At this point, we are staying on Amergis Caye for 5 nights and have one more night in Belize. Is it worthwhile to stay inland at a jungle lodge for our first night in Belize before heading to the beach? It would be nice to see some wildlife and/or do a tour (maybe caves?). We arrive at 3pm and would check into our hotel in Ambergis on the next day.

If it's worth it, do you have suggestions of places that our closer to the airport/water taxi?

Thanks!

How about the Tropical Ed Center at the Belize Zoo or the Community Baboon Sanctuary? Both are within 45 minutes or so of the airport and offer jungle and animals.

I think if I were going to stay at a jungle lodge, I'd want to spend at least a couple of nights there. If you don't arrive until three, and then get checked into your hotel, it doesn't allow you much time to tour if you're going on to Ambergris the next day. We loved the jungle lodge where we stayed, but the wildlife wasn't as abundant there as what we've seen when we've gone to CR.

hopefulist, I've heard good things about the zoo and it seems doable. Where would be a good area to stay? I've heard mixed things about Belize City.

volcanogirl, I originally planned on 2-3 nights, but we found a great 5 night package via luxurylink and we have 6 nights total in Belize. I think experiencing a jungle environment along with the zoo might be all we can do.

www.cavesbranch.com

is very nice if budget is good

and you can work your schedule out.

Happy Hunting,

The last I heard, the zoo was closed from the hurricane, so double check to make sure it's back open. Luxury Link is awesome. We've had good luck with them.

Here's the zoo website: http://belizezoo.org/
volcanogirl is right, the zoo is currently closed but set to reopen December 1st. Caves Branch is cool but requires a shuttle or an additional leg or 2 of travel (shuttle recommended in your case). Also, last I heard they still weren't taking reservations for less than 3 nights. Keep us posted!

We are going in late March so hopefully the zoo will be open but if not we are flexible. Caves Branch is a place I was looking at, along with Belize Jungle Dome but I worried about their distance. I might inquire if they take 1 night reservations. After your recommendations, I found this place that looks like it might work for one night as it's only 30 minutes from the airport: http://www.howlermonkeyresort.bz/ Has anyone heard of it? It seems to get good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Would we be better off renting a car for a day for flexibility to visit the zoo, for example, or is it easiest to get transfers from the lodges?

Thanks for your help.

Does anyone have any feedback regarding the howler monkey resort? It sounds like a possibility for us as well. We will be inland for 2nights but only one full day.

Or any other recommendations on staying in Belize City and catching a tour group from there?

We stayed at the Nature Resort at the Community Baboon Sanctuary in case that interests anyone; you can read my review on www.tripadvisor.com