“Strap ‘em on and hit the road!”—Tranquilo article on adventure vacation with young children

June 22nd, 2010 | By Joshua | 3 Comments »

My family and I make an appearance in this article about voluntourism and family travel. It was written by Amy Hatch for aol.com’s parenting website:

Not Your Ordinary Summer: Taking A Family Adventure Vacation

I’m quoted about what age is appropriate to take a child abroad (I aimed low), but I especially like this line by Richard Webb, co-founder of ProWorld: “No matter what kind of adventure travel experience you decide on, the effect it has on your family will be immeasurable. There is so much learning that we get when we expose ourselves to others.” READ THE ARTICLE->

Volunteer opportunity in Belize: animal lover and vet wanted on Caye Caulker

June 13th, 2010 | By Joshua | 2 Comments »

This just in from the Voluntary Traveler: “PAW (Protect Animal Welfare) Cat Sanctuary and Humane Society on Caye Caulker … needs a long-term volunteer and a long-term veterinary volunteer. Stay three months helping the sanctuary and your beach-side accommodations plus a continental breakfast are provided for the duration of your stay.” MORE about the position and how to apply –>

P.S. I took this Belizean kitty photo in Placencia (not Caye Caulker), at the Maya Beach Hotel and Bistro

Glover’s Reef in the New York Times

April 27th, 2010 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Two of my favorite things in the world—sharks and Belize—are featured in Erik Olsen’s latest piece for the New York Times:“Protected Reef Offers Model for Conservation.”

Glover’s Reef is an astonishingly beautiful atoll, about 28 miles from the mainland. Olsen visited the Wildlife Conservation Society research station there and produced a video about the shark conservation project: “Hope for  Sharks and Reefs in Belize”

Regarding overall conservation efforts, one scientist is quoted: “I think Belize is doing a really good job, considering its resource base.”

Belize is one of Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations (and Nicaragua is dropped from list)

January 3rd, 2010 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Much respect to The Ethical Traveler, the world’s “first grass-roots alliance uniting adventurers, tourists, travel agencies, and outfitters” in the belief that “all travelers are, in effect, freelance ambassadors.” I’m happy to report that the ET included Belize on a very elite list, as reported in this article for the San Francisco Chronicle by Spud Hilton:

“The list is based on three general categories—environmental protection, social welfare and human rights—as well as a number of subcategories, including preservation of resources, mortality rate, civil liberties, safe drinking water and political rights, to name a few. The idea is that nations with responsible policies, not just sexy attractions, should be recognized and rewarded.” (more…)

5 Ways to Reduce Your Impact on Endangered Wildlife while Traveling in Belize and Other Countries

December 14th, 2009 | By Joshua | 2 Comments »

Parrot poaching is a big deal. Especially for the Yellow-headed Amazon parrot (Amazona oratrix), a gorgeous species under serious threat of extinction in the world. Its numbers plummeted from 70,000 to 7,000 in the last two decades. Human encroachment on natural habitat fuels nest-robbing for the illegal pet trade. Belize Bird Rescue, a non-profit organization operating on a private reserve in western Belize, reports that 65% of all wild-caught captive birds die before they reach sale. Of those that make it, most are sold to people who have no idea how to raise a baby parrot, so the majority die in their first year, or grow up with leg, foot, or wing deformities due to malnutrition.

In Belize, some poached birds are sold on the international market, while others end up in homes or in businesses who want to add “color” to attract tourists. That’s where you and I come in. (more…)

Tranquilo Traveler meets Where Am I Wearing

December 7th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Muchisimas gracias to the original touron himself, Kelsey Timmerman, for having me over for a beer and a guest spot on his blog, Where Am I Wearing? which is also the name of Kelsey’s excellent book, Where Am I Wearing? A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People that Make Our Clothes.

As I point out, you don’t see many “Made-in-Belize” labels (there is no garment industry there, unlike the rest of Central America), but if you know where to look, there are some wonderful cottage industries to explore. Kelsey’s next book is Where Am I Eating?, and I offer some suggestions for what I think would be a great chapter on the Fair Trade–certified cacao trade of southern Belize. Enjoy:

Joshua “You Better Belize It!” Berman

Tranquilo Travel Bloggers Caravan Comes to Belize!

December 6th, 2009 | By Joshua | 14 Comments »

Welcome travelers, bloggers, and free stuff–seekers! This month, I’ve joined 14 fellow travel writers in a giveaway of prizes including Westin and Marriott hotel stays, noise-cancelling headphones, digital cameras, luggage, camera bags, and a Lingo 16-Language Translator. Follow the fun here and cash in on the prizes daily.

Today, I’ll be giving away a fresh, autographed copy of my book, Moon Belize, AND a personal trip-consulting session with the author. To be entered into the drawing, all you have to do is leave a question or comment about Belize in the comments section below. What is your favorite thing about the country? What would you like to know about Belize? Good luck!

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day 2009! And spotlight on another Moon Belize contributor

November 19th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Today is the anniversary of my first day ever in Belize, 6 years ago, when I woke up on Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize City. Here is a fantastic piece by Susanne Hackett for National Geographic:

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day!

She writes, “While in Belize for Garifuna Settlement Day last year I had the opportunity to sit down with and interview Andy Palacio, the late musician and leader of the international movement to preserve Garifuna language and culture, two months before he died (more…)

Author interview on Gadling about Belize and beyond

November 17th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

From an interview with Gadling’s Brenda Yun:

GAD: With ever increasing eco-tourism and travel advancements in Belize, what kinds of changes do you see for the country as a travel destination within the next ten years?
JB: Belize is constantly walking the line of sustainability when it comes to tourism. There are always massive projects being proposed to increase cruise tourism, the airport, and the size of the developments on delicate islands and wetlands. But when it comes down to it, nearly 70 percent of Belize’s 500 or so hotels have 10 rooms or less. That means small structures, family-run hotels, and lower impacts on the environment than big resorts and mega-hotels, which are standard fare just up the coast in Cancun.

I also think that there are just too many forward-thinking people involved in Belize tourism to let it go astray. Belize recently hosted the third annual World Responsible Tourism Conference, which is a big deal. Ten years from now, I think Ambergris Caye and Placencia will continue to be built up, but the rest of the country will remain wild and small. We’ll see. READ THE WHOLE INTERVIEW->

Related: Moon Belize Book Giveaway & Review of Moon Belize

MOON BELIZE book giveaway! Deadline is Wednesday to leave a comment about your personal Belize must-see

November 16th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Next stop on my blog tour: the esteemed gadling.com, a fun and sharp travel blog I’ve been bookmarking for years (and I’m not just saying that because they liked my book). In any case, they are following up their book review with a giveaway. To win a copy of Moon Belize, read the rules and add a comment at the bottom of the giveaway page by Wednesday, identifying “the one activity/place in Belize that you would absolutely not want to pass up when you go there.”

Three sentence max. Go.