Best Health — December 01, 2017

20 DECEMBER | JANUARY 2018 best health

BEST ACTIVE HISTORY

Delve into the history of Mayan civ-

ilization with a walk through the

ancient city of Lamanai or, closer to

San Ignacio, contemplate the awe-

inspiring temples and palaces of

Xunantunich. Adventure seekers

will be thrilled to hike, swim and

scale their way into Actun Tunichil

Muknal, a veritable living museum

and sacred cave used by ancient

Mayans for ceremonial purposes,

while Barton Creek Cave is equally

remarkable to explore and relatively

simple to paddle through in a canoe.

BEST TOUR

From Canadian-owned G Adven-

tures and National Geographic

Journeys, Explore Belize is a 10-day

expedition in and around Belize

City, Burrell Boom, San Ignacio,

Hopkins and Caye Caulker. Tour

groups are small, allowing for

unique interactions and hands-on

experiences to transpire. Plane-

terra Foundation is the charitable

branch of G Adventures, with two

active projects and community-

development initiatives woven into

the fabric of this itinerary, includ-

ing lessons in traditional arts and

tortilla making at San Antonio

Women’s Pottery Cooperative and

Bike with Purpose cycling treks led

by students enrolled at Caye

Caulker Ocean Academy.

BEST HOTEL

Located about 34 kilometres from

Belize City and accessible by water

taxi or a quick f light, the peaceful

and petite island of Caye Caulker is

about as laidback and unhurried as

it gets. After a day spent exploring

the island, indulging in fresh sea-

food or lounging by the pool, you can

bask in the mellow vibes at Iguana

Reef Inn and enjoy the most spec-

tacular sunset views imaginable.

It’s small in size yet vast

in beauty, with tropical

forests, coral reefs and

rich Mayan culture.

With an average year-

round temperature of

29 degrees Celsius, this

balmy country is tucked

along the Caribbean

coast of Central Amer-

ica, with Mexico’s

Yucatán Peninsula to

the north and Guatemala

to the west and south.

by ALISON KENT

insta TRIP

BELIZE

explore

BEST SEA VOYAGE

Consisting of seven pro-

tected marine reserve

zones and several hun-

dred cays, the Belize Bar-

rier Reef Reserve System

represents the world’s second

largest coral reef system and is a

designated UNESCO World Heri-

tage Site. A tremendous draw for

snorkellers and SCUBA divers alike,

these crystal blue waters are home

to manatees and turtles, along with

hundreds of species of fish and

coral. Raggamuffin Tours on Caye

Caulker will have you by the reef in

no time, with options ranging from

snorkelling day trips (with stops at

Coral Gardens, The Channel and

The Shark Ray Alley) to overnight

excursions with plenty of island-

hopping along the way.

BEST TREAT

A beloved condiment for more than

30 years, Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce is

a treat for anyone who takes plea-

sure in fiery foods. Made with

locally farmed and hand-cut pep-

pers, Marie Sharp’s signature Haba-

nero Pepper Sauce can be found on

just about every restaurant tabletop

throughout the country. For sweet

versus heat seekers, there are lus-

cious tropical jams and jellies to

choose from. bh

BARTON

CREEK CAVE

SNORKELLING AT

CAYE CAULKER

MARIE SHARP’S

HOT SAUCE

HOPKINS

BELIZE

LAMANAI

RUINS

SAN ANTONIO

WOMEN’S POTTERY

COOPERATIVE

HOPKINS, BARTON CREEK CAVE AND MARIE SHARP’S HOT SAUCE PHOTOS, BELIZE TOURISM; SNORKELLING PHOTO, ARMANDO LULU; LAMANAI RUINS A

ND COOP PHOTOS, G ADVENTURES