Looking to take 12 yr old girl with us to central america - suggestions
 

We want to take our 12 yr old daughter to either, Mexico, Belize or Costa Rica. We went w/o kids to Belize and loved Caye Caulker and to Costa Rica and loved arenal and Tamarindo. Would consider going back to one of those. Never been to Mexico. Our daughter's first time out of US. Would want to see jungle or ruins and also beach. For about 6 days and middle of road for hotel/condo cost. Trying to stay on a budget .Any advice! Thanks!

I would recommend Belize - split your stay between the San Ignacio area and Caye Caulker. You could start with a jungly place like Macal River Camp www.belizecamp.com or a close to town place like the Aguada www.aguadabelize.com for caving, hiking, canoing, and Maya sites, then stop at the zoo and wind up on Caulker. Happy planning!

I love Costa Rica, our favorite place, but you won't find much in the way of ruins there. We loved Belize; we did a combo of San Ignacio area and Ambergris and loved both. Especially loved going over to Tikal to see the ruins there and doing the Barton Creek caving; the snorkeling at Hol Chan was amazing with huge rays, sea turtles, and beautiful tropical fish. Mexico could work too. Tulum is really beautiful with its setting right on the water.

mexico will probably be cheapest.

I would recommend Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Beaches around Tulum are fantastic, and excellent ruins include Chichen Itza and Coba. There is jungle to explore around the Coba ruins and in Sian Kaan biosphere, which also offers the Muyil ruins.

What's particularly attractive is that you can alternate beach and jungle/ruins days--or even do one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Yeah, the Yucatan is a good idea, too - we had 2 nice trips there in 2010. If you head to the Maya sites there, though, try to stay nearby so you can get there 1st thing in the morning. Our favorite was Ek Balám and we also enjoyed Cobá. Chichén Itzá and Tulúm, not so much, though the latter has a gorgeous setting.

My photos with blog and travelogue links on the main page of each collection are below in case you're interested - all my recommendations or Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras are embedded there. Happy trails! http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

At 12 it's pretty much what she wishes to do. Any would be great!

I started taking my daughter to Costa Rica when she was 10 and it's her favorite place. We do visit many areas teaming with wildlife, and animal sanctuaries as well as hot springs and things like that. She doesn't care too much for snorkeling Belize isn't a big draw for her on that level, but may be for yours. :-)