The Blackbird Blog

Tis the Season! A Foodie Christmas in Belize

Disembark at Philip Goldson International Airport and you’ll feel the rush of holiday spirit everywhere. Not only is Belize perfect for escaping winter, but the festivities during the holiday season in Belize last the entire month of December. You’ll want to bring a big appetite.

Expect dishes like Belizean tortillas brimming with chicken, pork, olives and cheese, chicken tamales, and potent rum cakes, but the hands-down, hyper-local favorites are Black Fruit cakes and Rum Popo, a rich, blended drink similar to eggnog.

Step into almost any household and you'll find workstations with eggs being beaten, batter mixed, and milky concoctions being stirred by younger family members. Almost every household in Belize makes its own version of Rum Popo, and it’s widely available in local restaurants and bars during the holidays. Make your own with this pro tip in mind: though it may be tempting to drink it on the spot while it’s frothy and fresh, we recommend holding out and letting it age a bit (or at least most of it).

Stock up on the rum (brandy too!) because you’ll be needing more for this traditional Black Cake. Sidenote: Since you’ll be needing so much, consider ordering from the award-winning Copalli Rum, a farm-to-flask distillery in the jungly cliffs of Belize’s Rio Grande valley.

Traditionally, many local families splurge on a turkey, ham, or both for Christmas dinner. Typically not prepared the rest of the year, large meats are reserved for weddings and large family gatherings. Learn to roast a perfect Belizean-style turkey for your own Christmas spread.

Food is central to local culture: in Belizean Creole, they say, “Empti sak nuh stan up. It means ‘Feed me!’ ”

The Wit is a Hit with Divers!

It was exactly the right time for TASA, who saw her potential for wreck diving and as an artificial reef. Concrete is one of the best materials to recruit coral as it’s extremely close in composition to natural coral limestone. In addition, her many holds, cabins and surface structures would provide a new home for fish and benthic organisms—creating an artificial reef of sorts.

As a bonus, the Wit came with its own ecosystem, since the hull had been submerged for years prior to her sinking in December 2021. After just a few months of being submerged, scores of fish were calling the Wit home—from the reclusive rainbow and blue parrotfish, hogfish and angelfish to curious barracudas. She has a large exposed surface area, shallow enough in some places for snorkelers and suitable for divers of all levels to explore. Certified wreck divers can go further into the inner holds for more adventure. Come dive The Wit and help preserve Belize’s largest atoll!

Time travel is possible

A 20 minute flight from Turneffe Atoll’s small airstrip connects to Belize’s International Airport on the mainland. After that, it’s just under two hours by car to the Cayo District, once the heartland of the Mayan world in Belize.
The best-known archeological site is Caracol, an important regional center for the Maya, covering about 75 square miles. The smaller site of Xunantunich is also significant, and accessible from the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, modern-day hubs for the region. Xunantunich is known for the towering El Castillo, a 130-foot tall temple, and adjoins the country’s border with Guatemala. Many of its once-sacred Mayan caves are open for exploration, including Actun Tunichil Muknal.
The historical presence of the Maya has a strong pull in this part of Belize, and it’s not just history. Nearly 11% of Belize’s modern population is Mayan, and the majority of the country is Mestizo, a mix of indigenous and European descent.

You’ll forge rivers on hand-cranked ferries to Mayan ceremonial sites and villages. A must-see is the traditional market in Cayo- the biggest market day in all of Belize. Every Saturday the village comes alive with its multi-ethnic blend of colors, sounds, flavors and crafts.

Lobsterfest Fun Returns

Because lobster is highly available in large quantities in Belize during the summer, this is a great time to indulge at low prices. The official lobster season kicks off June 15th and runs until about mid-February, with July 1st marking the true beginning of when Belizeans start to catch Spiny Lobster. However, locals celebrate the season with three favorite fun-filled events offering raffles, games, and lots of eating!

The festivities in Ambergris Caye start June 30th with a Lionfish hunt, then continue all week with organized dinners, special events, and the local favorite Lobseterfest block party on July 9th. Free live music and discounted prices make this San Pedro celebration a favorite. Belize’s Lobsterfest origins, however, take us to Caye Caulker. Starting back in 1994, Caye Caulker Lobsterfest was the first of its kind. Today, lobster connoisseurs can travel to the island at highly discounted boat prices, as well as lobster pricing deals rumored to be better than at San Pedro’s fest. Not to mention, every year locals look forward to the highly anticipated Miss Lobsterfest Pageant. If you’re looking to spend the day on the coast of the mainland, the celebrations in Placencia are for you. Here you can find amazing beaches, and its location makes it a quieter and calmer experience while celebrating Lobsterfest, but just as delicious.

