Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Congratulations to all the resorts that won the Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards 2024 Mystic River Resort, Maya Mountain Lodge, San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and Blancaneaux Lodge here in Cayo.  Well done!

This has been postponed for now.

The Belize Tennis Association is teaming up with the San Ignacio Resort Hotel to have a National Mixed Doubles Tournament on the 25th and 26th.

St. Andrew’s Bishop's Gala fundraiser will be next Saturday, November 4th, and will be held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. The theme will be 'A Night in Paris,' and they'll have delicious food and live music. WhatsApp 615-0588 for more information.

'Community support forms part of our core values and we are excited to spread the word about Saint Andrew's Gala event happening on November 4th 2023.'

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is having their 2023 Fundraiser Gala on Saturday, November 11th.  The fun starts at 6pm, and they always have the best silent auctions.  It'll be at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, so the dinner will be amazing.  

'Please join us for a lovely evening supporting BWRC's free medical and rehabilitation services for imperiled wildlife of all species in Belize.  Stay tuned for the menu to be announced soon as well as the schedule but as always there will be a delicious 3 course dinner at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel Bedran Hall, awesome silent auctions and door prizes.'

Congratulations, Ms. Ramos! She's the new Queen of the Bay Belmopan. The Queen of the Bay pageant will be on Sunday, August 20th, at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

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The BWRC is having their Wildlife Ambassador Program Conference on Saturday, January 28th, at the SIRH.

Register here - https://forms.gle/b3kLBcy19csKVFbH9

'Calling everyone who has completed the Wildlife Ambassador Program (WAP) online & on-site training! You are invited to attend the National WAP conference to be held on January 28th, 2023 at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Registration is a must so RSVP at the link below.'

Awesome news on the tourism front. The San Ignacio Resort Hotel was listed as the number 1 hotel in Belize in the World Travel Awards. Cayo's in town jungle resort highly deserves this. Keep up the amazing hospitality, SIRH.

'Belize's San Ignacio Resort Hotel was named the #1 leading hotel on the continent at the 2022 World Travel Awards.'

The 2022 Belize Archaeology Symposium will be Wednesday to Friday, June 29th to July 1st. It'll be held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

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."

Belize got a wonderful write up by Ali Wunderman in Hemispheres.  The best part is the Cayo part, where the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Guava Limb, and Pop's are all mentioned.  She went birding with Roni Martinez at Black Rock Lodge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNV1FRxFUAz/

"Belize was at the center of the ancient Maya world, as evidenced by the vast network of ruins and ceremonial caves found throughout the country. Despite attempts to colonize and wipe out these civilizations, Maya culture survived, with some 11 percent of the population here made up of indigenous Maya. This afternoon, I’m exploring a nearby Maya ruin, Cahal Pech, with the help of Edgar, a guide from the hotel. The central plaza has a languid air, the grass alive with small yellow butterflies, the peacefulness palpable. It’s like passing through a portal to a thousand years in the past—although there was nothing primitive about this society. Edgar shows me the ingenious ways the ancient Maya designed their buildings to indicate the seasons, the sophistication in their architectural techniques. 'I am mestizo,' he tells me, meaning a blend of Spanish and Indigenous. 'To have these archaeological treasures here makes me take great pride in my country’s heritage.'

I wish I could stay in this restful ruin forever, but I need a respite from the oppressive inland heat. After picking up my friend Steph, who works for the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, we point the car toward Big Rock Falls, in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. I brace for rain-carved off-road driving, but we find tightly packed dirt instead; the notoriously bumpy road is in the early stages of being paved.

As we climb into the mountains, the jungle gives way to a sparse pine forest, another example of Belize’s bewildering ecological diversity. 'I love the unexpectedness of it all,' Steph remarks after we’ve scrambled down the rickety handmade staircase to a beach of gigantic boulders at the base of the 150-foot waterfall. I have to agree: It’s hard to believe we were in the rainforest less than an hour ago. Luckily, I’m wearing my swimsuit under my sundress, as Steph shows me how to get a back massage from the cascade, leaving me soothed and invigorated all at once."

The 2020 BNRC is a month away.  This year's theme is 'Democrazy and Development in Belize.'  It'll be held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel on Wednesday, March 25th, and Thursday, March 26th.  

Last year's presentations are on Youtube, and this year's schedule is online.

"The Third Edition of the Belize National Research Conference will feature over 25 presentations in the following topics:

�Community and Democracy
�Environment and Development
�Health and Development
�Technology and Development
�Education and Development
�Democracy and Development
�Business, Entrepreneurship and Development

�The Conference will take place on March 25th and 26th, 2020 at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, in San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize.

