Solo trip to Belize, any suggestions?
 

Hi, I am traveling to Belize for almost 3 weeks from the end of December to Mid January. I am having a really hard time deciding where to go and what do do. I want to do it all! Any advice or tips??
Thanks!

You lucky duck! My best tips for anyone traveling to CA are to travel really light (just a loosely filled carry-on sized bag) and don't try to race around doing too much.

If you'll share more about your interests and your budget/comfort/adventure levels we could help more specifically.

In general I like to do the mainland bits 1st and end up on a beach somewhere but you have enough time for 2 chunks on the beach. With nearly 3 weeks here's what I'd do: I'd head either to the Placencia area or Hopkins. From Hopkins you can day trip to Cockscomb and to the Mayflower site if you enjoy hiking. From there I'd head the San Ignacio area for 3 or 4 nights - caving, hiking, villages, jungle - then spend a night or 2 at Tikal (or 1 at Tikal and 1 in Flores). Returning to Belize, I'd head to an island; we chose Glover's but Caulker and Ambergris are more accessible and more popular. Here's a link to our photos and travelogue if you're interested:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections/

Also, check out the Belize Forum a great resource:
www.belizeforum.com

and Lan Sluder's excellent site:
www.belizefirst.com

Keep us posted! Happy trails!

Thank you so much for the reply!
What did you think of Glovers? I was all ready to go, but I've heard bad reports. I like the idea of starting at the beach, going inland, and ending up on the beach.
As for budget, my mom has just told me that she is going to join me for part of my trip. She will only stay nicer hotels. As for me, I am happy to stay in hostel type places. (by the way, do you bring your own towel when you stay at hostels?) So, I guess I need suggestions on both types.
As for activities, I want to do it all! I would love to hear about what people have loved the most, sense it all sounds fantastic to me!
This is my first time traveling alone, (well, i guess only alone for parts now...) anyone have any tips?
Thank you so much for the help!

We had a BLAST at Glovers and are looking forward to returning. We considered heading back next summer but have decided to head back to Honduras instead, so maybe in 2009. The family is a little quirky but we enjoyed every one of them and recent reports from folks on the Scuba Board have been good. Not for everyone, though - VERY rustic.

My packing list is #15 on the Thorntree Forum's FAQ thread:

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me...d=0&from=1

If I'm going to a beachy area I take a sarong and it doubles as a towel. If I'm not, I take a backpacking towel.

We loved everyplace we stayed and everything we did - let me know if I can answer questions about places we enjoyed (travelogue and photos linked above). Happy trails!

www.toucantrail.com for room US$60.00 and under. Marisol in Glovers has a/c and more approrpiate for your mom. Or perhaps more upscale on Ambergris, Placencia or Hopkins. Will she join you for the jungle portion as well? The area has a nice selection of basic and upscale as well.