Maya Island Air is the other carrier. We've used both and both have been fine.

http://www.mayaregional.com/
http://www.tropicair.com/

We were pleased with Tropic Air and it was so convenient to land at BZE and just walk over to the Tropic Air gate in the same building. They put us on an earlier flight that we were scheduled for as there was space for us and we were there and ready to go. We loved both short flights over the beautiful blue water.

I've flown both as well with no problems. However, I have heard some complaints from people using Maya, that they've cancelled their flights without notice. I doubt that will happen flying from BZE to Ambergris.

Right now, Maya is having a sale. Check their website.

Sometimes Maya offers big discounts for walk up sales. We've been satisfied with both.

Thanks, guys - how many days would you do in the jungle/Cayo and how many at the beach? Doing the split sounds like a good plan to me.

How many nights do you have? Are you divers? I'd say four nights or so in Cayo. If you have eight or more nights left, I'd consider seeing both Placencia and one of the northern cayes. Or spend a couple nights at Tobacco Caye to do nothing but snorkel, then head to one of the more populated cayes for beach time and relaxation.

We have been to both Bosque Del Cabo (twice) and Chan Chich. We are making plans to return to Chan Chich this summer. It is a great place to stay. I have other posts comparing the two on Fodors (under EDH_Traveler) if you search.

Also, here is a series of trip reports from our Chan Chich trip in 2007. (Click on the Belize tag on the right side)

http://www.focusedonnature.com/gallery/6360693_Qmm68

I highly recommend CC and in the off-season the price is a bit easier to take.

Caye Caulker, a smaller alternative to Ambergris is wonderful. My husband and I were there in 2007. He loved it and wants to go back every year. I like to see other places, though would like to return someday. Check out Iguana Reef Inn, you won't be disappointed. The food on Caulker is also fabulous.

We did 5 nights inland and 5 nights on Ambergris. And as atdhal mentions, going off season is a huge price savings. We went in August. The 5 nights at each place was perfect. With that split, with the travel time between places, the travel to Belize and back, we still had plenty of time to do excursions and have some down time. I'd have to say, our trip to Belize was my favorite trip in years. At least as far as the combination of activities we did, places we stayed and people we met. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

We have visited Ambergris Caye numerous times, Placencia once, and San Ignacio once. Most recently, in January, we stayed at Mystic River Resort in San Ignacio, and at Mata Rocks Resort on Ambergris Caye. From the moment Nadege (the owner of Mystic River) picked us up at the Belize City airport until the time she dropped us off, we were treated like royalty. Mystic River Resort is set in a gorgeous, tropical setting. The accommodations and food are superb. Excursions can be booked through the Resort and the staff will ensure that your your every need is attended to. If, however, you just wish to relax at the Resort, you can do that too. We are looking forward to returning next year.

Mata Rocks is an excellent choice to say in San Pedro. It is about 1.5 miles south of town. Close enough to walk if you wish (which we have done many times) but not too close to all the noise. They have several different types of accommodations to suit your needs. The grounds are immaculate and the beach bar is the hub of the Resort. Their staff too will see to your every need.

Belize is a magical place and I highly recommend visiting both the mountains and the beaches.

I enthusiastically second BrendaCamp's assessment of Mystic River Resort. It's the perfect place for people who want (1) a place far from crowds of tourists in Belize, (2) attractive, comfortable accommodations, (3) a great place to relax amid natural beauty, (4) access to a variety of adventures and cultural pursuits, (5) excellent, creative, and beautifully presented dining, and (6) service from management and staff that cheerfully (really!) want to meet your every need.

You can see my fuller review at http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Thanks, everyone! I think for jungly resorts, we're pretty set on Chaa Creek or Chan Chich. You guys are such a big help.

Can anyone tell me what the current exchange rate for Belize vs. U.S. is? For some reason, I was thinking they use the U.S. dollar, but my guidebook gives rates in Belizean dollars, and I don't know the exchange rate.

In Belize, you'll find that everyone uses an exchange rate of 1 USD = 2 BZD, so if you're paying cash (and many tourist facilities accept USD) that's the rate that will be used. The actual official rate is more like 1 USD = 1.97 BZD so if paying with a credit card that's the rate the credit card company will use for the conversion (plus any fees that may be charged by the Belizean merchant or your credit card company). Some lodges also have the ability to charge your credit card in either BZD or USD in which case, I've found they simply convert the BZD amount to USD at the fixed 2:1 rate.

Thanks, Patty - that makes conversion pretty easy.

We loved the snorkeling and diving off Ambergris and laidback vibe -- we paid only $85/night for this oceanfront casita and each day out on the sailboat was only $120 for two of us -- we got our "neighbors" to join and the four of us split that.

http://www.cayecasa.com/accommodations.html

It was incredible to be on the water with no motor noise, smell from the gasoline, etc... Very nice, small operation.

Boxer would make food runs for us and add an order for us whenever he was heading out (we thought the food was generally quite mediocre on AC but the local places he ate at were really excellent....)