Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Green Iguana Conservation Project is celebrating Earth Day with free tours! Happy Earth Day!

The BWRC had their Wildlife Ambassador Program training at SHJC, and they have 23 new Wildlife Ambassadors. Education is the key.

'The team was glad to have 23 participants join us at Sacred Heart Junior College for our two day WAP Workshop. This group included, 20 students, two teachers, and a tour guide from the Green Iguana Conservation Project.

Great article from the San Ignacio Resort Hotel about iguanas and the Green Iguana Conservation Project, which is celebrating 25 years.  Here's to the next 25!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnaoYGpDYi/

"Iguanas are considered a delicacy throughout Central America, often referred as ‘bamboo chicken.’ Female iguanas with eggs are especially coveted. Overhunting along with loss of habitat created the conditions that led to the creation of the Green Iguana Conservation Project."

Video of the day.  The Green Iguana Conservation Project is highlighted in this video from the Wandering Wolf.  Oscar teaches them all about their iguanas.  Worth a watch.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPOSR-WFK40/

"This week on Points of Interest, we head down to the Green Iguana Conservation Project! As part of the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, this project hopes to bolster Green Iguana numbers in the area by rescuing, breeding, and releasing more females back into the wild. Let's check them out!

For more information on the Green Iguana Project, visit:
https://sanignaciobelize.com/belize-iguana-project"

Video of the day.  Miss Universe Belize, Iris Salguero, visited Cayo.  She highlights some of Cayo's famous landmarks and attractions.  She visits Xunantunich, the Green Iguana Conservation Project, and Chaa Creek, and she walks the Hawkesworth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNz2Mzxllou/

"Part of being Miss Belize is getting to travel around our beautiful country."

Cayo was listed as one of the 2020 Travel Hot Spots by Ali Wunderman, author of Frommer's Guide to Belize.  Frommer's is one of the better guide books for Belize, and offers lots of great information about the tours, lodges, and cultural hot spots around Cayo.  Chaa Creek, Parrot's Nest, Soul Project, and other spots are highlighted.  Ali was recently interviewed by Javier on the Belize Travelcast.

"Cayo District (Western Belize): The Cayo District is the heart of Belize's Mayan world, as well as its prime ecotourism destination. Between a full plate of active adventure activities and a steady diet of Mayan ruins and ancient burial caves, families will find this a great place to spend time in Belize. The Lodge at Chaa Creek is not only extremely comfortable for families, but they also have their own butterfly breeding project and natural history museum on-site. And if parents need a little pampering, they also have an excellent spa. For families on a budget, we highly recommend the Parrot's Nest which offers free river tubing, treehouse stays and much more family-friendly fun...

Try rappelling into a sinkhole or riding horses to visit a Mayan ruin. And if you like zip-lines, this country has you covered.

Belize’s interior (which, by the way, is less than two hours from the coast/airport, so there’s no logistical reason to skip it), is also where the country’s youth are developing art and culture in a new way. In San Ignacio, the twice-weekly Soul Project (housed beneath The Old House Hostel) showcases live music and rotating installations created by young, local artists, while the San Ignacio Resort Hotel merges hospitality and stewardship with the Green Iguana Conservation Project.

"

303 Magazine has an article out about budget travelling in Belize, and Cayo is highlighted.  Cenaida's gets a great mention, as does the Green Iguana Conservation Project, Mountain Pine Ridge, and Xunantunich. 

"Tucked away in the jungle is the small city of San Ignacio. While there are tourists in San Ignacio due to its rich history and culture, it isn’t what you would call a “tourist town.” The center of town is a few streets of restaurants and businesses, all centered around a local food and goods marketplace.

A winding river snakes around the city, and just beyond is some of nature’s finest — jungle-thick hikes that lead to towering waterfalls, hot springs and pools. But the real gem of San Ignacio is its Mayan footprint. Ruins of ancient Mayan structures, caves filled with artifacts and other historic sites are scattered around the city. San Ignacio is where a traveler finds their sense of adventure."

The Green Iguana Conservation Project was on Family Traveller's Animal Encounters bucket list.  They recognized it for its conservation and education efforts.  Everyone loves hanging out with and learning about Cayo's green iguanas.

"Located onsite at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, the Green Iguana Conservation Project teaches kids about the animals in a highly interactive environment.  Founded to conserve and look after the endangered species, kids can pick up and hold the friendly lizards while being educated on the incubation, hatching, rearing and releasing process."

The premier issue of Caribbean Culture & Lifestyle is out, and McNab Designs has done it again.  Well done, vivid, informational, and Cayo is all throughout.  Ajaw chocolate, and the Green Iguana Conservation Project are both mentioned as great sights to see in San Ignacio proper.  ATM, Xunantunich, and Cahal Pech are highlighted as must see's.  The only flaw: Simply Delicious, which is recommended for eating, has just closed. 

