Hi,

From what we have heard, in Placencia you must take a boat out to snorkel whereby when we did Ambergis, we just snorkeled off our beach. Is this true? If so, are there any other activities available to enjoy at the resorts...kayaking, bodysurfing, biking? Or is there another part of Belize to consider beyond Ambergis or Placencia? Thanks.

Where did you snorkel off the beach on Ambergris Caye? The barrier reef is much, much closer there, a few hundred yards at most, compared to many miles in Placencia, but except in far north Ambergris Caye you still have to take a short boat trip out to snorkel.

If you want shore snorkeling, go to an island on or near the reef, such as South Water, Ranguana, Tobacoo, etc. (but these are all very small) or to an atoll.

You must know that there is no bodysurfing anywhere in Belize inside the barrier reef, due to the low wave energy. However, there is good windsurfing nearly anywhere on the coast or cayes. There is kayaking from Placencia.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

Add to that great fishing, windsurfing, sailing and diving and daytrips on the mainland for maya sites, jungle hikes, caving, horses, waterfalls, etc.

In Ambergis we stayed at Journey's End and could just kajak quickly to snorkel(5 to 10 minutes away) -- that is what I am wondering about. Mostly I have read about snorkel day trips in Placencia.

The reef is about 20 miles out from Placencia, as opposed to half a mile on Ambergris Caye.

We took a day trip to Monkey River Town and on up the river for a hike in the jungle. We had bad weather, lots of rain, but it was fun never the less.