Hello all:<BR><BR>My husband and I are debating going to Belize this July. We are thinking of splitting our time between Blacaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn (Coppola's properties).<BR><BR>It looks like there is no AC at these properties. Are the mosquitoes really bad? My husband is extremely sensitive to bites and they often get infected. Would we be better off at a place with AC for the bugs?<BR><BR>Also, and more importantly, I am hoping to get pregnant in the next few months. Is Belize still an ok destination (I presume I could do a little hiking and snorkelling). Will it be a problem to only use natural mosquito repellents?<BR><BR>Is July an ok time to go? <BR><BR>Thank you all so much!<BR><BR>Melanie

<BR><BR>Let me first say that I have not been to either of the two places you mentioned. However, I have been to Belize (time split between Ambergris and the Orange Walk District) in August. (I've also been in May and October, both of which are far better than May.)<BR>It will be hot. There will be more of a breeze from the ocean, but there is a thing called the &quot;Mugger&quot; which comes in around the beginning of August. It's the season when the wind stops. Literally. And it gets really hot.<BR>The bugs are nearly always bad in the summer months. Most lodging facilities have bug screens for the beds. <BR>I'm not a doctor, but I think natural bug repellents should be ok for you.<BR>Although, I spent a lot of time hiking in the rain forest and I wasn't that bothered by the bugs. The heat, on the other hand . . .

Going somewhere with AC will help with the bugs and although I've heard that Coppola's place is really nice, I recall reading a trip report from someon wh stayed there and had issues with mosquitoes in the room. ON the coast and the cayes, sand fleas (or sand flies?) are an issue if the wind dies down. It's especially problematic in areas close to the magrove swamps that exist around some islands and in those areas where sea grass is piled on the beach and not disposed of or moved promptly. I had no probelm but have heard from others who have. I was in the jungle (south of Belmopan) for three days in late may last year and bugs were not a real issue but it was extremely humid. Bug repellent that includes at least 20% Deet is the sure-fire solution but obviously it's not natural. There is a natural bug repellent sold in many places in belize that is said to be fairly good. I just heard of a new natural solution but can't vouch for it - supposedly, if you take a brewers yeast tablet or two (available at natural food stores or vitamin specialty shops) every day foa couple weeks before you go and continue to take them while you're there (in any mosquito prone area), it is very effective. I stress that this is hearsay and I have no personal experience to verify if it really works. It will be really hot in July but if you drink plenty of water and adopt the laid back pace typical of life in Belize, you'll be fine. Personally, I'd want AC in July.

I've stayed at Blancaneaux a number of times but haven't stayed at the new Turle Inn since it reopened in December.<BR><BR>I have never been bothered by mosquitoes in the Mountain Pine Ridge where Blancaneaux is located. In fact, the villa units at Blancaneanux are designed so that the main living area deck is unscreened. I did hear one report of a couple being pestered by mosquitoes there, but it is fairly rare, as it is indeed in much of Cayo bbecause the limestone ground soaks up wwater and doesn't permit a lot of standing pools for mozzies to breed in.<BR><BR>Ditto Placencia. As long as there is a breeze -- occasionally it does go calm in summer including in July -- mosquitoes are not a problem on or near the water.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR>www.belizefirst.com

We just returned from Placencia and from what we observed the Turtle Inn is not finished yet as of February 6th 2003. There is consrtuction going on with lots of noise and a big mess all around. There were some wooden boards with nails on the middle of the property near the pool. We did not stay there but walked through the property several times.<BR>At this point the Turtle Inn is not a very appealing place and only creatures we saw swimming in their small swimming pool were birds (each time). <BR>On the other hand we heard many great things about Blancaneaux Lodge.

I agree with Wildflowers. I had lunch at Turtle Inn in Dec when it first opened and I would have been very disappointed if I had paid to stay there. It was definately unfinished, but also, no atmosphere. A lot of the trees were blown away by the hurricane so the vegetation was newly planted. The bugs were very bad then. I used 95% deet and still got bitten where I must have missed a spot. Some people say skin so soft works for them, but others disagree. One of the managers at a lodge was using it and said it worked for her. Bring a good cortisone cream.

I have been told by someone who was there a few days ago that the major construction on the site is now finished. (Things always take longer in Belize than planned.) There is still some &quot;minor&quot; construction going on. Someone else told me the hotel had just received a big shipment of furnishings so more of it should be ready now. <BR><BR>I've gotten mixed reports on the restaurant -- some that it was great, others that it was okay but very expensive.<BR><BR>I do agree about the trees missing. When I first saw the site after Hurricane Iris I didn't even recognize it as the place where Turtle Inn was; it looked so different. Landscaping when finished will help, though.<BR><BR>This is about the worst time of the year for sandfleas. They usually aren't too bad.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR><BR>