Hi-

I hope you can help with this. I will be going to Belize in early March and have pre-bought a package at Chan Chich for 5 ntgs. At this point, just airfare to Belize and Chan Chich alone will set me back $1500 for 2 ppl.

I also want to visit Ambergris Caye and Actun Tunichil Muknal. Getting from Chan Chich to Actun Tunichil Muknal will be about $130 pp. All told, this means I am spending almost $1800 just on airfare.

I am trying to see if there's a better (cheaper) way I can do this, maybe go from Belize to San Ignacio to do Actun Tunichil Muknal first and maybe get to Chan Chich late. Then go from Chan Chich to Ambergris Caye? I am not sure. Any suggestions/help you can offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks - June

One option would be to rent a car. It's unclear from your message exactly how much you in total are paying for internal transportation in Belize, but given the charter flight costs to Chan Chich and back they have to be considerable.

A week's car rental would be around Us$400.

I've driven to Chan Chich several times and love the drive. You'll likely see a lot of wildlife as you drive through Programme for Belize and Gallon Jug lands.

You could then drive back (via Orange Walk and Burrell Boom to Cayo, and then return your car to Belize City and fly (US$26) or take the water taxi (US$14) to San Pedro.

A car also gives you the freedom to make stops along the way and see a lot of things you otherwise wouldn't see.

Chan Chich and ATM are wonderful!

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

Hi Lan-

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I had a few more questions if you or anyone else on the board can help:

1. Is it difficult to drive in Belize (unpaved roads, clear directions on the roads)

2. Would we need to be able to drive stick shift or is automatic ok as well?

3. The folks at Mayawalk Travel (who organizes the ATM trip said that Chan Chich is very far from San Ignacio and advised me to stay over. I was hoping to make it a day trip from Chan Chich -- what is your take on this?

Thanks again.

Highways are fine and well marked, it's off road where it gets bumpy and dusty or bumpy and muddy, depending on the season. I know the road into CC and you'd better get good directions. There's a few places along the way that are not marked well. March is dry, but I'd still get 4wd. If you rent a vehicle and drive to CC, make sure you get a good car, check wheels and make sure you have a jack, extra tire etc. It's a long lonesome (and beautiful) drive in. Let CC know when you depart Belize City so they have an idea of when to expect you. Request automatic or stick and let them know which you absolutey require. You can not reach Actun TM from CC in one day. From Belize city, the trip with guide, gear, entry fees, lunch and return transfers is 185.00pp. Departs BC at at 7:30 and return by 5:30pm.

Katie gave you good advice.

The drive to Chan Chich from Belize City is pretty long, but it goes through beautiful terrority, though some of it is very remote and with few people, kinda like a remote national park. There are a couple of checkpoints to go through, and some farms and the Programme for Belize station, so your progress can be monitored in case you have a breakdown or something. It is only the last one-half of the way or so that is bush -- the rest is through farming country, villages and the Blue Creek Mennonite area.

To be safer in case of car trouble, I'd say get rent a cell phone (at BTL office at airport or from your car rental company, US$5 a day). Don't know how reception is all the way, but probably okay for a good part of it. Chan Chich will send you a map and directions and info on driving.

This makes it sound like it's dangerous or something, but it's really not. It's an adventure. I've driven it several times, a couple of times alone and another time with my family. Never a problem. The only time I ever got lost was going back from Gallon Jug when I took a wrong turn on the farm and had to get directions from a farm worker. If Chan Chich knows you are driving, if you don't show up on schedule they'll send some one to look for you.

As Katie says, you could not make ATM from Chan Chich. You could drive to San Ignacio from Chan Chich in probably six hours, but you wouldn't have the time to do the cave.

--Lan Sluder

Thanks so much for your suggestions Lan and Katie -- this has been tremendously helpful.