 species of flowering plants. The Sapodilla Cayes offer great snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and diving. Some of the best fly-fishing in the country is done in the nearby rivers.

While the rugged terrain of Toledo provides a challenge for the adventurous, it is the people of Toledo which softens natures rough edges. At least five distinct ethnic groups have settled in Southern Belize. While the town of Punta Gorda consists of many cultures, 64% of the population in the Toledo District is made up of the Mopan and Kekchi Mayas living in over 30 different villages. Come experience a touch of their rich heritage. English is spoken as their second language, and visitors can communicate clearly with the people for a genuine cultural exchange.

DANGRIGA - HOME OF BELIZEAN PUNTA ROCK

"Mabuiga" reads the welcome sign greeting visitors who come by bus while those traveling by plane are greeted by expanses of citrus orchards. Both of these announce your arrival to the seaside town of Dangriga.

Once called Stann Creek town, Dangriga is the district capital and the cultural center of the Garifuna people (of Amerindian and African ancestry) who are the majority of a population of about 9,000. Wooden houses perched on stilts to catch the Caribbean breeze sit alongside coconut palms and mango trees giving the place a dreamy, tranquil air about it. With rainforests and the Maya Mountains to its west, cayes and the reef in the Caribbean east, Dangriga is a marvelous spot to spend a few days of discovery.

The commercial center of town, which includes 3 major banks, runs along St. Vincent and Commerce Streets, the same street with different names on either side of a bridge that spans the North Stann Creek River. The south bank is busy with boats that shuttle passengers to and from the surrounding cayes while a bustling market occupies the north bank where you can buy fruit, vegetables and fish fresh out of the ocean.

Dangriga is full of things to do and see for the culture hungry. The Gulisi Garifuna Museum houses permanent displays that highlight the culture and history of the Garifuna people while the Pen Cayetano Gallery, which opens in November of every year, showcases the artwork of musician and painter Pen Cayetano. Other stops of cultural interest include the Drums of my Father Monument, the National Garifuna Council headquarters, Thomas Vincent Ramos Monument. Several artists and craftsmen who live and work in Dangriga, including painter Benjamin Nicholas and drum maker Austin Rodriguez, welcome visits to their studios.
For the plain hungry, there are restaurants in town catering to tastes that range from local fare to Chinese, to cheeseburgers and fries. Big barrel barbecues appear on the street side in the evenings offering the most delicious fresh grilled chicken served with flour tortillas, beans and coleslaw, all for about US$2.50. For an authentic experience, grab a seat on a rock or a wall near the river and watch Dangriga go by while you refill.

A handful of nightclubs and bars are worth a visit for the intrepid culture vultures among you. Karaoke with a distinctly country music flavor is popular in the bars while the nightclubs tend toward Punta rock. Upbeat rhythmic Caribbean music dominated by the drums and the keyboards. A modern interpretation of the Garifuna courting dance, punta dancers shake their hips with unhinged dexterity and sometimes at incredible speeds.
The town explodes in color and pomp on November 19th, Garifuna Settlement Day. Belizeans from around the country and around the world arrive in Dangriga for the festivities that include a reenactment of the historic Garifuna landing. The party actually begins the evening before with traditional drumming, punta dancing and a good bit of drinking going on throughout the night. Christmas and New Year are also celebrated in similar fashion with masked and costumed dancers parading the streets performing the Charikanari and the Wanaragu or Jonkunu (John Canoe) dance. Sporting events include cycling, basketball matches, semi-pro and other football (soccer) tournaments.

BELICE TIENE POR PRIMERA VEZ UN NEGRO COMO SU PRIMER MINISTRO

On Februaury 7, 2008 Belizean went to the polls and elected a new Prime Minister. The change of government came after years of mis-management by the PUP Government. It is hoped that the new Prime Minister will make true his promises to restore to Belize economic stability. Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow of the UDP ( United Democratic Party) becomes the first balck Prime Minister of Belize.

