Tell me about Belize....
 

My wife and I are planning our first-ever trip to Central America and Belize for next Marh (2010) and were wondering if there are any thoughts on visiting the country.

What are the must-sees and must-dos? What are the absolutely don'ts?

We are planning on staying at a rental house in Dandriga. Is that a good move or not?

Renting a car and driving in Belize. What are the main concerns? Tips?

Any other things you might want to include will be of help. Thanks

I can't imagine anything more exciting and unique than visiting the ATM cave in the Cayo District and Tikal. These were truly the highlights of our trip last month, along with some excellent snorkeling off Ambergris. We typically drive in Costa Rica and Panama and I wouldn't hesitate to do it in Belize, but perhaps not over near the Guatemalan border.

If you're staying near then Dangriga then you'll have easy access to the cayes, as well as the Cockscomb basin, and slightly longer trips to, say, Caracol for a great Maya site, and the Toledo District for jungly-trips. Dangriga (like the Toledo District) seems to be all too often overlooked - it's not a traditional tourist destination, but should give you a great flavour of the real Belize.

In terms of driving, then drive cautiously (Belize has a fair few road traffic accidents) and remember to pull over to the hard shoulder when turning left across traffic, until you have clear passage. Also watch out for the several speed bumps on the Hummingbird Highway to Dangriga, entering and leaving villages, and before and after bridges.

Nearly all rental car companies do not allow you to drive their cars in Guatemala when rented in Belize.

Dangriga is a small town which we did the drive through in 2007. I don't remember any thing touristy about it. That can be good and bad. It is in the heart of orange country so drink lots of orange juice and eat lots of bananas. There the best when so fresh. It is central and easy access to the Hummingbird highway. Basically Belize has 2 paved roads, one east to west and one north to south. I would really recommend you rent a truck or SUV if you decide to go anywhere. The road to areas like Hopkins( not my favourite place becuase of the masssive sand fly bites we received), Placenca, Caracol and Barton Caves are all dirt and subject to weather conditions. Some of our fire roads or quad trails are better. I would highly recommend Carocol as it is most amazing, the Rio Frio pools are always good for a dip after the day in Caracol. The Rio Frio Caves are very big and would take about an hour of your time to see before Caracol just remember to check in at the army base as it is on their land or some nice soldiers with machine guns will ask you nicely to do that next time you visit.( I have experience in this) Swimming at the BIG ROCK is very nice as is 5 Sisters which is on the same river. Big Rock is secluded and free you just have a little climb down to the river. 5 Sisters resort may make you pay especially if you use their tram to get to the river. Tikal is even better if you want to see a very large site(1.5- 2 days)We have seen most of the Mayan ruins in the region but next year will travel to a few more sites, hopefully Mirador if I convince my wife to take a 2 day donkey ride or find a good deal on a helicopter tour. My wife and I have thought about renting a house in Belize instead of buying and using it as a centre location. We would do several overnight trips. Caye Caulker is a small island and very inexpensive compared to her sister Ambergris Caye(Caye is pronounced "Key") Placencia is a very nice little town with an awesome ice cream store, everytime we walked past it we got an ice cream sometime 4 times a day. Beaches here are not that great however a boat trip out to Laughing Bird Caye is a great way to spent a day snorkling and sunning on a sandy beach. Another easy to reach Mayan ruin is Laminai, the boat ride down the Laminai river is wonderful, the ruins are not a spectacular as others but each ruins is different and important in its own way. The Howler Monkey sanctuary is also a good way to pass a day. And like the other guys said watch out for those speed bumps usually near a bus stop, I have hit quit a few going full out or hitting the brakes at the last minute to the amusement of the people waiting for the bus. Have a great time and wave to us when you see us as we will be down from the middle of Feb. to the middle to end of March next year.

So, if you can't drive into Guatemala, how do you get there? I suppose public transportation of some kind?

Is there any America down there? By that , I mean, chain restaurants, motels, etc.? Not that that's important, but I don't want to starve. I don't mind trying some of the local quisine, but I also want something to fall back on just in case....

I realize that's a stupid question, but don't berate me too much.

We are going to be staying at a private residence we have rented, so I guess we could get groceries and cook at home. That would be OK, too.

So driving conditions are rough at best? With only two roads, it must be hard to get lost? GPS does no good?

Thanks and keep the replies coming.

All I know of in the way of American franchises are a Radisson and a Best Western in Belize City. Someone said there used to be a Subway, but, I heard it was closed.

My husband says when the first McDonald's comes our place in Belize goes up for sale.

