Today, I booked the super cheap tickets($540 for four) to Belize City. Only problem is that I know nothing about Belize. I've been searching the internet, but feel like I'm getting nowhere. Any help regarding hotels, things to do, etc. for a family of four would be appreciated. Thanks, jennifer

Get a good guidebook - I own the Moon Handbook, the Rough Guide, and the the Fodor's Guide and like them all. Reading up is half the fun!

If you tell us how old your kids are, how much time you have, what you're most interested in doing (hiking, snorkeling, caving, ruins, diving, beaches, villages...) and your general budget and desired amenities levels we'll be able to help you more. My photos with travelogue are linked below if you're interested. Happy trails!

http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

I will definately get a guidebook tomm. The kids are 7 and 9. We will have six days and I'm looking at the Ambergris Caye area. It looks and sounds nice. As a family we love being on the beach, snorkeling, etc. As for the budget, I would like to spend $100 a night. Is that doable. Thanks for all of your help. jennifer

Ambergris is the most expensive destination in Belize. If you're traveling before December, you can probably find rooms for $100.00 or so.

If you're traveling in high season, it will be tougher.

There are some cheaper properties, do you need a pool?

You might want to split your time, a few days in the mountains (zip lines, caves, ruins, birds), and a few days on the cay. Remember, everyone says the beaches aren't that great (seagrass, etc.), so a pool for the kids will be helpful.
We are doing the same thing: I think San Ignacio area (lots of places), then Ambergris (loads of places). Remember, if you stay more than a mile outside the town of San Pedro, you will have to walk a lot (and only expensive golf carts or water taxis to rent to/from town (or bikes).And, if you stay far north of town (across the stream), there's a toll each time you cross the bridge! That in mind, Journey's End (4 miles from town) on Hotels.com was only $84 for a 2-person bungalow. Go to Hotels.com, Tripadvisor.com, etc. to compare costs and ratings. One great looking condo complex, only 1.4 miles from town, I noticed was Royal Palms (with varying prices, depending on the sites you go to!)Don't forget to check VRBO.
Water taxi to/from Belize City (75 minutes)to the cayes is ~$20 R/T pp, vs. $70 pp each way to fly (20 minutes).