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Nude Week In Belize
Jim Bailey
For soft adventure, Belize has it all. If you're looking for authenticity, Belize is the place. What you won't find are fast food franchises, golden arches, miles of high-rise hotels or 5-star cookie cutter, formula resorts. Although Belize is about half an hour south of Cancun by air, the country is a million miles away from a conventional holiday. Belize is bordered on the north by Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, to the west and south by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Honduras is also nearby.
A bonus to North Americans-English is spoken throughout the country. In fact, Belize is the only nation in Latin America where the official language is English. Other local languages include Spanish and Mayan. The common local dialect for conversation between citizens is Creole.
Journey's End Resort on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize was the site of the first Nude Week, September 9-16, 2006. The resort takeover was not only a first for the country of Belize; it was another first for clients of Castaways Travel, nude travel industry pacesetters.
Castaways Travel owners, James Bailey and Donna Daniels, arranged a complete buyout of the 44 room Journey's End Resort. The resort is a property they first visited over 20 years ago on a diving trip to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye shortly after Belize became independent in 1981. Ambergris Caye is 27 miles long and San Pedro is concentrated in a narrow 8-mile section on the southern end and borders Mexico at its northern point. The nation's former name was British Honduras. In fact, the month of September was a historic occasion for not only guests, but also for citizens as Belize celebrated the country's 25th anniversary of its independence.
Ambergris Caye is in the northern part of offshore Belize and very near the Mexican border. The northern end of the island borders Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula across the Bacalar Chico Canal and the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Preserve. This area adjoins private land that includes the principal Belizean nesting areas for Loggerhead and Green Turtles, and Rocky Point is the only place on the mainland where the barrier reef touches the coastline.
The resort and adjoining beach were closed to outside guests and visitors even though the event was the talk of the country (including comments about Nude Week on national radio). The mayor of San Pedro Town, along with the authorities and local police, issued permits for the beach to be closed in front of the resort for the week. Beaches in Belize are public just as in most other Caribbean countries.
Adult couples and singles were welcomed to join the first planned Nude Week at Journey's End where guests enjoyed an all inclusive program complete with accommodations, all meals, activities, air conditioned rooms, silky white sandy beaches, and swimming pool. As an added bonus the weather was absolutely perfect!
The staff and management at Journey's End were crowd favorites with clients who came from all over North America.
Journey's End Resort is a conventional, family resort throughout the year. September normally finds most of the island's hotels closed for its annual vacation. Castaways arranged for a complete resort takeover for the September Nude Week, which provided jobs for the staff and support personnel when they would normally be unemployed.
Theme nights included "Mayan Monday" with local, regional and traditional Mayan cuisine, "Pirates of the Caribbean" night and the traditional "Castaway" shipwreck night.
Castaways' clients brought elementary school supplies for the children of the hotel staff. In addition, guests also distributed student supplies at two elementary schools, San Pedro Roman Catholic Elementary School as well as the new San Pedro Anglican School.
While in Belize guests enjoyed diving, snorkeling, sunning, sailing, touring the rain forest, kayaking, fishing, lounging, visiting with guests and employees, enjoying a local meal or a massage, visiting with the local citizens, sight seeing all over Belize, birding, white water rafting, visiting Central America's most famous jungle zoo, or touring ancient Mayan ruins being excavated both at nearby at Tikal in Guatemala, and in Belize proper.
Divers also enjoyed nude scuba and snorkeling as well as trips to the great Mayan Reef that runs from the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula to the southern end of Belize near Guatemala and Honduras. Some divers also made stops at the world famous Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef just offshore from the mainland. Hol Chan National Underwater Park and Shark Ray Alley were two of the favorite snorkeling spots on the reef, especially when guests jumped in the water to swim among the sand and nurse sharks, a first for many swimmers.
Formerly citizens of a colony called British Honduras, today's population of Belize is a wonderful mix of people from all over the Caribbean basin; descendants from numerous ethnic groups including African, Central American, Caribbean and Mayan cultures. You will see citizens of many ethnic groups who love their country as well as each other and who welcome visitors and strangers alike to their homeland. Go now before it turns into Cancun!
Getting There
A valid passport is required to visit Belize. Check with the local consulate in your country for visa requirements if you are unsure.
International air carriers serve Belize City several times daily from North and Central America. Carriers serving Belize non-stop from the USA are American, USAir, Delta and Continental Airlines.
Foreign air carriers arrive at Belize International Airport near Belize City. After clearing immigration, customs, and luggage claim, travelers to Ambergris Caye typically make the 20-minute flight by air taxi across the bay to San Pedro.
From the San Pedro airport, guests of Journey's End are met by a driver and taken to the hotel's dock nearby for a scenic 10-12 minute boat ride to the resort.
Ambiance
Funky, tropical and laid back are the characteristics that best describe the resort. Employees and guests alike are treated as part of the family at Journey's End.
The local town, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, is as friendly as any small town you'll find in any country. We've been going there for 20 years of diving and exploring and all the while the town (and country) has stubbornly refused to sell out its great funkiness and personality in favor of the almighty tourist dollar. Although you'll find most modern conveniences expected in any vacation destination, tourism has not overrun the town to the extent that it has smothered the culture and charm of its local citizens.
