Gisselle Hernandez
Travel Writer, journalist
Digital Content Officer at Belize Tourism Board. Travel writing on Belize. Copy writer for social media, web and print.
caribbeanlifestyle.com
9 Mistakes To Avoid When In Belize For The First Time
Many travelers who visit Belize for the first time often end up booking repeat trips, hoping to soak in everything the small country offers. With snorkeling, rainforest exploration, and culinary wonders, the smattering of activities can just barely fit into one vacation. Which is why when planning your itinerary, there are nine rookie mistakes you should avoid in order to make the most out of your debut Belize trip.
1. Only spending time on the islands.
First time travelers often flock to the...
caribbeanlifestyle.com
What it’s really like to snorkel with Splash Dive IDC
“And remember, no touching of wildlife whatsoever when in the water. Now go on, dive in!” As the captain finished his rushed briefing, I fumbled to put on my flippers, my feet dangling off the edge of the boat. I heard more than saw sharp splashes all around me in the water as the rest of our tour group didn’t hesitate to join the dolphins. Yes, dolphins. The magical critters were long gone by the time I unceremoniously dropped into the Caribbean, but the excited chattering amongst our group ...
caribbeanlifestyle.com
Live out your post-covid travel dreams at this Ambergris Caye resort
Ramon’s Village Resort’s iconic winding dock is one of the first to greet you when arriving on Ambergris Caye. Nothing short of impressive, the award-winning hotel continues to attract quality travelers time and again. (Not to mention, the locale is Olympic gymnast Simone Biles’ go-to stay when on the island. Need we say more?)
The caliber, priority on safety, and care that goes into guests’ stay makes Ramon’s Village the place to be post-pandemic.
A Greener Stay – Literally
Belize is by no m...
travelbelize.org
What’s it really like to snorkel in the world’s second greatest barrier reef
There’s a certain sense of self-awareness and existentialism when you are beneath the surface of the largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere. Every minuscule worry literally remains on dry land as you swim alongside marine life you never knew existed. The only sounds are the engulfing water and muffled movements of your tour guide slash diver as he points out the brain coral obscuring a kaleidoscopic parrotfish. You follow his bright life vest, your breathing echoing in your tube, and ...
travelbelize.org
You've Never Experienced Xunantunich like this
Xunantunich has become our pioneer in Maya Site exposure when it comes to Belize. Scrolling through #unBelizeable, the towering El Castillo structure pops up often, its never-ending stone steps serving as an Instagrammable background. The entire journey to Xunantunich screams adventure, from crossing the Mopan river on a hand-cranked ferry to spotting howler monkeys dangling from the trees with their young, you’d think there was no way the experience could be made even more memorable. But the...
travelbelize.org
Floating through the underworld at Nohoch Che’en
With a multitude of cave systems snaking throughout our country of Belize, there are bound to be a good few that treat you to a proper adventure. The Nohoch Che’en Caves in the Cayo District, known locally as Caves Branch, is one of the more popular to experience in a couple of hours. Located about an hour away from the capital of Belmopan, the site allows for what we like to call one of the world’s best cave tubing excursions. The river meandering through the giant, open-ended caves makes it...
travelbelize.org
7 Weird animals you didn’t know existed in Belize (or at all)
Sitting right above the equator, Belize has its fair share of weird animals lurking in the jungles (and even backyards.) If you’re a frequent traveler to Belize, you might have spotted them yourself – or have sampled them at the dinner table. Most of these critters keep to themselves, while others like to make themselves known by sneaking onto back verandahs, or you can see the rehabilitated ones at the zoo. What’s so interesting about these animals is that not many people know they exist at ...
travelbelize.org
5 Reasons to Visit Belize During Winter
There are two types of travelers: those who love to visit Belize during its highest season whether for convenience or to enjoy the prime attractions and those who visit in the low season to take advantage of lower hotel rates and smaller crowds. Whether you’re traveler #1 or traveler #2, chances are that for 2020 your plans have drastically changed. Perhaps you’re usually traveler #1 but as the world attempts to wrap its mind around the current situation, it’s safe to assume almost everyone i...
travelbelize.org
7 Waterfalls in Belize Worth Chasing
You’ve been hiking for a while now, the burn in your thighs promising sore muscles tomorrow. The forest surrounding you is alive with cicadas and rare species of birds. “Just a little bit more. We’re almost there,” the guide encourages. “It’ll be worth it.” You command your feet to take you just a few steps more, when you hear it before you see it: the roaring sound of gushing water ahead. You pick up the pace and there it is: Tiger Fern Falls in all its glory. And he was right, it was totall...
travelbelize.org
Here’s how to spot a manatee in the wild
There’s a certain magic that comes with encountering what sailors once thought to be mermaids: the manatee. Their graceful swimming and maybe not-so-graceful bodies are a wonder to behold when spotting them beneath the surface. If it is your lifelong dream to swim alongside these gentle sea cows that resemble dugongs, there’s no better place than Belize to cross it off your bucket list.
As the last stronghold for these creatures, Belize is said to have the largest population density of Antill...
travelbelize.org
Belize's Local Food Experience
While offering beckoning attractions like underwater marvels and ancient Maya cities, Belize’s exceptional culinary scene is no different. From award-winning lobster dishes to local favorites like rice and beans, Belizean cuisine is a language anyone can speak. Travelers are often pleasantly surprised when introduced to the eclectic dishes that differ from region to region, such as the cult favorite tacos in the North and the savory seafood soups in the South.
What makes the culinary scene in...
travelbelize.org
What to know before traveling to Belize
In case you missed it, Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) is finally scheduled to re-open on August 15, 2020. The reopening of Belize’s tourism industry for leisure travel is split into five phases, with the first two already underway. The opening of the international airport will kick-off Belize's third phase of re-opening, allowing for further travel relaxation and open entry for chartered flights, private aviation and limited re-opening of international leisure travel with...
travelbelize.org
4 Belizean Souvenirs your friends will love
One of the best things about traveling to a new, exotic destination is being able to share it with the people you care about. However, not everyone might have that privilege so the next best thing is something we’ve all received at one point in time: souvenirs!
These lovely trinkets are a little slice of Belize accompanying you wherever you go, and what better way to tell a friend you’ve been thinking about them than giving them a mini bottle of Marie Sharp’s? Here are five Belizean souvenirs...