Captivating Mystique

Taking the Unique Journey that is Belize

There’s an old Garifuna song that says: “guillarati bidi pero mosu baguribudun” meaning “you can go but you must come back” and this is true for Belize.

No matter where you go, how far you go, or for how long you go, there’s an undeniable charm about Belize that keeps you coming back.

Perhaps it’s the fact that Belize is undeniably travel inspiring. Cracking the code of the country’s unique character is a scintillating challenge. A country with a history that dates back to the time of the ancient Maya, time and space seem to move to a unique rhythm here. Where there were once flourishing metropolises in the jungle, there are now majestic ruins. Where there was once a thriving society of logwood cutters and chicleros, there is now a booming tourism industry. No matter how many times you visit, there is an intangible feeling of mystery that is unwavering.

So where will your Belize expedition take you? Will it be to the west where the highway is abuzz with life; children running around in school yards, families enjoying conversations on their verandas or villagers gathered to cheer on their team at the local game. Where you’ll experience the street side vendors at the road bumps waving delicious coconut meat at you trying to make a sale.

Maybe you’ll get lost in the south where banana plantations and orange orchards emerge majestically from the shadows of lush green mountains and valleys, or where the rhythmic sounds of the Garifuna segunda and primero drums hypnotize your hips in the "Kulcha Kapital." As the Hummingbird Highway merges into the Southern Highway, you’ll be welcomed by pine trees anchored by red soil and mountains standing tall in the distance. Go deeper south and the dirt roads lead to Mayan communities where women wash clothes bare breasted by the riverside, and colorful dresses add life to villages. On the menu? The traditional Mayan Caldo and Poch, or the East Indian Tacari.

Heading to the north? Then you’re sure to see sugar cane fields and truckloads of cane lining the road while cañeros reap their harvest in the fields. Stop at a local taco stand and enjoy a savory serving of shredded chicken dressed in onions and cilantro rolled up in delicious white corn tortillas for breakfast. Or enjoy your tortillas alongside a bowl of Relleno or Escabeche for lunch. Journey onto the backroads of the Shuga Siti where the Mennonites are tucked away and horse-drawn wooden carriages and modesty are still a way of life.

As you venture back to Belize City, horse and cart rides will show you around the old capital where colonial style buildings squeeze between the modern architecture of a bustling downtown. The Swing Bridge, a historical landmark, overlooks a cluster of fishing boats in the harbor. Just a couple of steps further and you may find yourself on a boat on your way to the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye where you can soak up the sun, taste the salt and feel the caress of the wind as you journey from deep blue to bright turquoise waters.

From the horse and cart rides around the old capital, to the Mayan temples hiding in the rainforest. From the spectacles of chocolatemaking in Toledo to the art of rolling savory tacos in Orange Walk. From pottery-making in San Antonio Village to drum making in the Garifuna village of Barranco. From the welcoming shores of Corozal and Punta Gorda, to the river banks of San Ignacio and Benque. From the bare-breasted Mayan women washing their clothing by the river, to the Mennonites shying away in Blue Creek and Shipyard. From Caldo and Tacari, to the rice and beans and tasty selection of corn foods. From the sand and waves of the cayes, to the dirt roads of villages. In Belize there is an adventure to be had at every corner. You’ll find that visiting once is not enough.

You can go but you must come back!

Written by: Jeanelle Mencias

Photos: Leonardo Melendez