William And Kate's Belizean Getaway

Prince William and Kate Middleton stayed at the luxurious San Ignacio Resort Hotel during their visit to Belize as part of their royal tour of the Caribbean to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. The couple explored the natural beauty and rich culture of the country, including a visit to the ancient Maya City of Caracol, where they climbed to the top of the highest temple, Caana. They also visited the village of Maya Centre in the Stann Creek District, where they learned about the process of making chocolate at Che 'il Mayan Chocolate.

Protests over land rights

The residents of Indian Creek, who are predominantly indigenous Q'eqehi Maya people, were already in a land dispute with Flora and Fauna International (FFI), a conservation group of which Prince William is a patron. FFI had recently purchased the area known as Boden Creek, which was previously a privately maintained reserve for ecotourism, with the stated intention of stopping poachers and illegal logging and protecting wildlife. However, the residents of Indian Creek argue that the territory belongs to their communal lands and that no one should have private ownership. They claim that FFI has put aside 12,000 acres of land as "private property" and is refusing to let the local community take it as its own.

The residents of Indian Creek held a protest against the royal visit, with signs reading "Colonial Legacy of THEFT Continues With Prince & FFI", "Not your land, not your decision", and "Prince William, leave our land". Sebastian Shol, the chairman of Indian Creek village, told the media: "We don't want them to land on our land, that's the message that we want to send. They could land anywhere, but not on our land."

In response to the protests, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said: "We can confirm that due to sensitive issues involving the community in Indian Creek, the visit has been moved to a different location. Further details will be provided in due course." The Belize government also issued a statement, saying: "Indian Creek was one of several sites being considered. Due to issues in the village, the government of Belize activated its contingency planning and another venue has been selected to showcase Maya family entrepreneurship in the cacao industry."

Visit to San Ignacio Resort Hotel

On their royal tour of the Caribbean, Prince William and Kate Middleton stayed at the luxurious San Ignacio Resort Hotel in Belize. The hotel is located in San Ignacio Town, a place where "Belize's heartbeat meets eco-tourism". The royal couple explored the natural beauty and rich culture of the country, visiting some of its most stunning destinations.

One of the highlights of their trip was their visit to the ancient Maya City of Caracol, where they climbed to the top of the highest temple, Caana. The panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve were breathtaking. The visit to Caracol showcased the lasting impact of the ancient Maya civilisation on the region, with Belizeans still celebrating Maya traditions and festivals.

In addition to exploring archaeological sites, Prince William and Kate also immersed themselves in the local culture. They visited the village of Maya Centre in the Stann Creek District, where they learned about the traditional process of making chocolate at Che 'il Mayan Chocolate. They also joined in a Garifuna dance with locals in the coastal Garifuna community of Hopkins.

The royal couple's visit to Belize highlighted the country's growing popularity as a must-visit destination, with its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and vibrant culture. They expressed their hope to return to Belize with their family in the future, wanting to share the beauty and richness of the country with their children.

The San Ignacio Resort Hotel is known for providing a comfortable and luxurious stay for its guests, making it a popular choice for those seeking to explore all that Belize has to offer. The hotel's website mentions its world-class amenities and services, ensuring that guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience during their time in Belize.

Tour of a chocolate factory

Belize is known for its chocolate, and there are several chocolate factories and cacao farms that offer tours to visitors. Here is a detailed itinerary for a tour of a chocolate factory in Belize, inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton's visit to the country during their royal tour of the Caribbean.

The day begins with a visit to the Maya Center community in the Stann Creek District. Here, you will find a cacao farm, where a farmer will guide you through the history of their organic cacao farm and the process of making chocolate. You will have the opportunity to touch and taste organic cacao beans straight from the tree.

Next, you will learn the traditional Mayan method of grinding cacao beans into a paste using a stone grinder. At AJAW Chocolate & Crafts in San Ignacio, you will be taught how to mix this paste with spices to create a chocolate drink, just as the ancient Maya did. You will also be able to purchase chocolate bars, cocoa powder, and other souvenirs at their gift shop.

After this, you will head to the Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, where you will be able to make your own chocolate bar from start to finish. This half-day tour includes learning about the harvesting and roasting process, as well as the history and cultural significance of chocolate in the Mayan world.

Finally, you will visit Taste Belize, where you will be guided through the chocolate trails by an expert. You will learn about cacao cultivation and the history of chocolate, as well as meet local chocolatiers. You will also get to sample farm-to-table chocolate and make your own chocolate from bean to bar.

Throughout the day, you will gain insight into the ancient Maya history and culture surrounding chocolate, which was so valuable that it was once used as currency. This itinerary offers a comprehensive and immersive experience of Belize's chocolate industry and its deep roots in Mayan tradition.

Exploration of ancient Mayan ruins

Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The country is dotted with Mayan ruins, which are a testament to the rich history and culture of the Mayan civilisation.

One of the most notable Mayan ruins in Belize is Caracol, an ancient city that was once one of the most powerful in the Mayan world. Home to about 120,000 people, Caracol boasts majestic temples, including the tallest man-made structure in Belize, the Caana pyramid. Visitors can climb to the top of the temple and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The site also features five plazas and an astronomical observatory.

Another impressive set of Mayan ruins is Cahal Pech, located just outside of San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley. Cahal Pech was originally built as a place for the wealthy, with several pyramids, residence buildings, and courtyards. The site consists of over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat house, all situated on just 2 acres of land.

Xunantunich, located near the village of San Jose Succotz, is another popular Mayan ruin site in Belize. To reach Xunantunich, visitors must take a free ferry across the Mopan River. The site features Belize's second-tallest ruin, sun god bas-relief masks on building walls, six plazas, and remnants of over 25 palaces and temples.

Altun Ha is also worth mentioning, as it is one of the easiest Mayan ruin sites to access, with flat grassland terrain and no steep hills. The site features two large central plazas and pyramids, and it is so beloved by Belizeans that it is featured on the national currency and the bottles of the country's leading beer, Belikin.

Finally, Lamanai, located in northern Belize, is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in the country. Situated near the New River Lagoon, Lamanai offers a spectacular jungle setting along with its impressive ruins.

Meeting with the country's Prime Minister

Prince William and Kate Middleton's visit to Belize was not without controversy. The couple faced protests from locals in Indian Creek, who opposed their helicopter landing on a local football pitch and disputed the use of their ancestral land. These tensions led to the cancellation of their first major engagement—a visit to Akte'il Ha cacao farm in Indian Creek.

Despite this setback, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge proceeded with their tour of Belize, which included a meeting with the country's Prime Minister, Johnny Briceno, and his wife, Her Excellency Rosanna Briceno. The meeting took place at the Laing Building in Belize City, marking the beginning of their week-long tour of the Caribbean.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the royal couple, expressing his delight in having them in Belize. He wished them a fruitful and memorable visit. The meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen ties between Belize and the United Kingdom, with Prince William and Kate representing Queen Elizabeth during their tour.

The visit to Belize was part of a larger trip to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and strengthen relations with Caribbean nations where the Queen remains the head of state. The tour also included stops in Jamaica and the Bahamas, marking the couple's first major overseas tour since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In contrast to the protests in Belize, the royal couple received a grand welcome from the Belize Defence Force, who formed a guard of honour upon their arrival. William and Kate were greeted with military tunes, and the Duke of Cambridge inspected the personnel.

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