A note from Gretchen Schramm

I have been a nature photographer for most of my life, becoming more and more passionate about capturing images of birds in the last decade. I have traveled the world in search of our beautiful birds, and in Central America to Costa Rica, Belize and Colombia in the last few years on birding expeditions. Am having a coffee table book published next year with several hundred of my bird images.

Birding in Belize

There are over 570 bird species in Belize you can expect to view, depending on where you plan to visit. Once you have purchased a copy of Birds of Belize by H. Lee Jones and studied it well, plan your trip around the birds you most want to see. If you would like to experience the most of Orange Walk and this part of Belize, I would recommend the following:

• Book a guide in advance. El Gran Mestizo Resort  can provide you with expert birding guides to enhance your birding experience. Remember these guides communicate with each other on a daily basis and can pinpoint where your ‘lifer birds’ will be found. When I visited Orlando and his hotel, there were birds on the property and up the New River that included a variety of kingfishers, woodpeckers, herons, egrets, gallinules, jacanas, hawks, many American visitors over-wintering in the warm climes, plus an incredible variety of wildlife apart from birds.
• The boating adventure up the New River to Lamanai Mayan Ruins is a must. You can board the boat right outside your door for a day of amazing scenery, birds, Mayan ruins and more. Toucans, parrots, limpkin, jacamar, puffbirds, to name a few.
• Booking a cottage at El Gran Mestizo on the New River is very convenient. You could spend your entire time there, wandering the property, happy with your birding results. There’s great food, wonderful employees, a quiet place to lay your head, and birding until you’re dizzy!

Go. Prepare and study your birds. Enjoy. – Gretchen

Mennonite man and his children, Orange Walk, Belize

Orange Walk Town in Northern Belize is best known for its strong Mestizo culture and good work ethics. It has a large commuter workforce that travel daily to Belize City and Belmopan for jobs in the construction, banking, and government sectors. The district is known for its sugar cane industry, cattle, grain, lumber and honey.  Because its not a traditional tourist destination, the cost of accommodations and food is significantly less than other tourist destinations such as San Pedro, Caye Caulker and the Placencia Peninsula.

Many visitors use Orange Walk as a starting point to other destinations in Northern Belize. Altun Ha, Lamanai and a variety of other natural parks are easily accessible to travelers. It’s a convenient stop for visitors traveling through Belize from Mexico to Guatemala. Orange Walk Town is 1 hour south of the Mexican border City of Chetumal and 2.5 hours from Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala. If you’re passing through, we invite you to stay at El Gran Mestizo Riverside Cabins, a secluded and scenic hotel strategically located on the historic New River, just eight minutes from downtown. Alternatively, if you are looking for an in-town/local experience, our property- Hotel De La Fuente, might be just right for you!

Altun Ha

Its Mayan name translates to “Rockstone Pond” in English.  This is one of Belize’s most popular tourist attractions where you’ll find the largest ancient pyramid, the Temple of the Masonry Altars. The Temple is 54 feet tall and dates back to the 7th Century. Climb to the top for a spectacular view!
Belize’s Crown Jewel, the Jade Head was found deep in a tomb within the Temple of the Masonry Altars, alongside an elite adult male. The Jade Head holds the record in the Maya world as the single largest carved object made of jade. With crossed eyes and fangs, archeologists believe the Jade Head is a representation of the sun god Kinich Ahau. It weighs 9.75 pounds and stands almost 6 inches high. It is believed by many to hold secret powers of healing and dominance. Look at any Belize paper currency and you can see an image of the Jade Head. This masterpiece resides safely under guard at the Central Bank of Belize, when not on loan to museums worldwide. If you are interested in exploring the ancient beauty of Altun Ha, you are invited to join us on a guided tour.

Shipstern Nature Reserve

With more than 27,000 protected acres, this nature reserve is home to wetlands, lagoons, and tropical forests. All five cat species, along with the endangered Baird’s Tapir and over 300 species of birds are found here.

