Blu Zen is located on the north of Caye Caulker between glistening turquoise waters and a private sandy beach that hugs the pristine coastline of the island. They are the newest addition to Caye Caulker’s dream destinations. Blu Zen is a 25-unit boutique resort with breathtaking views of the World’s Second largest Barrier Reef and refreshing tropical breezes. The well-appointed condos offer quality and high end 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living and dining condos with a spacious private floor and panoramic views.
There are 6 expansive condo options to choose from, each offering ample space in peace and serenity on the Caribbean. The sea view condos offer the ultimate indulgence with unsurpassed views of the Caribbean Sea while our seafront condos offer luxury island living, each boasting breath-taking sea views, and unobstructed beach access.
Blu Zen creates instant immersion for guests into island life allowing them to sit back as the day unfolds under the vast blue skies. Island activities will invigorate every sense with the endless possibilities of exciting reef water activities and beautiful scenery to feast the eyes and satisfy that sense of adventure that fills your soul.
For the hopeless romantic looking for a stress-free wedding day, we specialize in romance! You deserve a magical wedding day with all the pomp and circumstance. We will arrange the perfect setting and backdrop for your ceremony ensuring that every detail is as you envisioned. Choose from fully customizable packages that include everything from professional wedding planners, wedding/rehearsal coordination, officiant arrangements, Caribbean inspired decor, custom wedding cake, professional photography, professional DJ, custom catering, set-up and clean-up, wedding night accommodations, group room rates, and much more!
For all these reasons, it’s easy to see why Blu Zen is quickly becoming one of the most desired luxury resorts in Belize. Book your stay today!
Essays are confusing, and even more so if you’re an ESL student. The requirements are quite strict, and here you have to main tasks: writing a good essay and making sure your English is correct.
To structure our guide, we’ll divide this path into the same two parts. We’ll talk about how to write a good essay and improve your writing skills first. Then, we’ll see what a Belize ESL student can do to improve their English. Let’s go!
Essay Writing for Belize ESL Students
The first way to go is to put your essay writing skills into practice. If you need improvement, you can do it through excellent examples and writing attempts. While searching for a perfect example and being very busy with studies, consider using a fast essay writing service with highly qualified academic writers. They work with both native speakers and ESL students. You’ll have an opportunity to break down a professionally written essay and see everything you should work on.
Here’s how to prepare and write a good essay:
Mind the format. Different subjects require different formatting (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). No matter what your major is, it’s useful to know all the standards. This will ensure you’re ready for any kind of academic writing task.
Know the type. The major types of essays are: narrative (you tell a story, usually about yourself); descriptive (you show a story through vivid description); expository (you show the facts, compare and analyze them, etc.); persuasive (you persuade the readers that your point of view is correct through strong arguments and their evidence).
The type of essay dictates its structure and the devices you have to use to make it excellent.
Write a powerful thesis statement. A strong thesis statement makes it much easier for you to prove your point or achieve any other goal your essay has. It must be clear and concise, but you should also know how to elaborate on it if you have to.
Build a strong outline. A good outline is half the work done. To make an essay easy to read and follow, its structure has to be logical, supported by transitions that will create the flow of the paper. We all know the basic outline (intro, main body, conclusion), but the details you put in those can make it either logical or chaotic.
Mind the paragraph system. It’s time to fill that outline in, so treat every paragraph as a small essay. They also have a structure that includes an intro, main body (argument and evidence or refutation), and conclusion. It should also have a transition to the next part, and a good example will show you all their glory.
Proofread the paper. Never forget to proofread your paper. Do it several times, focusing on one thing at a time: grammar, structure, logic. If you read the paper and it seems organic and wholesome, it’s a success.
Improving English Proficiency for Belize ESL Students
This is a more long-term thing, and you’ll see improvement with every essay. No matter how proficient you are, the English language never ceases to amaze. So, make sure you do the following regularly:
Improve general and field-specific vocabulary. Never stop learning new words, both general and field-specific. You never know when your college gives you a new descriptive essay in English. And those need a lot of different words, because repetition causes tautology and deducts points.
