honeywhite

I'm planning a long weekend over Memorial Day with me, my husband and our 8 year old in Belize. My husband and I would like to take one day to dive (we especially want to check out the Blue Hole), but therefore we'd need to stay somewhere where they have good amenities for kids since our daughter wouldn't be able to join us for that. Any suggestions? I'm looking at Journey's End since some comments suggest it is good for kids, but would love advice. Thanks!

JeanH

I'd look at Banyan Bay. Nice stretch of beach, lovely two bedroom condos. Very nice pool. Restaurant on site. One of the few places on the island where it's easy to just walk into the water. (Most places have sea grass.)

Or, look at Xanadu, once again nice condos. There is a sea wall there, you'd need to swim off the dock.

On the southern edge of town is Ramon's. I'm not crazy about the rooms, but there's a nice stretch of beach, with walk in swimming. Or stay at the Palms or Belizean Reef, two condo properties that are very close to Ramon's, and you can swim off their beach. In that neighborhood, you're in easy walking distance to loads of food options in town.

Journey's End looks nice enough, although I find their price for a bottle of beer out of line. It's four miles north of town, you'd be dependent on a water taxi to get back and forth easily.

motmot

JeanH, what was the book we were talking about at your condo at dinner one night? I mentioned Jimmy Buffet's books and you mentioned somthing else. I was interested, but it has slipped my mind--hope it is still in yours! Thanks--Jill

JeanH

I'm guessing it's James Michner's 'Don't Stop the Carnival'. A bit dated, since it was written in the 50's, but still absolutely true in many parts of the Caribbean and Central America.

shillmac

Yeah, that's it! Thanks! Did you tell me there was something that goes with it? Or a related CD or something? I know that sounds odd, but we had this conversation. . .and I'm trying to pull it back out of the fog.

shillmac

OK, I've been "googling". The book is by Herman Wouk and apparently Jimmy Buffet did a short lived musical? So there is a soundtrack. . .did we talk about that?

shillmac

Sorry honeywhite. . didn't mean to hijack your thread.

Katie_Valk

The BH dive is 130 ft. If your husband has not been diving in a while, he should do at least one local reef check out dive beforehand. You can all go on the trip-its $250.00pp for divers and $185.00pp for snorkelers and its an incredible day. The boat ride is about 2.5 hrs each way. Journeys End has been better days and is far north of town. Buffetts play opened at the Coconut Grove theatre in Miami.

JeanH

Sorry about the author mix-up. I knew it didn't sound right when I wrote it, but was too lazy to look it up. At any rate, it's a fun read. I loaned my copy to someone, wish I could remember who....I guess memory is the first thing to go...

honeywhite

Thanks for the heads up on the BH dive Katie--we were in Roatan and Cozumel in April and dove there, but we are only certified to 100 feet so BH will have to be in the future when we have more advanced certification. In any case, there would still be lots of diving for us to do--I've looked at all of the resorts everyone here has very helpfully recommended, and none really look like they have a Kids Club--but if anyone has experience with using any of them for babysitting, I'd be grateful!

Katie_Valk

Assume any hotel you book will find you a babysitter, which I've arranged for many clients who were all pleased and happy with the sitters.