AtlDad

Headed on family trip over Easter to Chaa Creek and would love some help on the following questions:
1) Do most fodorites take anti-malarial medicine before going to Belize - have kids 8 and 13 and want to know if it is prudent or overkill? CDC website is kind of scary.
2) Are there any issues with drinking the water at Chaa Creek?
3) Suggested clothes?? Understand outdoor wear for activities but what about dinner?
4) Any safety concerns in travel from airport or to the Mayan ruins?
5) Has anyone ever tried to go to church in San Ignacio?
Thanks!

Fra_Diavolo

1) Can't say what most Fodorites do. We didn't take any malaria prophylaxis.

2) No.

3) Dinner is casual.

4) Airport, no. Mayan ruins -- if you mean Tikal or Caracol -- yes, but steps have been taken to minimize the risk. Haven't heard of a robbery in well over a year.

5) Don't know. We didn't, and there are perfectly good local gods to pray to, if you feel the need.

hopefulist

1) We normally choose to follow the CDC advice.
2) Ask them - they're one of the most experienced lodges in the country and will be honest with you.
3) Agreed - casual. We always take lightweight long pants and shirts for bugs. You shouldn't have many bugs at Chaa Creek but might in the jungly areas.
4) As above - just use good common sense.
5) No, not in San Ignacio but the Chaa Creek folks can help you with that, too.

Have a great trip and be sure to tell us all about it!

JeanH

I choose not to take anti-malarials on Ambergris Caye in Belize.

If I was in a more 'jungle' environment, I would take them.

And, if I was responsible for children, I would completely follow the advice of the CDC. Think how awful you'd feel if your kids contracted malaria.....

Gritty

I was told by someone in the Cayo area that there really wasn't much malaria in Belize. I did not take malaria prophylaxis, but I was there in December and there weren't very many mosquitoes. I would recommend that you always work to protect yourselves against mosquito bites, because Belize does have dengue fever (for which there is no vaccine and no prophylaxis) on occasion. I'm not trying to scare you, just encouraging you to not rely on pills alone for safety.

I think you would have to ask Chaa Creek if the water is OK to drink. Most of the places I stayed in Belize did not have tap water that was safe to drink, but they always provided free bottled water.

I don't know about how to dress at Chaa Creek.

I felt safe visiting Caracol, Xunantunich, and Tikal. You are escorted by heavily-armed police to Caracol, and there are police on site at all three places. We were told there were some robberies on the road to Caracol in 2006, but they had not mentioned having any issues since then, and that is why everyone is escorted there. My wife and I actually hiked from our lodging to Xunantunich--about 5-6 miles total. I found Belizeans to be very friendly and helpful. Numerous people went out of their way to make sure we didn't get lost.

I know there are many churches in the Cayo area. We were there over Christmas and wished to go to church on Christmas Day. There were Catholic and 7th Day Adventist churches within walking distance from our lodge, but both of them had had Christmas Eve services and were not open Christmas Day. Chaa Creek is a good distance outside San Ignacio, so you may end up going to a church in one of the smaller villages.

ShellD

We didn't take any anti malarial medication before going to Belize.

I don't recall there being any issues with drinking the water at Chaa Creek, or anywhere else in Belize.

Dinner is casual, but "nice". For example, men usually wore shorts - but nicer shorts than hiking during the day. And most women seemed to wear capri pants or nicer shorts or skirts. It wasn't fancy, but it was a bit dressier than lunch time would be.

We didn't drive anywhere ourselves, but always felt safe with the drivers we had and on the drives we went on. We went on a few excursions to different ruins, caves the zoo and to and from the airport. Also we went to Tikal. Safety didn't seem to be a big concern.

We didn't try to go to the church, but I'm sure that the concierge at Chaa Creek can help you out!

Have a great trip!

AtlDad

Thanks all - will do Trip Report when we get back.

volcanogirl

For the most part, is this area warm or cool in the evenings?

hopefulist

Warm to hot year round with few exceptions; most of Belize is very low-lying.

volcanogirl

What about along the coast - do you think we'd need a lightweight jacket on the cayes?

ShellD

What time of year are you going? It was HOT in August, even at night. We never needed a jacket.

volcanogirl

In the summer, but I was thinking it might be pretty windy along the water?

ShellD

There may be some breezes, but I don't remember ever being chilled, even along the water. It was HOT. We stayed at a place with A/C and the room could not get cooled enough - sleeping was very hot even and we were right on the water. I suppose you may want a light jacket on the water taxi's at times, but then you'd have to carry it around. Maybe a light rain jacket, just in case.

hopefulist

Even when it rains it's not cold. There's often a nice breeze on the islands (keeps the sand flies away as well as cooling things down a bit) but I've never felt cool. The possible exception might be if you get wet during the water taxi run. We do take lightweight long sleeves and pants for evening and early morning insects but don't take jackets unless we're combining with highland Guatemala. You could stick in a dime store poncho just in case.

Patty

In Jan I needed a sweater at night but I don't think you'll need anything in the summer.