Belize Travelcast

In this episode, Cindy from Chan Chich Lodge joins us to speak about conservation efforts to protect Belize and Central America’s wildlife and rainforests. 

Chan Chich Lodge in the north of Belize is a pioneer for conservation. Its name comes from the Yucatec words for “little bird” and is built on what was an undiscovered Maya city. Originally a residence for archaeologists and researchers, the lodge became popular with the public as word got out about the hidden gem that is this property and people came to visit for themselves. 

Because of the location’s isolation, it is a place where guests can go to be free from distraction and reconnect with themselves and nature. It is also due to this isolation that the conservation efforts began. So far from the nearest town, the lodge started growing their own crops and keeping their own animals such as chickens all for on-site consumption. This sustainability expanded and now the lodge takes every step to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact, something that in recent years has become a trend called “ecotourism.”

Cindy enlightens us on all this and delves deeper into the stories of the people who come to enjoy what the lodge has to offer, a unique experience it fights to preserve as organizations contributing to the Belize Maya Forest project. This fund seeks to protect the natural corridor connecting Belize to Mexico and Central America which is inhabited by many treasured and endangered species like jaguars and tapirs. 

With over 300 birds in the area and authentic wildlife kept untouched by man, the many trails on the property are a sightseeing paradise that can be explored via the many guided tours offered or simply at your own leisure. The lucky guest might even spot an elusive jaguar passing through. 

Let’s go to Chan Chich, where guests can know they are helping to make a difference, traveling with a purpose.

This episode was sponsored by St Leonard's Tours. Book their signature combo tour that takes you from the heights of the Xunantunich Maya temple to Cave Tubing into one of the Maya Underworld gateways. 

Let’s go Belizing!

In this episode, we are joined by Ruben Magana, co-owner of Sak Tunich with his father Jose Magana. Ruben speaks about Maya culture in Belize and how it is passed on and kept alive even today. 

Part of this cultural preservation is Sak Tunich itself. The name comes from the Mayan words for “white rock.” This is because under the topsoil of the property is a layer of pure limestone. The whole place resembles an authentic Maya site, including a plaza, ballcourt, and ceremonial room all carved and decorated traditionally. It is a place where visitors can see and learn more about the culture and traditions of Belize’s Maya people.

The country is unique in part because it is the only nation where people can get married on any archaeological site. This means that traditions such as Maya wedding ceremonies are particularly strong. One practice in these ceremonies introduces the four cardinal points, north, south, east, and west, with their different associated colors and energies.

One thing Ruben makes clear is that the Maya are not gone. In Belize alone, there are three different branches of the Maya people, of which he is Yucatec. However, ancient traditions are being lost to time and change, such as the language and English and Spanish taking over outside the home, as well as things such as traditional farming practices and rituals.

Take a dive with Ruben into the rich Maya culture in Belize, past, present, and future, and see just how it is showcased throughout the country in both architectures like that of Sak Tunich down to the courting traditions of the people.

This episode is sponsored by St Leonard's Tours. 

Let’s go Belizing!

This episode is short and sweet with two guests, Mariel and Carlene, from Blue Marlin Beach Resort on South Water Caye.

The name is a tribute to the island which was once used as a fishing camp and in honor of the rare and difficult catch of a Blue Marlin in the area. True to this, one of the top activities around South Water Caye is fishing, for both beginners and experts. In fact, fly fishing can be done right from the docks. Both snorkeling and diving are also available just off the island for those looking for something more adventurous, as the Caye is located on the Barrier Reef. 

Along with snorkel and scuba packages, Blue Marlin also offers relaxation packages for those who want to disconnect, go island hopping, hang out, and maybe get a massage. On the other hand, South Water Caye can also be used as a base for caving, ziplining, and any other trips on the mainland.

When in Belize, Blue Marlin Beach Resort on South Water Caye is nothing if not an ideal destination. 

Let’s go experience all it has to offer.

Let’s go Belizing!

In the episode, Norvani Santoya, Reservations manager at the Blue Zen Resort on Caye Caulker, talks about just why Caye Caulker and Belize as a whole are the perfect wedding destination. 

As Norvani states, Zen is about finding balance in relaxation and peacefulness. Located in an accessible yet private and secluded location, Blue Zen accomplishes just this. Along with handling arrivals/departures and general concierge service, Norvani and his team are also responsible for creating completely personalized packages for guests and, most of all, weddings. 

