We returned Tuesday from a very relaxing week on Ambergris Caye. Stayed at Banyan Bay which was very clean and spacious. Pool side bar is not operating and I was wishing for brighter lightbulbs for reading at night. People were very nice. As a travel agent I also checked out Victoria House which is where we will stay next time and Ramon's because it seems to have such a following. It was a little closed in - not much air moving - for my taste but was very lively. I would not send a family with young children to Victoria House. Interestingly - we were traveling with our teenage son. At Banyan Bay we met several others his age and they had a great time palling around - playing beach volleyvball, kayaking, windsurfing and swimming.

we took a great trip into the jungle by two boats and a bus with Daniel from Tanisia Tours - saw Maya ruins at Lamanai.

We were pleased to be able to use the ATM at Belize Bank and saw that Banyan Bay is installing another ATM from same bank in their lobby. Most places took American Express. Using US or BZ money mixed together was not a problem.

Weather was great. No bug bites - even in jungle.

Thank you for the report!

GoSox, We're headed to Banyan Bay to this June (6 nts.). I'd love to hear more about your trip and possible suggestions or tips regarding Banyan Bay / Ambergris Caye. In particular I'm curious about the beach at Banyan Bay, the pool, and the amenities / activities you mentioned (kayaking, windsurfing, etc). We're going with our 2 kids (6 & 11) and thus the reason for most of my questions. PS: Would love to hear about any day trips you took as well. Thanks!

Banyan Bay is very nice - just two complaints. The lightbulbs - I would pack some 60 or 100 watt bulbs and the lounge chairs which were padded but still very hard. Our unit was directly on the beach and very convenient. My son would usually sleep in and order breakfast later than his father and me. He would walk over to the restaurant, place an order and in a few minutes they would walk over to our porch with his meal.

The beach itself is lovely. Soft, fine white sand which is groomed all day long. I am not a good ocean person. My ideal beach recreation is reading a good book under a palm tree. My son swam in the ocean a good bit. There is a lot of sea grass growing but you can see it - water is crystal clear - and can really walk around it. The pool was nice and has three differnt tiers - each a different level. If I was hot on the beach I would dunk in the pool.

My husband and son took a snorkeling trip for an afternoon and we all did the jungle/Lamanai trip. We booked right there at the dive shop and both trips took off from the dock at the resort. The Lamanai trip is too long and rugged for a six year old. It took about 11 1/2 hours going as fast as the boat could go over open water. There was a half day trip to a different ruin but would still include the fast boat trip. Those who run the dive shop were very helpful and can provide good direction for you on what would be appropriate.

There are sea kayaks and hobie cats for rent at the resort from Ernest in the boat shack. They have everyone wear life jackets.

This is a very quiet and relaxed destination. It is mostly families and in the summer you will probably have more children. I would rent the golf cart for the week and you will be able to use it to go into town for dinner. Lots of potholes in the sandy streets but it makes for an exciting trip.

The air conditioning worked well as did the hot water. The staff at Banyan Bay was extremely gracious and friendly, as were almost all the local people.

GoSox, thanks for your report. We will be staying at the Banyan Bay in June. I was wondering if they had any laundry facilities at the resort? June can be pretty humid there and end up changing clothes a lot. It would help to be able to do laundry. Thanks

We also just returned from Banyan Bay - got in last night! LOVED it. Was our third time there and going back in June. Still working on trip report for this and last trip (went in Jan.) but I did finish the trip report from last Feb. trip if you want to read it. Go here: http://www.hightide.com/travel/Beliz...elize2004.html

Hightide, would love to hear about your recent trip(s). However, I'll be sure to vist the link you've provided. I'd very much like to hear tips and/or excursion recommendations. Not sure if you have kids but we'll be with our 6 & 11 year olds (they love the water). Welcome Back!

There are no laundry facilities. The maids will take dirty clothes and return them clean. I did wash out a few smalls and it took them two days to dry. By the end of the trip when we spent an extra night in Miami and I had no clean clothes left, I was wishing I had given some things to the maids to clean.

Thanks GoSox. We are also going to Miami. Guess I'll let the maids have a go at it.

Most hotels in San Pedro (and elsewhere in Belize) will arrange wash-and-fold for you for a modest charge. Usually it's same day service.

Nellie's Laundry in town is another option, and they will pick up and deliver.

There was a coin laundry at the Barefoot Iguana building -- but can't remember if it's still there or not.

--Lan Sluder

High Tide - Great trip report. And good photos too.

~gnr~

gnrbernstein: Thanks - more fun doing it than writing it, you know?!! Still working on report for Jan. & Feb. trip. I've got the San Pedro addiction BAD - just made reservations for return for two weeks in July. (Hopefully most recent report will be complete before then!!!!)