No matter how you choose to indulge during your stay, Blackbird Caye will also be serving the finest lobster in season; there are no excuses when it comes to finding that perfect bite when traveling to Belize this summer.

Dive Into Spring

Swimming down into the depths can feel like going back in time; artifacts that stretch through the ages, making the ocean floor their home. Just after World War II, this vintage chip was built to transport sugar and store molasses. Just off the coast, you can explore around this sunken maze, swimming alongside the exocitc underwater wildlife. The wreck is located 1 mile east from Blackbird Caye, and is one of the largest shipwrecks to explore in the Caribbean! If you didn’t vacation with your own boat and equipment we have you covered.Guests can receive scuba certification with PADI-approved classes, and rentals include wetsuits, dive computers, and selecting from one of four vessels. With 70 dive spots to explore, you’re going to need a week in paradise!

Fiesta de Carnaval Returns

Fiesta de Carnaval takes place the week before lent, as Christianity and its many sectors take the dominant religion in Belize. Brace yourself for an array of rehearsed group dances, parades through town, live music, culturally representative demonstrations, and a true favorite, colorful powder fights. Another important traditional aspect is incorporating paint however you can; whether it’s on your face, a painting, or a mural, the streets come alive with vibrant color all week. Each day of the week represents a different theme; day one is dedicated to the color white and children, day two is for the colors red and blue, while day four is when the festival highlights Juan Carnaval, who according to legend, was murdered by his jealous wife after adulterous acts. As everyone dresses in black, a Juan Carnaval doll is burned to represent the redemption of purity in the community before lent. Then on the last day, the streets get rowdy with paint and powder fights!

Carnaval de San Pedro is free and welcoming for all, as this tradition has now been around for 150 years, with tourists traveling from around the world to this popular city for the fun that Carnaval brings. We recommend NOT dressing your best and sparing your nice clothes. If you’re looking to immerse in the culture during your stay, take advantage of our Saturday shuttle and head to Belize City. From there, many companies will be offering shuttles to San Pedro! 

Make your trip to Belize a once-in-a-lifetime experience by planning around the Fiesta de Carnaval! 

A Tropical “I Do” In Paradise

Warm tones, cold air, fire pits- all aspects of winter weddings. However, here in the tropics, winter feels more like an idea than an actual change of season. Add another reason to celebrate during the holidays. Swap your heels for sandals and your champagne toast for a pina colada; it’s time to plan the beach wedding of your dreams here at Blackbird Caye!

Forget the stress of destination weddings with our ground, water, and air transfers. Our team of dedicated wedding planners are ready to assist you in every way. Blackbird Caye weddings are intended to be intimate; we offer private elopements, or you can invite up to 36 guests to sleep in luxury with our cabana-style accommodations. Enhance the experience with flowers, photography, entertainment, and more. Between the Custom, Beautiful Beginnings, and Superior Wedding packages, we guarantee you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. Head to our wedding site now for full details on how to get the process started for your dream day!

Celebrate an Entire Month of Independence in Belize

September is truly the month of Belizean Pride! If you are planning a visit to Blackbird Caye in the next few days, it is safe to say you hit the celebratory jackpot. Belizeans will be celebrating all month long because September 21st marks their thirty-eighth year of becoming an independent nation. Now if that sounds young to you, it's because it is. Belize only gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981, the most ironic part about Belize gaining their independence in September is that it is the same month that Great Britain won a Naval Battle over the Spanish to gain Belize as part of their colony in 1798. So although the actual Independence Day on the 21st, Belizeans will begin celebrating on the 10th with music, vibrant clothes, sparkles, feathers, dancing and a whole lot of fun! No matter what day of the week or where you are staying in Belize it is sure to be a party. 

