Travel | Banyan Bay

Date: January 21, 2020

When it comes to an island with huge personality and character, Ambergris Caye is among the top ten islands in the world. Can you picture men in drag, dancing in the streets? How about endless lobster prepared in every way possible? Or being front row to the most anticipated International pageant in the country? These are all the elements that make up anticipated events scheduled to take place in the first six months of 2020, making it an ideal period to travel to Belize! Here’s a look at the 3 biggest festivals on Ambergris Caye! February –El Gran Carnival de San Pedro February might be marked as the month for romance but travelers to Ambergris Caye will quickly find that El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro takes precedence over any other event on the island (even the lovey-mushy stuff). This year, the long-standing island tradition will kick off from Feb 22nd to 25th and is usually celebrated to signal the start of the Lenten season. While the carnival is centered on a character named Juan Carnaval, history suggests that Juan was a rich man who loved to party and was known for breaking hearts of women he came across, with […]

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Resort Highlights of 2019

Date: December 17, 2019

Author: Banyan Bay Suites

Category: Blog, Travel

We’re winding down on the last of what is 2019 and as we look to ring in a New Year 2020, it now seems like the right time to reflect back on the year that was; a particularly eventful year for our resort property. Here’s a look back at the events that shaped another amazing year for Banyan Bay Suites. [———–] Suite Upgrades and Remodeling (Alaia Belize Transformation) – With the official debut of Alaia Belize in December 2020, the transformation phase of Banyan Bay Suite commenced and is currently in full swing. Each suite is being meticulously remodeled to match the standards set forth by the Marriott International brand. Full transition into the Marriott brand may very well be complete by November 2020 for Alaia Belize’s debut in December 2020. Positioned right on the water’s edge, Alaia Belize’s oceanfront location and luxury beach villas make it Ambergris Caye’s best property investment option. It offers an outstanding opportunity to be part of a 5-star residential resort that combines cutting-edge design and its unique location south of Town. New resort events added – This year we stepped up our game and added some new daily activities and events to enhance our […]

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June is Lobster-mania in Belize!

Date: May 31, 2019

Author: Banyan Bay Suites

Category: Blog, Events, Travel

Three of the most popular gastronomic summer events in Belize kicks off when the official lobster season opens on June 15th – the San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Placencia Lobsterfests. This year’s much anticipated San Pedro festival, scheduled for June 15th through to 22nd, will see the power combination of Pier 366 and Alaia Belize as participants to the islands biggest Town event. What to expect? – Lively entertainment, tons of yummy Lobster and a bevy of tasty libations in several locations around the island! From lobster on the grill, lobster thermidor, lobster ceviche, kebabs, to Lobster ice cream and even lobster chowder, it’s the one week where this tasty crustacean is highly favored. *Pier 366 and Alaia Belize’s Booth – Last year’s festival saw Pier’s debut and offered fan favorites such as lobster fritters, lobster-stuffed jalapenos, grilled curry lobster and lobster spring rolls. This year Pier partnered with Alaia Belize to bring merged international flavors with locally sourced ingredients. Lobster lollipops and lobster lasagne will be the main dish features while a vodka basil limeade, and grapefruit or strawberry vodka cocktail will make Piers drink list. What NOT to miss? Be sure to look out for the Ambergris Caye […]

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Belize Spotlight; The Great Blue Hole Expedition

Date: November 30, 2018

Author: Banyan Bay Suites

Category: Belize, Blog, Events, History, Travel

What lies beneath Belize’s and arguably the World’s largest sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole? That is what a marine contingent from Aquatica Submarines and British philanthropist, Richard Branson will unearth as they board two underwater submersible vehicles on this incredible two week underwater expedition scheduled to take place from Sunday, December 2nd, 2018. The upcoming submarine exploration of the Belize Blue Hole will be helmed by documentarian and conservationist Fabien Cousteau, the grandson of Jacque Cousteau. This underwater expedition will be a coordinated effort between the Branson-funded NGO Ocean Unite, Aquatica Submarines, and a team of scientists from the Roatan Institute of Deep Sea Exploration (RIDE). Aquatica has enlisted a team of scientists, explorers and filmmakers collect scientific data, focusing on a complete sonar scan of the interior. Branson, philanthropist and founder of Ocean Unite, said one purpose of the trip is to raise awareness of the need to protect the seas. Calling the Blue Hole “One of the ocean’s most magical wonders,” he went on to say, “We all share the common goal of conserving, protecting our beautiful global ocean.” Branson is hoping that his involvement in the project will generate awareness around ocean conservation, and is supporting the goal […]

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Banyan Bay Suites gets a makeover, and you won’t believe what’s new for 2018!