As the only English-speaking country in Central America and packed with unique attractions such as lobster fest, the second largest barrier reef, and the great blue hole, Belize is the perfect choice for those looking for a destination wedding. Whether you choose to get married on the beach, on a sandbar, in the jungle, on a Maya temple, or on a waterfall, Belize has you covered.

What’s more, the ensuing honeymoon can start immediately after without much need for travel. Blue Zen can take care of all of this. Norvani and his team work with their guests every step of the way and will go to great lengths to ensure you have the wedding and honeymoon experience you envision. 

Enjoy Caye Caulker’s laid-back fishing village atmosphere with the best food and the best sunsets in Belize.

Let's go Belizing!

In this episode, we speak with the Yucatec Maya healer and owner of Nuuk Cheil Cottages, Aurora Saki. Aurora speaks about her Maya culture and the tradition of healing that has been passed down through her family. Her mother learned from her grandfather and her uncle became world-renowned, the same uncle who she studied under for 8 years, learning the secrets of countless plants that when combined and used correctly can create nature's remedies for almost anything. She has now been a full-fledged healer for over 25 years, but this is not all she has accomplished. As a girl Aurora and her sisters almost single-handedly built the slate carving industry, making the form of art popular and widespread throughout Belize with their work. Growing up she learned not to be ashamed of her culture but to embrace it and won an award for writing her Mayan cookbook. She opened a restaurant. Then she opened Nuuk Cheil Cottages, deriving its name from the Mayan word for “forest” because of the surrounding area. In the heart of nature, Nuuk Cheil is a beautiful property just about 6 miles from the jaguar reserve where guests and groups can rent a place to stay while in Belize.

Listen as Aurora details all of this and more, even including her own Romeo and Juliet story of how she ran away to marry her husband of 30 years, Ernesto Saki, a village chairman of the Mopan Maya. In addition, take a tour of her goodie bag of Maya concoctions that Aurora has created from nature: everything from eye drops to bug spray to hair loss treatments to even a dream serum, all of which she sells as part of being a Healer.  So dive into the fascinating culture of the Maya and the well of ancient knowledge that Aurora has to offer.

In this episode, we sit down with Dorian Rivero, owner of Private Belize Adventure and tour guide of over 20 years, to discuss what activities are available to visitors based in Belize City such as those looking for a way to enjoy their Belize layover during a cruise.  Belize City, being one of the first settlements, has a rich history and many historical relics, whether it be the artifacts in museums or the colonial style building, there is always a sight to see. From here, people are in the perfect location to embark on quick trips to more exotic destinations such as an ancient Mayan city or cave tubing through a gorgeous underground river. With Dorian and Private Belize Adventure, take a virtual walkthrough of a combo tour where guests book private trips to do just that, spending the day exploring the ruins of Altun Ha in addition to floating down the blue waters and breathtaking caverns of Nohoch Che’en.  Anyone can book this tour on Belizing.com

Altun Ha is unique, as the ancient city once served as a center of manufacturing and trade yet is not built on a body of water. Meanwhile, Nohoch Che’en provides an unforgettable cave-tubing experience where guests also get the opportunity to explore some dry branches of the cave to uncover artifacts frozen in time like abandoned Mayan pottery, left untouched for ages.

In between or along the way shop at nearby establishments, and when it comes time, enjoy the delicious Belizean lunch provided. No need to worry about any park fees or equipment needed for your adventure; everything is included: tubes, life vests, helmets, and lights.

There are many memories to be made from Belize City.

Let’s go make them.

Let’s go Belizing!

Ali Wunderman joins us in the studio for a conversation about the new Belize covid-19 travel restrictions and her experience traveling back to Belize for the first time during the pandemic. We discuss the new travel protocols and her experience arriving in Belize and visiting different areas of the country. With travel to Belize now fully reopened, including the return of cruise tourism in July 2021, there are some updated protocols and procedures that travelers should be aware of. Ali walks us through her experience and explains why traveling to Belize is as easy as 1-2-3.

In this episode, we take you on a virtual tour of the world-renowned Mountain Cow Crystal Cave in western Belize. The Crystal Cave is one of the most popular spelunking destinations in Belize. Expert cave guide Mr Francisco Itza from Belize Caving Expeditions will walk you through the entire experience by discussing what you'll see, hear, and do on this unique tour. You'll also get some travel tips and insights to prepare for the tour on your next Belize vacation.