Cuello

Cuello is the oldest Mayan site found in Belize. To see this magnificent relic, you’ll need permission from the Cuello family as it’s located on their own private land.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

If you enjoy birdwatching, then you’ll love the sanctuary! Located on 25 square miles, you’ll see over 286 species of birds in their natural habitat of swamps, lagoons, and waterways.

Lamanai

Lamanai is one of Belize’s largest ceremonial centers and means “submerged crocodile”. Found on the New River, the 24 miles of Mayan relics is filled with wildlife, birds, and beautiful scenery. Some of the ruins are: temples, plazas, colonial structures, and a visitor’s center. There is also a colonial sugar mill and the remnants of two 16th century Spanish churches. Our Lamanai tour offers visitors a guided river and walking tour to explore this magical site!

Mennonite Communities

Orange Walk is known for its Mennonite communities. Little Belize and Shipyard are bustling communities that offer services and products to consumers countrywide. Their belief systems do not permit machinery or electricity except for work, yet the Mennonites are still seen as industrious and innovative. Horse-drawn carriages are the mode of transportation in these villages. It is common to see Mennonites around Orange Walk Town, and they are usually distinguishable by their style of dress.

Caribbean Rum

Belize has three rum distilleries and Orange Walk is home to two of the most popular. Caribbean Rum founder and patriarch Ignacio Cuello started producing rum in pot stills in the early 1950’s. Caribbean Rum was formally established in 1968, when Ignacio Cuello perfected his blend for Caribbean Gold rum. In the late 1970’s, the distillery began to produce Trafalgar Gin, Imperial Brandy and other blends.

Ownership of the distillery came into dispute in the mid 1990’s.  As the country watched, the relationship soured between the last two remaining sons of Don Ignacio, eventually resulting in a court appointed receiver managing the business. Eventually, younger brother Osvaldo Cuello, left the partnership and founded Old Master Rums near the sugar factory.

Today Caribbean Rum is the best-selling rum in Belize, with Caribbean Gold continuing to be the most popular rum by far. The local secret is to best enjoy the rum with ice and 3 drops of water.The distillery is located 2.5 miles west of Orange Walk Town on the road to Yo Creek Village. It is now owned and managed by the grandsons of Don Ignacio.  A formal tour blueprint is being formalized by the grandsons, with a start date of late 2017.  However, a tour can usually be scheduled if arranged beforehand.  The grandsons are generous and will usually offer visitors a free bottle of the product being bottled that day.

Escabeche, Ceviche, Salpicon

Some of the best Mestizo food countrywide can be found here in Orange Walk, from simple street side tacos and tortas to restaurants that feature specials found predominantly in Northern Belize. Some restaurants such as Cocina Sabor, Maracas Bar and Grill on the River, Nahil Mayab, and Tan’s regularly feature platters such as Escabeche, Ceviche, Salpicon, tamales tortillada and Relleno Negro.

La Inmaculada Church

Located in the center of town, this Spanish colonial church is a reminder of the influence the Spaniards had in Belize’s history. For more than a century the church has served its flock faithfully.
Mass is held daily at 6:30 am in Spanish, and in English at 7 pm Saturdays and 9 am Sundays.

Rio Bravo Conservation & Management Area

The area of Rio Bravo is 4% of Belize’s land area and is a protected rainforest. It’s not unusual to see jaguars, toucans, iguanas, and over 400 species of birds living here.

La Milpa

La Milpa is the third largest archeological reserve in Belize. At least 85 major structures and 24 plazas have been identified.

Collared Aracari, Belize. Photo by Gretchen Schramm

Tucked into the northeast corner of Belize and not far from the Mexico border, the Orange Walk district is a study in contrast. Home to around 14,000 people, it’s the district that hosts the largest collection of Maya settlements built during the Pre-Classic Period, but there are also plenty of reminders of European conquests during the 1500s, too. Now an epicenter of multi-cultural influences, this modern-day Babel is a land of many languages, faiths and cultural practices, but it’s the region’s emerging eco-tourism reputation that’s getting Orange Walk the most amount of attention these days.

