Belize Travel Forum

Hi all

We are planning a visit at Christmas which will mainly be in Belize (although it does concern a couple of other places too). The weather seems good this time of year, and we aim to get around by car (if this is feasible). We have 16 days total but this comes down to 14 once we knock off the 2 international flights to Cancun - It seems this is the cheapest way to get to this part of the world from UK. We are interested in mainly Mayan sites, trekking, jungles, rivers, old towns and the odd beach. Neither of us can dive properly but we would like to somehow see some of the reef.

As we are going to fly to Cancun we want to go to a few ruins in Yucatan and then drive down to Belize and see the many places there (with good relaxation time too). We would also like to go to Tikal from San Ignacio. This appears to be a good base for other activities too.

Is this feasible in a 14 day period? We are used to lots of driving. But the total distance over that period is far less than other road trips we have done. We would have to get back from Flores to Cancun at the end of the trip for the return flight. I've never driven across borders with a car. Is this allowed from Mexico to Belize? Do we even need a car on this trip?

Any help with a short itinery would be much appricated as this is our first time to Central America.

thanks in advance
mike and lisa

Where in Belize did you snorkel with turtles?

Hello,
I am planning our 10 day honeymoon at the end of August and was wondering if anyone could offer some suggestions on things to do and areas to stay in? This is our first time to Belize and we haven't booked at any hotels yet so we are free to travel around.

Since it's our honeymoon, we wouldn't mind some romantic and luxurious accomodations. Also, we would love to experience the culture. My fiance is really into scuba diving and we would love to do other physical activities (zip trekking, etc.). Where would be the best beaches (white sand, clear waters) in Belize? Does anyone know the weather during August?

I've heard that Ambergis Caye, Placencia and Caye Caulker are nice places to visit. It was also suggested to stay in a lodge in a tropical forest.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
K

What is the temperature in July in Belize|?

Hi All,

My husband and I are traveling to Belize this summer and we will begin our trip in San Ignacio. From BC what is the best way to travel to San Ignacio? We would like to go to Tikal for an overnight trip. Any suggestions on best way to get there and a good (affordable) place to stay? Also, how long of a trip is it from San Ignacio?

We want to end our trip in the cayes and are thinking of either Tobacco or Grovers Atoll...any suggestions?

Thank you !

Sum

Has anyone been here? It looks really cool and they seem to offer so much in the way of seeing so many different things. I just don't want to stay at some resort with all the touristy type of stuff. I want to get out and see as much as possible in about 9 days. Anyone have experience with them and your thoughts? Pro/Cons? Worth the price?

www.cavesbranch.com

I was just wondering if I can use my bank issued mastercard debit card in place of using a regular credit card or carrying cash. Should be ok, right?

I am totally confused in what island to chose for 3 days stay. I had my mind on Caulker but just found out that the water there is very shallow. I was told that islands in the south (Tobacco?) have deep water but in a rain zone.

What would you recommend? I want good possibility to swim, but I also want to go diving and deep sea fishing. How are waters/beaches in Ambergis? Placencia? Any other places?

What should I choose?

After reading many advices the itinerary started to look like this:

Sat: arr. to BC around 10, renting a car, driving to San Ignacio. If have time, go to see Xunantunich.

Sun: Go to caves (which?) and ziplines (which?). Is "Green Hole Drop Caving and Abseiling Adventure" a good choice? It would be nice also to do some hiking.

Mon: Driving to Tikal in the morning, day at Tikal, stay overnight at Flores

Tue: Possibly see sunrise at Tikal, possibly do something at Lake Peten Itza and drive to BC. If we can make it, take a ferry to Cayes Caulkes (?)

Wed: Ferry to Cayes (if not on Tue), day at the beach.

Thu: Diving for me, snorkeling for the children

Fri: Deep sea fishing
Sat: Ferry to BC and flying out.

What do you think? Is this the best way to spend days at San Ignacio?
Any recommendations for places to stay?

How long is the drive BC-SI? SI-Tikal? Tikal-BC?
Any interesting places to stop along the way?

Hi,

A friend and I will be traveling through Belize from April 5-13, and we were hoping to get involved in some sort of service project while we are there. Does anyone know of any organization in need of help or volunteer opportunities that may be available? We are one male and one female, both in medical school. We would love any kind of volunteer work, anywhere in Belize--building, teaching, doing health screens, etc. Any suggestions or contacts would be very much appreciated! Thanks, Stacey

Hallo,

I will be in CHetumal in 2 weeks and I plan to visit Belize city for a day or two. Do you know if there is any tour operator providing 1 or 2 day(s) trip? Or are there any regular buses running from Chetumal to Belize and back? Thanks for any tip.

Jan

We booked water taxis through the Caye Caulker Water Taxi website. The page says arrangements can be made for pickup at the International Airport, but no details of how to reserve. Do we just look for a water taxi sign at the airport?
thanks,
sabby54

We have a 20 foot RV. We'd like to be somewhere we can

1 snorkel without getting into a boat,

2 use internet with a wireless, dialup or a cable connection,

3 call internationally for less than a fortune,

4 have our Mexican cell phone connected so that we can receive calls,

5 plug in to electricity every few days to charge the batteries.

6 fill up our wash water tank

7 fill our 20 liter drinking water containers

8 Let our cat out without being hassled by too many dogs

9 Somewhere not crowded

10 Somewhere beautiful

We're used to dry camping and rarely seeing other tourists, so this is kind of an experiment for us.

Possible?

If it's really good, we might do it for quite a few months.



Serious responses very much appreciated. Quick would be lovely: we're on the border.

We are planning to go to Belize in the last week of April. 2 adults, 2 children 9 and 13y.o. Very active. What will be the best itinerary?
I am thinking to spend one day/night in Tikal and last 2 days somewhere on the beach, preferably, with good diving.

