With OTM’s Travel Expert, Heather Meliski

It’s Unbelizeable!

By Heather Meliski

recently had the opportunity to experience a new destination, the amazing country of Belize, and I was blown away by how much I loved this country.

I travel often in order to experience new resorts, destinations, and local tours and activities so I can best serve my clients and match them with the best fit for their vision for their vacation. I’m so happy to have experienced Belize first-hand because I was able to see what a wonderful country it is, but I also was able to see that it isn’t the right fit for everyone – it is definitely a country for travelers, not tourists. If you’re looking for a more ‘traditional’ travel experience – an all-inclusive resort or a five-star luxury property with butler service – then I would recommend a different destination.

Belize is a relatively new country, having just gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981, and is an unspoiled treasure. It isn’t commercialized – you won’t find any chain restaurants or stores anywhere in the country – and has maintained a natural, warm, authentic vibe. It’s perfect for adventure seekers and eco-tourists, and is a great destination for anyone looking for a more adventurous getaway where you can unplug from everyday life. The food was absolutely amazing everywhere we went and I loved every meal that I had, which is something I can’t often say. I would describe all of our accommodations during our stay as rustic luxury (there aren’t five-star resorts anywhere in Belize), and the first two resorts had the vibe of a really nice summer camp for grown-ups. Our first destination was the jungle in Cayo District in western Belize, and this area is full of activities for nature and adventure lovers. Our rooms were open air – so no A/C – which is quite common for accommodations in this area. Cayo is known for its outdoor activities and we packed in as many as possible in the short time we were there – climbing Mayan ruins, an RTV jungle tour, visiting a butterfly garden, and more.

From Cayo we traveled to Mountain Pine Ridge to stay a few nights at a gorgeous eco-property located above a waterfall. This remote area is perfect for disconnecting from technology (the only WiFi was in the main building) and reconnecting with nature.

From Mountain Pine Ridge we drove back to Belize City to board a small plane for the short flight to Ambergris Caye. This is Belize’s best-known destination and is popular for its beaches, snorkeling, diving, and water sports. It is the most popular tourist destination in Belize and features a lot of shops and restaurants, and I love that the main way to get around the island is by golf cart. Ambergris Caye is located near the Belize Barrier Reef which is famous for the Great Blue Hole, one of the top dive destinations in the world.

Belize is truly a hidden gem and a perfect destination choice if you’re looking for an authentic, adventurous travel experience.

Heather Meliski writes Our Town Travel keeping us in the “know”. Heather is a travel agent specializing in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the South Pacific, cruises, theme parks, and more. She lives in Smyrna with her husband and two sons. Heather@yellowshoetravel.com FB @heatheryellowshoetravel IG @ yellowshoetravelheather