Crystal Cave Mountain Cow St. Hermans' Blue Hole National Park

> Book This Tour

Ella Békési from Heritage Network Belize talks about Belize's cultural and natural heritage, including the tangible and intangible heritage. She also discusses why it is important for Belizeans, and visitors alike, to safeguard and embrace the cultural and natural heritage of Belize for generations to come. Their initiative started in the midst of the 2020 pandemic with the aim to support Belizean tourism professionals, cultural and heritage organizations, business owners, artists, and artisans coping with the impact of COVID-19.

Ali Wunderman is back in the studio of the Belize Travelcast to update us on what she's been up to since her last visit back in January 2020. She tells us what it was like being stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how she missed Belize dearly and just had to come back as soon as she got the chance. Not only is Ali in Belize to rekindle her love for Belize's nature and people, but she was also here to work on a new cover article for Hemispheres Magazine's April issue, titled "Three Perfect Days in Belize". Check it out on your next flight on United Airlines. In this episode, Ali gives us the inside scoop of what she did for the article research to give visitors a glimpse of what you can do in Belize besides the typical activities. Ali talks about Belize's beautiful San Pedro Town as well as adventure-filled San Ignacio Town and the scenic journey down the Hummingbird Highway to Placencia.

Book your next Adventure on Belizing.com

Episode Notes

Belize Ground Shuttle

Belize's Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Honorable Anthony Mahler, talks about safety in Belize during the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses what travel and tourism in Belize will be like in 2021 and beyond. Tune in to hear about his vision for Belize tourism. Belize is safe to visit and is gearing up to become a first-class tourism destination under the leadership of Honorable Anthony Mahler. 

Belize COVID-19 Travel Updates.

Aliana's Villas Belize Ground Shuttle Mangata Villas

The Belize Tourism Board Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

See the Show Notes for more information.

Belize is open for travel! The Belize International Airport reopened for inbound tourism on October 1st, 2020. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Misty Michael from the Belize Tourism Board to discuss the Belize Gold Standard program for Health and Safety, and why it is important to ensure safety for guests and residents alike. A full list of Belize Gold Standard hotels, tours, and transportation options is available on Belizing.com. This episode is sponsored by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Belize Sailing Vacations, and Orchid Bay Belize. 

National Health and Safety guidelines were developed by the Belize Tourism Board through a 9-point certification program called the Gold Standard Recognition Program. A new Belize Health App is also required for entry to Belize.

Belize is open for travel! Yes, we’re back and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our shores.

On October 1st, 2020, the Belize International airport finally reopened for leisure travel. Belize had closed its airport and borders on March 23rd. 

For over 6 months we were closed to inbound tourism. National Health and Safety guidelines were developed by the Belize Tourism Board through a 9-point certification program called the Gold Standard Recognition Program. A new Belize Health App is also required for entry to Belize.

This episode is sponsored by:

In this episode, Mrs. Misty Michael from the Belize Tourism Board joins us to talk about Airport protocols and other travel updates from Belize.

Misty is the Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at the Belize Tourism Board, with many years of experience in Marketing, Branding, Business Development, and Communications. 

Misty has been very hands-on with all the countrywide preparations and high-level discussions and decision-making over these past 6 months. She is one of the key people leading this monumental effort in Belize’s tourism industry. 

As of October 1st, you can visit Belize by air, you can stay at Gold Standard certified hotels, use Gold Standard certified tour operators and certified transport such as shuttles, car rentals, and taxis.  

You can explore Belize from Reef to Jungle, responsibly, and safely at your pleasure.

You can visit all the wonderful sites, taste all the delicious food, experience the rich cultures, and fully enjoy your Belize experience.

For the latest updates and Belize Travel Restrictions, visit Belizing.com and TravelBelize.org

Take a virtual tour of Caracol, the largest ancient Maya city in Belize. Learn about the history of this magnificent place deep in the jungles of Belize. Our expert guide, Jorge De Leon, from Lion Adventure Tours, takes us on this trip and gives us some travel tips for your next in-person visit to Caracol. In AD 650, the urban area of Caracol had a radius of approximately 177 square kilometers. It boasts the tallest man-made structure in the country of Belize, and the city covered an area much larger than present-day Belize City (the largest metropolitan area in the country of Belize). At its peak, Caracol supported more than twice the modern city’s population. Caracol is a must-see, as it is one of the largest cities of the classic period and was in the middle of a power struggle with powerful cities like Tikal and Naranjo in Guatemala.