Can someone offer any suggestions?

Are there any problems finding a car w/automatic transmission there?

About a year ago I found a great deal on a very private villa in Belize. I don't remember if it was one of those resorts which have several private villas in a certain area or not. I'm wondering what some good deals are for trips to belize more suited for a couple? We'd love to snorkel from the beach as much as possible and for it to be an uncrowded area. Is that asking for too much?

I'm going on a cruise and wil be in Belize City for one day. What can you recommend to go see and do?

I am going on a cruise with my husband and two sons - 12 and 16. We can't decide between cave tubing/rappelling and snorkeling. Both are once in a lifetime opportunities. We aren't really physically active, which may be required for the tubing/rappelling excursion.

Can anyone give me pros and cons of both to help us decide?

Thanks
Carol

My wife and two teenage boys are going to Belize this summer. My boys like to
body surf and swim, but the beaches in the cayes appear to be wave-less and
grassy. Are there any beaches in Belize that have surfable, grass-free beaches? We also want to snorkel and kayak so we could possibly split time between the cayes/reef area and another location. Any suggestions?

My famiy and I plan to travel to Belize this spring. We are interested in itineraries. Also, can we travel on our own or is it better to join a tour-group. Thanks.

Hi, I am interested in snorkelling in Belize. I was wondering if a person could venture from the shore (my husband will not get in a boat!) Where would be the best location to snorkel off shore?

THANKS
M.

I am planning a trip to Belize by land in my Jeep Comando I will be leaving from Salt lake.

Some of the questions I have are:

1. Has anyone traved from the US to Belize?

2. Do I need a Visa for Mexico and Belize along with my passport?

3. Does any one want to go with me?

4. And what is the best route?

Hello, I am coming to Placencia in February with my husband. Our plane arrives Feb. 3rd 11:56am. I saw that the next flight to Placencia goes out at 1:30pm. Is it better to reserve two seats at that time of year?
Also, we are thinking about going back to Belize City by bus... any thoughts on that or should we rather book right away round trip tickets?
Our plane out of Belize City leaves March 7th 12:55pm.

Also, at the time I booked this all, it was not that easy to find a suitable flight out and we ended up with 33 days in Belize instead of the allowed 30 days... do we have to especially make a trip out of the country to Guatemala for example to extend for 3 days or can this get arranged once we go through customs?? As they will see anyway the dates of our trip and the extend of our stay...

Also, I've heard that Skin so soft from Avon works very well against sand flies... any experience and input from anyone?? Should we bring mosquito stuff with deet or purchase once we arrive??

Thanks so much for your help! I look forward to any answer :))) and to our holidays!

Beate :))

Hello! No one mentioned if they served a lobster dinner. I'm sure they do... Has anyone had it? If so how was it??? I'm a die-hard lobster fan...drooling at the thought..haha...thanks! Beth

Please Help! Are there flights from Belize City to Cancun? I need to purchase a one-way ticket from BC to Cancun and I have been unable to find any information? Can anyone please provide me with some information...what airline, cost of a one-way ticket, etc.? Or should I just contact a travel agent that's located in BC? Thank you for reading my post.

I'm landing in Belize City by cruise ship and would like to swim with the whale sharks and sting-rays. What is the best way to get there and find a good guide?

Hello,

I am planning a trip to Belize for next February. I plan to travel solo. I'm hoping for a relaxing vacation with some adventures. Since I'll be alone, I'd like there to be some type of social scene (but I'm not thinking Cancun crazy, just people around to talk to). I was originally thinking of staying at either Matachica (Amber Cay) or Jaguar Reef (in Dangriga). I am trying to decide whether to go to Ambergis Caye or further South, since I'd like to see the rain forest a bit too. I'm looking for nice beachfront accomodations that aren't too overly priced, b/c the budget is a factor. I'd like it to be easy to eat, drink, relax, go out out on an adventure, and socialize some. Any suggestions on where to stay?

We made the 3600 mile trek from California to Belize...yahoo!!!

Now we have an opportunity to fly to San Pedro for the night - and I don't know what to do with my dog...yikes!

Does anyone have any information on dog kennels in the area? It's not my first choice, but I don't know anyone here yet and am feeling a bit stuck

Thanks - you guys are always soooo helpful!

I'll be in San Pedro for two weeks at christmas this year.What's the going rate for a gas powered cart now? any deals for two weeks? I've rented from Ultimate cart rental before-Are they still in bussiness?I'll need to rent the usual assortment of toys as well.Anyone know who could deliver some kayaks to us?-We'll be staying in Reef Village-Thanks-C

I will be going to San Ignacio from Chetumal with 1 two year old girl and my wife. We want to travel by bus, but we are having trouble finding details on bus schedules.

1) Should we bring a car seat for our two year old?
2) What times do the buses leave Chetumal for San Ignacio?
3) I see on the forum Premire is a good system, but there are also mini-vans, but there might not be an actual bus terminal like in Mexico and that things are more informal. What are the mechanics? How do I acquire tickets before hand and how do I determine the schedule?

Thank you,
Antonio

I will be going on a cruise to Western Caribbean, and stopping at Belize. We have a chance to see either Altun Ha or Xunantunich Mayan sites, and I am having a hard time deciding which would be the best to see. I have personally been to Chichen Itza and Coba, but the person I am travelling with has never been to a Mayan ruin. We would like to see lots of excavated building/temples, and to have the opportunity if we wish to climb a major El Castillo. We have been doing a lot of research, and each one has their good and bad points, we just don't want to get to a site and find the buildings are all grass and trees. We are not concerned about walking long distances,or a long bus ride from the cruise port, we just want lots of excavated amazing ruins. Hope you can help us out a little.