Sarteneja

The best way to learn about Sarteneja is to come here, explore the village by your own and talk with the people. We don’t want to tell to much about life here or publish pictures of individuals on Backpackers PARADISE web site. We respect the original community and the traditions of this village yet not disturbed and destroyed by mass-tourism. Traveling is to experience true life and real things that internet through the screen can not bring to anybody.

Contrary to the new Director of Tourism* in Belize we prefer to say: Keep it secret, because we exactly know how things are going on when big money comes and suck all energies.

Facts about Sarteneja

Map of Sarteneja by Edward, available at Backpackers Paradise

Sarteneja was originally a Maya village, squeezed between jungle and sea. It’s now mainly populated with the descendants from the Mestizos from the Yucatan, who repopulated the area after the Cast War.

Sarteneja is a peaceful traditional fishermen community, unspoiled by mass-tourism. This healthy environment between the bay that gives resources and the forest (where are the milpas = gardens) offer protection to the people.

Backpackers PARADISE 5 minutes walk out Sarteneja.

Accessible by bus and boat Sarteneja is out of the main path and that’s why it’s still peaceful.

The village has a unique taste of fishing tradition especially around easter when fishing boats are coming back from the reef to their place of birth to be repaired.

Edward paint this representation of the pyramids (exaggerated) where Mayans where probably doing sacrifices and games.

Culture of an ancient Maya settlement.

Here an excellent description of Sarteneja from the document ”Sarteneja Tourism Development plan” written by Zoe Walker from Wildtracks for the SACD:

”Sarteneja, with a resident population estimated at approximately 1,800, is the largest fishing village in Belize…The name is derived from the Yucatec Maya “Tzaten‐a‐Ha”, which is thought to translate as “water in the rock”.
The community was first established by the Maya, and is thought to have flourished between 600BC and 1200AD, covering the entire Classic period of Maya history. The village is built on the site of a large Maya settlement, and signs of the past Maya culture can be found everywhere. In the late 1980’s an archaeological study carried out in Sarteneja demonstrated that the area was once a prosperous, active, post‐classical seaport.

It is believed that Sarteneja may have held as many as 300‐400 ancient structures, with the site core being located 0.5 to 1.0km from the shoreline*. The architecture shows a strong Yucatec Maya influence, seen in rounded cornerstones, and carved limestone columns. The Maya are thought to have been attracted to the area by the salt pans, and the fisheries, both used as a source of income. The presence of object from non‐local resources ‐ obsidian and flint, jade and metates carved from volcanic rock, also suggest that this was a centre for long distance and regional trading, being an important stop‐over point for merchants and travellers. The area was a cross roads for people travelling between Mexico, the reef, and the Corozal region., suggest trading links with Maya from other areas.”

You can visit the Museum in the main street. (More info to come on bluegreenbelize.com free blogs…)

Our friend restaurant

Do you like mexican food and TV ?

Local restaurant: Estrella del Mar. The best and cheapest restaurant in town !
Our friends Pablito and Leli will welcome you to their family owned restaurant in the village.
Enjoy local food like fried fish, rice and beans, empenadas, buritos and much more.

That’s a true experience in Sarteneja ! Just need to ask for Pablito or Estrella del Mar !

Accommodations in town

We Support the Homestay Program in Sarteneja with the SACD and promote local initiatives in tourism rather than europeans or north-americans new arriving businness.
We shoud help the people of Belize to find their own way for a sustainable tourism from which they can profit.

Phone: 669-4911 or 423-2677

Sarteneja Easter Regatta

That’s the biggest events in Belize: visit our page about this unique festival of sails.

Also visit the new Official Web Site of the Easter-Regatta from the Sarteneja Tourism Committee for more information.

Here a watercolor from Jacques Bon french sailor around the world, excellent drawer he spent few days at the anchorage in front of the pear on his french sail boat. He then reach Rio Dulce.

More watercolors and drawing on this web site.