Plan the Perfect Getaway with the Perfect Activity Guide for All…

PLAN THE PERFECT GETAWAY WITH THE PERFECT ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR ALL…

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MAYAN RUINS (ALL ON MAINLAND OF BELIZE)

BELIZE HAS SEVERAL MAYAN RUINS THAT ARE A MUST FOR EVERY TRIP. THINK OF HOW THE MAYAN CALENDAR WAS CREATED 1000’S OF YEARS AGO. MUCH OF OUR ASTRONOMY TODAY WAS DISCOVERED AND INFLUENCED BY THE MAYANS. EACH OF THE MAYAN RUINS OFFERS SOMETHING UNIQUE IN ARCHITECTURE AND ARTIFACTS. THE RUIN SITES ARE SCATTERED ACROSS THE MAINLAND OF BELIZE AND HAVE VARIOUS LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY FOR TOURISTS. MANY OF OUR GUESTS COMBINE A RUIN TOUR WITH A VISIT TO THE BELIZE ZOO, OR CAVE TUBING AND/OR ZIP LINING FOR A FULL DAY OF ADVENTURE. SINCE THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM, PLEASE LET US HELP YOU DECIDE WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR VACATION.

CARACOL

CARACOL IS BELIZE’S PREMIER MAYA SITE. THE MAIN TEMPLE IS THE TALLEST MAN-MADE STRUCTURE IN BELIZE. CANNA, (‘SKY PLACE’) STANDS 143 FEET ABOVE THE PLAZA FLOOR. IN ADDITION TO SPECTACULAR VIEWS FROM THE TOP OF THE STRUCTURES, THE ACOUSTICS ALLOW A NORMAL SPEAKING VOICE TO BE HEARD. THIS AMAZING ARCHITECTURE ALLOWED THE MAYAN PRIESTS TO ADDRESS THEIR TRIBE WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF MODERN DAY MICROPHONES AND AMPLIFIERS. IT’S A SCENIC ALBEIT A BIT RUGGED JOURNEY TO GET TO CARACOL, BUT WELL WORTHY OF A DAY TRIP ON YOUR VACATION.

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CAHAL PECH

THE ROYAL ACROPOLIS-PALACE OF AN ELITE RULING FAMILY, CAHAL PECH IS STEEPED IN HISTORY AS YOU TOUR AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR ELITE WAY OF LIVING. CAHAL PECH WAS ONCE USED AS PASTURELAND AND THE AMAZING ARCHITECTURE HAS BEEN WELL PRESERVED AT THIS SITE.

XUNANTUNICH

XUNANTUNICH, ‘MAIDEN OF THE ROCK’ CONSISTS OF 6 MAJOR TEMPLES WITH THE LARGEST BEING EL CASTILLO (THE CASTLE). EL CASTILLO IS 130’ TALL AND HAS ORNATE CARVINGS ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDES OF THE LIMESTONE PYRAMID. THE GROUNDS ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH OVER 25 TEMPLES AND PALACES INCLUDED.

ATM CAVES

ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL, ALSO KNOWN AS ATM, IS A CAVE IN BELIZE NOTABLE AS A MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE THAT INCLUDES SKELETONS (NOT FOR THE FAINT-OF-HEART), CERAMICS, AND STONEWARE. THERE IS A 40 MINUTE HIKE TO THE CAVE ENTRANCE. YOU’LL BE SWIMMING AND WADING THROUGH WASTE DEEP WATER UP AND DOWN INCLINES. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A WORK-OUT WHILE TOURING A HISTORIC MAYAN CIVILIZATION, YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND LANDMARK. “AN INDIANA JONES TYPE ADVENTURE”.

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ALTUN HA

ALTUN HA, ‘WATER OF THE ROCK’ IS ONLY 30 MILES FROM BELIZE CITY MAKING IT THE CLOSEST TO VISIT IF YOU’RE SHORT ON TIME. IT IS THE CEREMONIAL CENTER AND DISCOVERY SITE OF THE FAMOUS JADE HEAD. WEIGHING 9.75 POUNDS AND STANDING ALMOST 6 INCHES HIGH, THE JADE HEAD REMAINS THE SINGLE LARGEST CARVED JADE OBJECT YET DISCOVERED IN THE MAYA AREA. TWO MAIN PYRAMIDS AND 13 TEMPLES HAVE BEEN EXCAVATED HERE.

LAMANAI

IT’S AN EXCURSION JUST TO GET TO LAMANAI. PLANES, SHUTTLES AND BOATS! START THE DAY WITH A SCENIC RIDE FROM SAN PEDRO TO THE MAINLAND. ENJOY THE TROPICAL WATER AND THE JUNGLE CANOPY VIEWS. A SHUTTLE BUS ESCORTS YOU TO YOUR BOAT. ON YOUR 1+ HOUR BOAT RIDE UP THE NEW RIVER NOTE THE ABUNDANT ORCHIDS, AND YOU’LL LIKELY SEE AMERICAN CROCODILES ALONG THE SHORELINE AND A VARIETY OF BIRDS AS WELL. LOOK FOR HOWLER MONKEYS AS YOU LEAVE LAMINAI. LAMANAI IS LOCATED AT THE EDGE OF A LUSH FOREST RESERVE. THE WALK FROM ONE STRUCTURE TO THE NEXT IS SHORT AND NOT STRENUOUS. YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF CLIMBING TO THE TOP OF A COUPLE OF THE STRUCTURES FOR SOME NICE VIEWS OF THE RIVER AND LANDSCAPE.

