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Belize
the other caribbean
You’ll find authentic experiences –
from great dives to jungle hikes –
in this entirely different, and inherently
romantic, destination.
W
ith 20 percent of all U.S. adults traveling for romance-related purposes, romantic
travel is a serious business. To most couples, finding “the one” to travel with is as important
as selecting the perfect destination. While Belize may not be the first hot spot that comes
to mind for lovers looking to escape, its charming diversity and opportunities to unite in offthe-beaten-path settings help any couple avoid a cookie-cutter Central American/Caribbean
getaway experience.
Here’s a taste of some of the most unique romantic experiences couples will find in Belize.
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Belize
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
WATERFALL DINING With dense jungles,
cascading waterfalls and mystifying caves
galore, Belize’s natural environment inspires
couples to get creative while enjoying one
another’s company. At Belize’s Mountain Pine
Ridge Forest Reserve, the majestic 90-foot
Butterfly Falls is the perfect backdrop to an
intimate meal for two. Another popular spot is
the Caves Branch System. Lovers can journey
into one of its many caves to explore Belize’s
rich Maya history, and conclude the voyage by
dining together within the cave’s storied walls.
DESERTED-ISLAND SNORKELING For a
romantic Robin Crusoe-inspired adventure,
couples can visit Snake Caye. While tours visit
the stunning island on a regular basis, couples
can arrange for a private stopover, complete
with snorkeling among some of Belize’s most
lovely coral and marine life. If desired, a delicious no-nonsense barbeque on the beach can
be arranged.
COUPLES KAYAKING It’s no secret that fitness plays a role in increasing the body’s
feel-good endorphins and sometimes even
inspires romantic connections. In Belize, couples have several options to get active together,
and arguably one of the most intimate is kayaking. Named in 2008 as one of the “Top 10
Emerging Beach Destinations” by a major
national travel magazine, Caye Caulker is one
of the best spots for lovers to kayak. The island
offers a kayaking tour that’s affectionately called
“round-da-caye” by locals, and it serves as the
perfect opportunity for couples to reconnect
while having fun in the sun.
ISLAND STARGAZING Imagine a sky without
the mass pollution and the bright city lights
found in the U.S., and you have Belize’s luminous atmosphere. While the best spots for
stargazing in Belize are the mid-ocean atolls,
rural mountain getaways and remote beaches,
all couples really need is a clear night and one
another to enjoy Belize’s astronomical wonders.
FLIRTING UNDER THE SEA Nothing is more
intimate than peacefully floating under the sea
while indulging in Belize’s magnificent underwater sights. Described as “one of the four
must-dive locations on this blue planet” by
renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau,
Belize is home to the largest barrier reef in the
Western Hemisphere and the second largest
in the world. PADI dive operators are located
throughout the country and are perfect for both
seasoned divers and new adventurers. For
those wanting to tie the knot in an unconventional way, the “Belizean wedding bubbly” is a
memorable ceremony held more than 30 feet
below the surface. It is commonly performed at
sites like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve where
underwater valleys of white sand await.
COUPLES PLAN ONLINE WITH ‘BELIZE IN
LOVE’ With so many options, couples are
now planning trips with Belize’s new interactive romantic travel Web resource, “Belize in
Love.” Accessed through TravelBelize.org,
Belize in Love serves as a primary source for
those planning a destination wedding, honeymoon or amorous getaway in Belize.
Content on the site is updated frequently
and includes special featured sections like
helpful expert travel planning tips; “Top Five
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Romantic Picks,” including lists of everything
romantic (from the five best places to kiss
to the five most intimate dinner spots); promotional travel offers; a “Share Your Story”
section where visitors can share their romantic
Belizean experiences with one another; plus
more. 800-624-0686, travelbelize.org
If you’re not sure where to stay – in which
of Belize’s six districts, in which hotel, etc. –
you can receive help for free. Roatan Charter
is a business that specializes in helping people plan their Belize vacations. The agents are
all Belize experts, so when you call they’ll be
able to guide you based on your preferences
and budget. Care about diving? Maya ruins?
