These days most people have heard of Belize. They’ve seen the TV ads and online videos of its gorgeous offshore islands, lush inland jungles, and ancient Mayan archaeological ruins. But when someone starts to plan their first trip to Belize they often ask, “Where is it?”
Rising each morning, you select a few fragrant oranges, mangoes, and bananas from the fruit trees flourishing on your lot. After blending a delicious smoothie, you head outdoors to enjoy breakfast. The deck is a perfect perch for watching tropical birds as they sing and chatter.
For Lindsay Hackston, her daily commute on a tropical island easily beats the one she left behind in California. “I drive to work in my golf cart, stress-free, which I love. I enjoy my home, which is on the water, with an amazing view that includes wildlife such as crocodiles, anteaters, parrots, and other exotic creatures.” Home for Lindsay is the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. For the last 28 years she has owned and operated Belizean Arts, an art gallery popular with North American visitors and expats on the island.
Each morning in the Cayo begins with a symphony of birdsong. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve spent the night in a remote eco-lodge or in San Ignacio, the region’s largest town. Inevitably, you’ll awake to the tune of an avian ensemble: cooing doves… drumming woodpeckers…or a pandemonium of parrots.
Every time I visit Belize’s Cayo District in the country’s interior, I’m delighted by the lush, wild jungles, languidly flowing rivers, and the remnants of the ancient Maya civilization scattered throughout the region.
Belize is well-known for its famous Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. For decades adventurous scuba divers and anglers have vacationed in Belize, in pursuit of their favorite marine sports.
The seafront widens into an expansive, soft-sand beach lined with lime green, yellow, orange, and plum-colored kiosks. They tempt you with margaritas, beers, and sweet treats.
Front Street got its name because, to put it plainly, it’s in front. That is to say, it’s in front of Middle Street and Back Street, the other two primary lanes on tiny, five-mile-long Caye Caulker, Belize. Front Street faces the sea.
Because Caye Caulker is small, there aren’t many homes or condos available for sale. It’s a thin market with high demand. And prices have risen over the last few years. But there are still good deals to be found.
It’s like being inside an aquarium,” my grandchildren kept saying, as we made our way back to shore from their first diving trip in the Caribbean. I had been ecstatic about introducing them to my favorite activity since we moved to Belize.