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CAVE TUBING (MAINLAND BELIZE)

IF COMBINING A LEISURELY FLOAT WITH HISTORIC SITES AND NATURE’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL WONDERS SOUNDS INTRIGUING, CAVE TUBING IS A MUST. CAVE TUBING WAS INVENTED IN BELIZE AND REMAINS THE NUMBER ONE MAINLAND EVENT FOR TOURISTS. YOU WILL TOUR THE CAVE BRANCH RIVER VIA A TUBE. CAVES TELL THE HISTORY OF BELIZE. THEY WERE AN INTRICATE PART OF THE MAYA RELIGION AND CULTURE. YOU WILL SEE EVIDENCE AND RELICS OF CEREMONIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE MAYANS. THE STALACTITES AND STALAGMITES (STILL GET THEM CONFUSED!) ARE AMAZING AS YOU NAVIGATE THEM ON YOUR TUBE.

SIGHTSEEING

WHEN YOU LAND IN BELIZE CITY, WHY NOT SPEND THE

AFTERNOON TOURING THE BELIZE MUSEUM, BABOON

SANCTUARY OR ALTUN HA RUINS. ALL ARE LESS THAN AN HOUR DRIVE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. DURING HIGH SEASON, THERE ARE LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING

FLIGHTS TO AMBERGRIS CAYE. OR PLAN A MORNING OR DAY TRIP TO BELIZE CITY BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE. WE SPECIALIZE IN

HELPING YOU SEE AND DO AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU’D LIKE DURING YOUR VACATION.

ZIP LINING (MAINLAND BELIZE)

YOUR THRILLING ZIP LINE EXPERIENCE BEGINS WITH A GUIDE OUTFITTING AND INSTRUCTING GUESTS ON HOW TO TRAVERSE WITH ULTIMATE SAFETY FROM PLATFORM TO PLATFORM. THE ZIP LINE ADVENTURE CONSISTS OF 8 ZIP LINE PLATFORMS EACH STRATEGICALLY LOCATED WITHIN THE RAINFOREST CANOPY. THE PLATFORMS ARE AS HIGH AS 85 FEET INTO THE CANOPY AND AS FAR APART AS 250 FEET. THE BIRDS AND HOWLER MONKEYS FOUND ON THE SITE WILL BE AT EYE LEVEL AS YOU SOAR ABOVE THE JUNGLE CANOPY.

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BELIZE MUSEUM (BELIZE CITY)

ENJOY FOLLOWING THE HISTORY OF BELIZE FROM ITS EARLY MAYAN SETTLERS TO THE BRITISH CROWN. BUILT MORE THAN 150 YEARS AGO BY THE BRITISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT TO HOUSE PRISONERS. THE MUSEUM IS IN CENTRAL BELIZE CITY AND ITS EXHIBITS DOCUMENT THE MORE THAN 3000 YEARS OF HISTORY IN THE AREA. SINCE BELIZE WAS ONCE THE HEARTLAND OF THE ANCIENT MAYAN EMPIRE, VISITORS CAN SEE A RICH ASSEMBLY OF MAYAN CEREMONIAL OBJECTS, CARVINGS, PAINTINGS, AND OTHER CULTURAL ARTIFACTS. A TOUR OF THE MUSEUM ALSO INCLUDES THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE AN AUTHENTIC PRISON CELL, AS WELL AS LEARN ABOUT THE DEVASTATION THAT HURRICANE HATTIE WREAKED ON THE NATION IN 1961. PROBABLY THE MOST EVOCATIVE EXHIBITION IS ON THE BOTFLY AND HOW IT USES DECAYING HUMAN FLESH TO FEED ITS LARVAE.

MARCO GONZALEZ MAYAN SITE (AMBERGRIS CAYE)

LOCATED AT THE VERY SOUTHERN POINT OF AMBERGRIS CAYE IS A SMALL MAYA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE. DO NOT EXPECT

TEMPLES AND STRUCTURES OF THE SITES ON THE MAINLAND. IT’S RIGHT ON AMBERGRIS AND IS AN ACTIVE DIG SITE FIRST

DISCOVERED IN 1984.

BIRD WATCHING

WE ADMIRE THE INCREDIBLE BIRDS INCLUDING THE LARGE- BILLED PELICANS THAT FLY OVER OUR PROPERTY. WHILE WE HAVE NOT SPOTTED THE TOUCAN WHICH IS THE NATIONAL BIRD OF BELIZE, WE HAVE SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRDS, WOODPECKERS, CRANES, HERONS AND EGRETS THAT GRACE OUR SHORELINE. IF YOU’RE A BIRD-LOVER, YOU’LL BE EDUCATING US! UNTIL THEN, WE’LL KEEP SNAPPING PHOTOS LIKE THIS ONE OF THE YELLOW BELLIED ORIOLE - .

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FISHING (ALL FROM AMBERGRIS CAYE) - DEEP SEA FISHING

GO BIG OR GO HOME WITH THE GOAL OF FUN TO CATCH BARRACUDA, MAHI MAHI, DORADO OR TUNA. GUIDES CAN ACCOMMODATE EITHER A FULL DAY, HALF DAY (MORNING OR EVENING). OUTSIDE THE REEF INTO THE CARIBBEAN YOU’LL TROLL ALONG AMBERGRIS CAYE. IT’S FISHING, SO YOU NEVER KNOW AND YOU MAY EVEN HOOK A MARLIN OR SAILFISH. IF YOU ARE AN AVID FISHERMAN WHO LIKES TO RELAX WITH A MIX OF EXCITEMENT, THEN THIS IS THE WAY TO GO. A COOLER OF COLD BEVERAGES (DID SOMEONE SAY BELIKIN BEER?) WILL BE FULLY STOCKED. AND, AT THE END OF YOUR TRIP, BRING YOUR FRESH CATCH TO AJI TAPA AND THEY ARE HAPPY TO PREPARE IT FOR

YOUR SPECIAL DINNER. DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?

