crosscheck - how is caves branch? I'm thinking of going in August.

crosscheck--at my age you'd better do it quickly before the information evaporates! :)

hopefulist, you'll LOVE ATM---just was such a unique adventure, made REALLY enjoyable by such a fun group. I'm still choking regarding that other matter. . . . .could have been an entire other trip!

Don't forget I have 2 personalities--motmot and shillmac. . .

Motmot's a good one for Belize - we really loved the motmots that surrounded our cabin in the mornings at Macal River Jungle Camp, the jungly cousin of Chaa Creek. A few years ago in the Pico Bonito National Forest near La Ceiba, Honduras, I found a tail feather of one - such a treasure! Thanks again for your fun posts.

Jill...AKA...Shillmac...AKA Motmot! hahaha

The pictures are anything but mediocre, I loved them all.
I really have a serious problem that there are so many places I want to go, but not enough moola to do it. I loved living vicariously thru your report

I loved all of the pics and a wonderful report. Thanks so much!!

Momliz,
We LOVE Caves Branch, but not for the fainthearted. Boys (sons and Mr. Crosscheck) said their waterfall cave hike was the best nature/adventure experience they've ever had (I went kayaking). Slow internet connection - will provide details next week.

A motmot feather--that WOULD be a find. We found a scarlet macaw feather at BdC once--I was really happy with that as I snuck it out of the country! Also very pleased with (don't tell) a rufous tailed hummingbird nest that a guide cut off a fallen branch on a horseback ride at Rancho Nat. once. It is one of my most prized possessions--the kids at school love it. The nightwatchman at Rancho helped me find a small box to smuggle it home in! That said, I don't do those types of illegal things regularly. Really.

Toni--it's the universal problem; I share your pain. Very addicting, this travel bug. Thanks for the nice comments on the photos. And yes, they ARE mediocre compared to some posted on this board! I'm in awe sometimes. But my little camera does make me very happy! :) All the people in the cave asked about it and commented on the great zoom. I took it in, but it was wrapped in a couple of t-shirts and carried by the guide in a big waterproof bag. He got it out for me when we got to the dry, high part.

Love the pics Jill, very nice, I must get that camera soon! I like the looks of San Pedro, looks like my kind of place. The cabins at Chaa Creek look beautiful, looks like it was very quiet & peaceful.

Really great trip report m-s-j :-) Sounds wonderful! Definitely printing out for future reference. Going to check out the pics now! Wish I could justify/afford a new camera, but alas, no.

hopefulist -- I hear you have a website. Can you share? I'd love to check it out.

It's the link to my photos on flickr; travelogues and the occasional blog are linked on the main page of each collection. Here you go (and thanks for asking!):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

I thought your pictures were wonderful, shillmac! I was thinking the same thing that parrmt wrote after reading your report - too many places to go, not enough moola!

Love the report! We're going to Ambergris and San Ignacio at the end of May so this was very helpful. Love your pics too! They are great :)

You are always so helpful to me!

Thanks, everyone! This a great give and take board. . .I'm always glad to help someone here, but likewise have received so much myself! There are worse ways we could all spend our time than to be on the Fodor boards!

emavejess--have a great time (how could you not?) :)

Thanks, janie. . I have really enjoyed reading both yours and steph's report.

Great report, Jill! I really enjoyed it. You <i>did</i> manage to take some really nice photos (not mediocre at all!). It looks like you had a wonderful time.

I'd like to get there someday, but even airfare from Florida always tends to run higher than fares to CR for whatever reason. San Pedro looks fun. Chaa Creek looks really scenic and relaxing. Tikal looks so amazing!

Thanks for sharing! :-)

Thanks, cam. I thought I was doing a really smart thing when I booked Belize last summer using FF miles. Especially at spring break time. As the months wore on, and our departure time got closer, I expected to see that price soar and anticipated feeling better and better about my "smarts". However, it actually came down. . .go figure! :)

See you in June! Woo Hoo!

Great report and photos! Were you anywhere near Cuxlin Ha Village? We're thinking of a trip there in Jan. or Feb. mostly for birding and snorkeling. Could you suggest another place we could tag to this trip logically? I know very little about the geography of the country. Thanks much!

bbobo

Cuxlin Ha is down by Punta Gorda and not near Ambergris or San Ignacio or places between. It's a small country, though, so you could really combine a stay there with anything that struck your fancy. Do you have a guidebook? In addition to lodging details, maps, and background/historical information, they usually have itinerary ideas. Happy trails!

I just noticed ur pics..It is nice to see what it'll look like at Ramon's. Looks nice.. as do all ur pics of Belize..Sounds like a great trip, i can't wait to go now!!!!

Shillmac - loved teh Ambergris Report and have some specific questions...
1) who did your husband go fishing with there and
2) which tour company did you use for Hol Chan?

We are making our first trip to Central America in March. We'll be spending 2 weeks in Costa Rica (Arenal, MA and CDB) then flying to Ambergris Caye to stay at Ramon's for 6 nights. I want to give my husband a fishing trip for his birthday and we are going to do some snorkeling too so your info would be helpful. Thanks.

I'm not Shillmac, but her husband and my husband went fishing together on Ambergris. The guides name is Severo Guerrero, I can get his phone number from the receptionist at my condo if you like. She's the one who set up the trip.