Posts Tagged ‘Cultural’
November 27th, 2009 | 
Author: Roatan, Bay islands, HONDURAS – - Maya sea caves and fringing coral reefs â theyâre all in a dayâs dive in the Bay Islands of Roatan, Honduras. With no phones and no TVs, Anthonyâs Key Resort (AKR) offers travelers rustic elegance with cabanas on the beach and resident parrots in the trees.
Anthonyâs Key Resort is a certified, all-inclusive diving resort perched on the edge of the worldâs second longest barrier reef. Roughly 96 per cent of all species found anywhere in the Caribbean can be seen on the Bay Islandsâ reefs. Divers can observe a myriad of marine life including reef sharks, bottlenose dolphins, parrotfish, seahorses and sea fans. Guests are free to explore the many wrecks nearby, including a sunken plane covered with sea grass and coral sand. With water visibility ranging from 75 to 150 feet (25-43 metres), and 35 distinct dive sites 5 to 30 minutes away, the possibilities underwater are unlimited.
Thanks to AKR, Roatanâs newest and finest cultural attraction will give visitors a little taste of Honduras all in one place.
Maya Key is located in the harbor of Coxen Hole, Roatan. Opened to visitors in the first week in June, 2009, Maya Key boasts reconstructions of Copanâs famous Maya ruins, a native arts & crafts studio, a traditional Maya village, and a wildlife rescue center displaying many of Hondurasâ diverse wild animal species.
âHonduras is a small but diverse and culturally rich country and we want to pay tribute to that,â says Samir Galindo, General Manager of AKR. âWe are very proud of our country and we want the world to get to know us better.â
Maya Key will operate on a beautiful 11.5 acre private key conveniently located just three minutes across the bay from the Roatan cruise ship terminal, home to the familiar Fins and Flippers program operated by AKR. This key offers two secluded beaches, excellent snorkeling from a scenic pier, a 70,000 gallon swimming pool, a 5,000 square foot lounge deck and lush garden paths bursting with indigenous flora. Within minutes guests can enjoy the sand and surf of the Caribbean upon arriving at the cruise ship terminal.
Twenty years ago AKR pioneered Hondurasâ only research and educational dolphin program, the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS). The Institute is a unique on-site research and educational facility with the only dolphin program in Honduras. As one of Roatanâs first dive resorts over the years Anthonyâs has expanded to include the RIMS, the Roatan Museum, a fully-equipped medical center, dolphin activities and now Maya Key.
Anthonyâs Key Resort is a five-star PADI Instructor Development Center, offering a full range of courses and certifications for all levels, including Open-water Certification, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Adventure Diver. For children, they offer a Dolphin SCUBA Camp and SASY (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth) programs.
The all-inclusive dive resort is located 35 mi (56km) off the coast of Honduras on Roatan, Bay Islands, part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world.
IF YOU GO:
1-800-227-3483 or (954) 929-0090 in the US
Honduras Tourism: http://www.letsgohonduras.com
Jamie Gripich is a professional freelance writer, editor and communications consultant living in Victoria, B.C. who has written on diverse subjects such as the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, to the peace and tranquility of B.C.’s West Coast resorts and retreats.
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