Book this tour.

In this episode, we discuss the vibrancy and uniqueness of Belize’s music and musical artists. We are joined by Supa G, one of the most famous punta rock artists in Belize. We discuss the evolution of punta music from paranda to punta rock and Supa G's unique style that reaches across genres and has made him popular throughout the world. If you’re ready to dive into the rhythmic world of punta rock with Supa G, then this episode is for you.

Find more information at https://belizing.com/podcast

Episode Page.

This is the second part of our conversation on Belizean Culture and the people of Belize with Belizean Anthropologist Joe Awe from NINE Eco-Cultural Tours. Joe Awe is one of the most renowned experts on indigenous cultures in the country. In this episode, Joe continues the discussion on Belizean Cultures, how food and culture bring us together, and the Creolization of Belize. 

The people of Belize are often referred to as a melting pot of cultures. For such a small country, Belize’s population is very diverse. In this episode, we discuss the origins of Belize’s cultural groups. Our guest is Joe Awe, Anthropologist and Chief Cultural Evangelist from NINE Belize Eco-Cultural Tours. Joe is one of the foremost experts on Belize's cultures. In this two-part discussion, Joe gives us a very thought-provoking lesson on the history of Belize's melting pot.

[Updated] The Belize airport reopening has been delayed. In this episode, sponsored by Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas, we will provide a summary of the information you need before you visit and what to expect while you are in Belize. Not all hotels will be open to international guests in the first phase of reopening. The hotels that are allowed to open must first certify for the new Belize Gold Standard certification program. Jim Scott was instrumental in developing these new standards and he sits down with us to discuss the stringent standards that will be put in place to ensure the safety and health of everyone coming to Belize.

For official Belize travel updates, please visit https://belizing.com/coronavirus/

The Belize Travelcast is a new podcast series created by Belizing.com, a brand that is passionate about telling authentic stories, promoting sustainable tourism, and travel to Belize. Each episode is an engaging conversation that delivers authentic local travel experiences, useful travel tips and advice, as well as relevant updates on the Belize tourism industry and important issues affecting the environment, culture, and economy of Belize.

Rodolfo Juan and Carla Juan, the dynamic duo from St. Leonards Tours, takes us on a virtual audio experience of the Horseback Riding tour to Xunantunich, home of the second tallest man-made structure in Belize. This is more than just horseback riding. Come take a journey into the history of western Belize in the days of the Ancient Maya. A quiet riverside trail will take you to the village of San Jose Succotz where you will cross the river by ferry. Along the way, you will learn how the local Maya lived. Then, you will visit the world-renowned Xunantunich Maya temples and learn about its history and importance in the region. 

Mr. Hector Silva, a local Belizean historian, gives us a brief overview of his contribution to Belize's development and some of the reasons why Belize is still a largely undiscovered territory. He was one of the first ministers of government, serving as the minister of public works, public utilities, and communication. He was responsible for bringing essential utilities and infrastructure throughout the country as Belize developed through self-government and then as an independent nation. Don Hector, as he is affectionately known, tells us about the seven wonders of Central America and why the town of Corozal in northern Belize is an important mecca for the modern Mestizo race. Tune in to hear don Hector tell some of the untold history of Belize.

In this episode, ATM specialist Mr. Elias Cambranes from Katun Ahau Tours takes us on an amazing mind-blowing virtual tour of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave in Western Belize. The ATM Cave is one of the experiences in Belize that you must have on your bucket list. Take a journey into Xibalba, the Maya underworld, and hear why this was proclaimed as the most sacred cave in the world. The ATM cave is one of Belize's most stunning attractions and a visit will most certainly change your life.  Until you visit in person, join us on this virtual tour with Elias and mark your calendars for your next trip to Belize.

