BELIZE A PLAYGROUND OF ADVENTURE
r u o y t a e r u Advent ace own p WRITTEN BY: LOUISE ROE
Belize’s lush jungle, pristine barrier reef, ancient Maya cities, rich culture and natural beauty make it the perfect playground. Its diverse terrain results in a guaranteed destination for some fun, suitable for all levels of endeavors. Discover nature trails that lead you to beautiful hidden waterfalls, get your heart racing as you rappel down gushing cascades, or simply spend the day river tubing in crystal clear waters. There are countless “off-the-beaten paths� waiting for be explored. For more water adventures, The Belize Barrier Reef has plenty to offer.
)¼ : B ; Q Enjoy swimming in clear turquoise waters or go snorkeling and be mesmerized by the healthy aquatic life of The Belize Barrier Reef. For avid divers don’t miss out on the opportunity to dive the Great Blue Hole. As you wander Belize’s great outdoors, go at your own pace and you will be sure to have a fantastic time.
EASY
10
MODERATE
ADVANCED
PHOTOS:LEONARDO MELENDEZ
CAV E EXPLORAT IONS ST. HERMAN’S BLUE HOLE NATIONAL PARK – CAYO DISTRICT | INTENSITY: EASY Located within the Blue Hole National Park, off the Hummingbird Highway, is St. Herman’s cave. Start your adventure with a life jacket, headlamp, and an inner tube in hand. Make your way down a steep nature trail to the cave entrance. An easy 15-20-minute walk in the jungle, will take you to the 180 ft wide entrance. Fed by an underground river, you can oat peacefully through the cave, admiring the stalactites and stalagmites. Its superb geological structures make it a magical and easy adventure for many.
BARTON CREEK – CAYO DISTRICT | INTENSITY: EASY/MODERATE Located in the Cayo District, Barton Creek is one of the easiest caves to explore as it is accessible by canoe. Forming part of a riverine system, a tranquil river leads the passage for your exploration. The underground river extends for roughly ďŹ ve miles, with only the ďŹ rst mile open for public exploration. Nevertheless, within that ďŹ rst mile is where many treasures lie. On the ledges you can spot remains of pottery, ceramics, artifacts, and ceremonial weapons used for ritual and spiritual activities. Believed to date back to the early classic period (A.D. 200 to 600) to the Late Classic Period (A.D. 600 to 900), exploring this mysterious cave is a remarkable voyage in itself.
ATM CAVE – CAYO DISTRICT | INTENSITY: ADVANCED The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, situated in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in the Cayo District, is considered one of the top 10 sacred caves in the world by National Geographic. A trip to the cave requires almost a full day starting off with a hike which entails crossing two owing streams. Entering the cave requires a short swim at the caves doorway making for a refreshing dip. With the cave being over 5km long, you’ll spend roughly 3 hours inside hiking through water streams and boulders. Crossing sacred ground by foot, you can see pottery and magniďŹ cent geographical formations. 600 m into the cave evidence of human remains have been documented by archeologists. Lay your sights on a Crystallized skeleton, the “Crystal Maidenâ€?, proof that Maya SacriďŹ ce once took place in this sacred cave. CARIBBEANLIFESTYLE.COM