"Welcome to the first issue of Belize’s newest travel publication, Caribbean Culture + Lifestyle!  CC+L is the go-to for the best in current, local and regional travel news. Plus… It’s available on-the-go."

Cayo is the heart of the culture of Belize!  Drift Magazine has an expansive article about Cayo, and they did their research.  They really cover a good deal of the Cayo experience.  Xunantunich and the Green Iguana Conservation Project were some of their favorites, as was their stay at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  Worth a read.

Fodor's Travel has a travel article all about Cayo, entitled 'I Thought I Would Die Many Times on This Adventure Through Belize,' and it's definitely worth a read.  They saw quite a few different sites around Cayo, and they have great things to say about the San Ignacio Resort Hotel and Mountain Equestrian Trails.  They also loved the Green Iguana Conservation Project and Cahal Pech, of course. 

"A trip to San Ignacio, Belize, isn’t just a vacation — it’s a heart-pounding escape.  I don’t necessarily consider myself an adventurer. At a young age, movies served as my adrenaline fix: beefy heroes jumped from ledges, confronted threatening wildlife, and uncovered mysterious secrets. I never considered I might one day come close to experiencing anything as remotely exciting.  But after having the opportunity to explore San Ignacio, Belize, go ahead and put me on the same page as the leading heroes of Hollywood. I didn’t quite fall into a pit of insects, face off against bandits, or escape the lair of a weird alien. But there were tarantulas! Dark, tight caves and ancient Mayan ruins!"

The Green Iguana Conservation Project got another great write-up.  If you're wondering how Gnome is doing, give it a read.  

"Our guide, Zhawn, introduces us to the alpha of the iguana community community, Gnome.  At first we were confused because although Gnome is a green iguana, he is not green at all.  As it turns out, male iguanas turn orange during the mating season.  As the dominant male, Gnome is extra orange.  The large flap under his chin, called the dewlap, helps him get all the ladies while he waves it back and forth in a territorial mating display.  The dewlap is also helpful for absorbing extra heat and regulating body temperature.  All in all, Gnome seems pretty satisfied with his life in a protected enclosure with his 15 lady iguanas."

Video of the day.  The World of Wild trailer.  Some of the footage was shot at the Green Iguana Conservation Project.  

The Belize Forest Department had its Youth Summer Camp last week, and it was here in Cayo at Sacred Heart College. Looks like the students had a lot of fun while learning about sustainability. They also got to visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project and Bulridge's acreage. Awesome to see.

'The Forest Department held its annual summer camp from July 10th-14th, 2023 under the theme “Healthy Forests for Healthy People”. '

The first episode of Gems of Belize was all about the BWRC.  Worth a watch. 

Episode 2 will be all about the Green Iguana Conservation Project, and will be shown on Wednesday.

'The National Channel, in partnership with the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, presents Gems of Belize | Season Premiere:

Now's the time to apply for the 2021 Green Iguana Conservation Project Scholarship.  Good for any Cayo high school, or CET.  Thank you, GICP, for investing in the future.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSPspfOpe8n/

"Since its inception, the project has assisted Belizean students with 12 tuition scholarships. The resort itself once offered the scholarships but the project took it over in 2008 and the scholarship funds now come from the Adoption Program only. The scholarship is open to all high schools in the Cayo District as well as CET San Ignacio.  The deadline to submit your application this year is August 15th, 2021."

Video of the day.  Great drone footage of downtown Cayo.  The market, Cayo Welcome Center, Love Town, Burns avenue, the Green Iguana Conservation Project, and much more can be seen. Worth a watch.

"Welcome to our beautiful Twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. We love our towns so much we decided to do a short Town Reel highlighting the different things to do around San Ignacio. From the Market to Visiting the Iguana Sanctuary Si/Se has so many fun packed adventures. COVID has been hindering us from videoing more detailed clips. Stay tuned for our 'top things to do in the Twin Towns'
Production: Sik Tingz Production"

Video of the day.  DJ Dalla visited Cayo for episode 3 of Music & Culture.  He took a trip to the Green Iguana Conservation Project, then Xunantunich.  Sam Harris from the Garifuna Collective plays at the base of El Castillo. DJ Flayva from Cloud 9 does a great set, and then the Jade Band performs at Falcon Field.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1DIS7Fr7U/

Sunday read.  Great article highlighting a few of the many local cultural attractions that are great experiences for teenagers.  Well written, and Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and the sites in MPR(Rio Frio Cave is pictured above), are all in there.  They loved their stay at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and enjoyed the Green Iguana Conservation Project.

