4x4 needed in belize?
 

is a 4x4 needed for travel on main highways in belize.

No. The main roads (Northern, Southern, Western, Hummingbird highways) are good paved two lane roads. Even on tertiary roads you rarely need 4-wheel drive.

--Lan Sluder

thanks for the info. another question. recommend any real estate companies for retirement/investment. thanks

It depends on where you are looking for property in Belize. Most companies are essentially local, though some have listings or will show property all over Belize.

Bill and Jenny Wildman (he's currently in Consejo near Corozal Town, she's in Placencia) are very knowledgeable about real estate in Belize and are straight-shooters. Bill is a surveyer and has been in Belize for 30 some years. Their contact information:

Bayhore Limited, 100 Embarcadero road, Maya Beach, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District, tel.
501-523-8019; www.bayshorebelize.com, e-mail [email protected]

Belize Land Consultants (Bill Wildman), P.O. Box 35, Corozal Town, tel. 501-423-1005, fax 423-1006; e-mail [email protected]

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd just continue this one. My husband and I have reserved a rental car (4x4) to get us from Belize City to San Ignacio and back on our vacation to Belize next week. However I just read the following on the Belize guide part of Fodors.com:

"Avoid renting a car, as the rates are astronomical and the road conditions unpleasant at best".

Anyone have any experience driving in Belize who can shed some light? I'm pretty brave and have driven internationally, but I'd like to know what to expect!

Thanks :-)

I do the Belize part of Fodor's Belize & Guatemala. Not sure how that sentence you quote got in -- maybe it was left over from years ago or was added by an editor in New York.

In all my books on Belize (half a dozen) I routinely recommend renting a car. It's the best way to see the mainland of Belize. The main roads in Belize are now all pretty good, with improved signage, and while 4-wheel drive is good insurance you probably won't need it.

--Lan Sluder