With its pristine coastline and incredible wildlife, Belize truly deserves a prime spot on your travel list for 2023.
Despite being a tiny country in central America, bordering Mexico and Guatemala, with a population of about 400,000 - Belize has so much to offer, particularly for those who are interested in snorkeling and diving. It has the Western Hemisphere's longest continuous barrier reef, approximately 185 miles of coral formations. Funnily enough, the reef celebrated its 1000th birthday in June 2022.
While visiting this extraordinary country in October, I feel more certain than ever that I need to get my diving license.
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I spent a few days staying in the beautiful Hamanasi Adventure and Dive resort which offers some incredible diving and snorkeling experiences with knowledgeable guides ready to show you where you can find sting rays, eagle rays, nurse sharks and sea turtles.
The resort was founded in 2000 with a goal of creating a space for tourism in Belize that supports the wildlife and people that surround it. The founders, Dave and Dana Krauskopf have grown Hamanasi from the ground up to become a havan for eco-conscious divers and adventure seekers in central America. Everything from the soil used to grow food for the restaurant to the wellbeing and mental health of their staff has been considered and cultured to form a wholesome, honest and eco-friendly environment.
After a few days spent exploring the resort, it’s clear to me that Hamanasi isn’t trying to green wash, they are incredibly diligent in practicing what they preach and have been doing so well before eco-tourism became trendy.
Tourism contributes to more than five percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation accounting for 90 percent of this. By 2030, a 25% increase in CO2-emissions from tourism compared to 2016 is expected. However, it’s not all doom and gloom as eco-tourism aims to combat this and places like Hamanasi seek to make travel a force for good. As a result, it continuously strives to not just sustain the local ecosystem but regenerate it through reforestation on the resort grounds, it also aims to benefit the economy in Belize by supporting local and women-owned businesses and developing educational programmes.
You’ll find the Hamanasi resort on the southern coast of Belize where the rainforest touches the Caribbean sea. It’s close to the charming Garifuna village of Hopkins with incredibly friendly locals. It was recently awarded as one of the Top 10 Hotels in the World in the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.
The grounds include the Great House where you’ll find the reception, restaurant, library and bar which faces the beachfront and a freshwater pool. The accommodation itself includes beautifully secluded luxury treehouses nestled in the forest area that surround the Great House as well as beachfront rooms.
They also have their own on-site adventure centre where an extensive list of diving and snorkeling trips can be arranged or hikes through the jungle, caving and visits to waterfalls.
On my first day in Hamanasi, I explored the grounds with Regenerative Ambassador, Areli Perez, and learned about the resort operations. Everything has a role to play and very little is wasted. The resort has its own organic garden, fueled by homemade fertilizer made from kitchen scraps and decomposing leaves in the surrounding forest. Here they grow fruits, herbs and greens used by the on-site restaurant.
Hamanasi even has a glass bottle area where they send empty soft drink glasses back to companies to be refilled. It’s clear every effort has been made to reduce and reuse waste has been considered here. In 2012, the property owners purchased land adjacent to Hamanasi before developing some of their signature treehouses for guests. They covered the land in thousands of trees, bushes and plants and it has become a lush green area for flora and fauna to flourish.
I stayed in deluxe treehouse number 16, it felt wonderfully secluded despite being close to the main house. It has an outdoor hot tub where you can unwind with a glass of wine while listening to the sounds of the surrounding rainforest - which is an incredible experience.
Belize is truly a diving and snorkeling havan. I have snorkeled in a number of locations across the globe including other locations in the Caribbean and even the Galapagos, but this was one of the most extraordinary experiences. I swam with nurse sharks, majestic eagle rays and navy and neon yellow angelfish - hailed as the most beautiful fish in the Caribbean. My Hamanasi guide, ‘Beaver’ (who joked he was the only beaver in Belize!) was extremely knowledgeable on the array of marine life we saw.
For those more interested in keeping their feet firmly on shore, Belize has some spectacular places to visit - no boat required. There are Mayan ruins to be explored near the Guatemalan border and southern Belize, rainforest hikes and some amazing bird watching. It’s possible to catch a glimpse of Toucans, vultures, laughing falcons, parrots and an assortment of incredible exotic creatures with experienced guides.
One guide, Axel, showed me a video of a curious 4-year-old male jaguar that crossed his path one day on a tour in the jungle. Basically, you never know what you might come across. Even while strolling through the grounds of Hamanasi, I met a family of coatimundis trying to sneak into the organic garden. They’re curious creatures that look like a cross between a racoon and a possum. Despite being a bit pesky, coatimundis are allowed their space in Hamanasi. The goal is to keep as close to the natural environment as possible and encourage visitors of all species to stay and enjoy the space.
Hamanasi is a member of Regenerative Travel, a collective of independent hotels dedicated to the highest standards of environmental and social impact. The group aims to provide travellers with information on destinations that align with their values. Members of Regenerative Hotels are evaluated on their values and ethical operations. Members regularly perform a self-assessment and report monthly on 29 indicators linked to Regenerative Travel's standards. It is a showcase of hotels operating on the basis of true activism in comparison to the tokenism and false green sheen which is rife in the industry.
For more information on the Hamanasi Adventure and Dive resort visit Hamanasi.com
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