The public relations officer of the Belize Tourism Board, Mrs. Linette Canto, joins us in this episode to discuss some of the preparations being made in Belize, including the development of new policies and procedures and capacity building of local tourism stakeholders. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is the governing body of Belize’s tourism industry, with a primary mandate of marketing the destination both locally and internationally. In our phone conversation, Linette recaps Belize’s recently booming tourism industry as we recorded more than half a million overnight arrivals in 2019. She also gives us a brief overview of some of the marketing outreach they have been doing to keep the destination top of mind for when travel resumes. Belize has been declared Covid-19-free since May 11 after having recorded no new cases for 28 days.

Ted Tejada joins us remotely via telephone to discuss how Belize has fared during the coronavirus pandemic and the efforts to prepare for visitors after our borders are reopened. Ted is the president of the Belize Hotel Association and general manager of the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. In this episode, he gives us some insight into how the tourism industry in Belize was caught off guard, just as the rest of the world, but how the country then took decisive action to mitigate the spread. Belize now ranks 5th globally as one of the most prepared countries in the world to lift its COVID-19 lockdown measures. As of this recording, Belize had recorded 18 cases, with only 2 active cases remaining. While the borders, including the airport, are still closed, the country continues to make post-COVID preparations. Ted gives us some insight into some of the policies and procedures being developed by different organizations in Belize such as the Belize Hotel Association, National Institute of Culture and History, Belize Airport Authority, and the Belize Tourism Board. A collective effort is being made throughout the country to put protocols and policies in place, with a phased reopening being planned. Ted reaffirms that Belize is a destination worth waiting for, and he assures us that everything possible is being done to ensure the safety of guests when tourism gets back on track.

In this episode, Kaitlin Narciso, a travel journalist from Canada speaks to us about her experience visiting Belize for the first time. Kaitlin writes for HOLR Magazine, and is an experienced multimedia journalist, content creator, and digital marketing strategist. Kaitlin discusses how she found out about Belize and why she had to put it on her travel bucket list. Hear about her experience in San Ignacio with her travel partner Jess Campbell, and what she thinks about the people of Belize and why they plan to come back. Kaitlin also tells us about her experience eating the local cuisine, and enjoying zip lining and cave tubing. She also gives us some travel tips and recommendations on what to pack when you visit Belize. Kaitlin published two articles about Belize in HOLR magazine after this trip, and she promised to return to do the ATM cave tour.

Chef Sean Kuylen gives us his insight into what makes Belize a unique and excellent location for your destination wedding. Sean is well known as Belize’s best chef, and he works with wedding planners throughout Belize to bring you an all-inclusive package with the best of Belize’s cuisine inspired by the different cultures in Belize. Sean is passionate about promoting Belizean culture and his menu features authentic cultural food and experiences that are perfectly curated and catered to your unique wedding plans. If you’re dreaming of a fairytale wedding to tie the knot barefoot on a sandy beach, at a sacred Maya temple, on a secluded island, under the rainforest canopy, or any combination of these, then Belize is the perfect choice. Sean and his crew will show up with their specially built food trailer and his local cultural partners to ensure that your fairytale wedding is everything you dreamed it would be, and more.

In this episode, we welcome Michelle Williams from Om Shanti Belize, a place to “relax, restore, and reconnect to your best self”. As we endure this world crisis, we may all need to do just that to ensure that we emerge from this as our best selves. In these very stressful and uncertain times in the world, we are all feeling some level of stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s a very scary time for everyone, and it is now more important than ever to ensure our mental and physical wellbeing. In this Episode, Michelle takes us through her personal journey to achieving mental and physical wellness, and some of the wonderful work she’s doing in Belize to advocate for wellness. We also discuss wellness tourism in Belize and just a few of the things travelers can experience when they visit. The coronavirus pandemic too shall pass, and we invite you to come to Belize when you need to de-stress and reconnect.

Luis Garcia is one of the original founders of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. Today he is the General Manager of Eco-Friendly Solutions Limited, a Belizean company that distributes biodegradable products in Belize, where single-use plastics are being phased out. Luis is well known in Belize as an advocate for environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices to conserve the environment. The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, the longest canoe race in Central America, had it’s humble beginnings from Luis’ own passion and love for the rivers and keeping them clean. The La Ruta Maya race was conceived along with the late great Richard Harrison as an idea to promote the launch of Vida Purified Water but more importantly, to highlight the importance of the rivers and to promote community involvement in keeping the rivers clean and healthy. Luis reminds us that from its inception, the focus of the La Ruta Maya race was to help keep the rivers clean which is why the race was always followed by a clean up crew. He tells us that some 80% or more of Belize’s population has some dependency on the Belize river and therefore it is vital to continue the tradition that he started so many years ago along with Richard Harrison and others who saw the importance of keeping the rivers clean and healthy.