I'm just curious how you chose Dangriga as your first trip to Central America. I've not spent any real time there, just walked around a bit after coming back to the mainland from Tobacco Caye. There really doesn't seem to be much there for the average tourist.

Back to food, the local food in Belize is very good. Lots of basic rice and beans with stewed chicken. Fresh fish, shrimp. Lots of burritos and such, but don't expect the types/amount of cheese that you get in the US.

Don't really like cheese that much. That's not a bad thing.

Actually, wasn't knowing where we could go, received an e-mail about Belize and started looking into it. The flights right now are pretty high, but maybe will come down a bit.

I checked Craig's list for houses for rent in Belize and there you have it. I don't really know what's there, but we want a private residence with some essentials of every-day living, washer/dryer, kitchen, private bathroom, etc.

I have been offered a good deal to stay in Dangriga, which is still along the ocean. That's a good thing.

Any other info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Can you let us know how long you will be there? That will help us help you form an itinerary. The highways are good, but to get to any of the "sights", you will drive on bumpy dirt roads. I don't think it's very easy to get lost. GPS might be a fun toy, but probably not necessary, and one more thing to pack and keep an eye on. No chain restos, thankfully, but lots of fresh food and all the touristy places have American-style food available. My only disappointment with Belize is that it's almost too easy-people speak English and the tourist track is well developed.

Dangriga is on the coast, but I didn't see any beach when we were coming and going from there to Tobacco Caye. If a beach is important, you should ask the right questions before you book.

I guess I'll stick in my 2 cents' worth. SusanSDG is right, my recommendations would certainly be different if you have a week as opposed to 2 weeks or a month. Also, we'd need to know more about what interests you (hiking, hammocking, ruins, villages, shopping, fishing, diving, sailing, snorkeling, caving, rappelling, jungle, art, etc.) and your general budget level to make more specific recommendations. In general I'd say split your trip between inland activities (I like to do that part 1st) and blue water time, either on the coast or on an island. Tikal, a few hours over the border in Guatemala is worth at least 1 night (though it's possible to cram it into a long day trip if you don't mind heat and crowds). The area around San Ignacio is popular as are Ambergris Caye (maybe a good pick for you since it's the most developed?) and Caye Caulker in the north. The outer atolls provide incredible diving and fishing but tend to be more expensive and are a bit tougher to get to.

Frankly, Dangriga isn't a town I'd choose - we were only there for an hour or 2 enroute to the airport there and that was plenty for us. It's interesting but awfully gritty and not the most picturesque place. We spent nearly a month in Belize in 2003 as a family and are heading back this summer to a few favorites from that trip and to some places we missed the 1st time around.

Please give us more information if you're wanting more specific help. My photos and travelogue are linked below in case you'd like to check them out. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Unfortunately, we have only a week. That is all we get on our vacation that time of year.

We would like to see some ruins, villages, shopping. Not into the water stuff (I know that sounds stupid), but neither of us can swim a lick, although we would like to be close to a beach. Caving sounds interesting, have been to numerous caves in North America. Even the jungle sounds like it would be an adventure.

As for budget, we're far from being the Rockefellers, meaning we have more of a beer budget. Hopefully, there will be some things for us to do.

If you can give us some ideas, that beats nothing at all.

Would perhaps like to do some of this in another country--Guatemala, Nicaragua, etc. But I've read on here that travelling in a rental car to another country might not be allowed.

Any hints on itenerary would be magnificent. You guys have been there, done that. You know what can be done and what cannot.

Thanks

I may be mistaken but I thought that most of the Belizean coast is mangrove wetlands - eg, no beach, and little water access. So, if you want to be near the water, Dangriga may be geographically near it, but you may not be able to enjoy it.

here's some info on Dangriga - you may have already seen it:

http://www.stanncreek.com/attract_dangriga.html

http://www.belize-vacation.com/belize/dangriga.htm

http://worldstogethertravel.com/beli...r-dangriga.htm

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize/s...elize/dangriga

also do a search here for more info:

http://www.belizeforum.com/belize/

There are beaches in Dangriga, just not good beaches, but that can be said about much of Belize.

Even with a week, I'd split your trip. Fly into Belize City, either take the bus or arrange a transfer to San Ignacio.

Lots of reasonable places to stay, good restaurants, other travelers, and several options for tours.

If you happen to be there on a Saturday, the local market is fascinating.

Then, make your way to a beach destination. Ambergris, Caulker, Hopkins, or Placencia.

Go to your local libary or book store and get a couple of guide books. Do some reading, see where sounds like the best fit.

