La Ruta Maya Canoe Race in Belize - 2007 Banana Bank

Belize Kayaking Video - La Ruta Maya Canoe Race

La Ruta Maya Canoe Race in Belize

The tenth annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge -- the longest canoe race in Central America - will take to the river from March 8th - 11th, 2007

Beginning in the scenic foothills of the Maya Mountains and finishing in the bustling port city of Belize City, the race will travel from West to East along the historic river trail of the Macal and Belize Rivers. Once the only link between the two coasts, these tributaries served as a major trading route for Belize's once powerful Mayan civilization. Today, the La Ruta Maya River trail still follows in the footsteps of its legendary past with a route of lush, unspoiled landscapes lined with exotic flora and fauna.

In addition to being hailed as Belize's most competitive sporting event, La Ruta Maya River Challenge is also one of the country's largest collaborative conservation efforts. Held in the spirit of preservation and revitalization of Belize's precious waterways, the La Ruta Maya will donate all proceeds to local environmental groups that help sustain and keep the river clean.

La Ruta Maya Canoe race passes by the front door of the Belize Jungle Dome and makes camp for the first stopover night on the river Bank next to the Lodge. Availability for a 3 Night minimum stay is still available to view the spectacular start of the second days racing. Contact Belize Jungle Dome on 501 (Belize country code) 822 2124 or email at info@greendragonbelize.com.

For more information on the race, please contact race headquarters at 501-824-2444, or contact the Belize Tourism Board at 501-223-1913, www.travelbelize.org.

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La Ruta Maya with Pete & Becky Binion, College Station, Texas, USA

Getting Ready for LA RUTA MAYA

We arrived from Texas today and will be hanging around a couple of days. Our son is participating in Belize’s annual canoe race with a fellow paddler from Texas ~ Richard Steppe ~ and Belizian Great Alex Lisby. Our longtime friends from California met us here and it is going to be great catching up! Cave Tube tour tomorrow then the race begins Friday…..this trip is to celebrate my 50th birthday 28th anniversary with the sexiest man alive! To be continued…..

March 3, 2006….
Our last night here….it’s been great! Everyone here makes you feel like family…so warm and caring. (I just read some past entries in this guest book and apparently everyone feels this way after a stay at the Jungle Dome!)
The race has begun and our guys are going for it! We will continue to follow the race but down the river.

Live strong & prosper!
Pete & Becky Binion, College Station, Texas

The team finished 6th in a very tough Ruta Maya. Congrats fellows