With its melting pot of ethnic backgrounds, you'll find any hints of colonialism dating back to its days as British Honduras long gone.
When we first started visiting Belize, Ambergris Caye had no paved roads. In the past 20 years, they've made progress. The street to the airstrip now has concrete pavers that line the road for about a mile, otherwise known as Main Street.
Actually, the beach facing the Caribbean is the main street for the tourists who mix well with the locals. Lots of little food stalls, bars and curio shops as well as a few local clubs make up the "night life" in San Pedro town. You'd think Jimmy Buffett would be showing up any minute! Telling tall stories, grabbing a bite to eat, and mixing with the locals are the things to do.
For dancing and night life in town, the Jaguar and Big Daddy's provide diversion while numerous other restaurants and bistros such as Mangos, the Pier Lounge, Caliente, Estels or JamBel jerk food restaurant are examples of other pit stops to enjoy.
A PADI 5-star Gold Palm dive center is located at Journey's End Resort. "Scuba" Steve Bowen, the owner, provided diving instructions to participants from Temptation Island episodes filmed on Ambergris Caye, as well as other productions.
Sight Seeing
Where to start? Belize offers the most diverse eco adventure choices in Central America and they're all easy to reach.
Begin with diving and snorkeling on the second largest barrier reef in the world. As mentioned, "Scuba" Steve and his Belize Ocean Divers operate a Gold Palm PADI dive center nearby.
In addition, near Belize City is Central America's largest jaguar preserve. Day trips are available right from the resort. The easiest, most accessible place to see Central American wildlife including jaguars and the toucan (the national bird) is at the Belize Zoo just outside Belize City.
An ocean safari operates on demand where you can sight the friendly, toothless creature called the West Indian Manatee. You can snorkel right off the beach of an isolated island and enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch. Another exciting snorkel adventure includes a stop at Caye Caulker, another nearby populated island.
Catamaran tours to Caye Caulker are also available with stops at the national Hol Chan Reserve and Shark Ray Alley (two "must" stops along the coast near San Pedro).
Obligatory para-sailing and skipping over the ocean on wave runners are available in San Pedro town.
Reef and flat fishing for a half day in the morning or afternoon is a must for the avid fishermen. Full-day fishing can be arranged as well as deep-sea fishing with meals, drinks and snacks. To really test your skill, fly-fishing on the salt flats will serve up more opportunities to stoke up your bragging rights. Tours by boat to local and regional spots include Bacalar Chico Mayan Channel Adventure.
All day and overnight land tours include:
1) Altun Ha Maya Ruins
2) Lamanai Maya Ruins on the mainland near Belize City
3) Internationally acclaimed Belize zoo featuring Central American wildlife in their local habitat.
4) Xunantunich May Ruins/Zoo (airplane and van)
5) Barton's Creek Caverns/Xunantunich Ruins (airplane and van)
6) Xunantunish and Kayaks (airplane and van)
7) Crooked Tree/Altun Ha (airplane and van)
8) Jaguar Paw Cave tubing/Zoo (airplane and van)
9) Mountain Pine Ridge hiking trail to Rio Frio Cave, rapids and waterfalls
10) Butterfly and Natural History tour
Best Time To Go
Belize is a year-round destination.
Services
Journey's End services include a full service restaurant for all meals, snacks, and drinks. The nearby bar serves all your favorite libations. The TV at the bar carries your favorite daytime and evening shows and events, fed by satellite. All the modern conveniences of home are at the resort, including 110-volt electricity, air-conditioned rooms, full-service baths and king beds.
Tap water is safe to drink, as there is an on-site water purification plant at the resort.
Water sports at the resort include complimentary use of kayaks, canoes and Hobie cats provided by the hotel.
Bicycles and golf carts are available at the resort for a trip to town, about 4 miles away. You can take the unpaved road behind the resort into town.
Fishing gear is available at the resort, including a limited number of reef fishing rods and reels for a small per diem fee. You can use it up or down the beach, or go out to the lagoon to wet a line. If you're a lucky fisherman and return with a catch, the kitchen will be happy to prepare and serve your catch as a lunch or dinner meal. The hotel's rental gear is to be used locally at the hotel. Guided fishing tours will typically include all equipment needed.
A few of the hotel guests were lucky enough to pull in some big ones during Nude Week and the hotel treated guests to a fresh catch-of-the day for lunch.
The hotel also provides its guests round trip transportation between the resort and San Pedro.
Dining
Luna, the specialty restaurant on site, is recognized regionally as one of the best on the island. Terrific seafood and other tasty treats are highlighted as well as special Central American favorites.
Room & Rates
Accommodations include separate private cottages, each containing a bedroom, fridge, coffee maker and bathroom with hair dryer and 110-volt electricity. Some have a clever sunken bathtub/shower, and all are air-conditioned. There's even a 3-bedroom villa adjacent to the resort, which would be perfect for close friends to enjoy.
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