Belize Travelcast

When travel influencer Brian Kelly appeared on The Good Guys podcast and Belize was called a "sh** hole" after a New Year's trip gone wrong, the internet exploded. But was his assessment fair or just clickbait based on one bad experience? Local Belize guide Javier Gutierrez is firing back with the truth tourists need to hear. In this direct response episode, Javier addresses Brian's viral comments...

Host Javier Gutierrez brings over 30 years of expert Belize tour guiding experience and more than 20 years of training and certifying tour guides across the country. His influence reaches nearly every corner of Belize's tourism industry, supported by national radio and TV appearances that have helped travelers and locals understand the true Belize. With a lifetime dedicated to showcasing the count...

Host Javier Gutierrez brings over 30 years of expert Belize tour guiding experience and more than 20 years of training and certifying tour guides across the country. His influence reaches nearly every corner of Belize's tourism industry, supported by national radio and TV appearances that have helped travelers and locals understand the true Belize. With a lifetime dedicated to showcasing the count...

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 l...

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...

This episode features Rodwell Ferguson Jr., owner of Untame Belize Tours and Transfers , and a board member of the Belize Tourism Board. In this episode, he dives into all his favorite activities and places to visit in Southern Belize. From rock sliding down waterfalls to hiking the world's only jaguar reserve in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve, Rodwell lets us in on all the top activities he has...

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 ca...

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...

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...

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 mus...

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 20...

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 tip...

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...

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 wa...

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 M...

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, an...

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...

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. I...

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 roc...

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 g...

[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 Sta...

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...

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 througho...

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 i...