Cayo Tour Guide Association (CTGA)

04/04/2025

01/04/2025

The Institute of Archaeology is saddened by news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. James F. Garber.

Jim first came to Belize as a graduate student in the late 1970s when he worked with Dr. David Freidel at Cerros in Chetumal Bay. During his time at Cerros, Jim was a key participant in the excavation of Structure 5C-2nd, or what has become known as the Mask Temple at Cerros. Following completion of his Ph.D. dissertation on the “Material Culture and Patterns of Artifact Consumption and Disposal at the Maya Site of Cerros in Northern Belize”, Jim joined the department of anthropology at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Around this same time, he began a joint project with Dr. Tom Guderjan on Ambergris Caye where they spent several years investigating Maya settlements and trading posts on the northern end of the island. Several years later, in the late 1990s, Jim moved to western Belize where he began work at Blackman Eddy, and where he teamed with Dr. Jaime Awe to pursue research at Cahal Pech. After more than a decade of work in the Belize River Valley, Jim began a collaborative project with the Institute of Archaeology to investigate Belize’s first capital at St. George’s Caye. Throughout his long and accomplished career, Dr. Garber contributed significantly to our knowledge of Belize’s prehistoric and historic past. It is for these many contributions, and especially for his lifelong dedication to the study of Belize’s cultural heritage, that we will forever remain grateful as we mourn the passing of our friend and colleague.

17/03/2025

Awesome job by everyone thank you so very much. Reminding everyone to practice pack in and pack out. Packout your garage when you leave.

17/03/2025

Thank you so very much! We truly do appreciate that. Pack in pack out! When visiting our beautiful Belize pack your garage into a garage bags and take it with you when you leave.

13/03/2025

👏👏👏

She Leads, We Celebrate: Women in Belizean Tourism!

Meet Timotea Mesh, a cultural ambassador, community leader, and champion for women’s empowerment. She founded the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative (SAWC) to uplift women, preserve Maya traditions, and create sustainable tourism opportunities.

Despite cultural barriers and personal challenges, Timotea pioneered work-from-home opportunities for artisans while building a thriving tour center and pottery workshop. Today, SAWC is an award-winning project, earning recognition from UNICEF, Green Destinations, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Her leadership ensures that Maya pottery, cuisine, and traditions remain at the heart of Belizean tourism. Timotea is proof that when women lead, entire communities thrive. Join us in celebrating her impact!

📍 Facebook: San Antonio Women's Cooperative

09/03/2025

Meet Azucena “Chena” Galvez, a pioneer in eco-tourism, cultural preservation, and sustainable business, who was raised on La Clarissa Ranch. At the tender age of 11, she saw the potential of Belize’s natural beauty and against all odds, she built Clarissa Falls Resort, proving that tourism can thrive while honoring culture and community.
For over 30 years, she has mentored young Belizeans, shared her knowledge of medicinal plants, and welcomed visitors with her signature warmth. She has made rural tourism sustainable, preserving Belizean cuisine, traditions, and the heart of Mestizo heritage.
Her journey is one of resilience, vision, and deep love for Belize. Join us in celebrating her incredible impact!
📍 Instagram:
📍 Facebook: Clarissa Falls Resort

08/03/2025

Happy Women's Day to all of our amazing Tour Guides ❤️

25/02/2025

Take note!

Prescribed burns will be conducted in our management area along the Mountian Pine Ridge A10 road from Feb 24 - 27. These controlled burns help reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, and support healthy landscapes.

Thank you for understanding as we work to promote fire safety and conservation 🔥🌿

15/02/2025

If you travel to the Mountain Pine Ridge (or anywhere) please do not leave your garage on site. You can fit it back into your cooler or into garage bags and take it with you. "Pack in pack out" it's easy! Thanks to Mr. Jaheem Lisbey who had some extra garbage bags we were able to remove this from here.

05/02/2025

The majestic Guanacaste tree is found growing in many areas around the town of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and it is certainly an icon of the west. This giant tree can grow well over 100 feet tall with a trunk of over 10 feet in diameter. With its huge canopy easily dwarfing anything beside it, it can be seen from a distance arching over the house roofs and it adds to the picturesque views seen from different vantage points around town.

The Enterolobium cyclocarpum, grows throughout Central and South America and is known under many names but locally as Guanacaste tree or monkey ear tree because of its peculiar seedpods that give the appearance of a monkey’s ear.

It is certainly the end of an era. On February 3, 2025, a large branch of the iconic Guanacaste tree at the Macal River Park gave way, possibly after years of termites and borer damage. The tree was approximately 80 to 90 years old. A couple hours later, the rest of the tree snapped and collapsed over the kiosk in the middle of the park. The clean-up has begun by the municipal officials and other volunteers, but as I made my way to the park to give my respects to the fallen tree, I also saw that salvage crews are cutting very large planks to be used in future projects like dining tables or art pieces.

The Macal River Park is used occasionally for different festivities like Independence Day and our yearly municipal Easter fair. The park is also site of the centennial pilar which was erected to commemorate 100 years since San Ignacio was declared a town in 1904.

25/01/2025