Belize is easy since it's English speaking, but you will certainly know you aren't in the States.

I do swim, but not well, can easily spend weeks just walking the beach and not get in the water.

As Jean says I'd head to the San Ignacio area. Here are 2 of my favorite places there:

The Trek Stop www.thetrekstop.com ($24 to $38 double)
Great budget place, nice cabins, really helpful, friendly owners, Judy, John, and Tino, who will help with tours. You can hike to the ruins of Xunantunich from there or visit Tikal in Guatemala as a day trip (long, hot, crowds) or an overnighter (much nicer). You can shop in the village and cook your meals in the share kitchen or eat at the little restaurant.

The ATM cave http://www.pacztours.net/pages/tours/ATM.html is easy to connect with from there, or consider Chechem Ha if you're not up to the ATM level of adventure.
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Macal River Jungle Camp www.belizecamp.com ($55/person/night that includes dinner and breakfast)
Wonderful jungle setting on the Macal River - we saw parrots, toucans, aracaris, motmots and iguanas from our hammocks. Sweet tent cabins and delicious food served in an open air palapa and the camp host, Dolcio is wonderful.

It's not right on the bus or taxi lines so a bit more challenging (or expensive) to connect with tours but not much. It's the jungly cousin of Chaa Creek www.chaacreek.com which is a very nice place nearby and you can use the pool, internet, butterfly house, tours, etc. at CC if you stay at MRJC.
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So stay 3 or 4 nights (with an overnight to Tikal?), then head to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker (less developed, generally cheaper, beaches not as nice) for the last 2 or 3 nights before heading home. That's my 2 cents' worth.

In addition to the travelogue linked with my trip pictures in my 1st post, there are Tikal photos in the Guatemala 2007 collection. You might also want to follow this thread on the Thorntree Forum if my itinerary sounds interesting to you. It's written by a mom who stayed on Caulker and at MRJC recently, then headed to Tikal and other points in Guatemala:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...52806#15652806

Keep us posted!

For us, we would have had a hard time finding a better itinerary than the one we had. We started out on Ambergris, 3 nights (selected Ramon's, enjoyed being right in town with a nice little beach in front of the hotel). We finished up with 4 nights at Chaa Creek. We thought it all just about perfect.

Ambergris--2 full days; husband fished reefs one morning, we rented bicycles and rode in the afternoon. Next day we did the Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley combo snorkeling trip, rested in the afternoon.

Chaa Creek--3 full days;
day 1--ATM cave tour--phenomenal!
day 2--Tikal (it wasn't too hot, dusty, or crowded--great day)
day 3--canoeing in the a.m., spa in the afternoon, relaxed all day

Transportation: Flew into BZE, hopped Tropical Air flight to Ambergris Caye (local air booked by Ramon's); flew Tropic Air back to municipal airport (different airport closer to bus station), took taxi to bus station (10 min), grabbed bus to San Ignacio (2.5 hours), followed by 15 min. taxi ride to Chaa Creek.

As for hopefulist's remarks--I wouldn't hesitate to stay at MRJC for the discounted rate. It looked like a lot of fun. We enjoyed the little bit of luxury Chaa Creek offered at the end of our trip. Next time, we'd choose to break the bank a little less. But we did have a fabulous time!

I've been to Belize 3 times and shillmacs itinerary seems about right although a week does seem short and ambitious.
A must is Ambergris Caye. Great snorkeling, great restaurants and great people.
Ambergris Caye has a fun little nightlife and access to many day trips.
My favorite place to stay is just a bit out of town. Check out Xanadu. Beautiful little condos with kitchen right on a pretty spot of beach. It's not too far out of town. And besides, we rented a golf cart for the week and my son and I enjoyed our rides into town. I recommend getting a golf cart and zipping around as it's part of the experience.
Don't forget to go to the chicken drop. That's a total hoot! (Sorry, I'm blanking on the name of the bar, but everyone on the island knows about it. Just ask) Nice for a For snorkeling, ask for Alfonso.
He'll take you into shark alley and even show you how to hug a shark!
From Ambergris we also took a cave tubing/zip line day trip. Do not miss out on cave tubing as this was a total hoot and unique experience. You can do this from up North as well.
As far as going to Tikal, we stayed in Flores, Guatemala for 4 days then went Ambergris Caye. I enjoyed this as I got more of a taste of Guatemala and didn't feel so shuttled in and out of Tikal. Actually, we hired a private guide to take us to Tikal and were able to go at our own pace. It's an absolutely spectacular place, so why rush? We also visited Yasha (I'm spelling that wrong) Overall, I felt it was a more enriching experience and I enjoyed walking around Flores.
Good luck on your travel plans.