Perhaps you’re more concerned with luxury
accommodations or a world-class spa. Heck,
you can even use this service to book a stay on
a live-aboard yacht. Roatan Charter will lead
you to the hotel that’s the best fit. Its brochure,
“Belize, All the Best of the Western Caribbean,”
describes each of the main tourist areas and
describes several hotels within their boundaries. The publication makes comparisons easy.
They’ll help you get there, too. Roatan
Charter can book your flight for you, and often
has access to rates lower than what you’ll find
on line. Ask for a free Belize tour catalog, brochures and DVDs. Once you decide what you
want to see during your Belize vacation, Roatan
Charter will create an individualized itinerary for
you, including air, boat and car connections to
get you from one locale to another. Travel specials are updated daily on line and offer truly
incredible deals. 800-282-8932, roatan.com
If you’re eager to make the most of the your
time in Belize, take advantage of the services
of Astrum Helicopters and experience the country’s most spectacular sights from the air. With a
fleet of Bell 206 helicopters and multiple private
heliports, the Astrum team can take you up for a
bird’s-eye view of scenic Belize jungle and mountains or islands and reef. The helicopters can also
transport you directly to your hotel on different
scenic flights, which is a huge time-saver.
That’s only the beginning. Astrum’s
Helicopter Adventures combine scenic helicopter rides with incredible journeys. Eight
entirely different excursions offer an array of
activities. With the Cave Tubing & Canopy Tour,
you’ll fly to two sites. First you’ll tube through
an underground cave system. Then you’ll head
to the Lost World, where you’ll travel via zip
line and suspension bridge as well as rappel
down a cliff. The Maya Mountains, Waterfalls,
Xunantunich & Horseback Tour involves flying
over six thundering waterfalls and horseback
riding past Maya ruins in a subtropical preserve. 888-278-7864, astrumhelicopters.com
in the center of it all
If you think of Belize as all jungle and blue holes,
you haven’t yet discovered the Radisson Fort
George Hotel and Marina. You can go diving right
from the hotel’s full-service marina and take part
in inland excursions, too. Yet you’ll return home
to a crisp, fresh, air-conditioned property located
in Belize City’s historic Fort George neighborhood, minutes from the urban center.
The Radisson Fort George has all the amenities that experienced travelers expect: free
Internet access, two swimming pools, a business center, 100 free cable TV channels, even
a state-of-the-art fitness center. Some rooms
have handcrafted Belizean mahogany furniture or Sleep Number beds. No need to travel
for meals, as St. George’s Dining Room serves
up seafood specialties and international cuisine. With their light snacks and refreshing
cocktails, Baymen’s Tavern and the Poolside
Bar encourage mingling. 800-967-9033,
radisson.com/belizecitybz
Words like relaxing, romantic and exotic
come to mind at the established and awardwinning Maruba Resort Jungle Spa. You’ll find
modern where you need it – the facilities are
hip, clean, comfortable and contemporary – yet
the ambiance is jungle-specific. Stone, thatch
and oversized greenery let you know you’ve
come to the tropics. This is a boutique resort
like no other anywhere. That raw rainforest aura
is a real draw for couples, who feel inhibitions
melt away in such a vibrant environment.
The spa is an example. You can get aromatherapy massages and herbal wraps like
anywhere else. But you’re bound to opt for the
Couple’s Mood Mud Massage. Your treatment
will involve a full-body massage with Mood
Muds as part of the treatment to heal your soul
and your skin simultaneously.
The Maruba is centrally situated for excursions of all kinds – exploring ancient caves and
Maya ruins, medicinal safari hikes, horseback
riding and snorkeling the second-largest barrier reef in the world, for example. Yet you may
be tempted to hang around. The property is
a 1,000-acre private jungle reserve. Several
beautifully conceived lounge areas and rooms
allow guests a peaceful haven of casual opulence that soothes and stimulates the senses.
