Belize on a budget
Sep 9th, 2010, 05:46 AM
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Belize on a budget
We are planning a week -10 day trip to Belize the first of March 2011. It will be a very tight budget. Mainly want to dive (have our own gear) and explore/hike. Any suggestions would be appreciated...restaurants, dive companies, hotels. If we wanted to go over to Guatemalan ruin would it be easier to just take a bus? How much do they typically cost for a day or 1/2 day trip?
Sep 9th, 2010, 06:37 AM
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The most significant savings you can start with is flying into Cancun and taking the bus to Belize. Generally, you will save hundreds of dollars each.
Belize is considered the most expensive destination in Central America. That said, there are reasonably priced places to stay all along the coast. Look at Caye Caulker as your base for diving.
Then, head to San Ignacio for hiking and ruins. It's easy to get to Tikal in Guatemala from there.
Or, switch the itinerary and head to San Ignacio first.
Belize is considered the most expensive destination in Central America. That said, there are reasonably priced places to stay all along the coast. Look at Caye Caulker as your base for diving.
Then, head to San Ignacio for hiking and ruins. It's easy to get to Tikal in Guatemala from there.
Or, switch the itinerary and head to San Ignacio first.
Sep 9th, 2010, 08:59 AM
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The bus ride is about six hours. We hopped on the Riviera bus right at the Cancun airport and headed for Playa del Carmen. Then, took another bus to Chetumal. You can also go from the airport in Cancun to the bus station in Cancun and take a bus directly to Chetumal. But, that's backtracking.
It really isn't a bad ride, although we've usually broken it up by spending a night in Tulum. The buses are really nice, although I darn near froze the a/c was so cold. The locals mostly had blankets....
Right now the price difference from here is almost $400.00 a person. Not practical if you only have a week, but if it's longer, it's the way I'd do it.
It really isn't a bad ride, although we've usually broken it up by spending a night in Tulum. The buses are really nice, although I darn near froze the a/c was so cold. The locals mostly had blankets....
Right now the price difference from here is almost $400.00 a person. Not practical if you only have a week, but if it's longer, it's the way I'd do it.
Sep 9th, 2010, 03:14 PM
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I'd start in the San Ignacio area and finish on Caye Caulker. The Trek Stop is a great budget place west of SI: www.thetrekstop.com
Here are my photos with travelogue/blog links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
Happy trails!
Here are my photos with travelogue/blog links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
Happy trails!
Sep 9th, 2010, 07:18 PM
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I should say that we've loved everyplace we've stayed and everything we've done on our 2 trips to Belize and it's all there in the travelogues.
Tikal can be done as a day trip but if you can swing an overnight stay you'll never be sorry; it's incredible to explore the ruins and gorgeous surrounding jungle in the cooler evening and early morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the place to yourselves. You can check on tour costs with Pacz Tours and Maya Walk, or bus to the border and take a shuttle ($50+ each way?) on the Guatemala side. You can take a bus from the border but it will veer off toward Flores 45 minutes or so from Tikal.
http://www.pacztours.net/
http://www.mayawalk.com/
Tikal can be done as a day trip but if you can swing an overnight stay you'll never be sorry; it's incredible to explore the ruins and gorgeous surrounding jungle in the cooler evening and early morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the place to yourselves. You can check on tour costs with Pacz Tours and Maya Walk, or bus to the border and take a shuttle ($50+ each way?) on the Guatemala side. You can take a bus from the border but it will veer off toward Flores 45 minutes or so from Tikal.
http://www.pacztours.net/
http://www.mayawalk.com/
Sep 13th, 2010, 11:59 AM
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Excellent combination! By diving/snorkeling (island) and exploring/hiking (inland) you will definitely experience the best of what Belize as a destination has to offer! I think that you should begin your trip on the island and then head inland as Tikal is easily accessible from the Twin Towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. Many tour companies offer Tikal as a day trip or you can choose to take a bus on your own there. Enjoy yourself and create lasting memories!