Dean Barrow has announced his new cabinet featuring 16 ministers, with Barrow heading the Ministry of Finance.

BELMOPAN, Belize, February 13, 2008 - Prime Minister Dean Barrow has announced the composition of his new Cabinet, at a packed-to-capacity room at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. The cabinet features 16 ministers, with Barrow heading the Ministry of Finance.
Barrow's United Democratic Party (UDP) won 25 of the 31 seats contested in the February 7 general election. The new Prime Minister mentioned that high on a list of priorities for the new Cabinet was the need to try to put Belize's finances in order and to attempt to lower the cost of living and lower the price of fuel in the country.
The Cabinet features Gaspar Vega as Minister of Natural Resources and the Enviornment and Erwin Contreras as Minister of Economic Development, Commerce Industry and Consumer Protection.
The Ministry of Education is to be headed by Patrick Faber, while Carlos Perdomo will lead the Ministry of National Security.
Also announced was that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development was Michael Finnegan and that Wilfred Elrington would serve as Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The new Minister of Works is Anthony "Boots" Martinez and the Ministries of Tourism and Civil Aviation will be lead by Manuel Heredia.
Pablo Marin is to serve as the Minister of Health and Gabriel Martinez is the new Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development. The Minister of the Public Service, Governance Improvement and Elections and Boundaries is now John Saldivar.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries went to Rene Montero, while the Minister of Public Utilities, National Emergency Management, Transport and Communications is now Melvin Hulse.
Finally the Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation is Eden Martinez while the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is to be headed by Marcel Cardona.

DISTRICTS OF BELIZE - ORANGE WALK DISTRICT

Orange Walk ~ Northern Belize

With a population of 22,000, this largely Hispanic settlement is the largest town in northern Belize ....
Orange Walk, situated on the New River and Northern Highway, is located 52 miles north of Belize City. The country's only tollbooth signals the entrance to Orange Walk Town, and after paying the small toll one immediately notices two distinctive sites: the scenic New River with its tour guide operators along it's banks and the smokestacks of the sugar mill.
The town is a mix of Spanish, Maya, East Indians, visiting Mennonites and Chinese. Mexican influences remain strong. Spanish and creole are the most common languages spoken. Orange Walk District, with a population of just under forty thousand, is Belize 's third largest populated district.
The area economy is involved primarily in the seasonal harvesting and processing of sugar though it no longer reigns supreme. Orange Walk is also important for its production of dairy products, citrus fruits, beef and rum production.
In addition to the agricultural diversification in recent years, their has been an economic boost from ecotourism. With over 400 species of birds recorded in this district, more so than anywhere else in the country, Orange Walk District is a birder's paradise.
Orange Walk has the basics: lodging, restaurants, grocery, clothing and gas. Orange Walk Town is not generally considered a tourist destination, more a stop-over to boat up the New River to Lamanai, travel the Blue Creek Road to the Rio Bravo Conservation Area, or trek to Shipstern Nature Reserve.
Visit Orange Walk Town as part of a Belize Explorer Country-Wide Birding Package.
Getting There ....

Drive The Northern Highway is paved and in good condition. Good gas availability. Drive time is about 75 minutes.
Bus Buses leave on the half hour from Belize City.