Take grammar, spelling, and punctuation tests. Even if your school provides those, check yourself more often. There are plenty of tests online that can evaluate your word stock, grammar knowledge, etc. Such tests are great motivators as well.
Make use of auto-correct services. It will analyze the style of your writing and suggest changes if they are needed. However, check those suggestions before applying them, search for more info online if you have to.
Read a lot. Reading automatically enriches your grammar and vocabulary base. Besides, it’s a great kind of leisure, and you learn a lot of new information as well.
Combine the two parts altogether, and you will get an excellent essay. The more you research and write, the better your papers will become!
Belize is one of the most amazing countries to visit in Central America boasting of pristine beaches, magnificent marine life, nature parks, ruins, and friendly folks. It’s no wonder that the country attracts over a million visitors each year according to the Belize Tourism Board. In addition to its natural attractions, guests also love the ease of traveling in the country. If you’re planning a road trip in Belize to discover its best-kept secrets, check out what you need to do before leaving.
Map Out Your Travel
A road trip is fun and exciting, but it requires preparation to avoid surprises, stay safe, and enjoy the journey. In addition to planning your itinerary, ensure that you have a reliable vehicle that can withstand the road conditions in Belize. The country is not very big so the distances are not great and horrible traffic applies only in big cities. That said, people drive on the right and the road signs are in English so it is not difficult to move around.
If you’re renting a car, there are companies that even allow you to bring the vehicle in Guatemala should you decide to visit the famous Tikal ruins. The usual precautions apply when you are in a foreign country. Do not pick up hitchhikers and be aware of your surroundings.
Where to Go
A trip that is worth doing is to drive to San Ignacio, a town in the Cayo District of Belize. It will take you roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes to get to San Ignacio. Visit Cahal Pech for its ruins, bird watching, and archaeological history. Not to be missed is Xunantunich, a remarkable Mayan ruin set on a ridge. Other things to do include a visit to the Iguana Sanctuary and the San Ignacio Market.
Don’t forget to swing by at neighboring Guatemala which is just under two hours by car. Take your time to walk through the massive rainforests of northern Guatemala and revel at the magnificence of Tikal, an ancient Mayan citadel with its temples and palaces. After ruins, parks, and wildlife, it is time to explore the beautiful beaches of Belize. Drive back to Belize City and catch a boat from the Princess Ramada Marina to Itza Lodge where you can snorkel, dive, or laze on the sand. From there, you can also arrange a boat trip to the Lighthouse Reef to swim in the world-renowned Blue Hole Natural Monument, a majestic natural sinkhole which is part of the Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
With good planning and lots of enthusiasm, a road trip in Belize is completely feasible. It will take you to many wonderful sights from historic ruins and unspoiled natural parks to great wildlife and superb beaches.
Consejo Landings is a new residential community located in the tropical paradise of Corozal Town, Belize. The development is one of the largest expat communities in northern Belize on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and is only minutes away from Mexico. This new development consists of 79 lots consisting of 64 acres. There are 8 large ocean front lots located behind a 66’-foot ocean frontage reserve, 28 lake front lots surrounding an 8-acre man-made lake, and 36 estate sized lots for residents wanting a larger homestead.
The residential community of Consejo Landings was designed and developed by Canadian partners living in Belize with the goal of creating a low-density community where residents will share spectacular waterfront views on the banks of an artesian fed manmade lake, or even enjoy incredible sunrises over the Caribbean Sea.
The lots at Consejo Landings are competitively priced and available for immediate purchase. Financing is offered for the purchase of lots with 5-year terms and low interest rates for qualified buyers, which include no pre-payment penalty on financing terms!
Consejo Landings lots are ready for immediate construction. Upon signing a purchase agreement, the purchaser can start building their tropical home right away, though the purchase may be financed. Property taxes for this location are extremely low allowing purchasers to acquire a property and build at a date of their choosing.
It’s never been a better time to own your own piece of the jewel. Let Consejo Landings welcome you home. Choose your lot today – Paradise Beckons!
October 1st marks the opening of the conch season 2019-2020. As such, the Fisheries Department reminds the public of the following regulations:
Shell length should exceed 7 inches;
Market clean and fillet weight should exceed 3 and 2.75 ounces respectively;
No person or establishment shall buy, sell or have in possession diced conch meat other than market clean conch.
