Ally

Hi,<BR><BR>We are planing a trip to Belize in February but only have 8 full days and want to explore lots of different areas:<BR><BR>Here is our itinerary:<BR>Arrive in Belize City at 3:30 PM - catch a bus to St Ignacio<BR>Day 1 St Ignacio - go caving (maybe with Ian Anderson or some other people)<BR>Day 2 Catch a bus (van, etc) to Flores Guatemala - explore Flores<BR>Day 3 Tikal - and going back to St Ignacio if possible in the evening.<BR>Day 4 St Ignacio - explore Xanantunich vs some other caves vs ???<BR>Day 5 St Ignacio<BR>Day 6 Go to Ambergris Caye <BR>Day 7 Ambergris Caye <BR>Day 8 Ambergris Caye <BR>Fly home<BR><BR>Questions:<BR>1.Is our itinerary too ambitious?2.How is the bus service in Belize - do they run anywhere close to schedule?<BR>3.What's the best method of transportation in Cayo to get the most of our stay there? We want to see ruins/caves/jungle? <BR>4. Is there a direct bus (van) from Tikal to St Ignacio in the evening?<BR>5. We are not backpackers, but are on the budget. What would be the best accommodations in Cayo, provided we want to do self-guided trips (except caving). We enjoy picturesque, quiet, not so touristy places that are close to nature. <BR><BR>We appreciate all the comments and suggestions.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Ally &amp; Lev

Lan Sluder

I think your itinerary is fine.<BR><BR>Buses on the Western Highway BZE City to Benque route are frequent, every half hour or so. Get an express if you prefer not to make a lot of local stops. Once in Cayo, there's not much bus service except along the main road, the Western Highway. To destinations off the highway you'll need to take a taxi or a tour (or rent a car).<BR><BR>You can get a van from Tikal or Flores to the border, then take a collective or a bus into San Ignacio.<BR><BR>For moderate lodging around San Ignacio, I'd look at Chaa Creek's safari camp (US$100 double including meals). Also, Clarissa Falls (simple accommodations are pricey for what you get but nice hosts and excellent food), Green Heaven Lodge and Crystal Paradise. Also the cheaper digs at duPlooy's. Back closer to Belmopan Pook's Hill and Banana Bank are good moderate-level places. A real bargain in town (actually in Santa Elena which melds into San Ignacio) is Aguada, US$30 double for an A/C room, new, and a pool.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR>&lt;for e-mail delete NOSPAM&gt;

bill

Am booking a last minute trip to Belize and want to know out the following choices what would be the best in terms of overall experience, friendliness, and tours: Windy Hill, Cahal Pech, Duplooys and Black Rock

sharon

Hello - the buses do run frequently. But they stop frequently too, to pick up passengers. Some people we met at Tobacco Caye had a terrible experience at Aguada, so I would not recommend it. Apparently the sheets and towels were threadbare, food was bad, and they got horrible bed bug bites. If you want to stay in town, and then catch one of many tours doing all of the things you want, I would recommend Martha's guest house. We splurged on the top floor suite - $52! It's a beautiful, clean place to stay in San Ignacio.

Lan Sluder

Re Sharon's comment about Aguada: At my magazine, Belize First, we have probably received two or three dozen reports by readers on Aguada and every single one has been positive, some enthusiastically so. I was there a few month's ago, and everything was very nice. Martha's is nice, too.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR>www.belizefirst.com

sharon

Hi Lan,<BR><BR>Thanks for your help in planning our trip! Regarding Aguada, we nearly stayed there based on your recommendations, but decided on SI instead and went with your suggestion of Martha's. Granted, we didn't stay at or see Aguada, but the women who stayed there had done research and stayed there based on so many positive comments online. I wish I could remember everything they told us about the place, but it sounded nothing like how everyone else described it. They said they would be going online to discuss and air their grievances, so maybe they will and you can hear their story directly. But again, we loved Martha's, outside of barking dogs and roosters, which no one can control! <BR>best,<BR>Sharon