Patty, I had read some reviews about that. It's funny that they don't use a covered boat. I've read some posts by people who had to fly back home in wet clothes because they were soaked and so was their luggage! If the boat ride is great and we'll have some opportunities to see wildlife, then I think you guys have convinced me to boat both ways and then we could catch a flight to Ambergris once we're back at the airport.

Do y'all have any other favorite spots in Belize? We've already done both Ambergris and the San Ignacio/Cayo area.

On our boat ride in, it started raining right at the end. We all put ponchos on. Our luggage didn't get too wet but maybe you could bring some garbage bags just in case? And something to protect camera equipment and other similar gear if you have a lot of it. I just tucked mine under my poncho. I'm not even sure a cover would help much as at times the boat was going pretty fast. We would stop/slow down for sightings, etc.

Other favorite places - of course, Chan Chich.

We really liked Caye Caulker. It was a more laid back, smaller version of Ambergis. Reminded us of Ambergris way back when. There's even less beach on Caulker though.

Southwater Caye is absolutely gorgeous and you can snorkel right from shore. Pelican Beach has the best spot on the caye. It's about a 45 min boat ride from Dangriga.

I've always wanted to go to Turneffe Atoll but haven't made it there yet. There are a few places to stay. The one I've had my eye on is Turneffe Island Resort.

We will charter a flight right to AC I think. I communicated with Javier's Flying Service about the flights. They were very responsive.

I'd like to see Caulker on this trip, maybe as a side trip from Ambergris. I know that there are some snorkel tours that include a stop over there. Would be fun to see a new place. I've also read about a tour to see manatees, and I think that would be amazing.

We've done the manatee tour twice. The first time was so long ago that we were able to snorkel with them. They no longer allow you to get into the water but just seeing them is very cool.

I'm hoping we can do Lamanai first and then do the second part of our trip. I do not want to ride home on the plane in wet clothes! The garbage bag suggestion is great - thanks. And wow, lucky you about swimming with the manatees - amazing! I wish that were still possible.

Are the tours at LOL done at a specific time, like the Nature Walk starts at such and such time, or can you book it for any time of day?

Usually early morning, late afternoon, and night time are the three time slots. But they're very accomodating so maybe they could be flexible if possible.

When we were there, they had 4 scheduled tours each day - early morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening. Most of their tours have specific departure times as most are designed around a specific time of day. Guided walks are available at different times of day but have different names depending on the time of day. Canoeing is best in the morning as afternoon winds tended to kick up the water a bit at least when we were there. I'm copying and pasting below from the tour list at the time of our visit:

<i>o Early Morning: Sunrise Canoeing ~ Jungle Dawn
o Morning: Lamanai Maya Ruins ~ Maya Jungle Medicine Walk
o Afternoon: Sunset Cocktail Cruise ~ Nature Walk
o After Dinner: Spotlight River Safari ~ Night Walk</i>

In addition to the above, there were optional (extra cost) tours offered daily.

When we did the Lamanai Ruins, it was still pretty early--there was a lek of red-capped manakins doing their thing near the high temple.

Thanks, everyone - that's what I was trying to figure out. Which tours are mutually exclusive, i.e. if we do one then we can't do the other one on the same day? There are so many good ones - I'd want to try to fit them all in.

I'm leaning towards Lamanai Ruins, Jungle Dawn, Nature Walk, and Medicine Trail for daytime and Sunset Cocktail Cruise and Spotlight Nature Safari for night tours.

And maybe the side tour that goes out at night specifically to see the crocs.

Sunset Cocktail cruise is an afternoon tour.

One thing I would recommend doing by yourselves is walking in the "back door" to the Lamanai ruins from the lodge--that's how you see the old sugar mill and Spanish ruins.

Lots and lots of monkeys and trogons on that trail

Thanks, RAC - I'm glad to hear that because I was thinking that was a night tour.

I would love to do the "back door" to the ruins. How close are they to LOL? I assume you can walk there?

Literally right across the road. The night hike actually goes in that portion of the reserve.

volcanogirl I'm tagging on to your post so I can come back and review all the great info here. I haven't been to Belize since 2003, so my info is a little outdated, and I am helping put together an itinerary for my niece's honeymoon.

It isn't as strange as it sounds! She is getting married in July but is finishing and defending her dissertation right now, and trusts me to gather info for her. She will make final decisions :-)

LOL was either just getting built, or was built after we were there, so it is interesting to read the experiences there. We went to Chan Chich and absolutely loved it. My husband is a birder and it really caters to birders (or did in 2003, what do I know about now!)

That sounds great, RAC - if you do the tour to the ruins, do you not see the Sugar Mill and Spanish ruins? I didn't even know there were Spanish ruins. What's the history there?

Toucan, I don't think it's strange at all. I plan for my friends and family too! Glad to hear you loved Chan Chich. I would love to go there as well someday. Your niece might also like Victoria House on Ambergris if you want to check that one out.

The tour enters via the dock and concentrates on the Mayan structures. The Spanish ruins are from the time when Spain occupied the area. The sugar mill is from the British Honduras era.

Sounds amazing - thanks for the great tips.

How do they do the meals there - is it a set menu or a buffet? Is it communal dining like at BdC? I don't think we're going to have time to eat. Too much to do!

Thanks VG. I remember looking at Victoria House in the past and will look at it again for her.

We always intended to return to Belize one day and just haven't ever made it. So many places to go!