Here are 13 things you need to know before you visit:

1. Orange Walk Town takes its name from the district and it’s the fourth largest town in Belize. This area was originally known by its Mayan name: Holpatin.
2. When Mestizos fled Mexico during the Caste War of Yucatan that raged from 1847 to 1901, they established a homeland in the Orange Walk region where their ancestors remain to this day.
3. This Mestizo populace is responsible for jump-starting Belize’s sugar cane industry, once the primary cash crop based in this area of the country.
4. Orange Walk is just one hour north—53 miles—of Belize City, home to the nation’s primary international airport. A smaller airstrip, Orange Walk Airport, handles connecting flights.
5. Orange Walk’s nickname is “Sugar City” thanks to the aforementioned operation that makes up Belize Sugar Industries.
6. Stay at El Gran Mestizo when visiting Orange Walk. Choose between standard and premium cabins, each of which is warm, welcoming and affordable. Expect river views, handcrafted logwood beds, verandas and hammocks, plus beautifully appointed baths.
7. The aforementioned mix of Mayans and Mestizos aren’t the only exotic societies coexisting in Belize today: You’ll also find thriving communities made up of Chinese, Taiwanese, Kriols, Indians and Mennonite people throughout Orange Walk.
8. A visit to the Banquitas House of Culture is a must for visitors eager to learn more about the origins of Orange Walk and its history.
9. Unique aquatic sites like Honey Camp Lagoon and the New River offer diverse aquatic experiences that range from sports to jungles and rainforest tours.
10. Orange Walk’s Mayan influences are remarkable. From small temple complexes to major ruins like Lamanai and Cuello, expect a total Maya immersion here. By the way, the name Lamanai is Mayan for “submerged crocodile”.
11. While sugar was once king, eco-tourism is now Orange Walk’s prime economy driver and continues to be a tourist magnet for conservation-minded visitors.
12. There are 400+ species of birds in Orange Walk plus howler monkeys and other wildlife. You might see elusive Yucatan Nightjars, Roseate Spoonbills, Sun Grebes and huge Jabiru Storks with wingspans measuring 9 feet.
13. In addition to the economic boost from eco-tourism Orange Walk has enjoyed, agricultural diversification has also sprung up in recent years with the introduction of cash crops like soybeans, onions and papayas.

High Temple at Lamanai

There’s no harm in admitting that you are attracted to strange, weird, odd or bizarre people, things and destinations. After all, offbeat experiences make life interesting, which is why visitors eager to soak up sun and fun when they visit Belize are often looking for unusual places to see that aren’t necessarily in tourism guides. Make plans to vacation in Orange Walk and you’ll not only enjoy Belize’s most popular natural attractions but you can also take a walk on the wild side.

Orange Walk District

At first glance, there’s nothing surreal about Orange Walk. This lovely Belize district is home to small towns amid unspoiled jungle. To get around, Northwest Highway neatly intersects the district but if you look beyond this thruway, you’ll see a network of farms bordered by unpaved roads. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? Yet these roads are defined by the farmers themselves! Can you imagine telling your community you’ve decided to declare your own boundaries by creating streets? Probably not. To the south and west of these farmer-drawn roads is the darkest and most dense jungle in the Orange Walk District referred to as deep bush. If you’re traveling in this direction, you must visit Gallon Jug and have your photo taken beside this village’s quirky sign.

