Belize in August with teens
 

Planning a 8 day trip to Belize in August with 2 teens (16 and 19). I have a few questions for which I'd appreciate advice: 1) I realize August is in rainy season, but is it usually a downpour of an hour followed by sunshine or long days of uninterrupted rain? 2) My initial itinerary, since we don't want to move around too much nor are we fans of small planes, is to spend 4 nights at Lamanai Outpost Lodge and 4 nights on Ambergris Caye. Is this too much time in Lamanai? We are moderately interested in ruins, jungle life, birds, and the teens very much love the beach/snorkeling so I've tried to strike a balance. Thanks in advance!!

We've visited Belize twice in August and the rains have fallen almost exclusively at night. In 2 trips, 6-7 weeks total, we've only had 1 day when it rained hard all day and it was a blast (Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve, 2003).

I'd probably scew toward more beach time but it's a personal choice. And I'd pick Caye Caulker over Ambergris but that's a personal choice, too.

My photos and travelogues are below for what they're worth. Have a great trip and be sure to tell us all about it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

I've only been to Belize once, but it was in August. We had only a little bit of rain, and it was at night. I haven't been to Lamanai, but if you enjoy ruins and if you can do any excursions from the area, it sounds like a great split. We loved Ambergris and there's a lot you can do from there as far as snorkeling and diving.

I don't know if you have any interest in Chaa Creek, but they have some package up on Luxury Link.

packages - sorry!

Thank you hopefulist, ShellD, and volcanogirl.

Be very aware that every excursion from Amergris is going to cost a boatload (haha) of money. The beach is narrow, mostly hardpan, then the water has a lot of grass. Snorkeling might be ok if you go off a dock, but the boat traffic is very busy, especially out just past the docks. So, you'll have to hire a boat or tour (average ~$40/pp per outing) every time you want to snorkel SAFELY. If you are looking for a pure beach-swimming, walk-in-the-water to snorkel experience, there are other places in Belize you might want to try.

You're welcome, j.

sylvia, what places would you suggest for pure beach/walk in the water?

I'm not sure; I was reading the forums the last time I saw a sale fare, looking for an alternative to Ambergris or Caye Calker. I think Glover's Reef (or one of those many islands) has walk-into-the-water snorkeling (and swimming, of course).
I really didn't like being at the mercy of pre-planned, pre-paid, expensive group excursions, and was glad it was just two of us!

Hmm, can anyone else comment on this and suggest better pure beach/walk in the water places?

Here are places I know of, all spendy:

http://www.thatchcayebelize.com/index.html
http://www.southwatercaye.com/about.html
http://www.islamarisolresort.com/
http://www.slickrock.com/gloversreef.html

Also, if you don't mind roughing it, you can live like Robinson Crusoe in a thatch cabin (no electricity or running water) at Glover's Atoll Resort. The snorkling (even from shore)and diving are absolutely world class - folks who are pleased with what Caulker and Ambergris Caye would be shocked at the difference, I think. It gets mixed reviews (look on www.tripadvisor.com ) and is not for everyone but we've had a blast there both visits. It's relatively inexpensive ($250+/- per person per week including the 40 mile trip out and back from Sittee River Village) as long as you go out on Sunday and back on Saturday with their regular boat, otherwise the cost adds up; diving, gear rental, drinking water, etc. are extra. You can cook your own food or buy meals. Check out my photos and travelogues (2003 and 2009) and let me know if you're interested and I can answer more questions. Happy trails!
http://www.glovers.com.bz/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Thatch Caye doesn't have walk in snorkeling but is a short boat ride to the reef (no shorter than Ambergris though). They charge $25 for a single site boat snorkel trip.

South Water Caye does have walk in snorkeling as does cheaper Tobacco Caye.

The above 3 cayes are are accessed by a boat ride (1/2 hour to 45 min each way) from Dangriga.