"Our week in San Ignacio barely scratched the surface of the outdoor and cultural excursions offered here..

We wanted to make sure we learned as much as we could about our hometown for the week, so we dedicated a full morning to San Ignacio itself. We toured through the fruit and vegetable market (busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and also really enjoyed learning about the history and process of cacao and drinking chocolate in the Mayan tradition at AJAW Chocolate and Crafts. Additional tours offer cooking classes and lessons on corn processing and tortilla-making at a Mayan women’s co-op...

Xunantunich and Cahal Pech: both these archaeological sites are rich in historical and cultural significance, and both are within easy distance of San Ignacio. Our leader, San Ignacio Resort Hotel guide Cruz, shuttled us only 25 minutes to arrive at Xunantunich, where we walked in the footsteps of Mayan people who civilized this region long before Columbus made his mark (or Christ, for that matter)."

Westjet Magazine loves Cayo.  They recently ran another article, and this one focuses on some of the unique local sites found in the area.  The Green Iguana Conservation Project is on the list, as is the market, Ajaw Chocolate, Kaj Expressions, Vivian's Cafe, and the new Capello's Art Gallery.  A great list that can all be visited in one fun, artsy day. 

"San Ignacio is a small, friendly town in the Cayo District and is the perfect base to explore the nearby Maya sites. It's also filled with sights worth discovering, including an iguana conservatory and a vibrant market."

Belize was ranked as a top 5 honeymoon destination for adventurers.  Cayo is highlighted, of course.  Big Rock Falls is pictured, and they highly recommend the San Ignacio Resort Hotel for lodging.  The Green Iguana Conservation Project and Cahal Pech are also recommended.

Want to plan an adventure honeymoon? Try one of these five honeymoon destinations, where you can top off a day of adventure with plenty of romance...  At the family-owned San Ignacio Resort Hotel, each of the 26 rooms have airy, white-draped beds and are accented with local art. Take your morning coffee at the pool, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot toucans, searching for fruit among the trees. The resort makes it easy to experience the region: Walk into the town of San Ignacio or stroll the trail that loops through the property’s 17-acre jungle preserve and iguana sanctuary.

Video of the day.  The Cheap Nomad visited the Green Iguana Conservation Project, and got some great footage of the fun to be had there.  They stayed at the Old House Hostel, and also got some footage there. 

"People have asked me what it's like staying in a hostel. Here is a pretty typical hostel we stayed at in San Ignacio, Belize. We had our own beds in a 4-dorm room which cost us $14 a night each. There is usually a kitchen, communal space, and a couple bathrooms that are shared amongst everyone. If you are ever in San Ignacio, visit the Iguana Sanctuary nearby. They rehabilitate injured Iguanas and have successfully implemented an Iguana breeding program. The entrance was $9."

Travel Weekly highlighted Belize in its latest article, and Cayo, of course, gets most of the story's focus.  The San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Ka'ana, and Gaia Riverlodge are all mentioned as great lodging options. 

While ATM is somehow not mentioned, the Black Hole Drop, Actun Loch Tunich, is, as is the Green Iguana Conservation Project.  Caracol, Xunantunich(Hanna Stables gets a shout out in regards to getting there), and Cahal Pech, some of Belize's nicest Maya archaeological sites, are recommended. 

"Neatly wedged between Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, don’t let its size fool you – there’s plenty here for a standalone holiday. Its Mayan experience is at the heart of it all, predominantly in the western Cayo District, home to the unassuming capital Belmopan, aka the ‘Garden City’ thanks to surrounding waterfalls, caves and rivers that are ideal for hiking, birdwatching and soft adventure.

The tourist hub, though, is San Ignacio, a small town of lively local bars and restaurants, and a good base for Caracol, Belize’s most impressive Mayan city; Cahal Pech, the oldest known site in the Belize River Valley; and the temples of Xunantunich, where a new tomb was discovered in 2016. Hanna Stables offer horse-riding tours here, including a quirky ferry crossing with horses in tow.

Cayo District is home to the Actun Loch Tunich cave, where a hike and abseil take you 300 feet down into Central America’s largest cave system."

Video of the day.  The Green Iguana Conservation Project. 

"The Green Iguana Conservation Project is a continuous effort that aims to conserve and look after the endangered Green Iguana species in Belize."

Great article about the Green Iguana Conservation Project.  Lots of fun pictures in it too.  Everyone love the Iguana Project!

"All we can say is give it a go!  This is a great activity for families, couples, or those flying solo.  Strangers become close friends for a short period of time as you mock everyone’s reaction to the lively lizards.  To learn more about the green iguana conservation project visit their website."