REEF FISHING

WANT MORE OF A LEISURELY FISHING DAY ON SMOOTHER WATERS? STAY INSIDE THE REEF AS WE CATCH OUR OWN BAIT FISH AND TROLL AROUND TESTING OUT SEVERAL FISHING SPOTS. SNAPPER, BARRACUDA, GRUNTS AND GROUPERS ARE COMMON. AND, IF THE FISH AREN’T BITING AND YOU WANT A SURE THING, OPEN THE COOLER AND GRAB A COLD BELIKIN BEER OR A RUM PUNCH FOR A SURE CATCH. IT’S TYPICAL TO HAVE YOUR GUIDE SPOT SOME RAYS OR EVEN DOLPHINS ALONG THE COAST OF AMBERGRIS CAYE. BRING YOUR FRESH FISH TO AJI TAPA

RESTAURANT AND HAVE IT PREPARED TO YOUR LIKING FOR DINNER. THE END TO A PERFECT DAY!

FLY FISHING OR FLAT BOAT FISHING

ONE OF THE PREMIERE FLY FISHING AREAS IN THE WORLD AS YOU AIM TO CATCH THE BIG 3 - TARPON, PERMIT AND BONEFISH. COME SEE THE SERENITY OF AMBERGRIS CAYE AS YOU FISH THROUGH THE BACKWATERS INTERTWINED WITH MANGROVES AND SMOOTH CLEAR WATER. NOT TO SET UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS, BECAUSE AFTER ALL, IT IS FLY FISHING, BUT EVEN IF YOU GET SKUNKED, THE SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL.

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FISHING AND BEACH BBQ

HOW ABOUT ENJOYING A DAY FISHING AND HAVE YOUR GUIDE PREPARE LUNCH FOR YOU WITH YOUR FRESH CATCH ON A DESERTED BEACH. THIS IS A GREAT FAMILY ACTIVITY OR CAN BE ROMANTIC AS WELL ON A SPECIAL PRIVATE BEACH. IT ENTAILS FISHING IN THE MORNING, TO CATCH THE MEAL FOR THE DAY. WE THEN GO TO A SPECIAL PRIVATE BEACH IN THE LEEWARD PART OF THE ISLAND TO COOK.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF - A WORLD HERITAGE SITE ONE OF THE REASONS TOURISTS ENJOY AMBERGRIS CAYE IS BECAUSE OF HOW CLOSE IT IS TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. IT IS THE WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST BARRIER REEF AND ONLY ½ MILE OFF OUR SHORE. YOU CAN EXPLORE ON KAYAKS FROM BELLA VISTA RESORT, SNORKEL OR SCUBA DIVE AS WELL. SCUBA DIVING - CERTIFICATION AND LOCAL DIVES

IF YOU'VE EVER THOUGHT OF LEARNING TO DIVE BUT HAVEN'T YET BEEN CERTIFIED, BELIZE IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO DO IT. MOST CERTIFICATION COURSES TRAIN PARTICIPANTS IN A SWIMMING POOL. BUT HERE, EACH DAY OF THE THREE-DAY CERTIFICATION COURSE INCLUDES DIVING DRILLS IN THE WARM CARIBBEAN SEA. IF YOU'RE ALREADY CERTIFIED, WE RECOMMEND DOING A DAY DIVING. THERE ARE OVER DIVE SITES LOCATED ACROSS THE ISLAND HOULD YOU 60 . S DECIDE TO STAY AT OUR RESORT, YOU'LL BE PICKED UP AT 8AM BY BOAT

AND SHUTTLED TO THE DIVE SITE FOR AN EXCITING MORNING AND AFTERNOON DIVE THE GREAT BLUE HOLE

THE GREAT BLUE HOLE IS A GIANT MARINE SINKHOLE OFF THE COAST OF BELIZE. IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECENT DOCUMENTARY WITH AN AQUATIC SUBMARINE TRAVELING TO THE BOTTOM FEATURING AND FUNDED BY RICHARD BRANSON, AND FABIEN COUSTEAU. EXPLORE FOR YOURSELF ON THIS ALL-DAY TRIP. CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TOP DIVING MECAS MAKING THE TWO-HOUR JOURNEY BY BOAT VERY WORTHWHILE.

THE HOLE IS CIRCULAR IN SHAPE, 318 M ACROSS AND 124 M DEEP.

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SNORKELING

THERE ARE MULTIPLE OPTIONS TO ENJOY SNORKELING THE REEF FROM THE EASY-PEEZY TO AN ALL-DAY EXCURSION. STARTING ONSITE FROM BELLA VISTA, GRAB YOUR SNORKELING GEAR (WE HAVE AT THE RESORT) AND TAKE A COMPLIMENTARY KAYAK OUT TO THE REEF. TIE THE KAYAK TO A BUOY AND JUMP INTO THE WATER FOR SOME SWIMMING AND SNORKELING. OR TAKE THE EXPERIENCE UP A NOTCH AND JOIN ONE OF THE STAFF FOR SOME SPEARFISHING NEAR THE REEF ON THEIR DAY OFF. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND INCLUDING A COUPLE ½ DAY TRIPS ON A BOAT TO EXPLORE THE REEF. YOU’LL HAVE MANY OPTIONS ALONG THE REEF.

