Itinerary Help Please
 

We have the following tentative itinerary planned, but have some unanswered questions that hopefully people can address. Any comments are welcome. Thanks, in advance.

Day 1
Arrive in Belize City
Take boat to Caye Caulker

Day 2
Snorkeling trip to Hol Chan

Day 3
1/2-day snorkeling trip to Barrier Reef
Afternoon, Ferry to Belize City
Drive to Crooked Tree (stop at Baboon Sanctuary along the way)

Day 4
Morning Lagoon boat trip in Crooked Tree
Afternoon drive to Xunantunich
Stay at Clarissa Falls

Day 5
Drive to Caracol
Swim at Rio-on pool
Visit Hidden Falls
Stay at Clarissa Falls

Day 6
Morning/Afternoon - Cave trip to ATM
(is this typically a full-day trip?)
Stay in Chaa Creek

Day 7
Canoe trip up Macal River
Drive down Hummingbird Hway
Stop at Cockscomb Sanctuary
(Is this too much for one day?)
Stay in Hopkins, at Beaches & Dreams

Day 8
Local snorkeling (any suggestions on area?)
Stay at Beaches & Dreams

Day 9
Morning - Drive to Belize City
Stop at Zoo
Afternoon departure from Airport

You're planning to see some wonderful places, but - in my opinion - you're trying to do too much in just 9 days (really just 7 days plus parts of the coming and going days). You're naming 5 lodging options for just 8 nights which means there will only be 3 days you'll wake up and go to bed in the same place. Days 3, 4, 7 and maybe 9 will be pushed, but maybe do-able. The standard joke in our family is that Belize time is like Belize dollars, 2 to 1: it takes 2 hours to do in Belize what would seem likely in one hour in the US. If you push that hard - in my opinion - you'll miss out on that special, laid back feel that is one of the highlights of Belize. I know it's hard to leave anything out (and everything on your list sounds wonderful!), but I'd pick AT MOST 3 spots. For example, Clarissa Falls for 3 nights (1 day for Caracol, 1 day for ATM), Hopkins (1 day for snorkeling, 1 day for Cockscomb and beach time), and Caulker (time for snorkeling and kicking back before heading home). Even with just 3 spots you're not allowing much time for exploring the communities you've selected.

I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, just my 2 cents worth! Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide.

I think your itinerary sounds okay. A little rushed, and a lot of hotel rooms, but if you like to do a lot it should work for you, except maybe the canoe trip on the Macal and Cockscomb in one day. Yes, ATM is basically a full day.

I stopped by Beaches & Dreams in December, and it was closed then. The co-owner seemed vague about what was going to happen with it, but maybe it's reopened now. There's not any good snorkeling around Hopkins unless you take a boat out.

--Lan Sluder

I agree that you're covering a lot of ground in a relatively short period of time. However, you can snorkel Hol Chan and the barrier reef the same day (not that far a part). We loved Xunantunich but again feel you could see it all in just a cpl hrs. Enjoy!

Thanks for all your input. This is what makes this forum such a great place for getting objective info.