Tell Me About Belize
 

We are going to Belize for a week in January. Does anyone have any tips about what to do, where to dine, what to expect from this experience. Thanks!

what to expect? just play it as it comes and when it is over, you still can't answer that question.

Oh my, Belize? where in Belize are you going. My husband and I went last year as budget travelers. I hope you have more money than we do. What is your intent on going? diving, jungle, adventure? It is a beautiful country but very third world and a little intimidating. I dont get intimidated easily, I lived and worked in the Caribbean for a year. Belize is a whole different ball of wax. Very third world and I would recommend staying in the nicest of hotels or you may be in for an adventure. We spent approx. $6,000.00 Canadian and that was camping for a week on an island and one week in Ambergris Key ( great place for a week) I thanked god every day for keeping us alive while we explored the rest of the island on our own out side of Ambergis Key. I found most of the natives hostile and aggressive. Saying all of that, we are divers and had the best dives of our life, and the worst one all within a week. Bad experience had nothing to do with the water just the dive operator. Unbelievable. I now have great adventure stories to tell my unborn children and grandchildren. I am 30 years old and very adventurous. Good luck. If you want more info please do not hesitate to e-mail me at [email protected]. Happy holidays. Diane.

Belize was definitely a mixed bag for me. We stayed on Ambergris Caye - thank goodness, the mainland looked pretty scary... I can't remember the name of our hotel, but it was featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." I'm neither rich nor famous, but this place offered the most spartan accommodations I've ever seen. One thing the brochures won't show you is that there are NO beaches. The coral reef is about 100 yards out, so b/t that and the shore are coral heads and sea grass. It makes for super snorkeling, but nonexitant beaches. I got certified to dive there and that was the best part of all. Definitely plan to dive or take a resort dive when you're there - you won't regret it. Deep sea fishing was a blast too. The food and water was of the calibur of Mexico - so take extra precautions. The sunrises (about 5:15am) are gorgeous. Bottom line - if you're into water sports, you'll have a great time.

I was in Belize and Honduras in late September/early October. I'm not a diver so I was really disappointed in Belize. We sailed on Windjammer's Fantome and were in a different location every day. There really are no beachs to speak of and on one snorkeling trip we were taken to a small island that was a national park. It was filthy....garbage piled up on the very small beach! My friend who is a diver said the diving was okay. Many divers said the snorkeling was better than the diving.

Have to agree with Jenny that Belize City is not the place to be wearing a Mr. T starter kit. However Ambergris and Caye Caulker offer all the amenities you could want. Wish I could have stayed at the Journey's End where Madonna stays and easy access to Mexico rocks, but you can still access it by water or air. I'm not rich or famous but still like to push the Bellikan beer budget for a taste of champange and the kaliedascope of colour on the reef!