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND INCLUDING A COUPLE ½ DAY TRIPS ON A BOAT TO EXPLORE THE REEF. YOU’LL HAVE MANY OPTIONS ALONG THE REEF FROM THE NORTH AT TRANQUILITY BAY AND MEXICO ROCKS TO THE SOUTH PRESERVE AT HOL CHAN AND SHARK & RAY ALLEY. DON’T PANIC ABOUT THE SHARKS. THEY ARE NURSE SHARKS AND THE MOST THEY CAN

DO IS GIVE YOU A HICKEY. LOOK MA - NO TEETH! THE REEF IS BEAUTIFUL AND WORTHY OF VENTURING IN. NO WORRIES, THE SHARKS TEND TO

LEAVE ALMOST AS SOON AS YOU JUMP OFF THE BOAT.

SNORKEL AND DAY TRIP TO CAYE CAULKER .

YOU CAN PLAN A FULL DAY TO CAYE CAULKER THAT INCLUDES SNORKELING SITES SUCH AS CORAL GARDENS AND THEN THE MANATEE

SITE (50/50 CHANCE OF SEEING MANATEES). ARRIVE AT CAYE CAULKER

FOR LUNCH AND RELAXATION. CHECK OUT THE SPLIT BAR AT THE NORTH END OF THE ISLAND. BACK IN THE BOAT, HEAD TO THE BACK SIDE OF CAYE CAULKER TO FEED THE TARPONS AND SEE THE SEAHORSE RESERVE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE GOOD EYES, BUT SO COOL TO SEE ACTUAL SEAHORSES.

ENJOY YOUR RUM PUNCH AS YOU HEAD BACK TO BELLA VISTA.

WE EVEN OFFER SEA LIFE THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET WET TO SEE! IN

OUR SEA TURTLE SUITE AT BELLA VISTA RESORT, MEET THE CUTEST

TURTLE TO GREET YOU IN YOUR KING SUITE.

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FULL DAY CAYE CAULKER - SAILING AND SNORKELING VIA CATAMARAN

THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE SPEED BOAT; HOWEVER, YOU SPEND MORE TIME AT CAYE CAULKER. SNORKEL AT HOL CHAN AND SHARK- RAY ALLEY THEN SPEND THE DAY AT CAYE CAULKER, THEN SAIL BACK TO SAN PEDRO.

LOBSTERFEST

THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE LOBSTER SEASON IS HELD IN CENTRAL PARK (SAN PEDRO SQUARE) IN MID-JUNE. LOTS OF VENDORS WITH BOOTHS GRILLING UP AMAZING LOBSTER DISHES AND BEVERAGES. IT’S A BLAST! INTERESTING NOTE THAT BELIZEAN LOBSTERS DON’T HAVE FRONT CLAWS LIKE YOUR MAINE LOBSTERS.

CROCODILE NIGHT EXCURSION WITH ACES (AMERICAN CROCODILE EDUCATION SANCTUARY)

WE HAVE A ONE-OF-A-KIND OPPORTUNITY ON AMBERGRIS CAYE. AN IMPASSIONED EXPERT CROC TEAM OFFER A NIGHT CRUISE THROUGH AMBERGRIS CAYE’S MANGROVE HABITAT. YOU’LL BE LEARNING ABOUT BIOLOGY AND HABITAT WHILE THE CROC RESEARCHERS ‘EYE-SHINE’ TO FIND THE DISTINCTIVE GLOWING EYES OF THE AMERICAN SALTWATER CROC. YOU’LL BE SUPPORTING THE RESEARCH AND REHABILITATION WORK TO MAKE SURE THE CROCODILE POPULATION IS PROTECTED AND HEALTHY

WITH YOUR MANDATORY DONATION FOR THE 2 HOUR TOUR. YOU MIGHT GET TO HOLD A BABY CROC ON BOARD.

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COMFORT AND LEISURE YOGA & SPA PAMPERING DAY

YOU CAN TOTALLY ZEN OUT ON THE ISLAND. START WITH A MORNING YOGA CLASS ON THE DOCK AT AK’BOL (2 MILES NORTH OF THE BRIDGE) AND WALKING DISTANCE ALONG THE BEACH FROM BELLA VISTA. HAVE A MASSAGE ON THE BEACH AT ONE OF MANY SPA SPOTS INCLUDING A PRIVATELY ARRANGED MASSAGE AT BELLA VISTA. COOL OFF POOL SIDE WITH A PURPLE PARROT UMBRELLA DRINK AND A GOOD BOOK AS YOU LISTEN TO THE WAVES AS THE TROPICAL WINDS WOO YOU INTO AN AFTERNOON NAP.

BOOZE CRUISE

WE ARE HAPPY TO ARRANGE FOR SOMETHING CUSTOMIZED FOR YOU. WE

HAVE TWO BOATS AT BELLA VISTA AND A CAPTAIN ON HAND TO ARRANGE

THE OUTING OF YOUR CHOICE.

SECRET BEACH

WELL, IT’S NOT SO SECRET ANYMORE. IT’S ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ISLAND AND A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO THE NORTHERLY WINDS THAT SOMETIMES ARE RELENTLESS. WATER IS BEAUTIFUL AND THERE ARE SEVERAL WATERING HOLES, SPAS, AND LOTS OF WAYS TO ENJOY FUN IN THE SUN. BRING LOTION, HATS, AND CHECK OUT BEACH TOWELS FROM AJI BAR BEFORE YOU GO. MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS LOCK YOUR CARTS AND DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING EXPOSED IN THE CARTS. THERE ARE MANY CHOICES BUT WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SAY HI TO ALEXANDRA AT MARUBA BEACH CLUB. FOLLOW THE LARGE M’S ALL THE WAY FROM THE BRIDGE TO SECRET BEACH. SIGNS ARE PRETTY GOOD TO GET YOU THERE, AND SECRET BEACH ALSO COMES UP ON GOOGLE MAPS. TAKE BUG SPRAY!

