LA_FadeAway

So… we have 15 nights to do the following trip and I’m in serious need of suggestions regarding the best order to do this to maximize our time in each location. Here is a basic outline of what we are looking at:

Fly LAX to Cancun
3 or 4 nights Playa del Carmen, MX - Iberostar Tucan resort (attending family wedding)
3 or 4 nights San Ignacio, BZ - Martha’s, Cahel Pech, or Hotel San Ignacio (they have a 4th night free deal)
1 or 2 nights Tikal/Flores (if 2 nights, not sure if we should spend both nights in one place or split them up between Tikal (Tikal Inn) and Flores (Casona de la Isla)
4 or 5 nights Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker – I can’t even decide which island, much less which hotel!! Looking at Seaside Cabanas and Amanda’s on CC and several options on AC. Would it make sense to split this up and do 2 nights on one and 3 on the other?
Fly Belize City to LAX

We’re looking at mostly using buses as transportation, with the possibility of cheap flights if needed. Can we go from Playa to San Ignacio in a day or should we hit a Caye first and go then head west? I’ve also thought about splitting up the trip to San Ignacio by spending a night in Chetumal, Corozal, or Belize City, but that will cut one day off of another location. Also, is there somewhere else we should try to include that I am overlooking?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!

wanderin_traveler

Ok, here's my stab at this since no one else has replied. I'm definitely not an expert on Belize. I've only been once but will definitely return. I'll tell you a little about our trip and maybe some parts can help you out.

We flew out of Atlanta into Belize City. Headed straight for San Ignacio and Black Rock Lodge. Wonderful little town and gorgeous lodge back in the jungle! You feel as though you've fallen off the face of the earth! We spent 4 nights in San Ignacio and that was plenty for us, we were ready to move on by then. Loved Black Rock Lodge and would stay there again but would also like to stay closer into town (if not in town) on the next trip.

From San Ignacio we headed to Tikal arranging our own transporation as we went. We found this to be no problem whatsoever. Spent one day in Tikal, definitely not enough time. There is way too much to see and explore. We stayed inside the park at the Tikal Inn. We didn't have reservations and ended up with a room that turned out to be one of our worst experiences. The other rooms by the pool seemed really nice though. That being said I will never travel without reservations again (that was a first time). I can't convince my husband to return to the Tikal Inn to try one of the rooms by the pool so next time we will try staying in Flores. Only downside is if staying at Tikal you have access to the park at times when the crowds are at their least. Don't think I would want to split the time and move from Tikal to Flores.

From Tikal we headed back to Belize City to catch a water taxi to Ambergris Caye. LOVED this little place and Caye Caulker is an easy and short water taxi ride from Ambergris Caye. We were going to split our time as well but once we got on Ambergris Caye we decided to stay.

Sorry can't help with the Playa to Belize part. I can say that we were very active during out trip and were VERY glad we did the beach portion last. We (muscles and all) needed the rest. Once again while we loved Ambergris Caye next time we will try Placencia as I've heard great things about it and the snorkeling there. I hope this helps some. Let me know if I can help with anything else. Oh! We had 9 days there.

Katie_Valk

Makes more sense to travel down the Coast to Belize, catch a water taxi or flight from Corozal to either Ambergris or Caye Caulker. Move to San Ignacio, then to tikal and then fly from Flores/Tikal back to Cancun on Tikal Jet.

LA_FadeAway

Thanks for the tips you guys. Katie_Valk, I've looked into Tikal Jets and they only fly from Flores to BZE on Mondays and Fridays. We will be returning home on a Wednesday, so doing the trip in that order wouldn't work out real well for us. I'm considering going straight from Playa del Carmen to San Ignacio (4 nts) then Tikal/Flores (2 nts) and then taking Tikal jets back to BZE on Friday morning for five nights in the Cayes. I also can't decide between Amergris or Caulker. Maybe even do two nights on one and three on the other.

littlesunshine

Hopefully I am not too late, you didn't say when you were traveling. I have stayed at both Cahel Pech and Hotel San Ignacio and the San Ignacio Resort Hotel wins for sure. Both because the rooms are nicer and you can walk into San Ignacio (it is about 3 blocks from the center of town) and has a very good restaurant. While in San Ignacio, check out some great tours-- my favorite is the cave Actun Tunichil Muknal--and Mayawalk is the tour company that took me. I loved it, one of the best traveling days of my life. Have fun.

travelersusan

I agree about the Actun Tunichil Muknal tour. This was absolutely incredible - we went with Pacz tours, directly across the street from Mayawalk - thanks to the suggestions on this board.

As far as San Ignacio, we stayed at Martha's. We would have loved this hotel, except for the people staying above us. I don't know if the ceiling was exceptionally thin, or if the people were exceptionally noisy, but it was so incredibly loud! Every single footstep literally shook, and vibrated through our room. We never said anything, because luckily they were on our same schedule... otherwise it would have kept us awake all night. Except for the noise, we liked Marthas. And the restaurant was wonderful!

LA_FadeAway

Thanks for the info everyone. We've got all our reservations in place, except for in Tikal. It's tough to book "just" a room there! Anyway, what we decided is:

Fly into Cancun
4 nights Play del Carmen - IB* Tucan
4 nights San Ignacio Resort Hotel
1 night Tikal (need a reservation!)
1 night Flores - Hotel Casona de la Isla
3 nights Caye Caulker - Seaside Cabanas
2 nights Ambergris - Sunbreeze Hotel
Fly home from Belize city