Greetings from Belize! This post is coming out a little late this week, but I have a good excuse — I just couldn’t stand to be on my computer any more than necessary for the nine beautiful days my family was here! (All the other posts you’ve read recently were written and scheduled long before their arrival.) Exploring Belize with my mom, little sister and cousin was a highlight of my time in Central America and a trip I know we’ll cherish for years.
Our first stop was the coastal Garifuna village of Hopkins, where we snorkeled, biked, and swam our way through every minute of sunshine. Next we moved inland to the beautiful jungles of San Ignacio, where we climbed ancient ruins, yoga-ed our hearts out and took a traditional Mayan cooking class. Finally, we made our way out to the Cayes, where I’ll be reporting from next week.
I’m already giddy to share more about all these experiences with you in the future. But for now, a little preview in the form of Photo of the Week…
Photo A
Bike riding in Hopkins
Photo B
Snorkeling the barrier reef
Photo C
Curious and colorful
Photo D
Fresh juice at Hopkins Bay Resort
Photo E
Yoga at Xunantunich Mayan ruin
Photo F
Jungle vibes at Ka’ana Boutique Resort
Which photo is your favorite?
I choose B and E! Snorkeling looks so fun (and I love that little wooden painting) and yoga in front of an ancient ruin?! How insane AND incredible. π
I know! It was one of those travel experiences where I was literally pinching myself.
I am so excited for your Belize reportage! This country is high on my list. Photo A all the way!
It’s so close to the good ‘ol US of A! Definitely a great vacation contender π
Hi there, I really enjoyed reading your past updates and most recent post π I have just started on WordPress since I am just beginning my travels β not only to keep my own recording of the journey, but also to read other peopleβs recommendations and insights. I am 23 and my first post lists the places I will be visiting. Thank you for your post!
Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging, Rebecca! It’s been a wonderful journey for me, wishing the same for you π
Ahh… your pictures make me want to go back to Belize! I’ll be honest last year after spending a week in Belize, I thought that I was okay not going back there, but your pictures of Hopkins makes me realize that I want to go to the southern region. Enjoy the rest of your time in the Cayes. If you’re on Caye Caulker make sure you grab dinner at Wish Willy’s. Totally awesome food and Willy is the coolest dude around! π
I think I felt the same way after our first family trip here…. but after the second, I am definitely ready for a third at some point!
Photo C is stunning. I am hooked on your underwater photos. The universe keeps conspiring against me, but I may finally make it to Koh Tao next month for a little under the sea fun.
Do it do it do it! I promise it will be worth the wait π
Love F! So classy! I like what you did with the palm leaves in one and the palm shadow in the other.
Thanks Sonja! I saw those palm shadows and had a vision… thankfully my sister was on hand to model!
Going with Photo B this week (that painting is adorable!). Taking a yoga class next to ancient ruins looks right up my alley. Can’t wait to hear more about it all!
It was definitely a savasna I’ll never forget π What a week!
I’m loving the jungle vibes of Photo F but I honestly cannot tell if that’s you or Olivia! Who is it?! The yoga by the ruins is super cool! Alright, ALRIGHT I guess I’ll go to Belize one day.
Ha ha — It’s Liv! Funny enough though we got asked AT LEAST ten times this week if we were twins. We do get asked that occasionally but never this often! Cracked us up!
LOVE your photos! Looks like you had an amazing time with your fam!
I really did. I didn’t want them to go!
I love photo A, but C is a close runner-up! How incredible was the barrier reef?!
Oh my gosh, it really was amazing. So much color and coral diversity — stunning. It was an amazing snorkel!
Uhm B E and F.
Dreams come true people.
Thanks for making me snort Diet Coke out of my nose at breakfast this morning! Miss you.
Such a hard choice this week! Even harder than usual, I mean π I think I’ll pick E, but B is awesome too. Photo E makes me feel instantly relaxed, I can’t imagine a better place to do yoga!
It’s definitely one of my top spots I’ve ever practiced! Now actually, that gives me an idea for a post…
I’m usually your underwater photo fans, but this tine I’d have to choose E! Striking tree pose with the Mayan ruins as backdrop is just surreal!
It really was unbelievable. Major props to Ka’ana for offering that!
I’m loving F…I totally thought that was you! I’m excited to read more about Belize. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go to — I’ve obsessively watched like EVERY House Hunters International on Belize — but I don’t know all that much about it as a travel destination.
Ha, I wonder sometimes when I post pictures of other blondes on Instagram if people will think they are me… I guess in this case yes they did!
I love F, the contrast for the two photos works really well π
Thanks Katie! I always find the jungle inspiring…
Photo E – love the yoga spot!
It was unreal! We couldn’t be luckier…
Hi Alex,
All pictures are looking stunning!!! But I like Photo B and photo c the most.
Thanks Jason! It was a gorgeous week…
Every time I read your posts, you make me want to book a flight right away! Oh, Belize! I hope to make it there someday. For now, I’ll relish these beautiful photos! I’d go with Photo E. <3
That’s what I like to hear, Anne π Book away!
The ruins are gorgeous, and to do yoga there would be an incredibly surreal experience, but I have to go with B. I love the way the images balance each other!
Thanks Marni, me too! Good thing my ‘lil sis is a great underwater model!
I choose picture C – because I wish I had a good underwater camera.
Mine has been vexing me lately quite a bit, but I can’t deny that we’ve had some great times together π
Belize is on one of top countries on our travel list… on a scale from 1-10 how expensive is it compared to Bali?
Wondering if there is both expensive and budget friendly, with more local places to stay that still give you access to great diving (like Bali?)
I haven’t spent too much time in Bali, Kimberly, but Belize is…. much more expensive π It is one of the priciest countries in Central America! I am definitely feeling the pinch. Like anywhere it is definitely possible to do on a budget but not super easily. For example, my hostel here in San Pedro is $15 a night for a dorm and my dinner salad last night was $20!
Yoga at a Mayan ruin…I’m not even a big yoga fan and that sounds incredible!
This trip has gotten me more into yoga than I’ve ever been before. I feel a post on that subject coming on, actually π
Oh my gosh Belize looks amazing! I can’t wait to read more about it in the future. I’ve recently got it into my head that I want to go there- now I’ve seen your photos I definitely do! I won’t be so far away once we move in a couple of months so I’ll have to start planning a trip. It till be coming up for hurricane seasons (I think?) so maybe it can be Christmas in Belize- just got to convince the husband..! Yeah! Oh and I love all the photos but going with E- just looks like an awesome experience.
They do have a very long rainy season here, from what I hear! But for what it is worth, our first family trip here ten years ago was in August (rainy season) and we had nothing but sun, and this trip was in April (dry season) and it rained most days. So I guess you never really know, ha.
Belize is one of our favotite destinations! The snorkeling/diving there is UNREAL! My vote goes to Photo C!
Thanks Maddy! Belize was the first place I ever went snorkeling over ten years ago and all this time later it still blew me away. Gorgeous!
Oh my gash – fresh juice!?! Yes please!
Something I will truly miss when I head back Stateside!
Hey Alex,
Sounds like you had an amazing time in Belize π Saw some pics on Instagram of your yoga session at the temple, I’m very jealous! Have to say photo C is my fav, so pretty.
It was so cool, I was basically jealous of myself. Ha. Thanks for voting!
FISH! All day, errrrday.
More coming up this week! π
I choose F because I can’t resist palm trees! (Or maybe I’m just having some serious sunlight withdrawals after a long Korean winter, wah)
Either way works π I love me some lush palms!
Definitely B!! So fun!
Ah, I’m missing Belize already!