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ROMANCE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL SETUP OUR PRIVATE DINING SPOT ON THE BEACH AT AJI TAPA RESTAURANT. OUR HOSPITALITY TEAM IS ALSO KNOWN FOR THEIR CARING CREATIVITY UPON YOUR ARRIVAL AT BELLA VISTA RESORT. EXPLORING THE CITY GOLF CART RENTAL THROUGHOUT YOUR STAY

BELLA VISTA RESORT WILL BE PICKING YOU UP IN OUR GOLF CARTS FROM THE AIRPORT OR BOAT TAXI WHEN YOU ARRIVE ON THE ISLAND. WE’LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT TO THE RESORT AND SHOW YOU SOME OF THE LOCAL SCENES ALONG THE WAY. YOU’LL ENJOY YOUR WELCOME DRINK UPON ARRIVING AT THE RESORT AS WE SHARE THE DETAILS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GREAT STAY. AND WHEN IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE, WE’LL WIPE AWAY OUR TEARS

AND ESCORT YOU BACK TO THE AIRPORT FOR YOUR RETURN TRIP HOME.

YOU’LL KNOW YOU’RE ON A TROPICAL ISLAND WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT BICYCLES AND GOLF CARTS ARE THE MOST POPULAR TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE. BELLA VISTA HAS BIKES AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS INCLUDING TWO PEDAL ASSISTED BIKES. YOU CAN BIKE FROM THE RESORT TO THE SOUTH END OF THE ISLAND OR TO SECRET BEACH FOR A WORKOUT AS WELL. BELLA VISTA WILL ALSO ARRANGE FOR YOUR GOLF CART RENTAL IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE MORE OF THE ISLAND. YOU WILL SEE SOME CARS ON THE ISLAND, BUT MOST ARE TAXIS OR BELONG TO RESORTS. DON’T BOTHER WITH YOUR UBER OR LYFT APP ON AMBERGRIS CAYE.

ROADS: YOU’LL GET USED TO THEM, BUT SOME OF THE ROADS GOING NORTH PAST BELLA VISTA OR SOUTH PAST SAN PEDRO CAN GET A BIT ADVENTUROUS. (MAY BE A BIT TOO POLITE) ALWAYS LOCK THE CARTS, TAKE THE KEYS AND DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING EXPOSED.

GAS STATIONS: WE RECOMMEND CHECKING THAT YOUR RENTAL GOLF CART HAS ENOUGH GAS. YOU CAN CRUISE QUITE A WAYS ON ½ A TANK. IF YOU NEED GAS, THERE IS A PLACE ON THE LAGOON SIDE IN DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO AND THE ONLY OTHER ONE IS SOUTH OF SAN PEDRO NEAR THE LIQUOR DISTRIBUTOR. ASK FOR DIRECTIONS TO EITHER. THERE IS NO AAA ON THE ISLAND. :)

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DIRECTIONS: EVEN OUR STREET SIGNS ARE UNIQUE. DRIVING AROUND DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO IS MADE EASIER WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE ARE ONLY 3 MAIN STREETS: FRONT, MIDDLE AND BACK. SIGHTS AROUND TOWN – GET YOUR CAMERAS READY! SEE MR. SAN PEDRO HIMSELF AT SAN PEDRO’S ONE AND ONLY ‘ROUND ABOUT. FOR OUR JERSEY FRIENDS, THAT’S A LEFT TURN! AND IT BECOMES OUR MARKER FOR HEADING TO THE BEACH BARS AS YOU HEAD FROM DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO TOWARD THE BRIDGE - MAKE A RIGHT AT THE CIRCLE. THERE IS A NICE PHOTO OP OF A SIGN THAT SAYS ‘SAN PEDRO’ ON FRONT STREET. POLICE STATION BELIZEAN STYLE - ANOTHER PHOTO OP NORTH OF THE BRIDGE RIGHT BEFORE CROCS.

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS: LANGUAGE: ENGLISH IS THE FIRST LANGUAGE OF THE ISLAND SINCE IT’S FORMERLY BRITISH HONDURAS. YOU WILL ALSO FIND SPANISH AND KRIOL. CURRENCY: YOUR USD GREENBACKS ARE WELCOME HERE. 2 BELIZE DOLLARS = $1 USD SAN PEDRO TOLL BRIDGE: NOT KIDDING, YOU NEED TO PAY A FEE TO CROSS THE BRIDGE TO GO NORTH OUT OF SAN PEDRO. $5 BZD EACH WAY OR $2.50 USD. BEER: IF YOU ORDER A BEER, IT’S SYNONYMOUS WITH BELIKIN. TYPICALLY SERVED WITH A NAPKIN TO WIPE OFF THE SALT OR SAND THAT COULD HAVE ACCUMULATED ON IT’S WAY OVER HERE VIA BOATS FROM THE MAINLAND. THE OTHER LOCAL BEER IS LIGHTHOUSE. YOU CAN ALSO GET GUINESS AND LANDSHARK. THAT’S PRETTY MUCH IT. AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS: THERE ARE TWO AIRPORTS IN BELIZE CITY. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH ONE YOU ARE FLYING TO WHEN YOU LEAVE FOR AN EXCURSION OR TO GO BACK HOME SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE A TAXI TO GET TO THE OTHER ONE. ALL INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WILL BE FROM GOLDSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ‘BZE’ AS OPPOSED TO THE BELIZE CITY AIRPORT. MAYA AND TROPIC ARE THE TWO AIRLINES THAT FLY INTO SAN PEDRO. BOTH HAVE FLIGHTS FROM BOTH THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AS WELL AS THE CITY AIRPORT. SOMETIMES A FLIGHT FROM SAN PEDRO WILL MAKE A STOP AT THE CITY AIRPORT FIRST AND THEN CONTINUE TO THE INTERNATIONAL. DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF GETTING OFF TOO EARLY. ISLA BONITA: AMBERGRIS CAYE IS ALSO KNOWN AS ISLA BONITA. START HUMMING MADONNA’S LA ISLA BONITA… ‘LAST NIGHT I DREAMT OF SAN PEDRO’...