Try to be a little realistic folks. We have a beer budget, not a caviar budget. I know it's asking a lot, but please keep that in mind.

I appreciate all the input, but some of this seems to be completely out of our budget. How much are flights from Belize City to Ambergris Caye?

We don't go in the water, except maybe a cruise, but even that's a bit of a question.

I will read anybody's ideas, but please keep in mind our budget, although not a shoestring, might not be much bigger than that.

Thanks and keep sending replies.

mgholmes --

I'm not sure Belize is for you -- no American chain restaurants, etc.

Hopefulist gave you a good suggestion with the Macal River Jungle Camp. That is a great location for visiting ruins, caves etc.

I believe the airfare from Belize City to Ambergris is about $50. The boat is cheaper. But . . . if water sports aren't your thing, you might do better spending your time in the Cayo.

If MRJC is too expensive, I'd repeat the above suggestion and send you to the Lonely Planet Thorntree Forum, and perhaps a copy of their guidebook, which lists budget options.

The roundtrip airfare is $67 from Belize Municipal to Ambergris or $120 from Belize International to Ambergris. The water taxi is $17.50 roundtrip (takes 1.5 hours each way) or you could take the water taxi to Caye Caulker for $12.50 roundtrip (takes 45 min each way). Caulker is also more low budget than Ambergris.

I'm trying to be helpful but - really - if you can't afford $24/night double with a share kitchen you're better off staying home.

I didn't mean to be harsh. We will not stay in anything with a shared bath. We will pay for something with a private bath. We don't like to stay in Hotels anymore, like to be in a condo or a house. We have found some really good deals that have all of the things in a house we desire.

That being said, I do appreciate all of the info, and didn't mean to give off the impression that we cannot afford anything. We just don'd do water activities, and I know you're going to ask: Why are you going to this place then?

We want to go somewhere warm in March. Where we live is pretty cold in March. We went to Myrtle Beach this year and it truly was awful, weather and everything. The only good times we had were when we went down to Charleston.

Would San Pedro be better? Easier to walk to things? Easier to find things we would like to do?

Thanks

The more you write, the more it becomes clear that you're looking at the wrong place. San Pedro is a small town with a few restaurants, bars and some shops. Except eating or drinking, it would be hard to kill a couple of hours there. Personally I found it charming, but I spent a lot of my time in or on the water.

I'd suggest you look at Mexico. Plenty of interesting towns with ethnic villages, ancient ruins, and lively markets nearby. Maybe Oaxaca. It's also less expensive than Belize. If you want to be by the water, take a look at Akumal, where you can rent an efficiency.

Actually, you might be happier in Sarasota.

I still wouldn't pick Dangriga - just not a place I'd want to spsend a few nights.

Check out Roatán, Honduras - lots of rentals. Honduras is generally cheaper than Belize and the flights have been the cheapest we've seen in many years (half what they were running last year from the Pacific NW).

Appreciate the sarcasm Fra.
I don't think we want to have our trip filled with other trips. A couple would be good.

I am just trying to find anybody who does a guided tour of anything for one day. I don't want to spend more than that on any tour. I like sleeping in the bed I'm paying for the whole trip and camping just isn't my cup of tea.

Never been to Sarasota. I'm sure it's swell. Not my cup of tea either. Appreciate the suggestion.

Actually, the itenerary I read would not fit us hardly at all. I have said we don't want to spend that much time on the water, just maybe to get from one place to another. We cannot swim, so why would we want to even attempt to kayak?

I don't want to share any living space with anybody else. We like our privacy. No offense to anybody, that's just the way we roll.

I read the sarcasm in all this stuff-- maybe you should stay home, etc. I posted this to get some helpful ideas on what we like to do because there are usually very helpful posters on here. For the most part, these are helpful, just try to stay away from the sarcasm. Try to look at things from our perspective.

We want to go to Belize, not Mexico or someplace else.

Now, are there any day tours operated to things we might like to do-- rain forest, zoo, ruins, etc.-- operated by reputable organizations for a decent price. We don't demand a lot of frills, just competent guides who know where they are going and what they are seeing and doing.

Hope I haven't been too harsh, just trying to find out info. Sorry if I stepped on anybody's toes.

One more question: What the heck is the ATM Cave? I cannot find that anywhere.

Just found ATM Cave on the Internet. It is not in the book I have.

Thanks again

Did you use the link in my post above? That's the tour provider that was recommended to us (we'll be there in August).

a problm that I see is that you are staying in a less visited town - Dangriga.