Date: January 4, 2018

Author: Banyan Bay Resorts

Category: AMENITIES & FACILITIES, Blog, Travel

Along the gentle waves and lull of the Caribbean Sea lies Banyan Bay Suites, a premier beachfront resort in Ambergris Caye, Belize that is home to newly-renovated spacious one, two, and three-bedroom suites. Our lobby has been transformed into a modern waiting area full of character and splashes of color, with upbeat and trendy staff members available to welcome and assist you at the front desk. The interior design of the lobby is embodied and inspired by Bohemian features with colorful accented cushions on local handcrafted hardwood furniture. Surrounded by swaying coconut trees and charming gardens, the resort property exudes tranquility, peace and an intimate ambiance with buildings spread out over 3.5 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Our idyllic beachfront has seen upgrades, as well. We have added several tons of sand and relocated coconut palms which now line our coast. Lounge chairs and day beds are strategically placed around the beach for added comfort to our guests. Banyan Bay’s beach is the perfect playground for friends and family with ample space for games such as volleyball, Bocce ball, and Cornhole. Guests who would rather relax and catch the sights and sounds of the Caribbean Sea can do so by […]

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WestJet Inaugurates Non-Stop Flight from Calgary to Belize

Date: November 9, 2017

Author: Banyan Bay Resorts

Category: Belize, Travel

On Friday, November 3rd an inaugural direct flight between Calgary, Canada and Belize City, Belize was commemorated with a short ceremony at the Philip Goldson International Airport. This was the first weekly flight of WestJet’s seasonal winter schedule. To welcome this milestone flight to Belize, members of the Canadian Consulate, the Belize Airport Concession Company (BACC), the Belize Tourism Board, and the Belize Hotel Association joined many others at Philip Goldson International Airport. The congregate was addressed by Manuel Heredia, Jr. (Minister of Tourism) and Lynn Young (Canadian Consulate to Belize). Both keynote speakers expressed that the welcoming of an additional major international flight to Belize signifies economic growth as a result of the increasing popularity of Belize as a destination for not only tourists, but also for investors, retirees, and expatriates hailing from Canada. Tourism overnight statistics reveal that 6% of arrivals to Belize in 2016 were from the Canadian Market, and projected to increase in this 2017-2018 winter season. The Belize Tourism Board’s Director, Karen Bevans, addressed the inaugural gathering and expressed that this new flight “will help with the different areas such as Vancouver and the others that were unable to get a direct connection into Toronto so this makes it much more […]

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White Sandy Beaches in Belize? We Don’t Want Them! Here’s Why.

Date: October 2, 2017

Author: Banyan Bay Resorts

Category: Belize, Travel

One of the questions our reservations team gets asked most frequently is “Do you have white sandy walk-in beaches at your resort?” Our answer is always “No”. We then proceed to give a bit more details explaining why we, along with the majority of beachfront resorts and hotels in Belize, don’t have any plans to change that anytime soon. Are you curious as to why we don’t have walk-in and clear-water beaches in Belize? It’s all about our ecosystem. Seagrass is a vital part of a marine life’s ecosystem. Not only does it act alongside the Belize Barrier Reef as a buffer of protection from harsh weather and storms, it acts as a natural defense against erosion. The seagrass that lines the coast of Belize is also a nursery to millions of sea creatures that you’ve come to love about the waters in the Caribbean! Ocean floors that do not have seagrass are extremely vulnerable to wave action from currents and storms, which cause beach erosion at a much faster rate than ocean floors that are covered with seagrass. This stabilization is important for the safety of beachfront establishments along the coastline. More importantly, the seagrass provides an ecosystem support system that is quite complex. […]

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WestJet Announces New Direct Route from Canada to Belize

Date: July 26, 2017

Author: Banyan Bay Resorts

Category: Travel

WestJet has just announced their 2017-2018 flight schedule, and new routes include direct flights from Calgary, AB to Belize International Airport. With the announcement, WestJet is offering great promotional introductory prices, so take advantage of them while they last. Believe it or not, the lowest fares you’ll find from Canada to Belize or for travel on Fridays, starting as low as $285CAD. “WestJet currently operates a seasonal flight from Toronto, Canada from October to May, therefore the Calgary – Belize flight is a welcome addition that will further boost Belize’s tourism industry. The new flight is exciting news and it underscores BTB’s (Belize Tourism Board’s) unwavering marketing efforts in promoting Belize as a growing, viable and a must-go destination,” said Ms. Karen Pike, BTB’s Director of Marketing and Industry Relations. Book by: July 31, 2017 (11:59 p.m. MT)^ Travel from: October 29, 2017 – January 31, 2018 Blackout dates: December 20, 2017 – January 7, 2018 The Calgary-Belize flight service is part of WestJet’s seasonal schedule for the winter of 2017-18 which offers optimized service for both the business and leisure traveler and gives Canadians and Belizeans greater connectivity into and out of WestJet hubs in Calgary and Toronto, providing more flight frequency between key routes, more […]

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