The department urges Belizeans to report any illegal activities at 501- 224-4552, Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-TIPS(8477) or via email fisheries_department@fisheries.gov.bz.
Courtesy photo
The Garifuna Collective hails from the island nation of Belize.
The Garifuna Collective is based in Belize and made up of more than 50 musicians of varied generations who strive to express and keep alive the unique music and culture of the Garifuna people.
The Garifuna Collective was featured on Andy Palacios’ album “Wátina” which was awarded the Womex and BBC World Music Award and voted by Amazon as the number one World Music Album of All Time. The Collective just released their newest album, “ABAN,” Sunday (Sept. 15).
Roots and Wires Presents brings the touring arm of the Garifuna Collective to Taos for a show today (Sept. 19) at the Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership, 20 ABC Mesa Road, off U.S. 64 west. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 8 p.m.
Rooted in resilience and a bit of mystery, the Garifuna people are a mixture of Africans and the original Arawak people of the Caribbean who intermarried four centuries ago. A number of theories exist about their origins and early history.
The music group formed in 2006 and has since traveled to more than 30 countries and five continents sharing their music.
Courtesy photo The Garifuna Collective hails from the island nation of Belize.
I caught up with Al Ovando via email to learn more about the Garifuna Collective and what they will be bringing to Taos. Ovando has been a part of the collective since its founding. This is an edited version of our interview.
What are the roles you have with the Garifuna Collective?
My roles include being a musician (guitars and bass), a recording engineer, a mixing engineer and a co-producer in the studio and on the road a tour manager, sound engineer, and rhythm guitarist.
Can you tell me a little bit about the Garifuna people and culture?
The Garifuna people have a long history of resilience and survival. The Garifuna ancestors were brought from the West Coast of Africa to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean and intermarried with the native Arawak Indians. They settled on the island of St. Vincent and were eventually exiled and banished from the island by the French and English colonizers. They had a courageous leader called Joseph Chatuye who led them out of harm’s way and they eventually settled on the coast of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. With this movement of people, they brought their own unique language, music, art, food, beliefs, tradition and culture. The Garifuna people live in small, closely bonded villages and towns. They celebrate together in festive times, sad times and in religious ceremonies. This unique way of life is fully accompanied by music. The voices and melodies of men and women can be heard chanting with the deep sounding drums called the Segunda and primero at every opportune time.
What makes Garifuna music unique?
The music is passed down through generations. Each person (composer, singer, instrument player, engineer) is free to play their own original style which comes from the heart of each musician paying homage to their past and keeping it relevant for the future.
What was the vision for the Garifuna Collective – and how has it evolved?
The vision is to create an avenue to keep the tradition and culture alive through documentation and sharing our legacy with the world stage. It has evolved into a group of musicians who understand clearly their role in making the vision a success and in creating a path for future generations to continue the Garifuna story.
How many are in the band?
The Garifuna Collective consists of over 50 musicians and music contributors who have been a part of the project. The touring party is usually eight to nine musicians and this is based on the financial budget before the tour starts.
Can you tell me about your new album, “ABAN?”
The album “ABAN” is the Garifuna Collective venturing into the unknown and experimenting with music and rhythms but keeping true to the soulfulness and unique Garifuna vocal melodies.
What does ABAN mean?
Aban means “one” in English.
Are all of the songs original songs?
All music arrangements are original. All vocals are original except for two songs which are traditional concepts.
Who writes the lyrics for the songs?
Horace Flores, Marcela Aranda, Rolando Sosa, Sheldon Petillo, and Emilio Thomas wrote lyrics on the album “ABAN.”
Who does the musical arrangements?
Ivan Duran, Al Ovando, and Eli Levinson wrote the musical arrangements for “ABAN.”
How did you choose the songs for “ABAN”? Is there an overall theme for the album?
We were experimenting with guitar rhythms and grooves I played. Eli heard them and immediately started to make some drum loops to match. We eventually ended up with melodies that were highly percussive-based and presented it to Ivan in Stonetree Studio. He decided to make use of the work and started working with the vocalist to create melodies over the loops. “Hamala” was created by Emilio Thomas who eventually brought the recorded idea to me and then I took it to the Stonetree Studio where we had fun adding and taking out parts and making the arrangement.
