Absolute Belize

World famous live music event on the north shores of Ambergris Caye!

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:44:21 +0000

THE GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE with very special guests AURELIO MARTINEZ & DANNY MICHEL play the north beach of Ambergris Caye, Saturday April 21^st, 2012 at 4:00 PM

Sundiver Beach, 4.5 Miles North, San Pedro

Following on February’s concert in San Pedro featuring The Garifuna Collective, Stonetree Records and Sundiver Beach are excited to announce that Belize’s internationally-acclaimed musical ambassadors will be returning to the island on Saturday, April 21^st with a couple of very special guests for an afternoon/evening of great music and dance. Admission is free.

AURELIO MARTINEZ—Celebrated singer, composer, and guitarist from Honduras, Aurelio has been a major figure in Garifuna music for decades, having entertained audiences in over 20 countries with his unique Paranda style and incredible stage energy.

DANNY MICHEL — This enormously entertaining singer/songwriter/guitarist from Canada currently is working on a new record in Belize featuring The Garifuna Collective to be released later this year. With a few Juno nominations and about eight solo albums to his credit, his honest and straight-forward lyrics, earnest live performances and witty stage banter have earned him a devoted global fan base

With delicious food, blended cocktails, ice cold beers and a fun crowd this is a party not to be missed! Look out for future live music events at Sundiver, posted on the AB blog as information is received.

Indigo opens!

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:25:16 +0000

AB is excited to announce the launch of Indigo, a fabulous collection of 15 luxurious beach homes in the North Beach area of Ambergris Caye. Designed by Carolina Hernandez and inspired by the design of Solaria Villas, Indigo features Carolina’s signature broad sweeping verandas, soaring tree trunk structures, curved lines and unobstructed views of the Belize Barrier Reef from every suite.

The suites feature local artworks, locally crafted hardwood furniture, gourmet kitchens, fine linens and 180 degree verandas, perfect for dining alfresco at sundown. With an exotic swimmers pool, lush gardens, an onsite gym, beach toys and a 5-star service package that includes grocery delivery, massages, fine wine and private chefs …… you will find all you need for the perfect vacation.

Indigo launches with 30% off the regular rates – pick from the Penthouse Suites for unrivalled vistas, the Beach Suites for instant access to the sand and ocean, or the Oasis Suites which surround the tropical pool. For more information check out Indigo on our Accommodation page

The Royal Round Up

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:59:13 +0000

Belize is still buzzing after partying this weekend with HRH Prince Harry of Wales, who arrived into the country on Friday for a couple of days as part of a Diamond Jubilee tour in honor of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating 60 years on the throne. Here is a little round up of the highlights….

“When it became clear that I was to represent my grandmother in Belize, my heart leapt – for a good reason,” he said. “She remembers so fondly her visits to this beautiful realm and speaks of the warmth of welcome she received on her most recent visit in 1994. I’m only sorry she can’t make it and you’re stuck with me.” BBC News

Highlights of Prince Harry’s tour included meeting hundreds of Belizeans at a bloc party in the administrative capital Belmopan, where he rallied the party after a speech with the words “Unu come mek we go paati!” a native Kriol dialect and rough translation being ‘let us go party!’ With lively performances by Garifuna, Mestizo and Creole groups, he shook hands, talked to children, samples local delicacies including an exotic cocktail called Hibiscus Punch, made from coconut and white rum….. and of course the mandatory sampling of the local Belikin Beer of Belize.

Prince Harry also visited the ancient Maya Ruin of Xunantunich in the village of Succotz in the Cayo District, accessed via a hand cranked ferry over the Mopan River. Also known as the “Maiden of the Rock”, it is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. It stands 130 feet high to give a panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala and the Mopan River.

The prince proudly presented a special hand carved wooden canoe to the Belikin team competing in the 2012 Ruta Maya, a grueling multi-day canoe race traveling across the country. The dugout canoe was a beautifully crafted water vessel that included the special emblem of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Prince Harry explained that the best memory he is taking is of the people of Belize. “The welcome I received, it feels like I have been here for a week. The music, the people, the culture is incredible.” He said he is looking forward to visiting Belize on a vacation hopefully “not with all the cameras”.

Photos courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board

A Royal Reception

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:16:14 +0000

To mark the Queen of England’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Belize will be proudly hosting Prince Harry on his tour of the Central American and Caribbean Commonwealth countries, including Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Belize became a crown colony in 1862 and full internal self-government was granted in January 1964. The official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to Belize in June 1973, and full independence was granted on September 21, 1981.

