We are trying to put together a 2-week vacation to Bellize and right now we are considering one week on Ambergris (any suggestions?) and one week in San Ignacio/Cayo District (Black Rock Lodge?). If we want to go to Lamanai, would it be best to do it from Cayo or Ambergris? If we do it from Ambergris, I was thinking maybe we would fly there ($100rt), but then I don't know how to get there from tTower Hill Airport/Airstrip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Also, can we do cave tubing, Barton Creek canoeing, etc. without a guide? I'm finding it hard to find information about the adventures itself; they all seem to be tied to tour guides. Perhaps that is the only way to do them....

Thanks in advance!!

There are reviews on tripadvisor for the Barton Creek canoeing. Like I said, we had a guide, but you could read some of the reviews to see if any of those people did it independently. We didn't see anyone doing it on their own, but there were canoes lined up for rental.

Day tours to Lamania from Ambergris are ubiquitous. You can easily arrange once you are in your lodging.

Tropic Air has a tour to Lamanai that leaves from Ambergris.

http://www.tropicair.com/en-us/tours/alltours.aspx

It certainly is shorter than taking a boat. However, the last two trips by boat that we've taken with Tanisha, we saw manatees on the way to the mainland. There's also a stop to see/feed the spider monkeys, who climb right on the boat. And, the rum punch and/or beer that flows freely on the ride back to Ambergris is pretty fun too.

I think you sold me on the trip with the beer Jean!! Hahaha. (and the chance to see manatees and feed the monkeys) Besides, by not flying we will be able to scuba dive the day/night before... Thank you.