by heatherm | Aug 28, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
September in Belize is always a great time to visit. The weather is hot and wet in most of Belize. The average temperatures often feel like 10 degrees hotter than it reads on the thermometer. Rainstorms are heavy but brief and it’s easy to find shelter and wait for it to pass. September is considered slow season without the international arrivals at the airports and borders. The island streets of Caye Caulker are peaceful and tranquil. Two big holidays are celebrated in September. The big one is Belize’s 31 years of independence September 21st and it is the 214th anniversary of the Battle of St. Georges Caye on September 10th. September 8th is the day to parade, Jouvert and Carnival Road March through Belize’s City streets and elsewhere around the country. Even Caye Caulker has a parade that is lots of fun. With the September fall Equinox, there are also special events that are taking place around Belize’s Maya Sites. September 20th and 21st at Caracol Maya Site overnight Equinox Event with the last Equinox Tour being on the day the Mayan calendar ends December 20th and we enter into the 14th Baktun. Caracol is located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. It is almost a whole day reach from Caye Caulker and requires an overnight trip. Caracol had a pop. 140,000 people at its peak. The current population of Belize City is 75,000. Discovered in the 1930s and excavation beginning in 1975. Caracol is waiting to be discovered along with the rest of Belize. Come and enjoy the celebrations of September and get to see some amazing culture while...
by heatherm | Aug 16, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
Whether it’s your first time snorkeling or your annual scuba trip to Belize. Tsunami Adventures and SeaLife Cameras can help you discover the underwater world. For over 25 years, Pioneer Research has made the world’s most popular underwater cameras. Why buy when u can rent a camera with us for snorkeling or snorkeling trip or dive excursion when you are here. www.sealife-cameras.com Pioneer developed the first SeaLife underwater camera in 1993. A new breed of cameras, our cameras made it easier and more enjoyable then ever before to take pictures underwater. In 2000, SeaLife pioneered underwater imaging with the introduction of its first digital underwater camera that revolutionized the world of underwater photography. At Tsunami Adventures we rent the new Mini waterproof up to 200 feet with wide angle lens. All the pictures on our website and facebook page are all taken with Sealife...
by heatherm | May 25, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
The Caye Caulker Marine Reserve was established in May 1998 and is located 1/2 mile east of the island, right in front of us. We wake up to it every day and we hear it when all is quiet on the island. It is beautiful to watch. It protects 5 habitats including mangrove, littoral forest, lagoon marsh-lands, sea grass beds and coral reef. We are so lucky to have this right in front of us. The snorkel trip out to the reef is a must do if you are staying on the island. There is a $10BZD marine reserve fee that is collected by the Park Rangers in the form of tickets, which are purchased at the Hol Chan Marine Office in Caye Caulker located by the police station. We include your ticket in the price of the tour. You can see all of Caye Caulker from the reef. It’s only a 5 minute boat ride away to reach Shark and Ray Alley. This stop is so amazing. Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays all start swimming towards the boat as we get a hold of the mooring buoy. They are eager for food, which first started when local fisherman cleaned their catch and it naturally attracted them. At the Northern end of the Reserve, is a channel and it attracts manatees from May until September. If we are lucky we get to see them and snorkel with them. TWO great reason to visit the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. Manatees spend most of their time feeding, resting or traveling. They prefer shallow saltwater bays, slow-moving rivers, canals, estuaries and coastal...
by heatherm | Apr 19, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
Belize is divided into 6 districts. Belize District being the biggest and most populated. Then Cayo District, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo. Caye Caulker is in the Belize District and many places you can visit for the day or overnight from here. My Sister and I, had the pleasure of visiting Maruba Spa the other day for a couple of nights. It is located on the Old Northern Highway, just before the village of Bomba and after Maskal. One hour from Belize City. There is another way you can reach Maruba by the old Northern River. We offer this tour with another local snorkeling shop in Caye Caulker called Anwar Tours. The trip is $100USD per person and includes round trip private boat transfer from Caye Caulker. Visit the ruins of Altun Ha and a visit to Maruba Spa. A serine river boat ride up river to Bomba Village. The trip is so alluring because of the visit to Maruba and seeing the Mayan Site of Altun Ha. All Mayan Sites of Belize are protected by NICH. The National Institute of Cultural and History. They are committed to the preservation of Belize’s ancient and historical era monuments and artifacts. After learning and exploring Altun Ha, you can cool off in the beautiful pool. Enjoy one of their signature rum punch and enjoy a exotic lunch in their jungle garden outdoor patio. There is second pool for guests only. We felt like we had the place all to ourselves. Indulge in the spa treatments, which are very reasonable priced compared to North America. So many places to see...