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SHOPPING AND LOCAL EXPERIENCES BELIZE CHOCOLATE COMPANY ON FRONT STREET AND ALSO ACCESS FROM THE BEACH NEXT TO WILD MANGO’S. GREAT SOUVENIR GIFT TO TAKE HOME. IF THAT’S YOUR PLAN, MAKE IT ONE OF YOUR LAST STOPS. AT LEAST IN MY CASE, IT’S BEEN KNOWN TO BE CONSUMED AND AUNT BESSIE MISSED OUT!

BELIZE FOOD TOUR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN SAN PEDRO IS TO DO A LUNCH TOUR (BELIZEAN BITES) OR DINNER TOUR (SAVOR BELIZE) OR TAKE A BELIZEAN COOKING CLASS! OFFERED BY A BROTHER AND SISTER TEAM THAT GREW UP IN SAN PEDRO. IT GETS HIGH MARKS FROM THOSE THAT HAVE TAKEN THE TOUR.

SOUVENIR SHOPPING HEAD TO FRONT STREET FROM THE BELIZE CHOCOLATE FACTORY ALL THE WAY PAST FIDO’S FOR MANY SOUVENIR SHOPS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE UPSCALE, CHECK OUT THE MANY ART GALLERIES OR HEAD TO GRINNEL’S ON MIDDLE STREET FOR BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED WOODWORK. THE LOCAL STREET ARTISANS ON MIDDLE STREET ARE IMPRESSIVE AND YOU’LL NEGOTIATE A KEEPSAKE FROM BELIZE.

BELIKIN SHOP - ACROSS FROM THE AIRPORT, OFFERING MUGS, T-SHIRTS OF THE LOCAL BEER.

BELIZEAN SOAPS - STORE ON FRONT STREET DOWNTOWN “SMELLY PEOPLE WELCOME” WITH THEIR HANDMADE SOAPS AND GIFTS.

AMBAR JEWELRY STORE IN THE FIDO’S MARKET. LIZETTE DESIGNS AND MAKES HER OWN JEWELRY. A TREAT.

ART GALLERIES – THERE ARE MANY GALLERIES ALL OVER TOWN WITH AMAZING LOCAL ARTISTS FEATURED.

SAN PEDRO ARTISANS MARKET - LOCATED NEXT TO THE TORTILLERIA ON BACK STREET. A ‘MUST DO’ BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE ISLAND. OVER A DOZEN ARTISANS WITH HAND CRAFTED JEWELRY, LINENS, WOOD CARVINGS, ETC. YOU CAN GET A PERSONALIZED CARVING FEATURING BELIZEAN WOODS.

TORTILLERIA – RIGHT NEXT TO THE ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET IS THE TORTILLA FACTORY. WATCH HOW THEY ARE MADE AND GRAB A POUND OF FRESH CORN TORTILLAS FOR $2 USD.

TRAVELLER’S RUM - ON MIDDLE STREET OFFERS RUM SAMPLING.

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GRUB ALTERNATIVES: ANY PLACE TO EAT OTHER THAN AJI?

EVEN FOODIES FIND MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS ON THE ISLAND PLEASING TO THE PALETTE. HERE ARE SOME THAT WE FREQUENT, BUT NOT MEANT TO BE EXHAUSTIVE AS IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. ASK OUR TEAM FOR SUGGESTIONS. RESERVATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED. VICTORIA HOUSE - BEAUTIFUL SETTING SOUTH OF SAN PEDRO. GREAT LUNCH SPOT. PIER 366 @ BANYAN BAY - SOUTH OF SAN PEDRO PINEAPPLE RESTAURANT @ RAMONE’S VILLAGE - GREAT LUNCH SPOT. THE JUNGLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ISLAND AT RAMONE’S VILLAGE. BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS. NICE GIFT SHOP - WHAT GIRL DOESN’T WANT TO SHOP WHILE SHE’S WAITING FOR LUNCH? WARNING - ‘NO ALCOHOL’- ONLY BEER AND WINE. PATZ – QUAINT LUNCH SPOT SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT WITH A FRENCH INFLUENCE. THEY MAKE THEIR OWN BREAD AND THUS THEIR SANDWICHES ARE SUPER GOOD. PATRICK AND CYNTHIA HAVE SANDWICHES AND SALADS TO GO AS WELL. BLUE WATER GRILL – DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO; SUSHI NIGHT ON TUESDAY WILD MANGO’S – BEACHFRONT DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO. TRY THE SPICY JALAPENO CHEESE MELT OVER SHRIMP. PIRATES PIZZA – ON MIDDLE STREET. I KNOW IT’S VACATION, BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA HAVE A SLICE. EL FOGON – WOOD BURNING STOVE AND THE BEST IN LOCAL BELIZEAN FOODS; ACROSS FROM THE AIRPORT WARUGUMA - MIDDLE STREET, BELIZEAN STYLE ELVI’S – ALWAYS A LINE, AND THERE IS A REASON WHY! BEACH SIDE DOWNTOWN. MAXI’S – SISTER RESTAURANT TO ELVI’S. NO LINE. ACROSS FROM FIDO’S ON FRONT STREET. STELLA’S – JUST UP THE ROAD AND KELLY AND BOYD AND STAFF WILL BRING THAT SOUTHERN TEXAS CHARM RIGHT TO YOUR TABLE. REPEAT THE COMMENT ON GREAT SUNSET SPOT. RAIN & AQUA – RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO US AT GRAND CARIBE AJI – YOU KNEW THIS WAS COMING. BUT WE’D HONESTLY BE DOING YOU A DISSERVICE NOT TO RECOMMEND A FEW EVENINGS AND LUNCHES WITH US. BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED FOR BELLA VISTA RESORT GUESTS AND IS SURE TO PLEASE. WE ARE FAMOUS FOR OUR PAELLA, BUT HAVE LOTS OF AMAZING SPECIALTIES. THE AJI TEAM GETS RAVE REVIEWS. TRIP ADVISOR: #1 ROMANTIC DINING; #5 FINE DINING; #10 OVERALL RESTAURANT OUT OF OVER 170

