have fun in Belize. meanwhile please read answers to your almost identical post from August 31st

Author: Jenni_P
Date: 08/31/2004, 02:54 am
Message: My husband and I will be travelling to Belize over Thanksgiving. I am trying to figure out if we need to book our flights in advance or if it would better to rent a car. A friend that has been there a couple of years ago, said you really dont need to book ahead as they dont really follow schedules anyway. The hotels can just book one when you want to go. Not sure if this is still true...Also trying to decide if it would be better to drive.

Here is my tentative itinerary:
* Ambergris Caye - 4 nights
* Tikal - 1 night
* Cayo district - 1 night (although not sure where, as we like jungle and caves)
* Placencia - 3 nights
Back to Belize city and fly home



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Author: z
Date: 08/31/2004, 08:33 am
Message: I don't know who is your friend who told you this nonsense but Tropic Air follow its schedule. There may be some delays due to a weather or mechanical problems just like what you experience with big airlines such as Continental, Delta, British Air, AA, CA, TACA and many others. 10 times in Belize so I think I could say this is what we experienced and observed.
Only times it would make sense for you to rent a car is in Cayo on your road arrival from Tikal, then driving from there to Placencia and back to Belize International airport which is outside of Belize City. From San Pedro fly to Tikal. With one night in Cayo and before driving to Placencia you won't have much time for caving. Do you have accommodations arranged in Tikal?

I would skip Placencia this time and stay 2 nights in Tikal and 3 nights in Cayo. You won't be able and you really wouldn't want to drive your car to Tikal anyway.



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Author: LanSluder
Date: 08/31/2004, 10:29 am
Message: U.S. Thanksgiving can be a pretty busy time in Belize, so you might want to reserve ahead, either on-line or by phone or in-person after you arrive in Belize if you are not flying immediately after arrival in country. Both Tropic Air and Maya Air have good Web sites, and you can book on-line.

I agree that the Belize airlines do fly pretty much on schedule, though weather or something can affect them as anywhere.

--Lan Sluder

I would say if you are active travelers, two nights at Chaa Creek or in Plaecncia will not be enough. I might suggest cutting out one or the other beach destination and I would think an active person could prefer Placencia over Ambergris. Ambergris would be better for someone active at night and wanting restaurants, bars and small sandy streets with small shops to walk in and out of. If you want to see alot of Belize, stick with your schedule. If you want to soak up the flavor of the areas you visit, stay longer in fewer places. But up to you.