by heatherm | Mar 29, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
The good, the bad and the ugly! We all like it when people say nice things about us, who doesn’t? I recently went on Trip Advisor after a friend of mine said their was an unfavorable review and another that looks suspicious and malicious. I tried to write a reply and I couldn’t unless I submitted my credit card or forwarded by fax to Trip Advisor our hotel and tour operator license and proof that we own our business and a waiting period of up to 3-4 weeks for verification. Meanwhile I am thinking, a month of false information on the internet for the world to see. I just don’t understand how anyone can write anything on their site with no proof that they actually stayed or used our services and it gets published immediately and then we have to wait or have our management responses analyzed and rejected. I needed to find out more about this website that is owned by Expedia. A major airline and hotel booking website. I entered the phrase The real truth about Trip Advisor and this website came up. www.tripadvisor-warning.com Please take the time to read through this site and you will be surprised. A thank you to all of those who have written on our website including that last review I received by email From: Molly Williams Subject: Bunny, Paul, Renee and the crew of a lifetime! Date: March 17, 2012 Message Body: I recently traveled to Caye Caulker with my best friend and booked two trips with Tsunami Tours while there. The first was to enjoy the adventure of exploring the...
by heatherm | Mar 6, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
I just recently got back from a trip to Sarteneja. A friend of mine bought property there and it was about time to go see it. I have now been 3 times in my 13 years in Belize. The first time, I wasn’t too sure if I liked it. The second trip, I loved it. Sarteneja is a small fishing village of about 1800 people in the Corozal District of Belize. It is at the North Eastern Sea point of Belize. The name is derived from the Yucatec Maya “Tzaten‐a‐Ha”, which is thought to translate as “water in the rock”. The community was first established by the Maya, and is thought to have flourished between 600BC and 1200AD, covering the entire Classic period of Maya history. The village is built on the site of a large Maya settlement, and signs of the past Maya culture can be found everywhere. In the late 1980’s an archaeological study carried out in Sarteneja demonstrated that the area was once a prosperous, active, post‐classical seaport. It is believed that Sarteneja may have held as many as 300‐400 ancient structures, with the site core being located 0.5 to 1.0km from the shoreline*. The architecture shows a strong Yucatec Maya influence, seen in rounded cornerstones, and carved limestone columns. The Maya are thought to have been attracted to the area by the salt pans, and the fisheries, both used as a source of income. The presence of object from non‐local resources ‐ obsidian and flint, jade and metates carved from volcanic rock, also suggest that this was a centre for long distance and regional trading,...
by heatherm | Feb 24, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
Whether it’s your first time snorkeling or your annual scuba trip to Belize. Tsunami Adventures and SeaLife Cameras can help you discover the underwater world. For over 25 years, Pioneer Research has made the world’s most popular underwater cameras. Consider purchasing a camera before you come to Belize or rent one for your snorkeling trip or dive excursion when you are here. www.sealife-cameras.com Pioneer developed the first SeaLife underwater camera in 1993. A new breed of cameras, our cameras made it easier and more enjoyable then ever before to take pictures underwater. In 2000, SeaLife pioneered underwater imaging with the introduction of its first digital underwater camera that revolutionized the world of underwater photography. At Tsunami Adventures we rent the Mini II, waterproof up to 135 feet, the DC1200 or 12MP camera, waterproof up to 200 feet and the DC1000 or 10MP camera, waterproof up to 200 feet. All the pictures on our website and facebook page are all taken with Sealife Cameras. Please go to the Sealife Cameras website and enter your photo of month. You could win a mini II...
