Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report Amazing trip to belize!!!

We just got back from an amazing trip to Belize!! Thanks to everyone that helped me with the planning!!
Day one-landed and was picked up By Edwin (Edwin's belize adventure tours) who was a great guode!! I would higjly recommnd him. He grew up in belize and answered my husbands enless questions about everything. In additon he was more then willing to go out of the way of the planned excursion if we wanted to stop at a market to stock up. We spent a lot of time with him and he was friendly, easy going. honest and knowledgeable. Edwin took us to the supermarket near the airport where we bought water and then took us to the Zoo. he offered to come in with us and we were glad he did as he told us about all the animals and other interesting facts about the zoos history. Then he drove us to San Ignacio to Casa de cahal pech where we stayed. i cant say enough about the house!! It was just like it looks in the pictures and in a great location!!!

day two-we walked to town primarily to go to the fruit and vegtable market. the market had a great selection at reasonable prices and everyone was very friendly. On fridays they also have stands that sell Souvenirs and we got a really nice carved wooden bowl. We were told saturday is the biggest market day ) In the after noon we went to Xunentunitch (we had someone drive us for a few dollars but you can also take a bus) which we really enjoyed especially since we decided to pay for a guide who took us around and told us all the history.

day three-Edwin took us to Zip lining and cave tubing. (both are in same area) HINT-try to go when it is not a cruise day (they said sunday/monday usually are not) they said in cruise days staff often stand one to a platform ans you basically just zip, zip, zip. on our day(a sunday) we were a group of four with two staff members who walked slowly thru the jungle with us telling us about the plants, history of the country and ziplining place. After eating lunch we went with Edwin cave tubing. its an easy walk to the cave-edwin let us swim in the water outside before going in. Edwin took us thru the cave pointing out the amazing formations. We didnt bring our camera but should have. It would have been very easy to keep dry and there were great picture taking oppurtunities. Inside the crystal cave there is actually a small jungle area-Edwin let us get out and climb thru the jungle which was really cool!!!
We came back and went to cahal pech ruins which was a very impressive ruin. we did not take a guide since we figured the basic history was what we had already heard at the last ruin but there are many structures to climb on and view.

Last day-ATM!! We made it!! Yes it is challanging buit you can do it!!! you swim thru rivers-the highest one has a rope if you need help, climb up rocks and squueze thru a few tights spots. We went with PACZ and had Manual as our guide and he helped make it fun and safe every step of the way!! When necessary he gave each person step by step directions where to put uour feet and hads and so on.

a few tips-we went in january and only needed to use bug repellent on one day we were in san ignacio and that was after it rained a great deal over night. No bug spray was needed on any other outings and they prefer you dont use it when you are in the water in order to protect the environment.
there are many supermarkets with a wide variety of things to buy but non are anywhere near the size of what we have here in the Unioted states so if you really need a certain thing bring it from home
when you do ATM wear three quarter length legging to protect your knees when climbing.