manatees
 

in mid november, will manatees be in the area?? if so, where would be the best place to have a chance of seeing them???

Not sure which country you are referring to, so I'll reply for Belize which has the largest breeding population of west indian manatees in the world. Yes, they will be present in strong numbers in November.

yes, Belize is the place...Nov. 14-21...are their specific places where it is best to view them??? any place that allows you to swim with them? will we need to take a special tour to get to places where they are or can we go on our own....
We are also interested in taking in the rainforests and waterfalls, but can't tell how far everything is actually from Belize city.... rent a car or take a tour??? money is a factor....many thanks...

Most of the waterfalls in the country, and the ones closest to Belize City, are in the Mtn Pine Ridge in the Cayo district. From here, you can easily visit Caracol ruins, canoe into Barton Creek Cave, do some first class hourseback riding and visit the attractions in the Mtn Pine Ridge, incluing the 1000 Ft falls. This area is not tropical, but a pine forest, as it's name implies. If you would prefer to base in tropical foliage, pick one of the riverside jungle lodges outside of San ignacio town in Cayo, which will also offer the same trips as detailed above. Manatees-no, no swimming with them in designated areas right off Belize City where they tend to mingle and breed in larger numbers. But if you can get on a snorkel trip to islands like Goffs Caye, Rendezvous, English, St George's or Gallows point, you have a good chance of seeing one while in the water and swim with it. The manatee will determine how long this encounter lasts, so my advice to you, if you come up on one, be still and observe. Many people have the tendency to want a little more from the creature and approach too quickly or closely. And puff-they gone. Most of the manatees are a stones throw from Belize City.

When we were in Placencia we heard that there was a lagoon not far from there where there were manatees.

There are manatees in the Placencia lagoon which is on the back side of the Placencia peninsula.

--Lan Sluder

snorkel trips are on the agenda and would love to go to one of the islands you suggested. I have not seen those destination points in information.... what is the best way to get to these places...are there groups that offer day trips etc to Goffs Caye, Rendezvous etc. from Belize City??

we are also considering doing classroom and intro scuba here, but doing open water dives there....seems like it would be more interesting diving than a quarry...good idea or bad?? any suggestions of a good dive company? should we go out to one of the cayes and go from there? info on tobacco caye diving seems interesting, but it seems like it is so far away from belize city...how do you get out there??
thanks...