Learn how the great great granddaughter of Pancho Villa's medicine woman is now saving the crocodiles in Belize. Dr. Marisa Tellez is the founder and Executive Director of the Crocodile Research Center in Belize. In this episode, Dr. Tellez and her colleague Darcy Ulez talks about the work at the CRC and their plans to build a wildlife clinic in Belize to protect the crocodiles and educate the local communities about the importance of crocodiles to the environment. Crocodiles are fascinating and very important to the environment. They were revered by the Maya who believed that the earth rested atop a huge crocodile. The Lamanai Maya ruins in Orange walk includes several crocodile motifs. Lamanai is the Maya word for “submerged crocodile.”

Take a journey through Belize with Chef Sean Kuylen and learn about the different cultural dishes that make up Belizean Cuisine. Chef Kuylen is Belize's equivalent of Anthony Bourdain and he is on a mission to define and showcase authentic Belizean Cuisine. Chef Kuylen is a household name throughout the country and represents Belize by showcasing inspired Belizean Cuisine locally and throughout the world. He was trained in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies in San Francisco, California. His No Barcode philosophy advocates for the appreciation of the local ingredients, cooking techniques, and the cultures of Belize. 

In this episode we welcome the Belize Ambassador to the United States of America, Daniel Gutierrez, for a conversation about his role as ambassador and how his office in Washington D.C. serves to promote Belize as a place to vacation but also as a place to retire and invest. We talked about his journey in Belize first as a teacher and school administrator at the local Sacred Heart Junior College and then his work at Belize’s only oil company, Belize Natural Energy (BNE) where he sought to ensure that the company left a legacy that served to benefit the local communities for years to come. He discussed how he then worked in the office of the prime minister of Belize before being appointed as the ambassador to the US. He now resides in Washington D.C. with his family and carries the important mission of Belize to promote investment, represent our interests at the United Nations and Organization of American States, and ensure that Belize remains safe and open for business, vacation, and retirement.

Ali Wunderman is the author of Frommer's Guide to Belize. She is a freelance wildlife journalist, naturalist, and Belize travel expert. She first learned about Belize while on a kayaking tour in San Francisco and ended up visiting for her honeymoon. That first trip turned into a disaster of sorts, but also inspired her to become a travel and wildlife journalist. She then came back and spent some time in the jungle fighting poachers, and has been back many times since then. She has also published several articles about Belize and other destinations in publications such as Conde Nast, Forbes, TIME Magazine, and others. Tune in to this episode of The Belize Travelacast to hear Ali's story of self-discovery in Belize and why she has fallen in love with Belize. Learn why Belize is her favorite destination and why she keeps coming back.

An extended interview with Zhawn Poot who has strong roots at the Belize Zoo and gives us some insights about the conservation projects at the Belize Zoo and other places in Belize. Specifically, he discusses the Harpy Eagle Restoration Program and the Belize Tapir Project spearheaded by the Belize Zoo. The Harpy Eagle is one of the biggest eagles in the world and the zoo has made significant efforts into ensuring their survival in the wild in Belize. Zhawn also discusses the Conservation Camp offered by the Belize Zoo which is a week getaway for local kids that teaches them about the importance of conservation and preservation of local wildlife. Zhawn also gives us some insight into the Tapir Conservation project which is the subject of his father's PhD dissertation at the University of Florida. This is an ongoing project that seeks to gather data and educate the public about the Tapir, which is Belize's national animal. 

Meet the Executive Chef, Enrique Awe, from the World Renowned Running W Restaurant at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel in San Ignacio Belize. He was recently featured in a Forbes.com article about introducing brunch in Belize, uniquely infused with Belizean ingredients and flavors. Enrique is a native of San Ignacio Belize, but he is fairly new to the Belize food scene, having spent 18 years in the United States building a highly successful culinary career. At the Age of 21, Enrique admittedly did not know how to cook so much as an egg. As he tells it, he didn’t know how to cook but he knew he liked food. That is when he emigrated from Belize to the United States and where he started his journey to becoming an executive chef. Through hard work and dedication, he rose through the ranks in the kitchen, eventually serving as an executive chef for one of the world's largest food service companies. He has come full circle, bringing his extensive experience and expertise to help new up and coming Belizean culinary students. 