The resorts at Turneffe Atoll ((Blackbird, Turneffe Flats, Turneffe Island Resort) may also have walk in snorkeling but I haven't been there and they're generally pricier than the above.

Keep in mind that almost anywhere with walk in snorkeling will be single (or a few) resort cayes and won't have much else to do besides snorkel, dive and fish if that's a consideration.

I'd probably do a 3/5 split. We felt 3 nights was about right for Lamanai.

Hmmmm...Thatch Caye's website says you can snorkel from the dock, guess that's not the same as "walk in" - my bad. Obviously my list wasn't complete. Interesting thread!

Well, I'm assuming we're talking about reef snorkeling here. You could certainly snorkel from Thatch's dock but you wouldn't see much more from their dock vs a dock on Caulker or Ambergris :) It's mostly sea grass beds. We did see some rays swim by from our cabana. Thatch is still about 2 miles from the reef whereas South Water and Tobacco are on the reef.

The difference between Thatch and Caulker/Ambergris would be the better quality of the snorkeling nearby, not that it doesn't require a boat ride.

I've spent a few nights on Tobacco Caye, and while I did enjoy the snorkeling from shore, I know my kids (who are now adults) would have been bored silly after the first day. There is no town, no choice of restaurants, no where to explore.

On Ambergris, you can rent bikes or a golf cart and ride for miles on the beach. There's a town to explore. Lots of restaurants, lots of local kids to play beach volleyball with.

There are at least two docks on Ambergris that have small artificial reefs off the end. One at Ramon's, one at Caribbena Villas. There may be more, the above are the ones I've snorkeled at. No, it doesn't rival the reef, but, I've seen nurse sharks, rays, lobsters, moray eels, crabs, sea hares, and loads of small reef fish. It's a fun thing to do and the price is right.

Your kids may be different than mine, and will be content to do nothing but snorkel and perhaps fish.

Are the docks in front of hotels considered public - can we snorkel there even if we don't stay on the property?

Thanks JeanH - that was my concern too. My kids would appreciate the biking/golf carts/exploring in town. I think I may just have to deal with some sea grass on the AC beaches. Another question - I think we may have changed our itinerary to stay for a few days in a lodge near San Ignacio. Would we drive or be driven back to Belize City, then a boat to AC?

Those carts are VERY expensive, and the biking is around crowded streets and a hard beach full of walkers; I wouldn't necessarily like teens driving/riding around. Note also that the only thing in town to "explore" is restaurants and maybe the cemetary; hardly any tourist shops (amazing!) However, if you do stay on AC, go out to the end of a dock with flashlights (if there are no lights) and enjoy the rays (we saw all kinds of them).
We also stayed in San I., and drove our rental car to
BC (left it in the parking lot by the ferry). Took the ferry from town to AC; a very nice ride, and a fraction of the cost of an airplane ride. I believe you can also take a bus from S.I., or arrange transport (lots more $) via your lodge.

If you're only staying 8 days, I wouldn't do Lamanai Lodge, San Ignacio area, AND a caye. Here are the places I've stayed in the Cayo district, loved them all for different reasons:
www.cavesbranch.com
www.belizecamp.com
www.aguadahotel.com
www.thetrekstop.com

You could stay 3 nights and do the ATM cave tour one of the full days, then head to Tikal in Guatemala overnight and head from there through to Belize City and across to Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye for the rest of your stay. Anyway, that's what I'd do on a 1st visit if I had 8 days.
http://www.pacztours.net/pages/tours/ATM.html
http://tikalinn.com/

Happy trails!

Thanks hopefulist. Yes, I'd decided to forego Lamanai this time as I know that it's too much to squeeze in. What do you think about rental cars vs. just using lodge transportation from airport to San Ignacio lodge? I realize it's pricey but seems like it might be more relaxing than trying to navigate plus difficult during rainy season.

Other than the speed bumps, I don't think the roads and navigating would be a problem to San Ignacio and back. That said, we've never rented and wouldn't plan to next time, either. We prefer using public transit when we can and there are lots of other shuttle options besides the ones the lodges provide. Let me know if you'd like names and contact information for recommended drivers.

