It’s that time of year for taking stock and expressing gratitude for all that we each have. Our Sandy Point Resorts family is no different and we celebrate the many things we have to be grateful for in Belize and that we love to share with you, our guests. By no means can this ever be a complete list and that’s part of its beauty. There are always more places to visit, people to meet and adventures to be had in Belize.

Discover the hidden jewel of Belize on your next vacation. Explore everything from the rainforest, ruins and reef all in one destination. Belize is a small country that has a lot to offer, not the least of which is a plethora of attractions. Whether you crave adventure, history or relaxation, there is something for everyone. Get started on your exploration of Belize with these five must-see’s.

You can have it all in Belize. Stay on an island and revel in the sun, sand, and sea, then hop over to the mainland for a day trip of adventuring. Basing your vacation on Ambergris Caye gives you access to the Belize Barrier Reef and all of the associated water sports along with a thriving restaurant scene. Conveniently located via a short scenic local flight from the Philip Goldson International Airport, Ambergris Caye is a hub for tourism in Belize. The full experience of what this country has to offer can’t be truly appreciated without a visit inland, which is easily done with a wide variety of day trips. Belize is fondly referred to as The Jewel partly due to the lush, verdant jungle that still covers much of the mainland.

When vacationing, one of your biggest resources is the Guest Services Concierge and Front Desk Staff. Not only are they trained to provide the best in service, but they are also local experts, as they live and work in the immediate area. When you choose to vacation with Sandy Point Resorts, you get the added bonus of some of the best service in the industry. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff take the time to learn your names and help make your stay with us a personal experience. Here are various things our hotel guest services staff can help you with:

Traveling to a new destination and discovering the quirks and hidden treasures is part of the fun. But it’s also nice to have a basic lay of the land and take some of the guesswork out of things. Getting around Belize is easy in part that the official language is English, and locals and ex-pats alike are friendly and helpful. Ambergris Caye, the largest of Belize’s many islands that skirt the coastline, is 26 miles long and about a mile wide.

A tropical summer getaway. Yes, just the thing. Belize is English speaking, a short trip from many hubs in the USA, and boasts the largest barrier reef in this hemisphere. Checking all of your vacation boxes yet? But what about the weather? Summertime in Belize coincides with the return of the rains after a pronounced dry period. Locals, wildlife and the earth itself breathes a sigh of relief with the renewal that quickly occurs during this aptly-named Green Season.

For most snorkelers and divers, deep respect and love for the sea goes hand-in-hand with the underwater experience. Marine systems can be fragile and by using some common sense and best practices, we can further lighten our “fin print” while underwater. Read on for our best Do’s and Don’ts for underwater sports.

On Ambergris Caye, the month of June is all about the Caribbean Spiny Lobster. After four long months of foregoing the tasty and indulgent lobster, the season officially opens in the second week of June. We will be celebrating along with the rest of the island, during the annual San Pedro Lobster Fest where lobster in all of its delicious preparations will be available for tasting. This week we have rounded up some of the nutritional benefits of the Spiny Lobster.

I first saw a Lionfish in Belize on the reef near Tobacco Caye in 2010. It paraded about the coral in full splendor, it’s red-striped fins dancing with the waves. Though gorgeous in its own right, this predator was alarming to see. Indigenous to the North Pacific, these brilliantly decorated fish are popular aquarium showstoppers that have unfortunately taken up residence along the southern coast of the USA and the Caribbean. They are the poster child of an invasive species. According to NOAA’s Ocean Service, “An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native.”

La Isla Bonita, that is, Ambergris Caye, has a hidden, slower pace of life the farther north you go from all the hustle and bustle of San Pedro Town. Island life really shines “Up North,” as the locals call it. Our Sandy Point Resorts collection of award-winning resorts are all found North of the bridge that is the entrance to San Pedro Town on the island. Of our resorts, X’tan Ha Resort is located further than most and enjoys that island tranquillity that you picture when planning a Belize vacation. X’tan Ha Resort is located at 7.2 Miles North. While part of the attraction is a peaceful and private setting, there is plenty to do in this area without giving up the ambiance.