We've finally figured out our late-March Belize itinerary (family of four):

- 5 days Caves Branch
- 4 days Placencia

We have already arranged for a Caves Branch driver to take us to the zoo and then Caves Branch on the day we arrive.

Then, to get to Placencia from Caves Branch, the Caves Branch rep thinks we should have a driver take us to Dangria from where we can fly to Placencia (and later fly from Placencia to BZE at the end of our trip.)

I just checked the prices for car rentals, and it looks as if we can rent a car for the whole nine days for less than the cost of the two drives and two flights. We have often rented cars in Costa Rica and Mexico and have no problem driving, assuming it's safe. But we won't really be needing the car at Caves Branch or Placencia, and we thought it would be nice to have a driver on the day we arrive.

So....Opinions needed: How terrible is the road to Placencia? Should we drive or fly?

We have been looking at vacation packages where you fly to BZE, pick up a rental car and then drive toward Placencia - stopping at 1 or 2 lodges/locations along the way, depending upon the trip you choose, and then you return the car to Belize City prior to flying out. I don't think Belize has tons of drivers like CR so we are thinking this might be an affordable option for us.

Sounds and looks (from the maps) like a fairly simple drive. Not sure about road quality - we did a lot of bumpy gravel on our previous trip to Belize - but I think the first stretch out of Belize City is good road. We are thinking we will want a car in Placencia because things seem to be spread out. We like to try different restaurants each night but if places aren't very near each other and cabs aren't typically available, it seems a rental car would really be a plus.

Where are you staying in Placencia? We are trying to find a moderately priced place with AC, but many of the popular places seem a bit spendy.

I'm a bus fan and you could save some money by either busing to Placenia or busing from Caves Branch (you'd have to get a ride to the hwy if you don't want to walk) to Dangriga and flying from there. Some of our most special memories of our 1st trip to Belize were on buses - wonderful interactions with locals. We've never chosen to rent a car in CA and loved the freedom - no worries about theft, damage or break-in, no trouble finding safe places to park or the right roads and turn-offs, all of us getting to enjoy each other and our fellow travelers instead of eyes on the road; the bus drivers know where all the "sleeping policemen" are, too. If the buses don't go where we want, we hire a shuttle. In any even flying back to BZE at the end of the trip might be nice; it could mean your last night would be in Placencia instead of by the airport. Happy trails!

I've only been to Placencia once, and we flew there from BZE. We stayed in the village and enjoyed our stay. However, if we go back, I'd probably rent a car so we can explore the peninsula. If I wasn't staying in the village, I'd want a car for sure.

Thanks, everyone. Will report back with our decision.

hopefulist, our return flight doesn't leave until 4:00 PM, so we won't have to stay in Belize City. I traveled on many Belizean buses years ago (when they didn't have windows) and they were fun. I'm sure they've improved by now, but I think we will go for the car or plane. I know what you mean about the "sleeping policemen" - My husband got one of those $86 speeding tickets in CR on the road to Tamarindo.

Linda137 - In Placencia we are doing the anti-resort thing and staying at a vacation rental - Toucan Lulu, a funky beachfront cabana highly rated on tripadvisor. We usually go for rustic elegance and thought about Turtle Inn, but they only had garden units and it seemed a little too honeymoonish for us. We wanted to be right on the beach and right in town...If we can swing it, we're considering a last-minute post-h.s. graduation trip to Tanzania, so Belize is our vacation for the new economy.