You could try this, scroll down for land based tours:

http://www.belizetravelpoints.com/ac...s/dangriga.htm

You might also try over on Trip Advisor, where there is a lot of traffic.

No sarcasm intended. I just don't think Belize is what you are looking for. I'd bet Guatemala would be closer (except for the American food issue).

And if that is really important -- I've never been there, but I understand that San Jose in Costa Rica has Jack-in-the-Box and McDonald's -- maybe even KFC.

Maybe you could tell us what you're looking for in Belize.

Here you go! Maybe instead of Dangriga you could afford this place ($360/week) in/near San Ignacio. If you don't care about water activities it would be a MUCH better base for tours to ruins, caves, hiking, butterfly farms, etc. We loved everything we did within a few hours of San Ignacio and it's all in the photos and travelogues linked above.

http://kumquatcottage.com
www.pacztours.net

I would second the idea of San Ignacio. It seems a much more tourist friendly place than Dangriga. Lots of restaurants, a great farmer's market on Saturday, lots of tours available.

You can even walk to the ruins at Cahal Pech from there, although the hill is brutal.

The countryside is beautiful.

If you want a little island time at the beginning or end of your trip, take the water taxi to Caulker for a couple of nights.

magnumholmes,
My brother stays in Dangriga whenever he's there. Probably the least touristy, but a great opportunity to sample the Garfuna culture. He is working with his students on an engineering project, but it's close enough to everything it sounds like YOU are interested in. If you have a car, you can easily drive to Cockscomb Basin wildlife sanctuary. Lots of hiking trails, waterfalls, Mayan crafts to buy at the entrance to the reserve. Read Alan Rabinowitz's "Jaguar" first, so you get a thrill when you see the wreckage of the plane crash. It's inspiring reading for Belize and an excellent story regardless.

Many of the less-visited Mayan ruins are nearby, and a long day's drive can take you to Xunantunich, and the nearby Jaguar Paw resort which has ziplining, cave tours, etc. You are also within a long day's drive to Caracol, a very large site smack on the Guatemalan border. They have Belizean army escorts in and out, but it's really overkill now as something like 25,000 British troops use the Mountain Pine Ridge for jungle training. Some of them swam with us at the Rio Frio pools after the ruins.

If you can't find a tour operator nearby, any of the resorts in Hopkins or in the San Ignacio area would let you join one of theirs if you want a guide and/or company on an adventure. You won't be able to take your car across the border to Guatemala and Tikal. Tikal is wonderful, but maybe worth another trip. By staying where you are, you'll really experience the many cultures of Belize and may want to just venture for the day from your home base.

I recommend the Moon guidebook, as well as Fodor's, for background history and cultural information. Dangriga is in the Stann Creek district. You will fly into and out of Belize City, so you could venture from there to the zoo or the Baboon(their name for howler monkeys) sanctuary or to the northern Mayan sites if you want. The main highways of Belize are excellent.
Go forth and have a blast!

You could probably book a tour through Pelican Beach Resort in Dangriga http://www.pelicanbeachbelize.com/tours.html

I think you'd need to rent a car though in order to get around in general. I'm not sure where the house is or how walkable the area would be. If you rent a car, you could do things on your own without a tour (probably cheaper too).

This stream was exhausting! Comical in places ;) Oh, the joys of travelling!!!!

Thank you guys. I will explore all of the possibilities listed in this thread in a few days. Just don't have a lot of time at this moment. I appreciate all of the posts and suggestions. We, my wife and I, will weigh everything involved and where would be the best place to stay for us, whether it is Dangriga, San Ignacio, San Pedro or somewhere else.

Any other suggestions will be explored as well. I do think this is where we want to go.

I still will check out the thread, so if you think I should know anything else, write it down.

For all of you Belize-lovers, here is a link to a short video about the University of Arkansas project in Dangriga in association with Peaceworks. The waterfall featured is in Cockscomb, and the music is by Andy Palacio, so it's all good. My little (6'5") brother is the engineering professor, and you can catch glimpses of a taller young man-that's my 14 year old nephew.
www.vimeo.com/4082126

I love Belize because it hasn't been "Americanized." No McDonald's, no Wal-Mart, etc. There is a very large American and Canadian expat community on the island of Ambergris Caye (I ust bought a vacation home there at Sapphire Beach), and we really don't want those things.

For things to do, try cave tubing and exploring one of the many Mayan Ruins. Here is a link to a video of some cave tubing and exploring Xunantunich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeQxmBSfatg

From what we saw of Dangriga, I would not stay there!