Hello Sirenian Bay friends!
Hugh Manatee here, reporting in with the latest from our little pocket of paradise.
Now, you might have a perception of life in Placencia being a languid combination of gorging on the catch of the day, relaxing by the sand and splashing about in the crystal-clear water. And you’d be right.
But there’s even more to it than that. There’s plenty of adventure that can be had by venturing off the well-trodden Boardwalk. Take the Mayan Sky Canopy Tour, a favorite of Brian and Brenda’s. Following their most recent trip, I sat them down to learn more about the experience.
“You don’t have to go far. It’s just 30 minutes up the road through the orange groves and rainforest,” says Brian. From there, the adventure begins: you meet your host, sign a waiver and get geared up and ready to go.
“You take some quick pictures to celebrate the moment, and then you’re off to the first of eleven platforms and seven lines,” says Brenda.
After this comes the safety briefing—and then the long deliberation over who gets to go first.
“There’s always a first timer who wants to watch a couple of brave souls go first before they’re willing to step up,” says Brian. “I guess that being 400 feet above the roaring river at the Maya Mountain foothills can be a bit intimidating at first!”
But all of that nervousness washes away once you make that first leap. The stunning rainforest unfolds beneath you, giving views usually reserved only for the local birdlife. In fact, if you’re lucky enough to visit between January and March, you just might share your journey with a handful of endangered Scarlet Macaws.
Confident zipliners can keep moving on through the remaining runs, while others can hone their skills on the easier runs. It’s also fine to opt out if ziplining isn’t for you! But few do: the excitement really amps up after the first run, with zipliners cheering each other on and marvelling at the sights.
“Each line is something a bit different,” says Brian. “Your guide will give you tips on how to make the most of it—whether you need to be ready to brake, whether you’ve got a long ride ahead, or whether you can hang upside down
After the seven heart-pounding runs, it’s time to move on to the second part of the adventure, which involves some much-needed cooling off.
“This is where you walk down to the river, put on your safety gear, and get ready to tube down almost two miles of the Stann Creek River,” says Brenda. “You’ll navigate some Class 2 rapids, and then relax on the slower parts, where you can just watch the jungle go by.”
Appetites are usually well and truly worked up by this point, and a picnic lunch and a swim at the waterfalls are next on the agenda.
“You can even put your feet in the water for a fish pedicure!” says Brenda.
Once back home, it’s time to settle back into the daily grind: napping, eating and relaxing. Sometimes I just don’t know how we do it!
Inspired? Check out more about the incredible world of ziplining at Mayan Sky Canopy Tours or book a tour with our friends at Truly Wild Belize.
This is Hugh Manatee signing off for now – stay tuna-ed for the next installment from the Resort!
