Yoga Adventure to Belize

In 2016, I took my very 1st trip to South America. As someone who had never flown outside of the country before, I was a little bit nervous about the journey. The inspiration for my trip was to embark on a 17-day immersion yoga teacher training. Yoga has been a big part of my life and I was excited for the opportunity for personal growth in my own practice. I did know Kali who is the founder of The Devotional School of Yoga and would be putting on the training. I felt comfort in having a sense of community in my travels even if she was the only person I knew. I was also grateful that she set the framework for what I would need to do prior to my travels.

First Steps for Traveling to Belize

Step 1: Obtaining a passport
This process can take 2-8 weeks so starting this process ASAP is recommend.
Step 2: Choosing a time to travel
The weather was perfect for the yoga teacher training which extended from the end of May to the middle of June.

-Dry season: December-May

-Wet/hurricane season: June-November

Step 3: Choosing a place to stay
There are many beautiful resorts to stay at in Belize. The yoga teacher training was at Ak'bol an eco resort that is specifically designed for yoga retreats.

Step 4: Plane tickets
I was able to book a flight on United Airlines and flew from Phoenix International Airport to Phillip S W Gordon International Airport in Belize City for around $700 after taxes and fees.
Step 5: Getting to the island
The retreat itself was on the island of Ambergris Caye, a major island off the coast of mainland Belize. In order to get there it is necessary to take a smaller plane "puddle jumper" from the mainland.
There are 2 common airlines for this: Tropic Air and Maya Island

Flight from Tropic Air descending into Ambergris Caye

Navigating the Island of Ambergris Caye

Transportation: The Island of Ambergris Caye is about 25 miles (40 km) long. For the most part, locals either ride bikes or drive a golf cart to get around. It is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea which is warm, shallow and crystal blue around.

Golf carts parked on the very busy streets of San Pedro

Language: Many of the locals spoke English or Spanish but they also speak "Beilzean Creole" which is a combination of English and Spanish.
Currency: The current currency exchange rate is $1 BZ=$0.50 US. Everywhere I went on the island accepted US dollars and there are also ATM's available.
Things to do: Tourism is a very important component to the economy of Belize. The staff at Ak'bol were so helpful assisting with booking excursions. There is a very long list of things to do on the island: Snorkeling, kayaking, exploring local ruins, catamaran sailing, parasailing, wind surfing, kite boarding, zip lining, horseback riding fishing, helicopter rides. The most famous activity is scuba diving The Great Blue Hole a giant marine sink hole filled with stalactites.

Biking

My 1st day on the island, I walked to Maya House which is just south of Ak'bol. I rented a bike for a bout $5 US and was able to cruise from one end of the island to the next. They also rent kayaks and paddle boards.

Cave tubing/Xunantunich Maya ruin

Day two: I went on an all day excursion where we traveled by boat to mainland Belize to see the impressive Mayan ruin known as Xunantunich "The Stone Lady". We stopped along the way to see manatee's in the water, birds an bats.

Cave Tubing

Our local guide drifted us through a cave stream on tubes while we learned about the culture and customs of the Mayan people.

Hol Chan National Reserve & Shark Ray Alley

We went out in the ocean by boat and snorkeled through a protected reef. We swam with sea turtles, sting rays, colorful fish and even nurse sharks. Don't worry they're a friendly shark!

Crocodile Educational Tour

This was an evening tour. From a small boat, our small group searched the mangroves and channels for the endangered American Crocodile. We learned interesting facts about the behavior, biology, and habitat of these fascinating and intelligent creatures. We watched as our guide/crocodile expert from ACES organization slipped carefully into the water to capture a wild crocodile and bring it back onto the boat! The primary job of this organization is to monitor the health and safety of the crocodiles. We observed as the expert did a health assessment before being releasing it back into the wild.

(Please click on the hyperlink above if you would like to donate to the ACES organization or learn more about them)

Yoga Teacher Training

Venue

Kali could not have picked a better venue! Ak'bol is truly a secluded paradise designed for yoga retreats. We practiced yoga daily on out on the water. There is nothing more thrilling to be practicing yoga with the sea breeze in your face and look out to see a family of dolphins in the distance!

*** A couple months after the retreat ended a hurricane destroyed the pier where we practiced and it has since been rebuilt.

Accommodations

Private seafront cabana: Arriving a day early, I decided to book one of these rooms for myself. I loved the attached outside shower, where local iguanas occasionally like to hang out.

The view from inside my seafront cabana

Private garden cabana
Village rooms: This is where we stayed as a group in dorm style single or double occupancy rooms. There are separate men's and woman's locker room style showers/bathrooms.

Meals

All meals vegetarian and vegan. Meals were freshly prepared and Ayurveda inspired.

Local food: panades and pupusas

Drinking Water

It is important not to drink the water from the tap. There were several people in our group that developed a tummy bug after brushing their teeth with the tap water. There is filtered drinking water available.

Teacher Training

Kali put together a thorough and thought out curriculum. We even has a couple of informative guest speakers.

Our days consisted of...

3 yoga classes daily
Exploration of different yoga styles and techniques
Ethics and elements of becoming a successful yoga instructor.
Meditation
Journaling
Books
Yoga Philosophy
Yamas+Niyamas (Learning about the 8 limbs of yoga)
Anatomy of Yoga

Click on the links above if you are interested in is reading either book. I may receive a small commission from Amazon for your purchase.

For more information about future trainings and retreats, please visit Kali's website at The Devotional School of Yoga

Supplies

Yoga Mat: I have used Jade Harmony Yoga Mats for years. I find them to be durable, slide resistant and a comfortable thickness.
Yoga Blocks: Blocks can be used as a tool for proper alignment and support.
Yoga Strap: Straps can help to improve flexibility without over extending the body, allows for a deeper stretch while still being able to maintain proper alignment.

Additional materials NOT brought on the retreat
Yoga Blanket: Blankets are beneficial for padding hard surfaces of the body against the ground or elevating the hips.
Yoga Bolster: Often used in restorative yoga, bolsters provide support allowing the body to release pressure and tension.

Click on the links above if you are interested in yoga supplies. I may receive a small commission from Amazon for your purchase.

La Isla Bonita

You all may remember the song La Isla Bonita by Madonna. This song is rumored to be about San Pedro which is the bustling town on the southern most tip of Ambergris Caye. Traveling to Belize was one of the most incredible and memorable experiences. The greatest part of the journey was meeting new friends and being part of a community. I was able to leave the island feeling healthier mind, body and spirit. In 17 days, we were able to complete an RYS 200 hour yoga teacher training and I was excited to dream about where yoga would take me next!

Update

On May 1, 2023 the owners of Ak'bol retired and sold their yoga retreat.

It is now Castaway Belize Beach Resort & Restaurant | Seafood restaurant in belize | San Pedro, Belize