Belize: The Toledo Ecotourism Association
The Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) is a group of Mayan and Garifuna villages located in the rainforest and other endangered eco-systems in the southern part of Belize.
The TEA operates guesthouses in ten villages (nine Mayan and one Garifuna) and its trained guides lead visitors on jungle tours, cave exploration, canoe trips and village tours.
TE.A.Laguna Guesthouse, Belize, Toledo Ecotourism Association. Near Punta Gorda
Laguna is a Kekchi Maya village located about 10 miles west of Punta Gorda Town. The population is about 300 people. The village lies on flat land bordered on the east by limestone hills and on the west by Aguacaliente Lagoon.
Laguna was established by a group of villagers who left San Miguel Village in order to avoid a conflict about damaged crops. The village inherited its name from the magnificent lagoon nearby. As a result of its close proximity to Punta Gorda, Laguna is modernized compared to most villages today.
Laguna boasts one of the best entrance roads into any Maya village. The cutoff to the village is off the newly paved Southern Highway. From the cutoff, it is only a 2 minute drive to the village along a high gravel road. This makes it easily accessible to backpackers.
The town has electricity, a community phone, a central water system, two schools, a few stores, two christian churches - Pentecostal and House of Prayer - and a health post.
The TEA guesthouse is on the edge of town. This thatch guesthouse is different from all the other TEA guesthouses in Toledo - it is a two story building. There is electricity, and running water in the outdoor showers are considered a luxury. Attractions near Laguna include a ceremonial cave with pictographs and another with a huge bat colony. A trip to the Aguacaliente Nature Reserve offers great hiking and birding through a lowland swamp.
Toledo Ecotourism Association Tours, Belize
Toledo Eco-Tourism Association Guesthouse and Tours
T.E.A San Miguel, Guesthouse, Belize, Toledo Ecotourism Association
San Miguel is a small Kekchi village with a population of about 380 people. The Rio Grande river splits the village in two. As you cross the bridge in the middle of the village, you'll see several children splashing in the river while women wash their laundry on the riverbanks and fishermen pull up their canoes further down the river. The Rio Grande river is literally the center of activity in this village.
In 1950, a group of families left the small village of Santa Teresa in search of more fertile soils. Moving eastward, they found fertile land near the village of San Pedro Columbia. They received 150 acres of land from the people of San Pedro Columbia and crossed the Columbia river to establish a new village. They brought the statue of St. Michael, and named their village San Miguel to honor their saint. This picturesque village straddles a smooth, hilly, gravel road, with clusters of thatch roofed homes among flowering hibiscus and bouganvilla bushes. San Miguel has electricity, a community phone, a central water system, a community center, a library, a couple stores, and a school next to a church. For a good view of the village, hike to the hilltop where the school/church is located.
The people in San Miguel are not as shy as those in other villages. Family members eat meals along with visitors. The villagers sit on the floor, allowing guests to use the small, round, two-foot-high table with benches.
San Miguel offers hikes to Tiger Cave and Lubaantun, and canoeing on the Rio Grande river.
Toledo Ecotourism Association - medicinal plant tour
Traditional Mayan medicinal plant tour - part of the Ecotourism programme organized by the TEA in Belize, Central America.
Toledo losing rosewood at unsustainable rate Part1
Rosewood extraction in the Toledo District proceeds at breakneck speed in spoite of calls from Environmnetal groups for a moratorium.
CottonTree Lodge Punta Gorda Toledo Belize jungle
Remote, wild, incredible hospitality, and worth every penny. The most amazing week I ever had was at the CottonTree lodge in southern Belize. Mayan ruins, howler monkeys, kayaking the Moho River, getting to know the staff, visiting quaint Mayan villages, trekking the jungle, learning to make organic chocolate, swimming in a cave... I can't wait to go back. When you book your trip, tell Chris (the owner) that Katie and Becky from Jacksonville sent you! ( for some strange reason I said Tobacco Caye Lodge at the beginning because that is where we are going later in the trip, but this is the CottonTree lodge.
Toledo Ecotourism Association - making a cushtal
Mayan woman making a cushtal (traditional embroidery) - part of the Ecotourism programme organized by the TEA in Belize, Central America.
Hokeb Ha Blue Creek Cave tour swim Toledo, Belize
One of the tours at CottonTree Lodge is a tour and cave swim of Blue Creek Cave with local Mayan guide Silvano, whose father discovered the cave. 1.5 miles into the earth we went. AMAZING! then had lunch at local villager Bicente's house.
Punta Gorda images southern Toledo Belize
Images from Punta Gorda the southernmost city in Belize.
If you want to visit Belize and really know that you are in another country, go to the southern district of Toledo. So many cultures including Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Rasta, Mennonite.... Toledo has it all, and its not overrun with tourists.
La Milpa Plaza Tour - Part 1 of 3
We take a brief tour, in three parts, of the La Milpa Mayan site in northwest Belize. The site is located on land managed by the Programme for Belize within the Rio Bravo Conservation Management Area. Our tour is led by Vladimir Rodriguez, Station Manager of the Programme for Belize La Milpa Field Station.
Toledo Ecotourism Association - making coffee
Mayan woman roasting and grinding coffee - part of the Ecotourism programme organized by the TEA in Belize, Central America.
Bad Ass Girl’s of Columbia Village, Belize | Maya Mike Culinary Expeditions
Listen to Maya Mike interview the girls of Columbia Village, Belize.
Learn about their favorite things to do.
Horizon Medical Team in Toledo
US Army's Medical team in Belize; they worked in the Toledo and Stann Creek districts
C’ac’alenel Car Sa Nima Scholarships
TIDE supports community organisation C’ac’alenel Car Sa Nima to raise funds for high school scholarships in San Miguel village, Toledo.
Toledo People's Eco Park Plan
Chet Schmidt's Eco Park plan which would develop ecotourism, protect the environment and create jobs in Punta Gorda, Belize.
JUNGLE CABANA TOUR!
The cabana is at Cotton Tree Lodge in Belize!
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The Forgotten District - Trailer
Between the Caribbean sea and the Mayan mountains lies Toledo, known as The Forgotten District of Belize, Central America. For the last 20 years, the Maya and Garifuna have been promoting their own ecotourism programme in order to protect their rainforest and traditions. Despite constant opposition from the government and the tourist industry, Margarita, Egbert, Chet and their friends remain strong and optimistic. This film is a tribute to their tireless efforts.
For more info :
Toledo Tourism Belize
Toledo in Belize has so much to offer, a Tribute also to our special Lee Laa Vernon (Cultural Icon).
We saw something that we couldn't forget Nim Li Punit Toledo,Belize
Sharing our country with you!
Nim Li Punit is a Maya Classic Period site in the Toledo District of the nation of Belize, located 40 kilometres north of the town of Punta Gorda. Nim Li Punit is sometimes known as Big Hat or Top Hat; the name is Kekchi Maya for Big Hat, referring to the large elaborate head-dress on a stela sculpture found on site depicting one of the site's ancient kings.
It consists of structures around three plazas, including several step-pyramids, the tallest being 12.2 meters high. The site has a number of carved stelae illustrating the ancient city's rulers.
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