What can people expect from your show here in Taos?
We will take the audience through a historical musical journey as we pay tribute to our friends and ancestors through music. We will play a couple of tracks from the new album “ABAN.”
Anything else you would like us to know?
We are excited to be given a space to share our culture and Belize through music.
Starting December 13, Air Canada will be increasing the number of direct seasonal flights to Belize.
Air Canada announced this week that there will be flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the season, which lasts from December to April.
Air Canada began offering direct flights from Toronto in 2017, as a part of an expansion in its number of routes. The Belize Tourism Board celebrated the launch of the flights because Belize has been actively trying to increase the number of tourists coming from Canada to Belize. Canada currently is the third-largest visitor destination, accounting for around 7 percent of tourists to Belize.
Over the past few years, the BTB and its partners have been scaling up marketing campaigns in Canada with the hopes of attracting more Canadian tourists. During the push to increase Canadian market share, WestJet also began offering flights from Canada to Belize.
The Omar S. Ortiz Scholarship Foundation was founded on June 8, 2018 with the mission of providing annual scholarships that would help empower a new generation of diverse leaders while keeping the vision of the foundation’s namesake alive. This Scholarship Foundation was designed to allow awardees to fully focus on school rather than having to seek out employment to cover education costs.
The Foundation annually honors deserving students with scholarships that include financial support, academic advising, tutoring, and mentorship to ensure that the recipients have the resources necessary to succeed. The foundation will provide a minimum of one scholarship per year for students transferring into Galen University upon acceptance into an Associate Degree program. Scholarships will be awarded for areas of study focusing on Education, Accounting, or Entrepreneurship – which were 3 things Omar was very passionate about.
Since Omar was a past member of the Galen University Board, the University decided to partner with the Foundation by providing the first two scholarships for the year 2018-2019. The continued success of the Foundation can only be attributed to the selfless support of Omar’s close friends and generous sponsors from within the private sector.
An annual bike ride will be held each August to honor Omar’s many contributions to the Belizean society and to assist in raising awareness for the Scholarship Foundation.
Click On The Image to Learn More About the Foundation
Omar was one of the most generous people you’ll ever meet as he gave of himself selflessly by giving of his time, advice and support wherever welcomed. He set the standard for generosity to many, and thru this foundation we hope to be a little more like him in our daily endeavors.
For more information on Omar Ortiz and the Scholarship Foundation visit https://www.oosf.org/.
Belize is a stunning Caribbean nation that boasts hundreds of beautiful tropical islands, dense jungle scenery, and rich marine life. This makes the area an extremely popular vacation destination and the tourism market is growing year on year. With so many opportunities in this developing market, Belize could offer the perfect location for your new business. Here is a complete guide to setting up a business in Belize.
Know the legal requirements
Before you consider setting up a business in Belize, it is vital that you know and understand the legal requirements. In order to start a business in Belize, you must first apply for a work permit from the government. There are a number of different work permits available, so it’s always best to contact a local lawyer for advice on which permit you require. According to the BELTRAIDE, all foreign businesses must be registered under the Business Name Act and/or the Companies Act before they can start operating legally in the area. There are a number of other permits and licenses required, so make sure you seek legal advice on what action you need to take. It usually takes around 45 days to receive all of the necessary permits to start a business in Belize, but this may take longer if there are any delays in the process. It is, therefore, best to apply for these documents at the earliest possible opportunity.
Improve your credit rating
Most new businesses require some form of funding in order to get off the ground. Finding financial support can be difficult, especially when you’re planning on starting a business in a foreign country. You therefore need to do everything you can to increase your chances of being offered financial support. A poor credit rating as a result of unpaid debt or bankruptcy, can result in you being rejected for loans or other financial support that is vital for your business. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve your credit report, even if you’ve been bankrupt or had issues with debt collectors in the past. You can learn more at Crediful.com.
