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 2021, there are some updated protocols and procedures that travelers should be aware of. Ali walks us through her experience and explains why traveling to Belize is as easy as 1-2-3.

Belize Travelcast

Traveling to Belize during the Covid-19 Pandemic

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 tips and insights to prepare for the tour on your next Belize vacation. Crystal Cave Mountain Cow St. Hermans' Blue Hole National Park > Book This Tour

Belize Crystal Cave Virtual Audio Tour

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 tourism professionals, cultural and heritage organizations, business owners, artists, and artisans coping with the impact of COVID-19.

Preserving Belize's Cultural and Natural Heritage

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 was also here to work on a new cover article for Hemispheres Magazine's April issue, titled "Three Perfect Days in Belize". Check it out on your next flight on United Airlines. In this episode, Ali gives us the inside scoop of what she did for the article research to give visitors a glimpse of what you can do in Belize besides the typical activities. Ali talks about Belize's beautiful San Pedro Town as well as adventure-filled San Ignacio Town and the scenic journey down the Hummingbird Highway to Placencia. Book your next Adventure on Belizing.com Episode Notes Belize Ground Shuttle  

Three Perfect Days in Belize by Ali Wunderman

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 Mahler.  Belize COVID-19 Travel Updates. Aliana's Villas Belize Ground Shuttle Mangata Villas The Belize Tourism Board Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations See the Show Notes for more information.

Is Belize Safe? Travel to Belize in 2021 and Beyond

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, and transportation options is available on Belizing.com. This episode is sponsored by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Belize Sailing Vacations, and Orchid Bay Belize.  National Health and Safety guidelines were developed by the Belize Tourism Board through a 9-point certification program called the Gold Standard Recognition Program. A new Belize Health App is also required for entry to Belize. 

Belize Gold Standard Hotels, Tours, and Transportation Options

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 certification program called the Gold Standard Recognition Program. A new Belize Health App is also required for entry to Belize. This episode is sponsored by: San Ignacio Resort Hotel Belize Sailing Vacations Orchid Bay Resort In this episode, Mrs. Misty Michael from the Belize Tourism Board joins us to talk about Airport protocols and other travel updates from Belize. Misty is the Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at the Belize Tourism Board, with many years of experience in Marketing, Branding, Business Development, and Communications.  Misty has been very hands-on with all the countrywide preparations and high-level discussions and decision-making over these past 6 months. She is one of the key people leading this monumental effort in Belize’s tourism industry.  As of October 1st, you can visit Belize by air, you can stay at Gold Standard certified hotels, use Gold Standard certified tour operators and certified transport such as shuttles, car rentals, and taxis.   You can explore Belize from Reef to Jungle, responsibly, and safely at your pleasure. You can visit all the wonderful sites, taste all the delicious food, experience the rich cultures, and fully enjoy your Belize experience. For the latest updates and Belize Travel Restrictions, visit Belizing.com and TravelBelize.org

Belize Travel Restrictions & Airport Protocols

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. It boasts the tallest man-made structure in the country of Belize event today and the city covered an area much larger than present-day Belize City (the largest metropolitan area in the country of Belize). At its peak, Caracol supported more than twice the modern city’s population. Caracol is a must-see, as it is one of the largest cities of the classic period and was in the middle of a power struggle with powerful cities like Tikal and Naranjo in Guatemala. Book this tour.    

The Largest Ancient Maya City in Belize

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 rock with Supa G, then this episode is for you. Find more information at https://belizing.com/podcast Episode Page.    

Belize Punta Rock Music with Supa G

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 (part 2)

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 gives us a very thought-provoking lesson on the history of Belize's melting pot.

The Origins of Belizean Culture (Part 1)

The Belize airport will reopen for international travel on August 15th. 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 Standard certification program. Jim Scott was instrumental in developing these new standards and he sits down with us to discuss the stringent standards that will be put in place to ensure the safety and health of everyone coming to Belize.

What to Expect when Belize Reopens on August 15th

Listen to a preview of the next episode coming on July 3 discussing the opening of travel to Belize on August 15th. Mr. Jim Scott from Hospitality Training Services Belize will discuss the Belize Gold Standard Recognition program and the guidelines and protocols that they have developed for the country of Belize. These protocols will be in place to keep Belize and our visitors healthy and safe. The full episode will be available on July 3.

On the Next Episode: Belize Opens for Travel on August 15

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 Jose Succotz where you will cross the river by ferry. Along the way, you will learn how the local Maya lived. Then, you will visit the world-renowned Xunantunich Maya temples and learn about its history and importance in the region. 

Horseback Riding to the Xunantunich Maya Temples

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 throughout the country as Belize developed through self-government and then as an independent nation. Don Hector, as he is affectionately known, tells us about the seven wonders of Central America and why the town of Corozal in northern Belize is an important mecca for the modern Mestizo race. Tune in to hear don Hector tell some of the untold history of Belize.

Belize's Wealth Untold: The Seven Wonders of Central America

The Belize Travelcast is the official podcast of Belize, a new podcast series created by Let’s Go Belizing Ltd. (Belizing.com), a brand that is passionate about telling authentic stories, promoting sustainable tourism, and traveling in Belize. Each episode is an engaging conversation that delivers useful and authentic travel tips and experience through personal stories from our guests. We also deliver relevant updates on the Belize tourism industry and important issues affecting the environment, culture, and economy of Belize. Find @goBelizing on social media.

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Belize Travelcast

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