by heatherm | Feb 7, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
Caye Caulker is a beautiful little island with one annoying little pest that comes out when the breeze stops. Everyone be aware of this little pesky creature. Find a hotel that offers fully screened windows or air conditioning. Costa Maya Beach Cabanas offers this and I can honestly say, that I have personally stayed in every room and can say that I have never been bitten by a sandfly while sleeping. Sandflys are more common during and after rainy season. Here is some facts about these little pests, which I think are worse than mosquitos. Sandfly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking Dipteran encountered in sandy areas. You may have heard of them already (no-see-em, noseeum). Sandfly bites may leave a small red bump or leave a large, red itchy bump(s) that may turn into a rash. These bumps are frequently several times as itchy as mosquito bites, and tend to last longer as well. In the various sorts of sandfly only the female is responsible for biting and sucking the blood of mammals, reptiles and birds. She requires the protein in the blood to make her eggs. Belize and Honduras are notorious in the Caribbean for their sandfly populations and travel pages frequently warn tourists to bring bug spray containing high concentrations of DEET. There is lots of local remedies to protect you against the sand flies bites. We sell at Tsunami Adventures. Itch-A-Way www.BelizeHemp.com It works fantastic. It stops the itch and burn and promotes rapid healing. Another local product is BJ’s Skin Solution. There is also a few others...
by heatherm | Jan 23, 2012 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
It has been very busy at Tsunami Adventures and Costa Maya Beach Cabanas and we haven’t had the chance to make any website updates. I did manage to send out christmas cards to friends. I like to support the Postal Service as if the computer world ever crashes, we will be back sending letters in the mail. It is always fun to get a letter and even better to get a parcel. Caye Caulker has it’s own Post Office, located at the village council office complex. It is located beside the library and traffic office. The health clinic is here as well as a community center, where it is always being used for different functions. When I first came to Caye Caulker, the post office used to be on the back street and was seldom open. Now it is very efficient and open Monday to Friday. There is over a 100 post boxes. Tsunami Adventures and Costa Maya Beach Cabanas is BOX 76. Caye Caulker. Belize. Please send us a hello. If you need to reach anyone, just address it to their name, Caye Caulker Post Office. Here is some pictures of stamps as well as some interesting history about stamps. The Central American country of Belize started as the colony of British Honduras, formally established in the 17th century but disputed through the 18th century. British Honduras letters were sent via Jamaica, and are known from 1786. A handstamp reading “Belize” is seen on foreign mail from about 1800, and the first local post office dates from 31 October 1809. British postage stamps were introduced in 1858, with...
by heatherm | Dec 1, 2011 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
We just recently got the pleasure of finally going to Glover’s Atoll. I have always wanted to go and finally I had the perfect reason. My sister came to visit and it was our turn to enjoy some time together and do what we love to do go diving. We decided to go to Glover’s Atoll Resort and Isla Marisol. We stayed our first 2 nights on Glover’s Atoll Resort also known as North East Caye and our 3rd night Isla Marisol also known as Southwest Caye. Both places where amazing. So, if any of you out there need detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact us. GLOVER’S ATOLL was named after pirate brothers, John and Rodger Glover, in the1750’s. Before pirates the Mayans sailed here, pieces of Mayan pottery have been found on the islands and beaches. In 1996 the Atoll was designated as Marine Reserve. Thirty percent is zoned as a no take zone patrolled by Rangers from the Belize Fisheries Dept. The Rangers are stationed on Middle Caye, a research center owned by Wildlife Conservation Society. In 2000 Glover’s Atoll was designated a WORLD HERTIAGE SITE under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. This not only is an honor for Belizeans but it also makes us aware of how important our magnificent atoll really is. And it really is. Glover’s Reef Atoll is located some 35 miles South East of Dangriga Town. It is made up of about five atoll islands. Glovers Reef Atoll and Glovers Reef is a Managed Resource Area that’s part of the National Protected Area System of Belize. It serves the function...