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ADULT BEVERAGE GUIDE

IF YOU’RE READY TO TEST YOUR LIVER FOR A FEW NIGHTS, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT ISLAND. (YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR ON THE ISLAND.) WE’VE PUT TOGETHER 3 VERSIONS OF BAR CRAWL BELIZEAN STYLE. FIRST, A LOOK AT BAR EVENTS DURING THE WEEK AND THEN TWO BASED ON LOCATION. FIRST LOCATION IS NORTH OF THE BRIDGE AS YOU ARE LEAVING BELLA VISTA AND HEADING SOUTH TOWARD THE BRIDGE AND THE OTHER ALONG THE BEACH IN DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO.

CALENDAR BAR CRAWL (BASED ON EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK)

HERMIT CRAB RACE - TUESDAY NIGHTS @ CRAZY CANUCKS SUPPORT CHARITY AND ENJOY ONE OF THE MORE MEMORABLE EVENTS ON THE ISLAND. HEAD SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT TO CRAZY CANUCKS. IF YOU GET THERE EARLY, YOU CAN PARK IN THEIR LOT, OTHERWISE GRAB A STREET SPOT AND HEAD TO THE BEACH. YOU’LL FIND OWNER ROB ONE OF THE FUNNIEST GUYS IN SAN PEDRO AS HE CONDUCTS SEVERAL CRAB RACES. YOU’LL BUY AND NAME ‘YOUR’ CRAB TO WIN IT ALL. NOTE TO FAMILIES, THE FIRST RACE OF THE NIGHT IS PG RATED. IT GETS FUNNIER, BUT A BIT RACEY THEREAFTER. PROCEEDS GO TO CHILDREN’S CHARITIES ON THE ISLAND. AMAZING FUN.

THE TRUCK STOP - WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY YOU HAVE TO BRING THE FAMILY AND CHECK OUT THE FAMOUS TRUCK STOP. YEP, YOU READ IT CORRECTLY, IT’S A TRUCK STOP WITH SEVERAL TRUCKS WITH VARIOUS EATS AND A BAR FOR BEVERAGES. A POOL AND SUNSET VIEWS. EVERYTHING TO ENTERTAIN FROM MOVIES TO FAMILY FEUD NIGHT, COME ENJOY.

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MARBUCKS – THURSDAY NIGHT

ENJOY A WINE TASTING WITH LIVE MUSIC AT MARBUCKS ON THURSDAY NIGHT. IT’S A SHORT DISTANCE FROM BELLA VISTA RESORT AND THIS QUAINT SETTING IS THE PERFECT START OF AN EVENING. ON HOT NIGHTS, SOAK YOUR TOES IN THE POOL WHILE YOU GET SERENADED BY MUSIC.

CHICKEN DROP @ WAHOO’S – THURSDAY NIGHT

OKAY, IF YOU CAN HANDLE CRAB RACES AT CRAZY CANUCKS’ ON TUESDAY, GET READY FOR THE CHICKEN DROP (AND IT’S NOT AN EGG) ON THURSDAY’S AT WAHOO’S DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO. YES, YOU ARE GAMBLING ON CHICKEN POOP. TRULY A TOURIST’S DELIGHT.

WINE DE VINE – FRIDAY NIGHTS

WINE DE VINE IS A GOOD WINE STORE ON THE ISLAND. ON FRIDAY’S, THEY HAVE A WINE TASTING. ORDER A PLATE OF CHEESE TO GO WITH IT. THEIR WINE AND ASSORTED CHEESES ARE WORTHY OF A VISIT ALONE. CHEERS!

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SATURDAY AT AJI TAPA RESTAURANT (EX-PAT SAT) AND HAPPY HOUR DAILY 2-5 PM

OKAY, WE HAVE TO REMIND EVERYONE OF AJI’S DAILY HAPPY HOUR FROM 2-5PM AND LIVE MUSIC ON SATURDAYS. HAPPY HOUR INCLUDES ASSORTED TAPAS AND DISCOUNTED LOCAL RUM AND BEER DRINKS. SATURDAY OFFERS ½ PRICE BOTTLES OF WINE TO BE ENJOYED WHILE LISTENING TO MUSIC. WE WANT TO INVITE ALL TOURISTS AND LOCAL EX-PATS AS WE ARE KNOWN ON THE ISLAND TO AJI ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY.

