JeanineMR

We (family of 4 - 2 adults, 2 teens) are fine tuning our trip to Belize in April. We have 10 nights in Belize. We are trying to figure out the best splitting of time. We go back and forth whether we should have 5 nights on the boat or 5 nights in the jungle. 1 night is in a hotel the first night, as we arrive in the evening.
Right now we have the following planned:
Day 1: arrive in Placencia at 4pm - spend night in hotel
Day 2: Charter a catamaran in Placencia bet 9am-12p (we're sailing ourselves - no crew) - sail
Day 2 - 6: sail around - we'd like to make it to Glover's Reef and visit several Cayes, snorkel a lot etc.
Cayes we think we'd like to visit: Coco Plum, South Water, Hatchet, South Long Cocoa, Laughingbird, Man O' War -open for suggestions!
Day 6: at 1p - get a ride to Table Rock Jungle Lodge
Day 7 - 11: 5 nights at the lodge. We want to do the all day tours at Tikal and ATM Cave, as well as visit the Mountain Pine Ridge area, and take advantage of the canoeing, tubing, biking, and hiking right from the lodge.

I'd love to hear from people who have done a trip similar to this. My husband feels we need one more night on the boat - and one less at the lodge. I don't want our time at the lodge to feel rushed - with 2 all-day trips (that we have all decided we want to do), we aren't left with much wiggle room to explore and change plans etc. However, I see my husband's point about the distances between the Cayes and not wanting to feel rushed on that end either.

Any advice would be appreciated. Also - has anyone stayed at Miller's Crossing Hotel on Placencia? We were being steered to Laru Beya by Moorings, but we didn't want to spend the $400 for one short night. So, I found this place on my own - and Trip Advisor had good reports.

Also - is there a side trip you'd recommend on our drive to the lodge from Placencia? The Zoo seems out of the way and the lodge persuaded me against it. I really wanted to visit - but I also don't want to over plan our time.

Thank you!

hopefulist

We love the zoo - maybe you could hit it on your last day if not before or after Placencia. It's really unique, will expose you to the indigenous critters of Belize, and plays an important role in environmental education and advocacy.

I'd consider an overnight to Tikal; it's amazing to explore the jungle and the ruins during the cooler evening and early morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the place to yourselves. With a day trip you'll spend more time in the vehicle than at the Maya site and will be there during the heat of the day. Crowds aren't too big of a deal, though, since it's a big site.

In Placencia we stayed in a little apartment at One World Rentals and loved it. It would be good for 1 night since you'd have everything in the village handy.
http://www.oneworldplacencia.com/

Can't help with the rest. Hope you'll post a trip report!