Three Surreal Experiences

1. Does the name McAfee sound familiar? It’s a branded software invented by a guy named John McAfee to protect computers from viruses. Sadly, the genius behind the brand made international headlines when he moved to Belize and adopted a surreal lifestyle, hunkering down in Orange Walk where–depending upon which tabloid you read–he managed a harem of under-age women, set up a drug lab and accused the Belize government in concert with the CIA of plotting against him. Today, his home remains a pilgrimage site for those fascinated with his story. McAfee now lives in Tennessee, so if you drop by his Orange Walk complex, he won’t chase you off the property.
2. While the Mayan people left any number of weird and wonderful remnants of their culture in Orange Walk, Lamanai is considered one of the most fascinating. It was occupied during the Pre-Classic period (4th Century BC to 1st Century AD) and of the architectural wonders built in this area, one of the most surreal is Stele #9. Located north of the compound’s residential complex, this bizarre-looking statue celebrates the accession of Lord Smoking Shell, a scary figure wearing a rattlesnake and feathers on his head and a massive double-headed snake worn diagonally across his body. Five children’s skeletons are buried beneath him; a rarity since human offerings are never associated with Mayan accession rituals.
3. Rio Bravo Conservation and Management sounds like your average Belize ecological site and it looks like one, too. This conservation area is awash in oak and pine savanna edged by limestone rain forest that’s home to 70 species of mammals and more than 400 types of birds. Nothing surreal about either right? But when Louisiana State Anthropod Museum scientists came to Orange Walk to study area insects in the late 1990s, researchers were shocked to find species that had never before been seen. Their small scientific study proved that many Rio Bravo insects are literally “new to science.” It doesn’t get any more surreal than this revelation!

Where to Stay in Orange Walk

There’s only one place to stay when you make your surreal pilgrimage to Orange Walk: The El Gran Mestizo (http://elgranmestizo.bz/). Why? Because after you’ve had your fill of crazy Americans, Lord Smoking Shell and insects never before seen by scientists, you need a refuge that’s tranquil, charming and so comfortable, leaving your cozy riverside cabin won’t be easy, but you will want to wander over to Maracas, a charming bar and grill serving authentic Mestizo and other international dishes on premises. It’s just a short stroll to Orange Walk Town where you can explore eateries, shops, boutiques and markets before returning to your hand-crafted bed, cable TV and Wi-Fi if you must find out what’s going on—surreal or otherwise–in the world.

Located just about an hour’s drive northwest of bustling Belize City, Orange Walk Town is located in the heart of the fertile agricultural region of Belize. Affectionally nicknamed “Sugar City” for its bustling sugar cane processing factories, Orange Walk Town has recently diversified to become one of the leading eco-tourism destinations in Belize. While Orange Walk Town features a small but lively entertainment district, just a short distance away are some of the best birdwatching areas in Belize as the diverse ecosystem is home to hundreds of bird species, including the rare Yucatan nightjar and long-tailed hermit hummingbird.

Visiting Orange Walk

The town of Orange Walk, with about 14,000 residents, is small enough to easily get around on foot. In the morning, visitors can snack on the local delicacy of breakfast tacos, sold from roving vendors. The Fort Cairns market in town offers a wide variety of local foods with recipes inspired by the different indigenous populations of Belize. Cafes, banks, excellent Chinese restaurants, and the Banquitas House of Culture will occupy you in town, but when you’re ready for more adventure, head upriver to the landmark site of Lamanai, once an important city in the ancient Mayan empire. From a local word meaning “submerged crocodile,” Lamanai is an extensive site featuring four grand plazas and half a dozen temples that tower above the jungle canopy. The largest temple of them all, the High Temple, is accessible to visitors who have no fear of heights.

Guided tours to Lamanai head up the New River, giving visitors a chance to spot spider monkeys, fruit bats, crocodiles, and hundreds of species of birds in their natural habitat. Another popular nearby destination is Honey Camp Lagoon where locals and international visitors alike can frolic on the beach underneath the branches of coconut trees. Back in town, there’s an active nightlife scene with several bars offering unique cocktails and plenty of live music.

Orange Walk Accommodations

Located on the scenic banks of the New River, El Gran Mestizo offers excellent accommodations at reasonable prices. Designed with a rustic, homey feel, the cabins of El Mestizo come with all modern accouterments, including air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and cable TV. With an award-winning on-site restaurant and close access to the historic Mayan site of Lamanai and Orange Walk Town, El Mestizo is the destination of choice for visitors exploring the Orange Walk District.