I arrived in Belize just before noon time on friday and was really surprised how majority of everyone speaks english there, so its very convenient not to worry about speaking spanish or other dialects to get by in the country. Let me throw this out there right now, Belize City is not a place you really want to go around in. Its not safe, very dangerous and it will definitely make you feel uncomfortable. I actually felt I was going through international street in Oakland, its that bad. I don't know if I can compare it to Baltimore, Philadelphia, South side of Chicago, etc.. but you will definitely not want to be there even if you're in the tourist areas, its still not safe where people are going to beg for money and will rob you even if you give them a small amount of change at first, it is truly survival of the fittest there.
So I arrived at the Belize City bus terminal from the Belize International Airport via taxi, I thought I would have to wait there for my departure bus but was lucky it was ready to leave. That was an area where you had alot of solicitors, snack selling booths and possibly squatters in my surroundings which was kinda of intimidating. So I hoped on the bus to Benque Viejo del Carmen which is the way toward my destination that is close to the border of Guatemala and Belize on the western side of the country. The ride was almost 3 hours long and it was not bad except for the horrible vinyl seats I had to sit in which will cause heat and make you sweat even though your getting the breeze from the wind through the windows.
The region I arrived in is called Cayo district and its miles away different here than in Belize City, more on the country side so its less hectic. Clarissa Falls Resort was the lodging place I stayed at and its few miles outside of the nearest major city (San Ignacio) and its an ideal spot to have some peace and quiet in an environment for you to unwind and relax. It's on a ranch land but next to a river so you can either go swimming/tubing or horseback riding. This is an alternative from your typical hotel type of lodging, it might be far to reach but the scenery and atmosphere is well worth the journey and the owner will treat you like family, I definitely could vouch for that. Ironically, its the same name of my brother's daughter and I specifically choose to stay there to bridge a connection with my niece.
It's difficult to get around attractions if you don't have a rental car but taking the bus is quite easy or even taxi cabs, its pretty affordable for backpacker type budgets since these taxis and (school) buses travel back and forth toward the border of Guatemala and back to San Ignacio. I can't say that for the same referring to food. It feels like I'm paying for a $10 lunch or even $15-$20 dinner some cases in San Francisco, its that expensive so I'm resorting to snacks/water and maybe one small meal a day from my lodging. Xunantunich Ruins, is one of the Mayan spots I checked out located in San Jose Succotz (few miles west of San Ignacio), it was interesting to get there, you have to cross on an ferry that is powered via person using a hand crank. This is definitely an attraction that will get you to wonder about but also to appreciate the architecture.
Downtown San Ignacio, is a small lively town for restaurants to eat at, tours to inquire and an local market that provides fresh vegetables/fruits/crafts for the budget traveler. While in San Ignacio, you can check out Cahal Pech Ruins up on the hill that is a 20 minute walk from downtown. It's a decent size Mayan Ruin attraction to check out that definitely showcases its beauty. The other spots I explored were the Nautral History Museum, Medicine Trail and Blue Morpho Butterfly farm which are located at Cha Creek Resort just about 5 1/2 miles off the main highway near Clarissa Falls Resort entrance road. Its a rough terrain to get there but I would say the butterfly farm is well worth the hike without a ride but you're gonna sweat in that heat for a good 1 1/2 hour trek. Its difficult to book a tour in general when you're a solo traveler since these tours are more catered to 2 or more in a group due to high gas prices to justify traveling lost distance to an specific attraction.
Though I was able to get Caracol Ruins last minute and it was just a sight to see and experience in person, it has the tallest sky tower out of all the Mayan Ruins in Belize and the view is just incredible. Its located in Pine Ridge Mountains south of San Ignacio and around 1 1/2 hour drive in rough roads going up hill. From the that tour, I also got to check out Rio Frio Cave and Waterfalls, these attractions were nice but nothing to special. There were quite a few tours I wanted to go on but my schedule wouldn't allow me to proceed so next time in the region I will definitely try them out.
Cayo district has alot to offer from cave tubing to jungle hikes to canoe explorations to horseback riding, this is something for the adventurous type that want to experience alot more than getting a tan and swimming in the sea. So I'm off to PG (Punta Gorda) southern part of Belize, I don't think I'm going to make it to this early or later afternoon express bus (charter style) since the times conflicts with my schedule so I'm going have to endure this 5+ hour ride and its gonna be a killer with these heat absorbing vinyl seats.
Time lapse atop of the skypalace "canaa" of Caracol Ruins
