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.