�Registration will take place on the each day of the conference at 8:00am. Cost for attending is BZ $10.00.

☑️Learn more about this year's Call for Participants here: http://bit.ly/bnrc-2020

Follow us, to keep updated about the schedule of presentations and other details."

The Belize Birding Festival was held last weekend at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  They have a lot of pictures from the event.

"The 2nd Annual Belize Birding Festival was held on October 19-20th, 2019 in San Ignacio, Cayo where approximately 200 guests were in attendance! The 2-day event featured presentations and workshops by 3 exceptional guest speakers: - Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Mr. Serge Arias, CEO of Bird-watching Central America - Dr. Lee Jones, Author of Birds of Belize Additionally, participants were able to walk the exhibition floor, go birding on Saturday and Sunday morning on exclusive BBF tours, attend the evening Cocktail, network, and much more. Thank you to all our sponsors, exhibitors, participants, and presenters!"

The Wine Smith is planning their Cultural Immersion of Food and Wine for Friday, December 1st, and they'll have it poolside at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

'Embark on a culinary journey with us at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel on Friday, Dec 01, 2023. Experience the vibrant fusion of the Garifuna and Maya cultures through cocktail bites and wine featuring Theopolis Vineyards, P. Harrell Wines, Indigene Cellars, and JSL Wines from the California wine region. Sip, savor, and celebrate with us from 6pm to 9pm as we explore the flavors of the world.'

The Ms. Earth All White Affair fundraiser is next Saturday, October 21st. It'll be held poolside at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Call 614-7006 for more information.

The National Queen of the Bay Sashing Ceremony will be on Sunday, August 20th, and this will be the first time it's been held in Cayo. It'll be held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and will start at 630pm. Tickets are only $75, and that comes with a multi-course dinner. The Los Hijos del West will be performing!

The BTB is having their Licensing Industry Relation Visit this Thursday at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. 10am to noon for hotels, and 5 to 7pm for tour operators and tour guides.

'Information and support to be provided include:
1. Status change and updating of Licensing Applications.
2. New updates in BTB external policies and a refresher on the regulations.
3. Licensing of short-term rental properties (including properties on Airbnb, VRBO, and similar).
4. Pick-up of Licenses and Decals
5. General queries on licensing procedures and requirements.'

The Back to the Grotto, 2022 edition, is set for Saturday, September 17th. Tickets can be found all around Cayo, including The BLOOM CAFÈ, The Gully Grill, Pop's Restaurant, and, of course, the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, where the wild night will transpire. You know this is on the Cayo Event Calendar already.

The Cayo Cancer Society's 7th annual Gala fundraiser will be on Saturday, June 18th, at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. The fun starts at 7pm.

"After 2 difficult years... we are able to once more host our annual gala! Please support by purchasing a ticket from any of our branch members! Your support is greatly appreciated!"

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"

The San Ignacio Resort Hotel is having an Easter Art Exhibition.  The grand opening is Friday, April 2nd, and it'll run through Monday the 5th.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMsPIhMFL5R/

Shared on the Cayo Event Calendar.

"Easter weekend is fast approaching and we’ve got an art exhibition taking place starting April 2nd through April 5th!

A complimentary glass of wine and 10% discount on 

Congratulations, Steph!  She was celebrated by Women in Tourism for her achievements in the tourism industry.  Well deserved recognition.  

"WOW she is #unbelizeable meet our “One to Watch” Woman in Tourism Stephanie Elena.  Stephanie grew up moving from one destination to another as a result of her father’s profession. By the age of 20, Stephanie had lived in 11 different destinations where she was able to experience the culture and uniqueness of various communities, which subsequently fostered her interest for tourism and travel. She is fluent in Spanish and English, with a good understanding of French as well. She graduated with a dual Bachelor’s Degree majoring in International Business and a Minor in Marketing from the University of Indianapolis (USA) and Galen University (Belize).

Since 2013, she has been working for the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel in Western Belize, and is currently the lead for their Marketing and Public Relations endeavors. Since 2017, Stephanie has been elected by tourism stakeholders to be part of the Board of Directors for the Belize Hotel Association-- a non-profit, NGO, and Belize’s oldest private sector tourism organization. She has been fulfilling the role of Secretary for the past 3 years.

Stephanie is also an active member and represents the BHA on the Belize Birding Festival committee, an international event in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Industry Association and Belize Audubon Society, that aims to encourage nature and birding activities in Belize. Although she specializes in trade, advertising, social media, branding, and content creation, her favourite specialty is connecting with public relation companies, journalists and media representatives in order to showcase her property as well as the adventures found within Belize."