When you’re not unwinding by the refreshing
Jungle Falls pool, with its own waterfall, you
may be soaking in the Japanese tub.
You’ll eat well at Maruba, where the chefs
prepare nouveau jungle cuisine – a fusion of
East of Paris meets the jungle. Perhaps you’ll
lunch on water buffalo fajitas and celebrate
another day of the good life with a dinner of
eggplant Napoleon or a sesame-seared snapper. 501-225-5555 , maruba-belize.com
heading south
Situated ideally along the Caribbean Sea and
near the Maya Mountains, the utterly romantic
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort encompasses
all you seek in a Belizean vacation. Its 12-mile
stretch of beach is splendid. It’s on-site PADI
Five Star Dive Center is top-of-the-line, and its
restaurant features fresh foods with a Caribbean
twist, plus freshly baked breads and pastries.
The freshwater infinity pool is surrounded by
brick decking with lounges and hammocks,
and the gardens are filled with tropical flowers.
Its employees are exceptionally friendly. And
its rooms are welcoming, with hardwood furnishings, Central American folk art ... and air
conditioning. Did we mention that nine accommodations are private tree houses set on stilts
within a coastal forest? Newlywed nirvana.
Whether you want an active vacation by
land or sea, or a relaxing one involving little
more than a tropical cocktail and an infusion
9/3/10 1:37 PM
Belize
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
WhereTOdoGOyouTODAY?
want
Providing helicopter transfers &
adventures to all destinations in Belize.
With a number of heliports located
throughout Belize and access to any of
the airports, our helicopter transfers
not only provide a fast way to arrive to
your destination but also give a once in
a lifetime view of Belize. Our helicopter
adventures are unique, private flights that
offer stunning aerial views and combine a
flight seeing tour with a ground activity.
Belize_CTL1110.indd 78
www.astrumhelicopters.com
[email protected]
Office (Belize): +501 222-5100
Toll Free (US): +1 (888) ASTRUM4
Toll Free (US): +1 (888) 278-7864
of sunshine, this intimate boutique eco-resort
will provide the vacation you’ve been dreaming about – all on 21 acres of paradise.
877-552-3483, hamanasi.com
caye country
A group of American friends who adore Belize
got together and created the resort where
they’d always wished they could stay. Now
Tranquility Bay shares this bounty with guests,
who stay on the 12-acre property in one of 11
suites, each a beachfront cabana with one or
two bedrooms, air conditioning, queen-size
beds with Simmons Beautyrest mattresses
and Egyptian-cotton linens, fold-out sofas,
kitchens with hand-painted Mexican tiles and,
delightfully, no telephones or televisions. This
is roughing it the civilized way.
The resort’s Tackle Box Sea Bar, a re-creation of a beloved Belize landmark, serves
meals and beverages from a perch overlooking the aquamarine sea. As for pretty? At the
hotel’s opening, Belize Prime Minister Said
Musa remarked, “Surely this must be one of
the most beautiful places in all of Belize.”
While you’ll find luxury, the ultimate draw is
location: Tranquility Bay is the closest Belize
resort to the barrier reef; you can actually swim
or kayak to the string of coral. The lovingly
crafted hotel is located inside the Bacalar Chica
National Marine Park and the United Nations
World Heritage Site. World-class fishing, diving
and snorkeling, with ace guides, are steps – not
boat rides – away. Bonefish, permit and tarpon
swim the local waters.
And the beach itself? It’s one of the finest
and highest in the entire country. Ocean kayaks, Sunfish, Hobie Cats and full deep-sea
fishing and scuba-diving services are located
at the resort. 888-THE-CAYE (888-843-2293),
tranquilitybayresort.com
Lodge at The Mayan Princess Hotel and you’ll
have the full Ambergris Caye experience. You’ll
be in the heart of colorful San Pedro Town, full
of restaurants, shops and dive operators. Yet
you’ll have a quiet, clean, comfortable room or
suite to escape to for some down time. Some
accommodations are directly on the beach,
others near the pool – but none is ever far from
the lounge chairs and hammocks that so entice
Mayan Princess visitors.
