Discover Cayo - Belize's Most Intriguing District!


The Cayo District in Belize is teeming with untold wonders and out-of-the-box things to do. As the most diversified and interesting area of Belize to visit, you’re sure to stumble across some mighty intriguing local attractions. You will discover that Cayo is chock full of activities, events and places to visit that will captivate and interest even the toughest-to-please in your group or family.
 
How about a visit to a Belize bird sanctuary?
 
It’s a great opportunity to educate yourself and your family about Belize’s birds and get up close and personal with Yellow-Head Amazons, Pygmy Owls, Eagles, Red-Lored Parrots, Pelicans, White-Front Parrots, Barn Owls and Jabiru Storks. 
 
As the only bird rehabilitation center in Belize, Belize Bird Rescue cares for its share of Belize water birds and sea birds. In 2014, 236 birds found their way to Belize Bird Rescue - 106 parrots; 53 raptors; 21 water birds and 56 song birds. Nikki Buxton and Jerry Larder, the sanctuary’s colorful founders, welcome volunteers and donations. Google Belize Bird Rescue to
Pygmy Owls in Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Livingfind out more. They are located in Roaring Creek in the District of Cayo. Duck into their raptor barns and raptor flight aviary when you visit.
 
Ever wonder what it would be like to participate in a Mayan healing ceremony?
 
Join a Mayan spiritualist for a traditional Maya lunch in her outdoor kitchen before you experience the ancestral healing energies of this famous Mayan spiritual healer. Miss Maria is the niece of Don Elijio Panti, renowned Mayan shaman under whom she studied. A famous slate carver, she is one of the famed Garcia Sisters - Yucatec Mayans who exhibit their carvings in art galleries throughout the world. 
 
She is also a tour-de-force in her village-promoting Mayan art in Belize, educating visitors in Mayan culture and traditions, and teaching students how to carve slate. If you’d like to find out more about how to attend a Mayan healing ceremony in Belize, contact me. Another fascinating attraction in the Cayo District of Belize!
 
Just east of San José Succotz, you’ll discover the Jungle Frisbee Golf Course-the first disc golf course in Belize. Enjoy the butterfly house and farm at the Tropical Wings Nature Center. Both are located at The Trek Stop, six miles west of San Ignacio in the Cayo District. Google Tropical Wings Nature Center.Belize Butterfly – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
 
Curious about how to spice up Mayan history for your kids?
 
Head to Xunantunich, in the village of San José Succotz in Cayo. Hop on the hand-cranked chain ferry for the trip across the Mopan River to Xunantunich. This Mayan site in Belize is home to two ball courts. The lore of lords of the underworld lives on in these ball courts which were portals to the Mayan underworld. The Mayan Ball Game was played with a rubber ball and two opposing teams. One of the versions of the ball game was the “hip game” where players aim to shoot the ball into the opposing team’s end zone without using their hands or feet, only their hips! With the solid rubber ball weighing up to 4 kg (9 lb.), that was no mean feat. Often the games were rigged with the losers losingBenny's Kitchen in San Jose Succotz Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living all. Sacrifices were made and heads rolled. Climb 130 feet (40 meters) to the top of the El Castillo pyramid for a mind-bending panoramic view over Belize and Guatemala. Your kids can race you to the top! Google Xunantunich Mayan site.
 
After your exertions with the Mayans, replenish yourself at Benny’s Kitchen in Succotz with delicious home-cooked Belizean food - just across the river from Xunantunich and up the hill. Great food. Great prices. Google Benny’s Kitchen Belize to find out more.
 
Like to take a lazy float down the Mopan River? Head further west along the George Price Highway in Cayo to the quaint village of Benque Viejo del Carmen. Book a river tubing tour with the Benque Resort and Spa. While you’re there, talk to Steve, the congenial owner of Benque Resort.
 
Steve provides the most interesting tours in the Cayo District - tailor made for your interests and level of activity. He is hooked into the most interesting and unique activities in Cayo.
 
He can organize cave tours which are heralded by seasoned spelunkers as the best in Belize. You’ll explore a vast labyrinth of 3 caves: Actun Chapat; Halal; and Son of
Chapat. The tours are with small groups to retain the integrity of the items in the caves. To give you a little taste of what you can expect to experience in this Better in Belize Eco Village Welcome Sign – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
Belize cave tour, Actun Chapat seems infinite with no known ending, has two entrances that have been discovered and thousands of feet of passages lined with human bones, pottery, and terraces. Get ready for blind catfish, crabs and a whole lotta bats too. Actun Halal shows evidence of occupation around 4400 BC. Son of Chapat has not been fully explored, but it is thought that there is a subterranean 
passage that leads from Son of Chapat into Actun Chapat.
 
Steve is Vice-President of the Benque Chamber of Commerce, President of Earth bag home in Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Livingthe Twin Border Tourism Committee. He is also a member of OSAC (Overseas Advisory Council with the US Embassy) which helps American citizens in distress (lost passport, wallet, etc.). Google Benque Resort and Spa to find out more.
 
There’s a whole world of amazing wonders that await you 
along the 10 ½-mile stretch from Benque Viejo, heading
south along the Mollejon Road. 
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Would you believe an outdoor Art Park couched in magic and mystery; a “futball” field that straddles two countries; horseback jungle tours; caves; hidden pyramids and more! Email me for a list of 125+ attractions to see in and around the 
Cayo District.

Take a tour of Better in Belize, a magical rainforest Eco Village in Belize. 
Peek into the Hobbit Homes. Meander through the extensive permaculture gardens. Climb to Rainbow’s Roost, the spectacular lookout lanai high above Mayan Carving at Community Center – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Livingthe majestic Macal River Valley. Wander along the wildlife corridors and medicinal trails. Visit Freckles, Sopa, Mama Beatrice, Billy Webb, Toggy and the gang – the farmyard family of chickens, rooster, bunny, and goats.  Check out Belize’s first solar‐powered tilapia aquaponics system. Catch the antics of the howler monkeys that live in the canopy of this Belize Eco Village. 
 
Watch for the tapirs that love to munch bean shoots in the Community Gardens. Explore the three local waterfalls and swim holes. Spend the night at The Toucan House, the 5-bedroom Eco-Lodge at Better in BelizeStargaze in what astronomers call “the darkest skies in the world”. Enjoy moonshine in Hike along Macal River in Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Livingthe jungle! No hangover the next day! 
 
You’ll witness The Milky Way like you have never viewed it before! Tours must be booked in advance. If you’d like to book a tour of this magical Belize rainforest community, contact me. Google Better in Belize Eco Village. 
Another fascinating place to visit in the Cayo District of 
Belize!
 
**Photos:
1. Maya Mountains in Belize
2. Pygmy Owls in BelizeWatersports in Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
3. Belize Butterfly 
4. Benny's Kitchen in San Jose Succotz Belize
5. Better in Belize Eco Village
6. Hobbit Home in Belize
7. Belize Eco Village Home
8. Better in Belize Eco Village Mayan Carving
9. Hike along Macal River in Belize
10. Watersports in Belize

Photo Credits: Belize Bird Rescue, Jim Hagen Photography and Danny Medakovic
 
 

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