Belize City to Cayo on the Caribbean Spice Express

December 16, 2013

Belize City to Cayo on the Caribbean Spice Express

Libby had some shopping to do for her business, Caribbean Spice, so we drove into the heart of Belize City.

We went to the supply store, and not only did they have a huge bag of flax seed for $5 bzd ($2.5 usd) they had the cutest puppy on earth.

After finishing up, we were driven back to Municipal Airstrip where her car was waiting. After loading it up with all our bags, her purchases and her 5 year old son, Rio, we were off like a herd of turtles for the western part of Belize, the Cayo District.

I have always adored Cayo with its beautiful mountains, abundant Maya sites, lush jungles and unique Mountain Pine Ridge. The Cayo District is a world unto itself, and is a must do for anyone visiting Belize. Each of my clients is encouraged to spend at least 10 days in Belize if they can because the diversity in this tiny country is so great, they really do need to see both ‘sides’ of the country. I haven’t spent a ton of time out in Cayo in a couple years, and I’m always excited for an opportunity to come back.

The drive from Belize City to Cayo is about 2.5 hours and goes right through Belmopan, the capital of Belize. Libby had to stop at the Tax Office, so we did. Here it is. Impressive, no true?

Just before we reached San Ignacio, the main hub of Cayo, we stopped one more time at a new nursery Libby had been meaning to stop at. It was absolutely beautiful, and once again reminded me how ridiculously expensive San Pedro is relative to the rest of Belize. Sigh… They had gorgeous plants and flowers and stupidly reasonably prices. I wish I had two things 1) A car to bring it all back and 2) a green thumb so I wouldn’t instantly kill it all.

One last stop at Mr Greedy’s Pizza on Burns Avenue in San Ignacio Town. I hadn’t been to Burns Avenue since they renovated the area to make it more tourist friendly. The main square and Burns Avenue both look fantastic and one day, when the tourists come in droves it might serve it’s intended purpose of being a “promenade” but unfortunately, it’s killing the business. SAN PEDRO take notice – closing front street to cars does nothing to build traffic to the local businesses, in fact, it redirects it to others. Belize is not Mexico, and San Ignacio and San Pedro are NOT Playa Del Carmen or Cancun. So, if you do happen to go to San Ignacio, please stop at the businesses on Burns Avenue, and go have some pizza at Greedy’s. Enjoy the Promenade, that’s what it’s there for – you just wouldn’t know it.

After a drink for me and Libby, and a gelato for Rio, we began the final leg of our journey to Libby’s house all the way up Mountain Pine Ridge. Passed the San Ignacio Town’s Christmas Tree as we left

Libby lives “Off Grid”, so there is no electricity save for the solar panels and battery she uses. There is no electricity during the day, and we turn it on for a few hours at night to do the things that need done from computer time, to cloths washing, to movie watching. I absolutely love going off-grid, and if you have a chance, I strongly recommend it.

Final note: I listened to howler monkey’s roar as we went to sleep that first night. I was in the jungle again, and I absolutely love it.

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