Perched on a hillside overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the New River Lagoon, the Lamanai Outpost Lodge provides a jungle experience unlike any other. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/lamanaioutpostlodge/hotel/1563/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:41:13 EST Adjacent to the spectacular Maya ruins of the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, "The Outpost" is one of Belize's special places where adventure, education, and leisure come together in a magical blend. "Heaven on Earth"... "Paradise"... the list of adjectives used to describe The Outpost is exhaustive. Perhaps it's the mystique of the ruins, or the wildlife, or the scenery, or the unparalleled service we provide our guests. Perhaps it is all of these things - in concert - which provide visitors with a once in a lifetime experience and a lifetime of memories. Looking for a fun-filled family adventure? The majority of our guests take advantage of our all-inclusive Natural History Packages (which include daily activities, all meals and transfers as well as leisure time) or Tropical Birding Packages (designed especially for birders). Don't be surprised if you see Black Howler Monkeys in the trees while you're learning about some of the best Maya ruins in the country. And with more than 375 species present, Lamanai is a great place for birding. The Lamanai Outpost Lodge has also been described as "the perfect honeymoon spot" by numerous guests. There's plenty to do and see here, but there's also plenty of time to get away from it all. You can relax in what have been called "the best hammocks in Belize," or swim off the end of our 140' dock. At the end of the day you can enjoy the sunset while sipping a cool drink from our fully-stocked bar, indulge in some of the finest cuisine in Belize, and fall asleep in your comfortable private cabana. Just where the heck is Belize, anyway? What's the weather like? How do I get there? We answer any commonly asked questions here. General Belize is located just south of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and is bordered by Guatemala to the west and south. It is more than twice the size of Jamaica, with just 10% of the population (225,000). Belize is an English speaking member of the British Commonwealth. Belize has a democratically elected government, a US embassy, and the British and US militaries maintain a year round presence for training purposes. Although the capital city is Belmopan, the largest city in the country is Belize City, which has a population of about 70,000. Belize was known as British Honduras until 1981 when they gained their independence from Britain. Belize is on Central Time, but does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Weather The overall climate of Belize can be described as sub-tropical. The humidity, while high (mean annual humidity is 83%), is seldom oppressive for long and is most noticeable along the coast and many days it is masked by the cooling sea breezes. The Belize coastal area is exposed to southeast trade winds averaging 10-13 knots and attain an uncanny consistency during the month of July. Temperatures in Belize range from 50°F to 95°F with an annual mean of 79°F. November to January are traditionally the coolest months with a 75°F average and May to September are the warmest at about a 81°F average. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South. Although the rainy season is usually between June and August and the dry season is between February and May, global weather changes are making historical predictions somewhat invalid. At the end of October, the weather does become cooler, and from November to February, it is pleasant with occasional rain showers. Logistics Belize is roughly two hours out of Miami, Houston or Dallas and is serviced daily by AA, Continental, and TACA. Unlike much of Central and South America, food and water quality is not an issue in Belize. US citizens do not require a visa to visit Belize, US dollars, travelers checks, and credit cards are readily accepted. Belize has two internal airlines with flights to most major inland locations occurring on the hour. Belize has an excellent British installed telecommunications system with direct international dialing via BTL, ATandT, MCI, and Sprint – IDD cell-phones and beepers can be easily arranged for and rented short term. Electricity is 110 volts. No adapters are necessary for U.S. appliances. Some remote hotels have electricity furnished by generators. What to Bring - Good sunscreen is a must. Insect repellent is useful during jungle hikes or when the air is calm along the coastline. Film, batteries, cosmetics, health and beauty aids, and snack foods are expensive and brands are limited. Drinkable water is generally not a problem. What to Wear - Shorts, T-shirts and sundresses are the rule of the day. You'll want sandals for the "surf" and comfortable sneakers for the "turf" portion of the trip. Bring a sweater or sweatshirt for evenings during winter, especially in the mountains. Long pants are a necessity in the jungle. AMENITIES: ACTIVITIES: Experience the kaleidoscope of natural wonders that Belize has to offer with the Lamanai Outpost Lodge - the premier lodge in Belize for activities. Transport yourself back in time to the days of the ancient Maya, the logwood cutters, the chicleros gathering chicle for chewing gum, the English colonials... the possibilities are endless. Read about the activities here, and then read about your guides. Night Spotlight River Safari The Spotlight Safari offers visitors the opportunity to see nocturnal wildlife up-close and personal from the comfort and safety of a custom-built safari river boat. Depending on the season, wildlife may include: Morelet's Crocodiles, Yucatan Nightjar, Common Potoo, arboreal porcupine and even some of our native cats. Lamanai Maya Ruins Tour Explore the mysterious jungle-shrouded temples of Lamanai with one of our guides, well-versed in the history and culture of this fascinating civilization. Learn about the history of such structures as the "mask" temple, the "jaguar" temple, and the Lord Smoking Shell stela. Of course, the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve is a major site with excavations still underway, so new information may come to light with each visit. Guided Sunrise Canoe Trip A canoe trip with the rising sun and waking birds through mist-covered waters is a wonderful way to start the day at Lamanai. The trip takes you across the lagoon and up Dawson Creek where you may find yourself surrounded by various egrets and herons, Northern Jacanas, Limpkins, Rufous-browed Peppershrikes, and often the elusive Black Catbird, a species considered near-threatened by BirdLife International. Sunset Lagoon Trip There can be no finer way to end the day: on a boat in the New River Lagoon, surrounded by tropical forest and wildlife, a well-stocked cooler on board, and the orange glow of the sky as the sun sets. An indescribable feeling of relaxation comes over you as you return to the lodge for dinner at the end of your adventure-filled day. Herbal Medicine Walk Tropical forest plants hold the key to unlocking the secret of how to wipe out most any ailment. These chemicals - called secondary compounds - are often produced by the plant as protection against insects and other herbivores. Many modern drugs (aspirin for example) come from these compounds, but most plants have not been investigated by scientists for their effects on disease. On the other hand, the medicinal properties of local plants are well-known to indigenous peoples and you will gain some of this insight on this fascinating tour. Guided Birdwalk Perhaps you're just a budding birder or would just like to broaden your knowledge yet again. In addition to our Three Night and Five Night Tropical Birding Packages we offer "a la carte" walks focusing on the local bird life. We offer guided walks through the forest, through the milpas and on the savannah. More than 375 species have been recorded around Lamanai, and even a short visit is bound to turn up numerous species. Dawn River Cruise Dawn is one of the best times for birds, and this river cruise is designed for excellent bird viewing opportunities. The New River is home to many species, including Roseate Spoonbill, Great Black Hawk, Social Flycatcher and more. Your guide will point out termite nests, wild orchids and more on this spectacular starter trip. Night Jungle Walk Ever wonder what it's like to wander through the jungle at night? The jungle changes completely at night, and what better way to experience it than by taking a walk? Listen to the cacophony of insects, frogs and birds calling all around you, while a bat swoops overhead. Wildlife varies from day to day, but Owls, frogs, snakes, and mammals are all possibilties. Belize's big cats are active at night, so keep your eyes open! Imagine standing atop the High Temple, peering over the forest canopy, as the sun sets and flocks of parrots blur by--raucously-- near your feet. You are facing south, and immediately before you is a Maya ball court enshrouded by trees. Just to your left is the New River Lagoon, and in the distance, the majestic Maya Mountains…you raise your binoculars to watch a Black Howler Monkey in the tree tops below you. She has a baby on her back, and as she moves, suddenly you see the top of a thatched roof cabana. The Lamanai Outpost Lodge blends almost imperceptibly with this landscape of lush forests, ubiquitous wildlife, and towering Maya ruins that is the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. Laman'ai (a corruption of "Lam'an/ayin", Mayan for "submerged crocodile") is an ancient Maya center known to have been continuously occupied for almost three millennia beginning in approximately 1500 B.C., one of the longest known occupation spans of any Maya site. Today, approximately 720 structures have been mapped within an area of 4.6 sq. km, 70 of which have been excavated to varying degrees. This is a very exciting time to be visiting the ancient Maya city Lamanai - archaeologists are actively excavating as part of a major reconstruction project and the discovery of tombs, burials and artifacts is an almost daily occurrence - visitors often have the opportunity to meet the project's archaeologists and gain a better understanding of the work in progress. NEWSFLASH*** The Lamanai Falcons recently completed the Belize Audubon Society's 4th annual birdathon. View the report and species list here! Located along the banks of the 28-mile long New River Lagoon, the area surrounding the Lamanai Outpost Lodge and the Lamanai Field Research Center is perhaps the best-kept birding secret in Belize. Over 375 species of birds have been recorded here in a variety of habitats from vast wetlands to broadleaf forest to pine savanna. All of these habitats are found within a two-mile radius of the lodge and are easily accessible by boat, canoe or trails. The most popular way to enjoy all that we have to offer is through one of our Three Night or Five Night Tropical Birding Packages to make the most of your time with us. Various birding excursions are structured to visit a maximum number of habitats and maximize the number of species you will experience. Spend a morning canoeing up Dawson Creek to look for Agami Herons, an evening watching the Jabiru stork on her nest, or a night watching the Yucatan Nightjar perched silently in the spotlight. Contact our booking office or see the Rates Page for details on prices and a la carte birding activities that can be added to The Outpost's regular packages. Founded in 1992, the Lamanai Field Research Center (LFRC) supports an array of projects in biological and anthropological sciences. The funds for this research come from a combination of outside sources (such as granting agencies) and a portion of the revenue generated by the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. All projects encourage varying degrees of guest involvement. Lamanai Outpost Lodge introduces clients to some of the best birding in Central America, as well as opportunities to help support work conducted at LFRC that Outpost guests help support. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Hotel Beach Location: Off Beach (Tropical Setting) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/lamanaioutpostlodge/hotel/1563/3/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:41:13 EST