You needn’t dive during your stay at the
Mayan Princess, but chances are you will. The
Amigos del Mar scuba center makes its home
on the property and offers value-priced dives,
instruction, snorkeling and fishing expeditions
regularly. Ask about seven-night Princess packages, including two dives a day for five days.
No matter your rates, you’ll always receive
a generous continental breakfast with pastries, fruit, juice and steaming cups of coffee.
800-850-4101, mayanprincesshotel.com
Belize is all about experiences, and Xanadu
Island Resort is a must-see stop that also
happens to be an excellent base for Belize
vacations. The luxury resort’s foundation is 18
condominium units, each within one of six lovingly built monolithic domes that is fireproof,
soundproof and steel-reinforced. Thatch-roofed
wooden decks front each one.
9/3/10 1:37 PM
Be one with the unbelievable. Be one with this hemisphere’s largest barrier reef. Be one with this caribbean
gateway to the Maya world. as one of the last unspoiled places on earth, you’ll feel an intimate connection
to authentic experiences in Belize. all just a two-hour flight from the u.s., in the only english-speaking
country of central america. call now 800-624-0686 or visit travelBelize.org/ctl. and just be, in Belize.
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M o t h e r Na t u r e’s
Best Ke pt secret
8/11/09 3:12 PM
Belize
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
ADVENTURE & DIVE RESORT, BELIZE
A Belize Hotel
SAn Pedro, AmBergriS CAye
DISCOVER reefs, rainforests &
Beautiful oceanfront suites in
the center of San Pedro with
A/C, cable TV, and verandas.
Every room is a room with a
view at the Mayan Princess.
Friendly staff will arrange
diving, snorkeling, fishing or
mainland tours. Packages
available.
romance. ESCAPE to secluded, intimate
Phone: 800-850-4101
Fax: 011-501-226-2784
E-mail: [email protected]
www.mayanprincesshotel.com
Reef & Rainforest packages available.
Belize_CTL1110.indd 80
treehouses or beachfront suites. snorkel
and dive the reef. CLIMB Mayan
pyramids. PLAY in waterfalls.
EXPLORE the jungle. KICK BACK
in a hammock. ENJOY fine dining.
877-552-3483
[email protected]
www.hamanasi.com
This is no military encampment – far from it.
Xanadu means “idyllic, beautiful place,” and
once you see the resort’s palm-lined beach,
crystal-clear surf and stone-lined lagoon-style
freshwater swimming pool, you’ll be uplifted
by the beauty of it all. Your encounters with
breathtaking views don’t end at the grounds,
although you’re free to use Xanadu’s bicycles
to travel around. Guests can frolic with finned
friends easily by snorkeling the manmade reef
at the end of the resort’s private pier. Hop in
a complimentary kayak and take to the sea.
Watch for exotic birds in the Xanadu nature
reserve. When you’re feeling ambitious, dive
the amazing barrier reef, which is just offshore.
When it’s time to unwind indoors, those condos will have what you need, whether you opt
for a studio, loft or one- to -three-bedroom unit.
They’re all cheerfully decorated with tropical
touches and are true homes away from home.
You’ll have a full kitchen for preparing meals,
as well as air conditioning, cable TV, Internet
access and even an iPod docking station.
011-501-226-2814, xanaduresort-belize.com
Enjoy San Pedro activity with Caribbean
quietude at the SunBreeze Hotel. Conveniently
located just south of the heart of town, the
SunBreeze Hotel is a quick walk to everything
you’ll need, yet it’s far enough removed to be
relaxing. It’s also stocked with all you’ll need –
plus. Of U-shaped Spanish-colonial design, the
SunBreeze Hotel is located right on the ocean.