Bring On The Blue Hole

As lovers of underwater exploration, we spend almost all of our time rewriting and rediscovering our top dive site lists. But, even after all those hours in awe beneath the surface, there’s still one destination that continues to stay in the first position—the Blue Hole. We could go on for a while about its otherworldly scale and beauty, but the fact that legend Jacques Cousteau included it amongst his favorite ten in the world says it all. Designated as a UNESCO site, this bucket-list locale rests 50 miles from land’s end with an expedition out here revealing crystal-clear teal and turquoise waters that border a seemingly bottomless expanse of blue. Globally recognized for its unmatched diving (and for good reason—it’s challenging even for expert divers), a visit to Blue Hole still includes something for every type of adventurer. From calm snorkel tours for the easygoing to exhilarating skydiving sure to keep pure thrillseekers on the edge of their seat, there’s countless ways to discover this unbelievable wonder. Looking for a homebase while you see the Blue Hole yourself? Visit us at Blackbird Caye Resort soon and stay in the middle of Belize beauty.

Finally, A Little Elbow Room

At roughly 40 kilometers or 25 miles off the coast of Belize, Turneffe Atoll—home of Blackbird Caye Resort—is pretty far from civilization. When you’re here, you’ll awake to the sound of the ocean instead of the city and stroll on white-sand beaches instead of sidewalks.

It goes without saying that there’s a lot more elbow room here, with only a handful of inhabitants calling our island paradise home. Even then, you can almost guarantee that half of them are underwater at any given time—we’re set in the middle of some of the most highly sought-after dive destinations.

One of which coincidentally speaks to all this space—The Elbow. While only available to visit during calm conditions, due to its location at the intersection of two currents, this advanced drift dive is well worth the wait. As you descend, you’ll quickly spot all the colorful and diverse marine life that awaits below the surface, including nurse sharks, moray eels, and a kaleidoscope of coral. Spend some time going with the flow and admiring all the natural beauty before coming to the surface. After your dive, relax under a tropical canopy of swaying palms—with plenty of elbow room around you, of course.

Something to Belize in

Sandy toes and sun-kissed cheeks set the tone for 2021. Welcome to Blackbird Caye Resort, where you can relax in a hammock or learn something completely new at your own leisure. Here in Belize, we are blessed to be placed in such a perfect position geographically—Mother Nature has graced us with both the sea and the jungle. While on your stay with us in Central America, we have all the resources to teach you how to scuba dive for the very first time or simply give you a refresher course; but also guide you on the nature above surface-level too, by birding or taking excursions inland to see the natural habitat above sea-level. Let your fins thrive or spread your wings to fly. No matter which direction you go, the Black Bird Resort will be here to lift you up and even teach you a thing or two about the place we call home.

Celebrate Carnaval in Ambergris Cay

Ask any Belizean the best time to visit the town of San Pedro, and undoubtedly they will tell you it is the month of February. Not only is the weather to die for and the crowds less invasive, but we are also rearing up for Fiesta de Carnaval. If you’ve never heard of Carnaval lets us explain.

Belize is primarily Roman Catholic, which means that celebrating Easter and Lent is extremely important, but before Lent begins, the country celebrates with the Fiesta de Carnaval as a way to indulge in eating, drinking, dancing and overall partying before the forty-day ritual begins. The Carnaval is celebrated all around South America, but we celebrate ours here in Ambergris Cay on February 23rd. If you plan on attending, you should be ready to dance and celebrate with local Belizean's and tons of visitors from out of town. Help us bring in the next forty days the right way during your stay in Belize! 

Can You Belize We Celebrate Thanksgiving Too?

It may come as a surprise, but did you know that Thanksgiving in Belize is as big of a holiday as it is in Canada and the United States. Just like our northern neighbors, we love a good stuffed bird with different accompaniments such as rice and peas and potato salad. Although it seems like an unlikely place to celebrate your usual Thanksgiving festivities, spending your holiday in Belize may be just what the doctor ordered. 

Spend your morning of thanks walking the shores of the sandy coastline thinking about all the goodness that 2019 has brought to you. Once you've said your morning gratitudes, enjoy a light breakfast surrounded by all of your loved ones. It is truly a special treat to have everyone in one place with nothing on the agenda but to spend time together relaxing. Swim at the pool, go snorkeling, or just catch some rays before it’s time for your annual Thanksgiving Dinner celebrations. Ending all in time for the most important part of the day—your post-dinner hammock nap.