hipvirgochick

Thanks vgirl.

Shell- Yes, I'm looking forward to having some nice dining options. However detailed, I imagine this will continue to morph until close to when I leave. Hoping to pick up FF tix which will solidify the dates.

hipvirgochick

Thanks Katie! We were posting at the same time. RAC mentioned the flight options/times above from Lamanai to Tikal which made me think about flipping Lamanai with Chaa Creek. Do you see any negatives to this?

How long is flight vs. ground x-fer to Tikal?

moneymoo

Yea, I had a really good time. Didn't see very many animals in Belize in Cockscomb compared to Costa Rica. Caye Caulker was just amazing as far as the people go and the snorkeling. So helpful, friendly and the food was great! Can't wait to read your trip report as I've always wanted to go to Glovers. Also went over to Hopkins and it looked very interesting. Didn't use Deet - used "Quit Bugging Me" but you betta Belize it I will use it the next visit to Belize! Happy travels to you!

Katie_Valk

You can fly from LOL back to BZE and direct to FRS on the 50 mins flight or fly from LOL to Central Farm in Cayo, get a road transfer from there to Tikal. But not direct from LOL to FRS.

RAC

The boat ride is one of the best parts of the LOL experience--and it's a lot cheaper than flying.

Sorry I was unclear in my post--the flights I listed to Flores are from BZE, not Lamanai. Thanks for correcting that, Katie. In other words, it's ground/river transportation plus plane or plane plus plane to travel between Flores and Lamanai.

My suggestion would be:

Day 1: Arrive, transfer to Macal/Chaa Creek
Days 2-4: Chaa Creek
Day 5: Morning transfer to Tikal from Chaa Creek/other provider (this should be no problem, as every tour provider in town does this route) Leisurely explore grounds, museums, shops, swim in Tikal Inn pool, buy ticket after 3:30 and enter archaeological reserve--be sure to keep your eyes out for spider monkeys and bring a flash light for leaving.
Day 6: Sunrise tour of Tikal, followed perhaps by a zipline or more nature hiking. Return to the archaeological reserve by sunset
Day 7: Catch early transfer to Flores Airport, fly to BZE. Get Picked up by LOL transfer.
Days 8-9: LOL
Day 10: Transfer from LOL to BZE to catch your transportation to either Glover's or Ruby's.

hopefulist

I've been off the forum for awhile (camping followed by shoulder surgery) and WHOA!! this thread is making my head spin. Here are a few bits to toss in from my experience:

:: 7 places to sleep in just over 2 weeks is too many imo.

:: The zoo is really unique and worth the time, plus it's on the way coming and going - you ought to be able to fit it in even if you don't do the night tour.

:: I agree - don't miss the Lamanai boat trip. Our daughter did the land route and it was not memorable in a good way.

:: Flores isn't all that but makes a good stopover for those taking an early morning flight or bus.

:: If you arrive by mid day, one night is plenty for lots of folks at Tikal. You can visit the museums and visitor center, take a swim, and then buy your ticket after 3:30 (some guards are stingy and it's 4pm). The next morning try to get a quality guide for a sunrise tour; my strong recommendation is Roxy Ortiz, a really wonderful archaelogist who guides out of the Tikal Inn when she's not on a dig.

:: Glover's is a lloooonnng way out there for just 3 days imo; a week never seems long enough for us but there are others whose reports I've read who couldn't wait to leave so to each his/her own.

:: No mention of the ATM cave? It's the highlight of Belize for many travelers and blows cave tubing out of the water imo.

Good luck deciding and happy trails to you!!

hipvirgochick

Thanks for the input Hope -- I'm totally doing ATM, I missed including that above. Everyone's input has been really helpful on what the do not misses are. I'll take note of Roxy too.

I definitely need to work some things out and lay out the travel time and prices better, but I think we'll be fine with 2 places for 3 nights each and 2 places for 4 nights each (Cayo, Lamanai, San Pedro and Glover's) per the above as far as the number of nights themselves. This trip is meant to be an introductory to for Belize for us. Tikal is a one nighter so there's not much I can do about that but I hesitate NOT going to one of the other areas because of a 1 night stay in Tikal. If I don't have to spend 1st or last near airport I won't - I just didn't know how late I could transfer to hotel so I'm looking into that and hopefully visit the zoo at some point as you said.

Once I lay out all the travel time if it seems like too much I WILL cut one area out but I'm used to moving around more than you do.

hopefulist

Yes, that's way better than the 7 in your 1st post. We're splitting nearly 4 weeks between Guatemala and Roatán next summer and will spend a week each at 3 places; the other almost week's worth of nights will be split between small peeks of new places and the comings and goings - sometimes that can't be helped.

I'm still glowing from this summer's travel and already have flights booked for next summer - oh my! I think we're alike in loving the planning and dreaming almost as much as the travel. Well, not quite, but you know what I mean...

shillmac

Okay, chicky, here's your input: All advice you have received so far sounds phenomenal! Our 7 nights were a simple blend of Ambergris and Chaa Creek. It was amazing, every bit of it. What you are planning is way more and sounds absolutely fabulous, so just do your usual planning thing and I'm sure it will be a great time for you two!

hipvirgochick

I found that there is enough time after arriving to x-fer to Chaa Creek (but not for the road/boat to Lamanai) so I think I should take RAC's advice and start our trip at CC, then Tikal, then Lamanai.

The boat to Glover's departs at 9:00am. Is it possible to get from San Pedro to Sittee River by then (hence flipping Glover's with San Pedro as well) or should I plan on spending the night there? Seems difficult to impossible to get there by 9:00am especially from Lamanai.

Katie or Jean -- Do you know about how much it costs for a taxi from Chaa Creek into town to catch tours? PACZ is much cheaper for tours than CC and wonder if it's worth booking through them and just taking taxi. I haven't asked PACZ yet if they will pick up at CC or how much extra they will charge.

volcanogirl

PACZ picked us up right at Chaa Creek; there was a slight charge for it.

hipvirgochick

Just heard back from Pacz and they said $10/pp round trip, which isn't too bad for 2 people. Tours are still much cheaper than CC unless you have a group and it's a group price.

hopefulist

Really unlikely to get from San Pedro to Sittee River Village that morning in time for the boat. The 1st flights arrive in Dangriga around 8:30 (IF they're on time) which wouldn't leave you time to grab your luggage and a cab and make the drive to Sittee before 9am. The boat might not leave right at 9am so there's a theoretical chance you could make it but all the stars would have to line up and if they didn't, you missed the boat. Sorry!!

hipvirgochick

Any rec's on where to spend the night before catching the boat?

hopefulist

Absolutely: The Hopkins Inn
http://www.hopkinsinn.com/

We really loved our time there and it's only 5-10 minutes from Sittee River; they gave us a lift over for $10.

You'll be able to take in a wild drumming show (we donated about $10/pp) at the Lebeha Drumming Center, too - worth the trip!
http://lebeha.com/

hipvirgochick

Oh cool! I wanted to visit Hopkins but wasn't sure how far it was. I love drumming...in fact gave up my drum set years ago. Yes, I know they're different types of drums! ;-) That sounds great!

Deb15July

Hi hip,
Hope you see this because I'm looking at similar plans for next May. Did you go to Belize? If so, I have some questions about your transportation.

xyz99

Hi Hip,
Did you get to go? Would love to know your thoughts now about getting from A to B. I did not see a trip report, did I miss it?

Deb15July

xyz...hip didn't make the trip.

volcanogirl

I think hip ended up going back to CR.