1ST STOP STELLA’S ON THE RIGHT BEFORE THE TRUCK STOP. (PERFECT SPOT FOR SUNSETS ONE OF YOUR NIGHTS)

2ND STOP THE TRUCK STOP.

3RD STOP ON LEFT IS RUM DOG. TURN LEFT TO THE BEACH AND YOU CAN’T MISS THE 3 STORY PALAPA BAR HIGH ON THE WATER. CHECK OUT THE LOUNGE AREA ON THE 3RD FLOOR. WHEN YOU’RE READY, HEAD BACK OUT TO THE MAIN ROAD AND CONTINUE SOUTH.

4TH STOP THE DIVE BAR ON THE LEFT, RECENTLY EXPANDED WITH A BRAND-NEW BAR OUT ON THE WATER.

5TH STOP CROCS ON THE RIGHT AND THE BEST SPORTS BAR ON THE ISLAND.

6TH STOP THE DOG HOUSE ON THE LEFT WHICH IS YOUR LAST WATERING HOLE BEFORE THE BRIDGE.

7TH - 8TH & 9TH STOP. (WALKING FROM BELLA VISTA)

HEADING BACK TO BELLA VISTA, PARK THE CART OR BIKES AND WALK ON THE ROAD RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO BERNIE’S BACK FEATURING LIVE MUSIC OR KARAOKE. THEN HEAD TO THE BEACH TO PACO’S AND PLAY A GAME OF VOLLEYBALL. AND RETURN TO AJI TAPA FOR A RELAXING DRINK POOLSIDE.

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SAN PEDRO BAR CRAWL - DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO IT’S 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE… AND IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A LITTLE SAND BETWEEN YOUR TOES, CROSS THE BRIDGE AND MAKE THE FIRST LEFT YOU CAN. IT TAKES YOU TO THE PUBLIC BEACH AND THERE IS A ‘ROAD’ YOU CAN DRIVE ALONG THE WATERFRONT HEADING SOUTH.

1ST STOP ON YOUR LEFT IS HURRICANES. ALSO GREAT FOOD SPOT AS WELL. CAPTAIN DANIELE, HIS WIFE AND SON JOSH WILL WELCOME YOUR PARTY. THEIR CEVICHE IS A MUST. 2ND STOP ON LEFT IS WAYOS ALSO ON THE WATER. PHOTO OP ON THE BEACH. ASK FOR THE DICE GAME AT THE BAR. 3RD STOP IS ON RIGHT AT SANDY TOES. ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AND A FOOD STOP AS WELL. 4TH STOP IS LOSERS ON THE LEFT IF YOU WANT SOMETHING QUIETER. LOSERS IS A BEAUTIFUL SETTING ON THE WATER WITH LIVE MUSIC IN THE EVES. NASHVILLE COUNTRY THEME. 5TH STOP IS THE SAND BAR ON THE RIGHT AND ALSO HAS GOOD FOOD. LOUNGE ON THEIR DOCK OR FLOAT ON THEIR LOUNGE CHAIRS. 6TH STOP IS THE PALAPA BAR ON THE LEFT. WALK OUT ON THE PIER OVER THE WATER AND FIND OWNERS JODY AND SCOTT READY TO WELCOME YOU. PHOTO OPS WITH SARCASTIC SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE BAR. 7TH STOP FIDO’S. THE ROAD ENDS FOR CARTS BY THE PALAPA BAR, SO WALK DOWN THE SANDY BEACH TO FIDO’S PALAPA BAR ON YOUR RIGHT. BIGGEST PALAPA BAR ON THE ISLAND. WALK THROUGH FIDOS TO THE STREET AND TURN LEFT. NOW YOU’RE AT CENTRAL PARK WHICH IS THE TOWN CENTER. ORDER A GRILLED TACO TO ABSORB SOME OF THOSE ADULT BEVERAGES YOU’VE CONSUMED. OR HEAD TO MAXI’S ACROSS THE STREET FOR SOME WINGS AND THINGS.

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LATE-LATE NIGHT SHOW

DISCO DANCE CLUBS

WE HAVE TWO DISCO’S DOWNTOWN. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR LATE NIGHT DANCING WITH THE

LOCALS, HAVE FUN. CAN’T OFFER MUCH FOR INSIGHTS HERE (PAST MY BEDTIME) BUT BIG DADDY’S

AND JAGUAR’S ARE LOCATED IN CENTRAL PARK. MOST BARS HAVE TO CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT AND THAT IS WHEN THESE TWO DISCO’S START HOPPING. TYPICALLY, A COVER CHARGE FOR THE MEN AT LEAST, LOUD DJ MUSIC, ‘DANCING’ AND LOTS OF DISCO LIGHTS. (I FEEL SO OLD!)

CASINO JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU’D HEARD IT ALL, YES, WE HAVE A CASINO ON THE ISLAND. IT’S NORTH OF BELLA VISTA AT CAPTAIN MORGAN’S. YOU’LL SEE THE SIGNS AND THEY HAVE MACHINES AND LIVE BLACK JACK AND OTHER TABLES AS WELL. JUST TO SET EXPECTATIONS, IT’S SMALL, BUT IT CAN DELIVER. ONE OF OUR GUESTS HIT ENOUGH PAYOLA TO PAY FOR THE REST OF HER TRIP.

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