Visit Belize as part of Rainforest, Ruins & Reef Vacation Package

DISTRICTS OF BELIZE

Belize City

A branch of the Old Belize River divides Belize City in two and provides easy access to outlying islands. Picture shows part of the Belize City foreshore with the Baron Bliss lighthouse at right and was taken before demolition of the historic Queen's Bonded Warehouse to make way for the Tourism Village.
The Belize District is the largest, with a population of over seventy-four thousand. Belize City itself is no longer the nation's capital, but it is still the largest city in Belize , with a population of just under fifty thousand. It offers the visitor an unusual combination of rustic, old-fashioned Caribbean charm and bustling modernity. Additionally, the steady rise of cruise tourism has changed the face of areas of downtown Belize City in recent years. The country's largest tourist town, San Pedro Ambergris Caye, is located in the Belize District (see separate entry), as well as the famous Mayan ruin of Altun Ha, the Belize Zoo and well-known wildlife sanctuaries. The Phillip Goldson International Airport is located ten miles from downtown, in the neighboring village of Ladyville and several international airlines provide daily flights. The country's largest municipal airport and water taxi connections to all major cayes are located in downtown Belize City . Bus transportation is available hourly and half hourly during peak times to all districts.
ABOVE: Downtown Belize City features several supermarkets and dry goods stores.
The Belize District is the heart of Kriol (Creole) culture and some of its villages are as typically Kriol as one can get: Burrell Boom, Isabella Bank, Rancho Dolores and Lemonal are some of the distinctive Kriol communities that exist in the heart of the Belize River Valley . Gales Point Manatee, the district's southernmost village, still retains some of the typical Kriol cultural practices like Sambai dancing, Anancy story telling under huge mahogany trees, and bramming. Belize City itself originated as a logging camp and export center for mahogany in the 1600's. Naturally, because it is the country's largest urban area, one finds all cultural types and mixtures in the city - Kriol, Garifuna, Mestizo, (a mix of Maya and Spanish) commonly referred to as Spanish, Chinese, Lebanese, Hindu and the original East Indian descendants and Maya. One traveler had this to say as a first impression:
"Belize is a funny place. You cross the border into the first town Corozal and you see blacks, Chinese, Hispanics and whites all speaking at least two languages, one usually Creole. I could pick up phrases and words here and there but it is far enough from standard English to be an entirely distinct language. Verb conjugations are non-existent, everything is abbreviated and accented very heavily and vernacular expressions are standard. They even use words that we would consider diminutive in every day speech, like addressing each other as "boy". And when they want to be polite and they want something from you, you are called "boss". "Baad" means good, and "haaht" means "hard". They abbreviate "And then I said. . ." to "An nen I seh".
It's fascinating, especially when someone, say a clerk at a store, talks to you in lilting but perfect English and then turns to a friend and fires off something in Creole. And when black people start speaking Spanish with their Caribbean swing, look out Antonio Banderas, because that is the true suave and stylin' Latin sound. "Sabes hombre? Yaaah man."
"It's a natural fact that humans are products of their environments of which language acquisition is a major part. So why is it that we have such a hard time getting over our preconceived notions that one language belongs to one people. When a black man speaks eloquently in unaccented, academic English, some blacks call him an "Oreo." When a white kid speaks fluent street slang, some say he is a "poser". But here, when you see a Chinese restaurant owner speak to his family in Cantonese and then turn to a black customer and start jawing away in Creole, nobody bats an eye but me.
The Belize River meanders through the middle of the city; and twice a day, the city's swing bridge closes for about 20 minutes to allow sail boats to pass. There are many traditional street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts in the city's public squares. In recent years, the cruise tourism industry has changed the face of the downtown Fort George area on the north side of the river, particularly on weekdays when at times up to three or four ships dock. This area, already distinctive for its colonial architecture, now is also the bustling center for dozens of tour guides, craft persons and other vendors who have set up in the area around a picturesque tourism village which sits on the site of the former Customs Wharf area. This area has high security and is well-maintained with good food, trained souvenir vendors, duty free shops and the like. Tour operators whisk away interested tourists to day trips at surrounding sanctuaries and Mayan ruin sites and snorkeling sites.
Next page: Historic Belize City

