Why do people come to Belize? Some are eager to indulge in non-stop adventure. Others want to do absolutely nothing. Which path will you follow?
In case you haven’t heard the news, therapists agree that one of the best gifts you can give yourself is to do nothing at all. Did you just gasp? You’re not alone says journalist Olivia Goldhill. She writes that most people won’t give themselves the luxury of doing nothing.
"Even if we do manage time away from the grind...we can’t stop thinking about we should be doing. The experience is weighed down by guilt,” she adds.
How can you avoid this exhausting trap? Grab vacation time. A vacation is the ideal antidote to today’s fast-paced life, especially if you choose a destination that caters to overworked travelers. And since it only takes a few hours to get to Belize, why go anywhere else?
Belize: a small nation offering big choices
Book accommodations at San Ignacio’s Cahal Pech Village Resort and you’ll find yourself dwelling in the nation's “ecotourism capital” and embraced by soothing surroundings. You can follow Goldhill’s advice and do absolutely nothing within the confines of your beautiful accommodations, though you might want to avail yourself of the resort's spa services guaranteed to contribute to your mental and physical state of well-being.Don’t be surprised if your energy levels are quickly restored and you decide to see Belize’s natural wonders and meet some of the friendliest people in Central America. Exert yourself as much (or as little) as you like by considering popular activity options appearing on the resort’s tour menu:
-Show up at a fall festival. Your Cahal Pech host keeps a list of fall festivals and events and can arrange transport. One of the most exciting events is Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19th. Let your hair down. Dance and drum. Or do nothing but observe the festivities with a Belikin beer in your hand.
-Roam a rainforest. The Mayflower Bocawina National Park features a system of 12 platforms, so you see all of the natural glory from on high. Introduce yourself to birds you meet aloft and spot wildlife below. Cap it off with a 2.5-mile zip line ride over Belize treetops. Or watch someone else take the ride and cheer them on.
-Step back in time. Cahal Pech Village Resort is named for the Maya ruin nearby. This former palace was occupied between 1000 BC and 800 AD. Ask your Cahal Pech host to book other fall Maya tours to Caracol, El Pilar, Tikal, Xunantunich and Che Chem Ha Pottery Caves if just one doesn't satisfy your curiosity.
-Make Thanksgiving a fish day. North Americans flock to Belize at this time of year because travel is still affordable. Divide your time between eating turkey and exploring the world’s second largest barrier reef along the Belize coastline. Snorkel, scuba dive, sail or kayak your heart out. If your approach to life is more laid-back, go fishing.
A fall vacation in Belize requires the perfect environment and Cahal Pech has everything you desire, whether you happen to prefer the slow lane or the fast lane. If you return from your restorative sojourn and everyone asks, “What’s happened to you?” be truthful and respond, “I did absolutely nothing!” You could become a role model for every harried person in your life!
