There are a whole lot of undiscovered, undeveloped tourist spots in the Corozal District. It’s a district that is still in its fledgling stage of tourism growth.  Nonetheless, there are hidden treasures galore nestled all along the 15 miles of the Progresso Lagoon. Spectacular sights, unexcavated Mayan sites and cultural melting pots are there ready to be discovered all through the lagoon and coastal areas of our northernmost district.

The first Annual Pibil Festival in Progresso on Sunday, July 30th enticed me to belatedly find out what an amazing neck of the woods Corozal District is. (Elsewhere in this issue you will find a full page pictorial spread on the festival.) Since I didn’t want to drive at night through an area I’m not familiar with I booked lodging a couple of miles southwest of the village, Fantasy Point Resort. 

  One of the Cabanas at Fantasy Point

Fantasy Point is one of those quixotic enterprises that are more based on love of an area than bottom-line demographics. The owners are Fred and Lorraine Smith. Fred is a retired Belizean who resided in the States since the Hurricane Hattie exodus in the early 60s and chose to return to his beloved homeland to enjoy his “golden years”. The Smiths most certainly decided to build in Progresso because of the sheer beauty of the place, and not because it’s some kind of tourist hot spot like the Mountain Pine Ridge in Cayo or the Rainforest in Toledo or the cayes. For right now Progresso is still something of a tourist cold spot in that virtually nothing is written about it in the trade journals and word-of-mouth is limited. It’s the great unknown. And the Smiths are tourism pioneers in the lagoon hinterland.

Three years ago after serving 35 years in the US Navy and Merchant Marines Fred moved back to Belize towing a 33 foot fishing boat. He moored the boat in the lagoon and lived on it for six months while his house was being built. Once that was finished wife Lorraine reunited with Fred and they both decided that a place as picturesque as “The Point” should be shared (and they hinted that they had too much free time on their hands) so they came up with the idea of developing the point into a resort. It became a labor of love.

Fantasy point is a cozy resort composed of four spic-n-span cabins (Aracari, Jabiru, Turtle Shell, Keel Billed) and a sprawling restaurant-bar-socializing center. The cabins all are nestled within a few feet of the banks of the lagoon and have to-die-for views of the flora and fauna on the alluvial planes and adjacent waterways.  The cabins are screened, have ceiling fans, cable TV and are furnished with meticulously crafted queen size beds, tables and chairs created by local artisans. The fan is hardly needed factoring in the hearty breeze that blows off the lagoon cools off the interiors just fine.

A brief note on the cuisine. The food is similar to that gourmet classy fare that was served up at Mama Noots in the Stann Creek District, (Backabush Nouveau Belize Cuisine, BELIZE TIMES May 8, 2005). Its Gringo style with a Belizean twist. The Mama Noots’ chef Tey is Fred’s relative and trained the Point’s cook. Word is the Progresso, Copper Bank and San Estevan villagers flock there to wine and dine. Looks like Fred and Lorraine are having a fairly busy retirement. They bucked the tide of tourism convention and came out on top.

Fantasy Point is that anomaly in tourist destinations: its strong suits are its scenery, its quietude and its low keyed ambience. The Point is a place to kick back and forget the hectic pace of 21st century life. A place to chill out and reconnect with nature; to savor the languid pace on a sparsely populated lagoon. Relaxation at its best.