This was a family vacation of 8 days in beautiful Belize. United Airlines flew us to Belize City. From there we took a 20 minute Tropic Air flight out to Ambergris Caye. There were nine of us in our group: Nancy, Steve, Jackie, Skylor, Elisa, Spencer, Michaela, Alexis, and Chris. We rented a large house located on the beach and also rented two golf carts – the prime method of transportation on Ambergris Caye.
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It only has a population of 65,000. The country as a whole has approximately 400,000 inhabitants. Belize City used to be the capital of the country when it was formerly British Honduras. The capital now is Belmopan.
Our Tropic Air plane. A 14-passenger Cessna Caravan.Steve sitting in the co-pilot’s seat.Garmin Electronic Flight Instrumentation System.Leaving the mainland.Intermediate stop at Caye Caulker.Beautiful reefs.
Ambergris Caye
This caye is the largest island in Belize and was our primary destination. The island is 1 mile wide and 25 miles long. The only town on the island is San Pedro. Running parallel to the east of the island is the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the second largest barrier reef in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. We rented a house on the eastern beach approximately 20 minutes north (by golf cart) of San Pedro. The house included a chef to prepare most of our meals.
Traveling by golf cart.Elisa.Local grocery store.Inside a San Pedro cigar store.Hundreds of golf carts on the island.Gigantic iguanas.Spencer ready for an outing.Steve enjoying the beach.Nancy relaxing on the beach.Spencer ready for the beach.Secret Beach bar with in-the-water tables.Michaela and Elisa.Delicious fish tacos made by our chef, Dorita.Server at Secret Beach.Wonderful tropical drinks.Secret Beach bar pavilion.Jackie, Alexis, and Michaela.Steve’s favorite drink, a Rum Sour.Our caretaker, Alan, and his wife and chef, Dorita.Seven iguanas – count them!Our beach.ChrisSnapper for dinner.Our rented house.Our whole group along with Alan and Dorita’s family.Driving in San Pedro.Tasting room for Tiburon rum.Relaxing at Secret Beach.Don’t be stupid!Self explanatory.Restaurant on Ambergris Caye.Ubiquitous Penn State flag in restaurant.The whole crew at the “Truck Stop.” A roadside eating and drinking establishment.The Truck Stop.
Trip to Mayan Ruins on the Mainland
One day during our trip we visited the mainland. To get back to Belize city, we took a 90-minute water taxi. One of the goals that day was to visit Mayan ruins called Altun Ha located about an hour north of Belize City. Translated this means “Stone Water.” Of all the Mayan sites in Belize, this one was the most excavated. The city covered 3 square miles and had a population of 8,000 to 10,000 people.This city was established to serve as a trading center between the Caribbean and the vast population of Maya living further into the interior of Belize and surrounding countries. Altun Ha was most active during the Mayan “Classic Period” which existed between 200 and 900 AD. However, the site was occupied from 900 BC through 1000 AD.
Water taxi to the mainland.Michaela and Elisa.Restaurant featuring “Free Wiffi.”View of the main Plaza from one of the structures.Elisa, Alexis, and Nancy at Altun Ha.View of the main structure, the Temple of the Masonry Altars.Carving of the Sun God located on the Temple of the Masonry Altars.Platform on Temple of the Masonry Altars where human sacrifices were conducted. Bonfire structure atop Temple of the Masonry Altars.View of the minor plaza from the top of Temple of the Masonry Altars.Lots of climbing stairs!Amazing stonework.USAID gave funds to protect this site.
Cave Tubing on the Mainland
Actun Tunichil Muknal (the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre), also known locally as ATM is a three mile long cave in the interior of Belize. The cave’s location is within the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It features a two mile long river that flows through the parts of the cave. The cave is an archeological site as it contains skeletons, ceramics, and stone tools. It was used as a ceremonial site by the Maya and is a highly protected site by Belizean Government. We were given inner tubes, helmets, and head lamps. After hiking a while, we arrived at one of the water entrances and had a guided float tour through the cave system.
Stopping for lunch prior to entering the cave area.Live edge wood slabs used as tables at our lunch spot.Beginning to float – looking back at the cave entrance.Cave formations.Other tubers entering the cave.Waterfall.Another natural entrance we floated by.Closeup of the sinkhole entrance.The exit ahead.After exiting.Now floating down the open air river.Another cave entrance along the river.Heading back to Ambergris Caye after a long day. This is the water taxi terminal on the mainland.
Water Sports
We participated in many outings on the water. This included a lot of snorkeling, feeding fish (tarpon), feeding sharks, viewing manatees, and cruising along the reef.
Spencer and Steve.A water outing.Spencer with Grandma.Lunch on Caye Caulker.Street vendor selling the girls snacks.Spencer awaiting her lunch.Lunchtime drink for Michaela.Spencer enjoying ice cream on Caye Caulker.Elisa and Michaela enjoying ice cream on Caye Caulker.Steve and Nancy on Caye Caulker.Swimming at a pier.Mandatory wrist band needed while snorkeling in the marine reserve.Nurse sharks – feeding frenzy!
Underwater Belize.
Going Home
We had a wonderful time in paradise. Now time to leave this beautiful land.
Approaching Tropic Air terminal. Terminal and runway are located in the middle of San Pedro.Flying over Ambergris Caye.Barrier reef seen in upper part of photo.Landed at Belize City Airport.Spencer imitating Steve at the Belize City Airport.The Howe family on flight to Houston.Skylor and Spencer working hard.
