Belize itinerary help
 

Hey friends,

Wife and I are looking into an 8 or 9 day visit to Belize with interests in snorkeling, hiking, exploring the jungle wildlife and ruins. Not looking for an upscale resort but nothing terribly rustic. Perhaps split beach and jungle? Appreciate the suggestions.

Probably want to split it up. For jungle/ruins portion, San Ignacio area is a pretty good bet with a wide range of reasonably priced lodging.

Also consider doing a few nights inside Tikal National Park just across the border in Guatemala. Lots of operators can get you there and back, and it's probably a better jungle and a better set of ruins than you can find in Belize.

I agree with RAC - either split between the San Ignacio area (we like jungly places like duPlooy's and Chad Creek's budget casitas but there are town options, too) and either Ambergris Caye or (our favorite) Caye Caulker or add a night or 2 at Tikal in between. Tikal is about an hour and a half from the Belize border and offers terrific wildlife viewing and an amazing Maya site.

Thank you for the suggestions RAC and hopefulist. Unfortunately we had a change in plans. We had to cut our stay to 6 nites. We will be flying in around noon on a Thursday and leaving the next Wed early afternoon. Would still like to split beach and jungle. I am looking at Black Rock or Table Rock in San Ignacio and perhaps Colinda Cabanas on Caye Caulker. Any thoughts on those accommodations? Other question.... would you do jungle on the front or tail end of the trip and would you split it 3 nites each? Thanks much for the help.

I haven't stayed in either of those Caye District options so can't help there. Just see an autocorrect in my earlier post - supposed to be Chaa Creek for the budget casitas. Can highly recommend duPlooy's if that seems appealing to you. We love Colinda's Cabañas, heading back there in January.

Also - we prefer to do the inland bits 1st and end up on the water. How many nights each place is a personal choice based on where you want to have the most days and you can kind of blur the edges by transitioning early or later in the day or fitting activities in during the transition, like stopping at the zoo coming or going.

Thank you for the reply, hopefulist. I did book the last available room at Colinda's for the final 3 nites and am mulling over options for the first 3 nites and will certainly take a look at duPlooy's. Also checking out Martz Farm and Vanilla Hills if they ring a bell at all..... What would your recommended mode of transport be to get from airport to Cayo... from Cayo to CC and from CC to airport?

I looked at Martz Farm before our trip last fall but decided against in part because it wasn't well suited to my group of traveling companions which included several with mobility issues, and partly because we were able to take advantage of a big October discount at duPlooy's. Don't know Vanilla Hills.

Your 1st day transport options include taxi/bus/taxi from the airport, a private driver, flying, or renting a car. Between I'd drive at least 1 way to be able to visit the zoo. You can fly or water taxi/taxi from CC to the airport - depends on time and money. Lots of links and schedules here:
www.belizebus.wordpress.com

Happy trails!

TR, BRL and VH are all grt choices.TR and VH focus on their meals. BRL has and TR will have a pool. All on the river. Martz offers the wonderful Vaca Dam lagoon trip and has a rustic cabana that straddles a creek and rooms in a building, over the kitchen, I think. Ask them.

Thank you very much, friends for the assist. So the final itinerary is:

Day 1: Arrive BZE at 1 p.m. Shuttle to Black Rock
Day 2: Tour ATM... Back to BRL
Day 3: Tikal tour... back to BRL
Day 4: Leave BRL. Shuttle to Caye Caulker. Check into Colida Cabanas.
Day 5: Full day (5 hr) snorkel with Caveman Snorkeling Tours.
Day 6: Chill day finally. :-)
Day 7: Water taxi to BZE for 1 p.m. departure.
Strongly considered car rental as I have no issues driving anywhere, but cost for shuttle was a tad cheaper and it only made sense as we would only need the car for ride to and from BRL.
Anyways, feel free to critique our itinerary as you wish. Thank you again!

Sounds good!

Black Rock Lodge
 

Hi Hans! I came across your post from last year and have a question. My husband and I are going to Belize for the first time and I’ve made reservations for three nights at Black Rock Lodge. I was planning on doing a (long) day trip to Tikal from the lodge and coming back afterwards the same day. It looks like you did that also. Was it okay to do in one day?