Do you have a specific lodge in mind?

Yes, the docks are all considered public. As are the beaches. You can snorkel from any of them, also plop your beach towel down on the beach.

Obviously, Sylvia3 has a very different opinion on San Pedro than I do. I never tire of wandering around the town. Always intereting people to see. Contrary to what she said, there are quite a few stores to explore, although many are small and don't have great curb appeal.

Friends of mine just rented a golf cart for US$40.00 a day. Not cheap, but I wouldn't consider that horribly expensive.

Yes, it's congested right in downtown, but I'm guessing the teens are a lot more stable on a bike than I am, and I ride through town all the time. Riding up north of town is fun. There aren't many people, no cars. Lots of bars/restaurants on the beach to stop at. I know the teens won't be drinking alcohol, but a stop for a soda at the Palapa Bar, out over the ocean is a great way to spend an hour. They can get markers from the bartender and add their names to the hundreds already there. You can also float on inner tubes provided.

Kayak rental is also an option. As is kite boarding, wind surfing, sail boat rental.

Yes, I'm biased. I love Ambergris Caye.

I'd price out the cost of a car rental vs. a transfer. If you can find on line bus schedules, you could check those as well. With your relatively short time here, I'd probably either rent or get a transfer. The drive from Belize City to San Ignacio is easy. Roads are decent. If you stay at a remote jungle lodge, the road to get there may not be too good, and you may need four wheel drive.

I love Ambergris; it's just that the OP was asking about things to do with teens who "love the beach." Anyone who reads this forum and others knows that there are drawbacks to AC: it is expensive to "do" things (and I think $40/day for a golf cart is very expensive; guess we have different standards), the water off the beach is unpleasant for many because of the seagrass (though warm and clear), the beach is not soft sand, and not very wide, and unless you own a boat, every single excursion into the water is going to be a hit to the wallet.
(And there is a lot of boat traffic, including the Palapa Bar dock, which hosts the ferry.)

I'd also check if the lodge you choose has any package rates. These can sometimes be more cost effective than paying for everything separately.

I don't know if you have a particular location/setting in mind but we stayed at duPlooys recently and really enjoyed it. It's a jungle lodge on the Macal River upstream from Chaa Creek. Their Belize River House is a duplex with a 3 bedroom suite on one side and 4 bedroom suite on the other that would work well for families. I think the 4 bedroom Mopan Suite ends up being less than $400 per person for a 3 night package including transfers, tours, accommodation and meals by the time you factor in the off season and 4 person discounts.

I thought US$40.00 per day was reasonable, since mostly I see rates listed at over US$300.00 per week. I live/stay a mile south of town and don't use a cart. We walk or bike, rarely taxi.

The beach here is soft sand, I realize that isn't true all along the coast.

If the teens are looking for boogie boarding and such, they're pretty much out of luck anywhere in Belize.

The swimming area at the Palapa is on the other side of the dock as where the ferry and other boats come and go. I did see lion fish under that dock last week. They seem to be everywhere......

The OP knows her kids and what they like and don't like to do. Hopefully, they'll find a place everyone will enjoy.

To all who have replied and offered their opinions and suggestions - thank you! It's great to hear some different ideas. Here's what I'm thinking so far: 4 night package at DuPlooys, then 4 (possibly 5) nights on Ambergris Caye: either Coco Beach (a bit farther from town I understand) or Banyan Bay. Both offer 2 room suites with 2 beds - a necessity for the teens. Any experience with either of these two hotels?
By the way, I guess I'm the "OP" - what does that stand for?

Original Poster

Sounds good!

Yes, top secret Fodor's language!

Sounds like a great trip. I gave my thoughts on your hotel question on your other thread.

I keep saying I'm going to go spend some more time on the mainland, then I get to Ambergris, and we just don't want to leave.....