The last Royal visit was made by the Queen in 1985 and given the Belizeans reputation of knowing how to throw a good party, we’re sure the flags will be flying high and the dancing will go on for days to mark the occasion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16174233

Conch Crazy

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:12:43 +0000

To mark the opening of conch season on 1st October, Absolute Belize was delighted to be asked by Caribbean Travel and Leisure to report on the festivities. So we set out in search of the best conch dish on the island of Ambergris Caye in the Northern Cayes and had a fun time trawling the more upscale spots and hanging out with the locals at some of the island institutions….. Read here for the full article and the RESULTS!

A happy hello or a fun farewell

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:37:49 +0000

One of the things that we love the most about Belize is the all-star collection of local characters. Whether you have just arrived into the country and are taking one of the ‘puddle jumper’ planes on to the islands or the south, or if you are heading back home after your vacation, you cannot miss one of our favourite guys Eden Holland, AKA ‘Jet’, at the ‘world famous’ Jet’s Bar in the departure lounge at Belize International airport.

Jet is fond of the ladies and encourages everyone to have their picture taken with him behind the bar, as a means to get a hug and a squeeze. Standing at only 4 ft 8″ tall, he gets away with the kind of squeezes that most men would receive a slap for, or an angry confrontation from the husband or boyfriend. But not only is Jet a charmer with the ladies, he’s also a keen sales man. He’ll ask you what flight you are taking and will let you know when general boarding is actually happening, so you can maximise your spending time in his establishment.

The walls of the tiny hole in the wall bar are adorned with travel memorabilia and of course, countless pictures of himself with the ladies. The offerings are short but to the point – icy cold Belikin beer, delicious but deadly rum punch and hot dogs with all the trimmings. This legendary man and his little bar are also making headlines – recently awarded the accolade of being named one of the top 10 airport bars in the world by AOL Travel News, making it one not to be missed.

Fiesta forever!

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:08:18 +0000

Belize is a nation that loves to party and the next party starts today…. for 11 whole days.

September 10th is St. Georges Caye Day, marking the defeat of the Spanish navy in 1798 by a heroic crew of British settlers, buccaneers and liberated slaves at the tiny island of St Georges Caye. Twenty minutes by boat from Belize City, the Caye is steeped in history as it was the first capital of the British settlement. The party runs almost right through to the country’s official Independence Day on 21st September, honouring the independence from Great Britain in 1981. Being the county’s 30th birthday, the flags will be proudly flying and the party will be one not to be missed.

The hermit crab phenomenon

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:40:12 +0000

Every July on Ambergris Caye we look forward to witnessing the passage of the migrating hermit crabs. For some reason they particularly like to visit our friends at Rojo Lounge and Azul Resort and nowhere on the island has the phenomenon been seen in such concentration. AB will be heading there tonight for hermit crab races and for some of Chef Jeff’s divine crab bisque (ssh!)

Photos courtesy of Rojo Lounge and Azul Resort

The Roads to Ruins

sophiemills@ymail.com — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:51:18 +0000

Absolute Belize tailor makes trips that go beyond the borders of Belize and into Guatemala and Mexico. Check out the continuing Mayan adventures of Kevin Rushby from the UK Guardian after his recent sailing trip with us in Belize in January: Road to Ruin: in search of the real Mayans.

10 of the best tropical islands for honeymooners

rachael@absolutebelize.com — Sat, 28 May 2011 22:52:49 +0000

Belize was nominated as having one of the best tropical islands for honeymooners in The Guardian newspaper (17th May 2011).

“A stretch of sand, just enough to hide a pirate treasure chest, then a few hundred coconut trees and some wooden cabins – there isn’t a great deal to Tobacco Caye. I’d take a few thick books and, of course, some snorkelling gear – after all most of what’s here is below the azure glittering surface of the Caribbean Sea. It’ll take a few minutes to stroll around the coast of this atoll, but the reef goes on and on – part of the second longest barrier reef in the world. If you do feel marooned, get over to neighbouring Goff’s Caye – that’s even smaller: six trees and a spit of sand” Kevin Rushby, Guardian travel writer.

To see a collection of the best Belizean tropical islands, Absolute Belize has put together a tailor made itinerary that involves island hopping to the most pristine islands in the country via your own luxurious live aboard sailboat, complete with captain and chef. Your time aboard is combined with spending a few days in the sand at Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn in Placencia, which is consistently ranked as one of the best resorts in all of Central and South America. For more information or to download the brochure follow this link