Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Belizing.com's Belize Travelcast is starting back up soon. Norvani Santoya will be the host, and it'll stream on all major platforms.

https://belizing.com/podcast

Belize has a new podcast.  Belizing.com has a whole series of podcast interviews, with Javier Gutierrez as the host.  The first episode is an interview with Jim Scott, and the 2nd and 3rd are with the creator and head of the Belize Raptor Center.  It's Cayo based, so they've had mostly Cayo people on the podcast.  

"Host Javier Gutierrez of The Belize Travelcast welcomes Jim Scott for a discussion about his journey to Belize from Michigan, USA and what made him stay in Belize all these years. 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."

The 1st annual Belize Birding Festival was last weekend, and Belizing.com was there to get some pictures of the event.  They have a nice article about the festival.  

They have a series of birding videos from around Cayo on their website.

"A recap of the first annual Belize Birding Festival. Bird watching is fast becoming a popular activity in Belize, for both visitors and locals alike. To date, over five hundred and eighty bird species have been recorded in the country. Although Belize is considered a small country, it is certainly blessed with big birding. Belizing.com was proud to be in attendance at the first ever Belize Birding Festival, held in Belmopan City on October 27, 2018."

Video of the day.  The team at Belizing.com visited the amazing Mountain Cow Cave, aka 'Crystal Cave.'  One of the coolest caves in Belize.  Worth a watch, and definitely worth exploring.

"This caving experience in wonderland was an experience of a lifetime! Although the trip was extremely strenuous, it was definitely worth it! Not many are fit for the challenge to explore the wonders of the Crystal Cave; but, if you get the chance to go, do it! Belize Caving Expeditions has excellent guides that are experienced in their field of cave expeditions and other trips. They will make your spelunking trip worthwhile!"

Video of the day.  Belizing.com has a short video of Cayo, taken with a drone, from in front of the market.  Very well done.  Looks like Broaster Stadium makes up a fifth of downtown.

"Aerial view of San Ignacio & Santa Elena Towns, also known as the 'Twin Towns.'"

Team Gitz took 2nd place at the 2017 Hackathon.  Their winning entry was the new website belizing.com.  Congratulations, Team Gitz!

Video of the day.  Belizing.com took a trip to Actun Chapat, stopping by Actun Halal on the way, and they made a cool video about the experience.

"Belizing.com teamed up with St. Leonard's Tours in Belize for an exciting cave tour of the Actun Chapat and Actun Halal caves in Western Belize. Actun Chapat refers to the “Cave of the Centipede”. Experience this amazing cave tour with us as we are guided by master cave explorer Mr. Rodolfo Juan of St. Leonard's Tours as he takes us on a journey to Xibalba, the Maya Underworld. This is one of the most amazing experiences in Belize. Mr. Juan is a treasure trove of knowledge about these caves. You will have the time of your life on this adventure. Nestled within the private property of Cave World Adventure, the cave is one of many activities in the area near the village of San Jose Succotz. Actun Chapat is host to the famous curtain room which are folds of limestone sheets coming off the roof of the cave and making the shape of falling curtains."

Video of the day.  A great recap of the first annual Cayo West Fest.  This will be one of the many yearly cultural events here in Cayo.  Thanks to everyone that made this fun event happen.

"West Fest 2018, celebrating 3000 years of culture, food and music.  It was a huge success! 

Thank you to all our sponsors Belizing.com, ASK & Belize, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Galen University, Belize, Sacred Heart Junior College, Running W Brand Meats, Black Rock Lodge, Cahal Pech Village Resort, San Ignacio Belize, CELA Belize, BRC Printing Ltd., and Midway LTD. 

It was a pleasure seeing everyone come and enjoy this eco-friendly and family-friendly event. We enjoyed every minute of West Fest 2018 and we look forward to celebrating and enjoying West Fest 2019 with you too!"

The promo video for the upcoming West Fest is out, courtesy of Belizing.com.  The proceeds will go towards acquiring resources for the SISE police department.  The first of many West Fests will be on September 15th, at the Macal River Park.  They have an incredible amount of raffle prizes.

"We are proud to be hosting the first ever West Fest on September 15, 2018. All proceeds will be used to purchase resources for the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Police Department, in hopes of improving the quality of safety in our community. Experience 3000 years of food, culture, and history of Cayo in one peaceful setting, the Macal River Park. Come out and support this eco-friendly and family-friendly event. There will be a grand raffle with prizes worth up to $60,000! Mark your calendars for West Fest 2018 on September 15. It will be the biggest event happening in San Ignacio Town."

Video of the day.  Great video of the start of the La Ruta Maya, captured by belizing.com.  

"Our video of Day 1 of the World Famous Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. Looking for Adventure in Belize? Search the largest selection of tour."