San Antonio (Belize)

[[file:Caribbean default banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Travel to San Antonio San Antonio is a village in the Toledo District of southern Belize. The village was established by Mopan Maya who fled across the Guatemalan border in 1883 from San Luis, Peten, in order to avoid persecution and military service.

Deer_dance_toledo_belize - Deer Dancers taking a well earned break. The Deer Dance is performed in several Maya villages in the Toledo DistrictThe village sits among several small hills, with traditional thatched houses spread high to low, and intersected by several gently-flowing streams. The village Catholic Church is built of limestone salvaged from surrounding Maya ruins, transported by the villagers, and the stained glass windows were donated from a church in Missouri. The village celebrates the Feast of San Luis - the village patron - with a performance of the Deer Dance, which is held over several days. The dance of the holy deer represents the relationship between humanity and nature.

San Antonio is the most developed village in the Toledo District, with electricity, community telephone, a central water system, a new health centre, several small shops, and a drying and purchasing centre for the Toledo Cacao Growers Association.

Local Languages

Although this Mopan Maya village is the largest in Toledo, Mopan Maya is spoken by only a small number of people (varying sources suggest between 5,000 and 7,000 in southern Belize and Guatemala combined). The language is distinct from Kekchi Maya, but close to Yucatec (Mopan speakers can largely follow the dialogue in Mel Gibson's film Apocalypto without needing to read the sub-titles).

Most, if not all and the villagers speak English, and many also speak Spanish and Kekchi Maya.

Travel to San Antonio (Belize)

Take the unpaved road inland from 'Dump' junction at the Southern Highway towards Mafredi, and continue on this road for a further couple of miles (do not turn left at Mafredi, which would take you to Blue Creek)

San Antonio is served by two village busses (Chun's Bus, and Coc's Bus) and Bol's Bus (to Jalacte), Cindy's Bus (to Jalacte) and Chen's Bus (to San Vicente) also stop at San Antonio. The bus fare is BZ$3, and the journey from Punta Gorda takes around an hour.

Busses from Jose Maria Nunez Street, Punta Gorda:

• 6am: Bol's Bus to Jalacte
• 11am: Cindy's Bus to Jalacte
• 11.30am Chun's Bus to Jalacte
• 12pm: Chun's Bus to San Antonio
• 12pm: Coc's Bus to San Antonio
• 12pm: Chen's Bus to San Vicente

Get Around

The village is small and easily walked. Some villagers have horses, and although no formal horse-riding is available it's worth asking!

What to See

The San Antonio Falls (Noh-sus) are located a mile west of the village, heading towards the village of Santa Cruz - you'll see the sign welcoming you to the falls on your right-hand side. The falls gently cascade 8 feet over limestone rock, and the swimmingpool below is perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day, surrounded by lush vegetation, brightly coloured dragonflies, and hummingbirds.

Further upstream and the Falls' local management team have cut trails for adventuring the surrounding jungle. They have also constructed palaps, tables, and changing rooms and the entrance to the Falls. Entrance fee BZ$2 - BZ$5.

Things to Do

San_antonio_falls_toledo_belize2 - San Antonio Falls

• Visit the San Antonio Falls, take a swim, and hike the jungle trails
• Visit the craft-makers, and learn about the traditional Maya blouses still worn by some ladies
• Talk to the friendly villagers to learn more about their culture

Muslim Friendly Shopping in San Antonio (Belize)

Some ladies in the village make crafts, and you should ask for directions to the houses. The traditional Maya earrings you see worn by many ladies in Toledo are sometimes available from Mr Bol's shop on the left-hand side as you enter the village. Although commonplace in Toledo and they are rarely worn elsewhere.

Halal Restaurants in San Antonio (Belize)

There is no restaurant in the village, although with advance notice you can arrange meals through the TEA village guesthouse (breakfast and dinner BZ$6.50, dinner BZ$8), or buy Snacks in one of the small local shops.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to San Antonio (Belize)

San Antonio (Belize) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to San Antonio (Belize), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for San Antonio (Belize). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in San Antonio (Belize) and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to San Antonio (Belize). The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to San Antonio (Belize). Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSan Antonio (Belize): A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in San Antonio (Belize).

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in San Antonio (Belize): A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in San Antonio (Belize), allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in San Antonio (Belize).

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Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in San Antonio (Belize), enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

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Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in San Antonio (Belize), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in San Antonio (Belize), a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of San Antonio (Belize) without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for San Antonio (Belize) is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring San Antonio (Belize).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group San Antonio (Belize) is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in San Antonio (Belize), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group San Antonio (Belize) Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

The Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) operates a village guesthouse, where guests interact with the villagers but sleep in a purpose-built guesthouse to allow for privacy on both sides (BZ$22 per person). They provide food on request, and guided tours.

Bol's Hilltop Hotel has rustic rooms with shared bath for BZ$15.

Telecommunications in San Antonio (Belize)

Trained guides (through the TEA scheme) are Reyes Chun, Luciana Chun, Fedelia Chiac.

Travel Next

• Lubaantun
• Punta Gorda (Belize)

Coc's Bus leaves San Antonio for PG around 1.30pm, and Bol's Bus passes through San Antonio on its journey from Jalacte back to PG around 4.30pm. Ask in the village whether the schedule has changed.

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