DISTRICTS OF BELIZE

Cayo is the largest of the six districts that make up Belize .... Geographically the largest and most fertile district in Belize, Cayo spans more than 2,000 square miles across diverse terrain - from rolling hills and sweeping farmland devoted to citrus orchards and cattle farming, to lush river valleys and rugged mountain ridges covered in sub-tropical jungle. Tourism .... With an estimated population of about 40,000 people , one of Cayo Districts most important industries is ecotourism. Besides the country's most extensive number of Archeological Sites and a growing number of comfortable accommodations, Cayo offers visitors the unique opportunity to encounter its physically diverse flora and fauna, with such natural wonders as cascading waterfalls and limestone caves in an intact and relatively undisturbed environment. In fact over 60% of Cayo District has been set aside as either a Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park, or Forest Reserve. To experience Cayo you can Hike, Canoe, travel by Horseback, or tour in the comfort of an air-conditioned van. Whatever your preference, prepare yourself for the ultimate in an "up close and personal" experience. The Land .... Much of Cayo consists of broadleaf jungle overlying limestone formations. These formations are a result of an uplifting of ancient coral beds during the past 20 million years. Over time, flowing water has gradually dissolved the limestone, forming underwater rivers, sinkholes, and the Spectacular Caves for which Cayo is famous. Above 2500 feet, granite rock formed from molten intrusions create a landscape of great pine forests, canyons and valley, waterfalls, and vistas of stunning beauty. The Mountain Pine Ridge was formed in this way. Agriculture in Cayo is concentrated in the Belize River valley, where the soil is kept fertile with flood waters from the highlands. Most settlements in Cayo District were founded in these areas, because their rich soils produced plentiful harvests and their waterways provided a means of traveling and transporting goods. Today, it is not an uncommon site to see villagers along the river banks swimming, bathing and doing the family laundry. Cayo, a region once rich with logging and chicle farming, today boasts citrus groves and cattle ranches. Cayo farmers also raise poultry, corn, sorghum, beans, fruits, and various vegetables for both domestic consumption and export. Significant amounts of pine, rosewood, Santa Maria, cedar and mahogany are still harvested by local timber interests. Climate & Weather .... See Cayo Weather for typical seasonal weather patterns, annual rainfall and current conditions. Towns & People .... San Ignacio is the hub of commerce and tourism for western Belize, and together with its sister town - Santa Elena - make up the largest populated area in Cayo District with12,000 residents. Located along the banks of the Macal River, on a series of bluffs, San Ignacio and Santa Elena are at an elevation high enough to be noticeably cooler and less humid than the low-lying coastal plains. Belmopan, the "new" capital of Belize, was established in 1965, following devastation to the former capitol, Belize City, by Hurricane Hattie. The geographical center of the country - Belmopan - lies near Cayo District's eastern edge, 50 miles west of Belize City and 22 miles east of San Ignacio. In between are wild rivers and tropical hardwood forests where the indigenous jaguar, tapir and scarlet macal reside. Along the rivers an easy-going people, living in modest villages, traditionally have earned a living from working the land. Cayo's diverse and hospitable residents have long attracted a vast spectrum of people and cultures - Maya refugees from Guatemala and Mexico, Lebanese, East-Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs, as well as Mennonite farmers and adventure-seekers from North America and Europe. Getting Around .... Easy to reach on the Western Highway, the Cayo District is approximately a one-hour drive from Belize City. Cayo Business Services includes information about email, phones, money exchange, health facilities and other services for those interested in visiting Cayo District. From the budget-minded to the discriminating traveler, Cayo appeals to any visitor looking for high-spirited adventure, while enjoying some of natures finest handiwork. Where to Stay .... San Ignacio Resort Hotel - Wrap yourself in Four-Star comfort at The Premier - Full-Service - Resort Property in San Ignacio Town, the heart of the Cayo District.... Perched above the lush Macal River Valley, the hotel-resort boasts picturesque views of rainforest and wildlife from each of it's 24 deluxe, air-conditioned rooms. Bullfrog Inn - Foremost lodging facility for business travelers to the capitol city of Belmopan. AC/Restaurant-Bar. A conference room is available for guests and can accommodate up to 25 persons in air conditioned comfort. Popular meeting place for government officials and business persons. Welcome to Cayo!