Lorenzo Gonzalez is one of the original Belize travel bloggers. He runs the popular BelizeAdventure.ca blog that provides useful and relevant content for all travelers to Belize. If you've done any online research about Belize, you've probably come across his blog. Lorenzo is a native of San Ignacio Belize, and now resides in Toronto Canada after emigrating to further his education. He visits Belize often, and continues to write about Belize and promote Belize throughout the world in his spare time. Most of his blogs are personal experiences with honest advice for travelers to Belize. In this episode he visits the Belize Travelcast studio during his visit to Belize in December and talks about some of his favorite things to do in Belize.

Zhawn Poot is one of Belize's top young tour guides. Zhawn is a native of San Ignacio, Belize and has been a licensed tour guide since the age of 17. 

In 2003, the world famous Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" visited Belize and made a special appearance at the Belize Zoo for their 20th anniversary celebration. In attendance was a young Zhawn Poot, whose father has worked at the zoo for many years. Zhawn was inspired to pursue a career in conservation and became a tour guide at the age of 17. He holds a degree in Tourism Management and has worked on various conservation projects throughout the country. In this episode of The Belize Travelcast, Zhawn and Javier discuss his love of nature and conservation including some of the work he has done in Belize and some of his favorite activities in Belize, including his love for birding in Belize.

In this episode, we welcome Mayke Moraes as he travels through San Ignacio Belize. Mayke is a backpacker and leads what he calls a detached and minimalist lifestyle. With his backpack on his back, he visits places and revisits dreams that were born when he decided to leave his comfort zone in Brazil to build memories instead of material riches. Mayke is an accomplished author and social media influencer. Belize is the 70th country he has visited toward his goal of 100 countries. Listen to his story and hear why he plans to come back to Belize again.

Jim Scott, the proprietor of Hospitality Training Services Belize discusses how hospitality service in Belize continues to improve. Jim talks about the array of upcoming brand-name resorts and hotel developments in Belize including Hilton, Marriott, Four Seasons, and others, and how it brings the need for improved service for visitors. Jim is a stalwart of the Belize Tourism Industry and is deeply passionate about uplifting the Belizean people by providing top-notch hospitality training in the industry.

In part two of our interview with the team from the Belize Raptor Center, we welcome lead bird trainer Marcia Mas, a native Belizean hailing from the Toledo district of Belize. Marcia talks about how her love for nature and the environment was nurtured from a young age by her parents growing up in southern Belize. She tells us that the Lesson’s motmot was the bird that made her fall in love with birding. Marcia is now the first certified female bird trainer in Belize and continues to inspire younger generations of birders through her educational outreach activities. Marcia was recently recognized as Belize’s Wonder Woman by the US Embassy of Belize, a well-deserved recognition for her hard work and dedication of preserving Belize’s birds and environment.

In this episode, we welcome Sarah Mann from the Belize Raptor Center. Sarah talks about her love for birds of prey and her journey to Belize first as a student volunteer and now as the director of the Belize Raptor Center. Sarah points out the Orange Breasted Falcon as the bird that convinced her that Belize was where she wanted to live. Hear the story of how she got her first lifer in Belize as soon as she landed at the airport. In this episode, Sarah also talks about the importance of having a care and rehabilitation center for birds in Belize and some of the educational outreach that she and her team does. This is part 1 of a 2-part series with the Belize Raptor Center.

Host Javier Gutierrez is joined by Jim Scott for a discussion about his journey to Belize and what made him stay in Belize after coming as a peace corps volunteer in 1987. Jim recounts his time in Belize City and how he assimilated into the culture of Belize and fell in love with the people. They discuss his love of nature and his experiences as a scuba diver, fly fisherman, avid hiker, and a professional in the Belize tourism industry. Jim is an advocate for hospitality training in Belize and together with Lorena Zaldana they own and operate Hospitality Training Services Belize which offers hospitality training and certification in Belize and around the world. They are also the proprietors of the 501Hub, a new restaurant in Belize City which also serves as a training hub for restaurant staff.