Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort, an eco sensitive resort built in Southern Belize on 1,300 feet of private beach, encompasses over 300 acres of untouched land. Kanantik consists of 25 separate, individual air-conditioned cabanas, each indulgently spacious and luxurious. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/kanantik/hotel/390/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Sat, 6 Sep 2008 17:16:38 EST Unusual and distinct birds and wildlife join together to provide a surround-sound of amazing clarity and resonance. Kanantik is the only Resort in Belize able to offer the best of two worlds; built on the seashore yet with all the fascination of the jungle. GARIFUNA DANCERS The Garifuna people of Belize, direct descendants of a group of African slaves who escaped two ship-wrecked Spanish slave ships near St. Vincent in 1635, celebrate a diverse and rich culture that is a blend of African traditions of music, dance and religious ceremonies; Native American farming, hunting, and fishing techniques; and a French and Arawak influenced language. Guests of Kanantik can witness traditional Garifuna songs and dance styles as a local Garifuna dance group performs at the resort weekly. THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF KANANTIK Cuisine worth leaving home for. Our chef brings the flair for local flavors together with a splash of our Italian heritage. The resulting Creole-Mediterranean cuisine gives a taste of both cultures. Imagine. An authentic firewood Italian pizza oven, pasta maker, gelato machine. And of course, a real expresso machine. Dining by the sea...it truely does not get any better than this. AMENITIES: Luxuriate in solitude...individual cabañas are each an oasis unto itself Each one of our 25 thatched-roof cabañas is indulgently spacious and luxurious, all with air conditioning. Each is set apart for maximum privacy. Designed with a unique blend of Mayan tradition and contemporary style. Choose king or double-bedded cabañas, all with handcrafted furnishings and a large deck for relaxing. In designing Kanantik, we set out to offer a one-of-a-kind blend of luxury and seclusion. From the interior design, styled in the Mayan tradition, and the hand crafted furnishing to the vast amounts of preserved forest, we included and preserved all that is beautiful from the area and added superb service and excellent cuisine. We have an Italian fire wood pizza oven, an authentic gelato machine, and of course our bar is equipped with espresso machine! There is a complete dive shop with a Newton 42' dive boat; a Newton 32' deep sea fishing boat; 1300 feet of palm shaded private beach; swimming in our freshwater pool; sailing on our Hobie Cat sailboat; sea kayaking; snorkeling; excursions to nearby Sapodilla Lagoon where you may see manatee; river canoeing; birding; forest and jungle hiking; or just lazing in your hammock. Every day is exactly as you want it to be. ACTIVITIES: You're here. What to do? Our Mayan tour guides will take you deep in the forest, canoeing in scenic, nearly uncharted rivers, to the adjacent Sapodilla Lagoon where manatee can be seen, or to the Cockscomb Basin, the world's first jaguar sanctuary - all 150,000 acres of it. Scenic hikes led by Kanantik guides take guests to dazzling waterfalls. Hummingbirds and butterflies flock to the flowering plants that line the trail while several of the 500 species of birds that call Belize home can be spotted in the towering trees above. We chose this spot for Kanantik because the beach and reef are the best we've seen in Belize. We actually flew down the coast and studied the tides and marine life before deciding to develop our resort here. Why? Because we're divers...we're sea lovers too. Here at the sea's edge, you'll discover why we love this spot. Three Hobie Cats will get you offshore fast. There are plenty of sea kayaks that will help you explore the nearby coast...and help you work up an appetite for dinner. Imagine. It's sunrise...and our guides have lead you to one of our two observation towers in the jungle. The sights and sounds of the birds and the jungle creatures come alive. Just after sunrise is ideal, of course, for spying the countless variety of birds. And, perhaps you'll get lucky and spot one of the wild jaguars that roam there...spottings are frequent enough that we see one perhaps 50 or 60 times a year. Bring your zoom lenses! Belize, often referred to as the "Heart of the Maya" due to its high concentration of Maya sites, is part of the Mundo Maya (Maya World), an international program established to preserve the rich Maya culture. The program was developed by the countries that were once part of the Maya Empire; Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Dating back to as early as 1500 B.C., the Maya civilization, possibly the most sophisticated civilization in the ancient Americas, mysteriously and dramatically declined by the year 900. Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort guides will take you on a journey to experience the glory and awe of Xunantunich ("Maiden Rock"). Located close to the Guatemalan border and overlooking the Mopal River, Xunantunich is surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces, including El Castillo (The Castle). This historic ceremonial center is located on a natural limestone ridge, rising 135-feet, providing a panoramic view of the Cayo District. The 2.5-hour drive takes guests on the Hummingbird Highway where guests will enjoy the breathtaking sites from Kanantik's new, air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz tour vans. This is one of the tours included in our "One Rate, All Included Package". BIRD WATCHING: Kanantik offers daily-guided walks at sunrise through the nearby jungle on the resorts property where you can see different species of birds, plants and other wildlife. Visit our two observation towers for panoramic view of the Mayan Mountains, savannah and forest. COCKSCOMB BASIN JAGUAR PRESERVE: Kanantik offers daily hikes to the world's only Jaguar preserve, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition to the Jaguar, the Cockscomb Basin's diverse ecosystem protects a sizable percentage of Belize's plant and animal species, including the endangered Ocelot, Margay, Baird's tapir and Scarlet Macaw. This 150,000-acre national park offers a variety of trails to explore. The tour includes a local craft shop at Maya Center Village at the entrance of the park. The tour departs Kanantik at 8:30 am and returns for lunch at the resort. RIVER CANOEING: The river canoeing trip includes a scenic drive through the savannah in our Unimog Mercedes as we head to the nearby Cabbage Haul Creek. As you paddle through the calm creek, once used for logging purposes, keep your eyes open for manatees, birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and other wildlife. The creek reaches the adjacent Sapodilla Lagoon. MAYFLOWER WATERFALL: Mayflower Bocawina National Park is home to the Mayan ruins of Maintzunun, Mayflower and T'au Witz. Join our guides as they a 40-minute hike to waterfalls, ruins and hilltops with views of the coastal plains and the Caribbean coastline. The 45-minute drive to Mayflower Bocawina National Park offers views of Belize's southern region. Be sure to bring your swimsuit, sneakers and binoculars. It is an excellent location for bird watching. XUNANTUNICH MAYAN RUIN: An all day tour which leaves at 8:00am and it will take you on a two and a half hours drive through the scenic Hummingbird highway. You will be passing through the citrus valley, the lush forest at the foot of the Mayan mountains, Belmopan, the Capital of Belize and close to the border with Guatemala. A ferry will take you over the Mopan River where the magnificent Mayan Ruin of Xunantunich will be waiting for your visit. You will have lunch at Clarissa Falls, a little resort overlooking the Mopan River. SAPODILLA LAGOON: Join a tour on Kanantik's outboard skiff as we search for the Trichechus manatus manatus, also known as the Caribbean manatee. It is believed that the stories from sailors of mermaids (half woman, half fish) were caused by sighting of manatees. Manatees, also called sea cows, can be 9 ft long with a weight of 790-1200 lbs. As a supporter of the protection of the manatee, Kanantik keeps a respectful distance from Belize's wildlife. SNORKELING: Explore Belize's rich marine life on a snorkeling trip aboard Kanantik‚s 42-foot diving boat. Snorkeling sites include the Belize Barrier Reef, the world's second largest barrier reef and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located 12 miles east of Kanantik, snorkeling trips are a full day tour. The boat departs at 9 am with lunch served onboard. Snorkeling gear is provided. SCUBA DIVING: For an underwater view of Belize's spectacular reefs, certified divers can enjoy a two-tank guided boat dive. This full day dive experience departs daily at 9 am. Our Dive master Alberto Faux is available to answer questions and provide information on our diving program and sites. Diving gear and lunch is provided. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Resort Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/kanantik/hotel/390/3/ Sat, 6 Sep 2008 17:16:38 EST