Do market research
For your business to be a success, it is vital that you conduct thorough market research in order to understand both your target audience and competitors. According to statistics Belize has a small population of less than 400,000 people. However, the tourism market is huge with over one million foreigners visiting the country each year. Many tourists are from the USA due to cheap direct flights being offered from major cities including Texas, Florida and New York. Many businesses in Belize therefore focus on the tourism market and target holiday makers and visitors by offering services like tours and local experiences. It is important that you do plenty of research and establish who your target audience will be. Keep in mind that competition in the area is fierce, so you should look for ways to make your business stand out by offering something unique.
Understand the business culture
It is important to be aware that the business culture in Belize is likely to be very different from what you have experienced in the USA or other locations. You should understand what to expect and learn business etiquette and local customs before you move to the area. Try to adopt a more casual approach to business when you start operating in Belize, as their approach is known as being more laid back than some countries. You should also keep in mind that things like internet speed may be slower than what you can get in the USA of other more developed countries.
Find ways to reduce business expenses
When starting any new business, it’s crucial that you try and find ways to reduce business expenses and keep costs at a minimum. This will give you far more flexibility when it comes to your cash flow budget and will help you stay out of unnecessary debt during the startup phase. Fortunately, rental fees are generally fairly low in Belize, so make sure you shop around to find the best location at the best price. You should also do research and negotiate to find suppliers offering the lowest prices.
Belize is a developing country with plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs – it could offer the perfect location to start your new business! Use these tips to help you set up and run a successful business in the beautiful country of Belize.
The Belize Basketball Federation (BBF) is delighted to announce and congratulate Clency “Coope” Lopez, Belize National Basketball Team’s starting point guard, on his award of a full basketball scholarship from Midland College located in Midland, Texas, USA.
Midland College is a public junior college established in 1972 and participates in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in the US. Our National Team Head Coach, former National Team star player and former NBA player, Milton Palacio attended Midland before moving on to Colorado State University, a Division 1, NCAA school.
Milt was instrumental in facilitating Coope’s recruitment by Midland and he continues to seek out similar opportunities for our other young and upcoming players.
Born and raised in southside Belize City, Coope has been a part of the BBF’s programmes since the age of 12 when, ironically, he was left off the U12 National Team which won a bronze medal in Guatemala. A few years later, he was again left off the U16 National Team which won a bronze medal in Honduras. Never deterred, his passion for the game, resilience and determination drove him to continue honing is craft to become a standout player in high school at Sadie Vernon High School, then eventually moving on to the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) where he has been an anchor for the Belize Hurricanes franchise winning two league championships.
In 2017, at the age of 19 years old, Coope made his National Team and international play debut this time at the men’s level, and as the starting point guard, led our Team Belize to a bronze medal in the Central American Games in Managua, Nicaragua. Basketball was the only team sport to medal for Belize in those games. Coope averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game, impressing Coach Milt and earning the respect of the opposing teams.
Coope played big again for Belize in 2018 leading us to a silver medal in the COCABA World Cup qualifier tournament held at the Civic Center in July, 2018. This qualified us for the second round of play which was held earlier this year in February, again right here in Belize. Fans may recall his brilliant performances against regional powerhouses Antigua, Cuba and the Bahamas.
Coope departed Belize on 21 August and we anticipate great achievements from our young star.
A modest but fearless warrior who stands a few inches taller due to the size of his heart, Coope comes from humble beginnings. We know that he will make the most of this opportunity for himself, his family and for Belize.
The BBF expresses gratitude to Coach Milt Palacio, Coach Patrick Rafferty from Midland College, Coach Matthew Smiling, Jay Jex, Mayor Bernard Wagner and the Belize City Council, and VIP Wireless who have all contributed to make this possible for Coope.
Born and raised in southside Belize City, Coope has been a part of the BBF’s programmes since the age of 12 when, ironically, he was left off the U12 National Team which won a bronze medal in Guatemala. A few years later, he was again left off the U16 National Team which won a bronze medal in Honduras. Never deterred, his passion for the game, resilience and determination drove him to continue honing is craft to become a standout player in high school at Sadie Vernon High School, then eventually moving on to the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) where he has been an anchor for the Belize Hurricanes franchise winning two league championships.