Belize planning help
 

Planning to go to Belize in January or February. We are two active adults and will have about four days. I am overwhelmed by all the natural beauty and things to do. Would like to see some ruins and do snorkeling. Can someone help me organize a loose itinerary to get started. Also what area should we stay in. Defin. not an all inclusive but would do a mid priced hotel or apartment type place. thanks so ,much.

If it was my trip I'd stay at www.colindacabanas.com on Caye Caulker and do a day trip up the New River to the Lamanai Maya site.

If you choose to rent a car, make sure you mention that you will cross the border from Quintana Too into Belize. Some car rental companies will not permit you to leave Mexico. The ones that do allow may want extra for insurance purposes...

What do you want to do? Belize has two incredible worlds-mainland and sea. We have the largest barrier reef in this hemisphere for excellent diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing. Rain forest, Maya sites, caves with artifacts, river and horse trips, zip lines, etc on the mainland. So more to do than you have time for.

Thanks for responses. I know there is so much to do and that I need more time but I am realizing that if I wIt to travel until I retire I will never go anywhere. So I figure we should use time we have and. An do back. Flight is reasonable cause we have Points and companion pass.
We probably don't rent a car but even if we did why would we rent in Mexico? I'm pretty sure we are flying into Belize

So. Back to original question in my limited time shR should we do? I guess I'd focus on mainland

Can you grab any more time? With 5 or 6 nights a split would work but if 4 days = just 3 nights, I'd stick with the suggestion in my 1st post.

Here's a plan...

After landing, go directly to San Ignacio (use a transfer service). San Ignacio is a good base for many mainland activities and the town has a LOT of accommodation for any budget. Stay a couple of nights. See a Mayan site or two (Xunantunich and Cahal Pech can be easily seen on your own without a guide), do a cave tour and see the rain-forest.

Then go to either Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye for the remainder of your time. Snorkel and relax on a beach. AC is bigger and gets more tourists so has more shops, restaurants, bars, nightlife, etc., while CC is smaller, quieter & more laid-back -- take your pick depending on what you're looking for. Both have good access to the reef for snorkelling. AC has nicer beaches.

Depending on the departure time of your flight, you might be able to spend your final night on the caye.

How many nights do you actually have? If 3 nights, I like hopefulist's plan and wouldn't split your stay.

Thanks for help I am reading up a little more on your suggestions and I am sure I will be back with more questions

has anyone stayed in midas belize? it's in san ignato. thinking i will stay there and do day trips.

Regarding Midas we have s junior suite booked. Concerned cause some pictures make it look bright, clean and spacious snd others make it look old snd dingy. Thinking if changing to casa de cachol. It looks much nicer snd very roomy for not that much more. I have both reserved and can cancel without a penalty.
We need the kitchen due to a special diet. That is how I ended up with these choices. Any input is appreciated.

We will be landing 1230 and figure we will get out of airport about 130. Need a suggestion iof a private tour guide who can pick us up and take us to see something on our way to San Ignacio. What should we do? Zoo?banoon sancusty?something else. Also if we need to get fruits and veggies?milk?drinks I thinking we can get that in San Ignacio correct?

There's a list of private drivers to get you started on this website: www.belizebus.wordpress.com

I recommend the Belize Zoo and maybe the Green Iguana Project if you have time but I sort of doubt you will that same afternoon. There are stores and a market in San Ignacio.

Hopfulist Thanks so much. By the way cc looked amazing but I felt like we would spend too much time traveling to and from island. Already planning another trip. I am very excited about Belize so many great things there.

I like to figure that anything I miss is an excuse to return. Happy trails!

decided to stay in San Ignatcio
so does this make sense? day one land and go to zoo(landing 12:30)
day two-xanyuchin(sp)/ cahal pech
day three cave tube and zip line tour
day four ATm

really wanted to at least see blue hole (national park) do you think we could do that after zoo if we just want to do a quick look see? or is it anywhere near ATM(not near my map now) any other things i i must/should fit

our flight home is at 1 so i dont think we will have time to do anything on the way out

thanks

That sounds good! I don't think I'd try to add The Inland Blue Hole day 1 or on the way home and the ATM cave trip is a full day, transport provided to and from SI by the agency so probably not that day, either. If you hire a private driver or rent a car you could head there on day 3. Happy trails!

thanks. It sounds like it is worth going to see even if we only have a short time there what do other people think? Even if it's worth it I may not really have time cause I think day three is also a full day tour. Not booked yet but I definitely want to do cave tubing and zip lining.
Should I do blue hole instead of zoo

I would prioritize the zoo waaaaay ahead of the Inland Blue Hole - it's a pretty setting but just not as interesting imho. You won't be able to see everything. :-)

Ok thanks for all the help

Do you think we should do day trip to carocel instead of going to x ruin closer to San Ignacio ?

I don't think I would. Caracol is a beautiful site but it's a full day in the car with a few hours at the Maya site and generally a water stop or 2 on the way back. Read up on the trip and be sure that's what you'd like to do with your time since you could add a variety of things plus some down time to a day with a visit to Xunantunich.

It would actually be easier in some ways to do a day visit to Tikal in Guatemala than to Caracol - you could have a good guide like Marlon Díaz meet you at the border, tour your through Tikal and maybe Yaxhá, and drop you back at the border. www.gemtrips.com

Thanks I'll do some more reading about the different spots.

We don’t want to rent a car. If we are staying in San Ignacio should it be an issue getting an Uber or can when we need it to go to town or other places? Thinking we would prob end up spending some or less then we would on a rental. Thoughts ?

Oops auto correct made question confusing. Asking if can get Uber or cab easily and cheaply.

San Ignacio is a small town, and if staying in town, you can walk almost everywhere without needing taxis. If you do need a taxi, they're everywhere, but you have to recognize them by the green license plate (with white letter/numbers) because there are usually no other markings.

Taxis don't have meters so agree to a fare before getting in. Short trips around town cost BZ$5 to $10. Larger fares for longer distances, for example if going out of town.

I don't know about Uber.

Thanks

xunantinch-is there a reason to go with a guide? will they add insight to the site or can we go by ourselves and save some money.

I think most people go on their own. If you have a great guide it can really add value. Years ago it was the caretaker who showed us around - awesome experience.

hopefulist you have been so helpful..

i am trying to decide who to use for transportation-from airport and possibly all my tours-on trip adviser i found edwin-belize adventures, did anyone use him? on previous trips to other places we had great guides(someone who will answer my husbands one million questions and just make our time enjoyable) and it really made a difference. we are hoping to find another great person!!

Don't know him - we have never hired someone for multiple tours or to make arrangements for us. A great guide can really add value to a tour, though! Happy trails!

If you are interested, get a guide. They are invaluable and enhance your experience