Its 43 guest rooms are spacious and air conditioned, in three categories. That includes your
most important amenities and more. You can
peruse Christopher Emmanuel paintings in the
on-site art gallery. When you’re ready for an
aromatherapy massage or other pampering
procedure, book a treatment at the Art of Touch
massage studio and wellness center. Hot coffee awaits you in the lobby every morning, and
the oceanfront Blue Water Grill, specializing in
“island cuisine with a twist,” serves three meals
a day. Meet fellow guests over tropical cocktails
at the 360 Degree Bar. Hugh Parkey’s Belize
Dive Connection offers a full range of PADI
courses and many excursions from the hotel’s
private dock. 800-688-0191, sunbreeze.net
If you prefer self-catering facilities, lodge
instead at SunBreeze Suites, where the 20
oceanfront accommodations are not only
directly on the beach but also in the core of
town. Restaurants, bars, supermarkets, gift
shops and even golf-cart rental providers are
your neighbors. It’s like living in San Pedro:
Every suite has a full kitchen as well as a bedroom, a living room with pull-out sofa, a dining
area, a private bathroom, a private oceanfront
balcony, cable TV and air conditioning. Head
to the lagoon-style swimming pool for sun and
fun and enjoy a refreshing beverage at the patio
bar. When it’s time to explore the nearby underwater treasures, walk over to Hugh Parkey’s
Belize Dive Connection, a PADI Five Star Dive
Center. 800-820-1631, sunbreezesuites.com
Enchanted with the idea of beautiful
beaches, sensational snorkeling, thundering
waterfalls, eco-adventures and a bit of luxury
for good measure? Belize is the place for you.B
9/3/10 1:37 PM
Be one with
the awakening of
your senses.
As one of the last unspoiled places on
earth, you’ll feel an intimate connection to
life-changing experiences in Belize. Be one
with the rainforest, the Hemisphere’s largest
barrier reef and the mystical Maya world.
Call 800-624-0686
or visit TravelBelize.org
TRANQUILITY BAY RESORT
SUNBREEZE HOTEL
Centrally located in the town of
Ambergris Caye yet out of the hustle and
bustle. 43 partial ocean and garden view
rooms, Restaurant and Bar, Massage
Studio and Art Gallery, Dive shop.
Mention this Ad for US$100 p.p. off.
Scuba, Adventure and Honeymoon
Packages.
Call Toll Free: 800-688-0191
Fax: 011-501-226-2346
Email: [email protected]
www.sunbreeze.net
A Beautiful Resort in Balmy Belize.
Elegant beachfront cabanas.
Ambergris Caye’s only resort actually
located inside the United Nations
World Heritage Site. World class
fishing, snorkeling and diving.
Great food and drinks at our
over-the-water Tackle Box Sea Bar.
Phone: 888-843-2293
E-mail: [email protected]
www.tranquilitybayresort.com
SUNBREEZE SUITES
Located downtown Ambergris Caye on
the beach. Private balconies overlooking
the Caribbean. Fully equipped one
bedroom suites. Great for scuba diving,
fishing, snorkeling and a short hopper
flight to explore the wonders of the
Ancient Mayan Cities. Mention this Ad
for US$100 p.p. off. Scuba, Adventure and
Honeymoon Packages.
Toll Free: 1-800-820-1631
[email protected]
www.sunbreezesuites.com
BELIZE1p_00000_CTL1110.indd 1
PELICAN REEF VILLAS
RESORT
Swaying Palms, sandy beaches,
and warm ocean breezes welcome
you. Experience unparalleled luxury,
and service that is raising the
standards, in one of our 2 or 3
bedroom villas. Deluxe amenities and
breath-taking views 2.5 miles south
of San Pedro to give your trip
seclusion with real panache!
Phone: 281-394-3739
Email: [email protected]
www.pelicanreefvillas.com
8/26/10 4:25 PM