If you're looking for a classic soft, white sand beach, then you're better off going farther south in Belize, either to Placencia or Hopkins. There is a variety of excellent hotels in Placencia ranging from budget to ultra luxury. Hopkins is rather smaller and quieter, and I'd recommend the abutting resorts of Jaguar Reef/Almond Beach which share some of the same facilities. http://www.almondbeachbelize.com/index.html The disadvantage of a good beach is that the best snorkeling and diving is offshore near one of the little cayes, which means taking a boat.

For the interior, Lamanai is highly recommended, especially for adults who are interested in nature and archaeology. But if your teens are like mine, into outdoor adventures, you might want to consider Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, which is south of Belmopan just over an hour inland from Hopkins. www.cavesbranch.com My teenagers had the time of their lives with the cave trips and black hole drop (and so did I as a fit 50ish adult). For the less physically active, the river tube trips, the orchid garden (with the wonderful Mayan botanist Mr. Chan), jungle walks and the nearby Blue Hole National Park are also great.
We loved swimming in the Caves Branch river, but it is only suitable during certain seasons (too raging during the wet season, and submerges under the river rocks in the heart of the dry). From their website we can see that they've since added a pool - a welcome addition.

Hey. I'm a born and raised Belizean and also a teen so maybe I can help you out.

1. Though it maybe rainy season in Belize August is called "maga" season down here because it is exceptionally dry. So rain more than likely won't be an issue.

2. Ambergris caye is a wonderful place to take teens, especially in August, if you are planing take this trip in the first week of August you are in luck because the Costa Maya festival will be taking place and a lot of activities will be going on.

3. I think 4 days in Lamanai and 4 days at the caye would be a good plan. I've been to Lamanai and my family and I initially tried to do all the activities in one day. It didn't work out too well, so with the four days you have time to do everything your heart desires.

4. Try and book snorkeling and other water activities with your hotel before you get out to the caye, the hotels usually offer discounts on tours for their customers.

I hope all of this helps. Its complete first hand information from someone who knows Belize better than anyone else could possibly hope to know Belize. Actually I'm going out to Ambergris caye tomorrow for the Easter weekend and I hope to be out there again for Costa Maya. Enjoy your stay in Belize and I hope everything works out =].

Oh. forgot to add that if you are getting a golf cart, you should make reservations before hand because in the tourists seasons they are always in high demand!

I just got back from Ambergris caye with my hubby and 2 teens and we loved the place and so did the kids. we loved the snorkeling especially the park reserve we also did the cave tubing trip which was great.

People on here saying things are expensive here and yes they are a bit high but if you look around you can get deals we found www.AmbergriscayeDiscounts.com which is where we rented our Golf cart for the week and also booked out cave tubing and we got 20% off which was a huge savings for me since the Cave tubing and zip lining was $230 a person. We got a great deal on the island of just $25 per person to go snorkeling so with a bit of searching you can decrese the prices.

overall we had a great trip and we want to go back next year although we will probably choose a different hotel as the Sunbreeze was ok but I think there are better hotels for the kids.

Sharon

I hope you get to explore the mainland more next time - Belize has so much to offer and mainland trips from the islands are (as you know) phenomenally expensive.

All your information has been so helpful. We are traveling in June with three older children (23,20 & 18). We are spending 4 days at Chaa Creek and 4 Days at CoCo Beach.

Golf carts are great fun and not at all expensive. San Pedro is a small town easy to get around in. The beach isn't much but you swim off the docks. rent kayaks and paddle out to the reef which is close in. There are tie ups at the reef for this very purpose. There are a variety of toys not mentioned to play with like segways. Price out the tours to the mainland when you get there. They are more expensive account of the distance and gas involved but they are not phenomenally expensive so decide for yourself. The travel for the mainland tours from the cayes is very much is part of the adventure. Use you tube and gmaps to look things over, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Wow, this thread is so old that we've already been to Belize and back. c, we stayed at Chaa Creek and liked it. We paired it with Victoria House.