Suggestions for 1st Trip to Belize
 

We are trying to decide between Belize and Cozumel for a family trip in April. We like the beach. We went to CR last year and loved it. Can anyone give me suggestions about where to spend our time in Belize? Should we break our week up between two areas? What would be the best transportation between the two areas? Are there any hotels in Belize with a fun pool area for boys ages 7 and 9? Thank you so much?

I'd split your time between the San Ignacio area (Aguada is a good value and has a pool) and a beachy place - Ambergris or Caulker or Placencia, maybe; Caulker would be my choice, I think. An overnighter to Tikal in Guatemala might be a hit with your boys and 2 of the hotels in the park (out of the 3 that are there) have pools.

Lots of photos and recommendations below if you're interested. Happy trails!
http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

If you are beach people, I think splitting your time between Placencia and Ambergris would be nice. We had a pool at our resort on Ambergris but you'll want to check things out online. For us, Caulker seemed a little too small but many people love it. Placencia is on our wish list for several reasons although I'm not sure I like the idea of not being able to easily walk from place to place or have cabs available to get around throughout the evening. With children, you'd probably be just fine spending your evenings at your hotel. I'd fly to Ambergris and rent a car or hire a driver to get to Placencia. The jungle lodges sound wonderful too if your kids want to give up some pool time.

I've not spent much time inland in Belize, but I know some of the jungle lodges do have pools. I understand Caves Branch is putting one in, and Chaa Creek has as well.

I'd split your trip between one of the jungle lodges and a beach destination. My personal favorite is Ambergris, more choices for food and lodging.

If you really just want beach time, splitting between Placencia and Ambergris works too. We did that a few years ago, then headed further up the beach to Tulum and finally Playa del Carmen before flying home out of Cancun.

We flew form the international airport in Belize City to Placencia, then from Placencia to the Municipal airport in Belize City (cheaper fares), then to Ambergris.

We left Placencia mid-morning and were on Ambergris in time for lunch.

Xanadu Resort Ambergris

best for me in the Cayes...

for 1 week...

www.robertsgrove.com Placencia

week #2

www.belizefirst.com good info

With kids Ambergris, though commercialized, is probably quite suitable and the snorkeling will b e better. With 2 weeks if you want to treat yourself as well you might want to go to Hamanasi Resort in Hopkins which is very nice with a pool and they take you out snorkeking daily or diving if you want plus they have land excusions some of which are pretty good. You would fly from Belize City to Amergris, a 10 minute flight (about $120RT as I remember), then back to Belize City and Hamanasi would fly you down and back with a 5 or more day stay as part of the package to Hopkins, a 15 minute flight. I liked the place. It was about $200/day/person with 3 good meals and snorkeling or diving and all non-motorized equipment plus 4 land outings I think for a 5 night stay. The beach was o.k. but most beaches in Belize are not great.