I'm trying to plan my honeymoon and need some help! I'm getting married late June, so our trip will be late June/early July, aka hurricane season. This rules out the Carribean, so we were thinking Turtle Inn. But being Mexico/Florida beach goers, will we be dissapointed with the Turtle Inn/Placencia beaches?

I'm also concerned about no air conditioning at TI. Unforutantely, for the first half of our stay we'd have to be in a Seaview cottage (everything else is booked). Everyone on this forum has said stay in a beachfront one to get the breeze. Would we get it in a beachview cottage, or would we melt? (I know other places have AC, but Turtle Inn is the best for us because it's beautiful and we are both very picky eaters, and Italian food is our favorite!) Also, how private are the Seaview cottages (it is our honeymoon!).

Also, what is the difference between the Honeymoon and Seafront cottages? The woman who answered the phone said the honeymoon has a minibar...that's it?!? Is one more private?

Lastly, at Blancaneaux (we're considering the beach/jungle combo), is there to occupy us at the lodge (like swimming) for a day or two, or should we book excursions for each day? Also, which is more private- the riverfront or honeymoon cottages? Thank you so much for your help!! I need to book this asap!

Going in late June rules out the Caribbean? Belize is considered to be in the Western Caribbean and shares the same issues regarding hurricanes as in the main Caribbean (possible but unlikely in either area in June).

--Lan Sluder

My understanding is that Belize is below the "hurricane belt...am I wrong? I just want to be as cautious as possible because it seems each year they get worse and worse.

Hurricane season in the entire region begins June 1 and concludes Dec 1. Our traditional months for concern in Belize have been Sept and Oct, but we had a good scare with Emily in July, but the storm skirted Belize, same as Wilma.

If you want to be below the main hurricane belt you'd want to look at the southern Caribbean (ABC islands, for example) and in Central America you'd want to be in Panama.

Belize is definitely in the hurricane belt. Below is some information on hurricanes in Belize that I posted a while back on my web site.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

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PRIME HURRICANE SEASON ARRIVES: September and October market the peak period for hurricanes and tropical storms in the Western Caribbean, according to weather statistics.

Number of storms making landfall in Belize since 1889

In the past 115 years since weather records in Belize were formally maintained, Belize has seen the following storms make landfall:
20 hurricanes -- average of 1 hurricane every 5 ¾ years
31 tropical storms – average of 1 tropical storm every 3 ¾ years
51 total hurricanes and tropical storms – average of 1 hurricane/storm every 2 ¼ years

Of the 20 hurricanes:
9 or 45% were in September (1 every 12 ¾ Septembers)
8 or 40% were in October
2 or 10% were in July
1 or 5% was in November
0 or 0% in June and August

Of the 51 total hurricanes and tropical storms:
7 or 14% were in June
4 or 8% were in July
4 or 8% were in August
19 or 37% were in September
14 or 27% were in October
3 or 6% were in November

Odds of hurricane:
Odds of a hurricane in Belize in a given year: 17%
Odds of a hurricane in Florida in a given year: 68%
Odds of a hurricane on the U.S. Gulf Coast in a given year: 67%
Odds of a hurricane on the U.S. East Coast in a given year: 47%
Note, however, that the length of the coast in Belize (less than 200 miles) is much smaller than the length of the coasts of Florida, the Gulf Coast and the East Coast – for example the East Coast of the U.S. is 1860 miles in length, so it offers a much greater area for storms to strike

Most powerful storms to hit Belize:
Unnamed hurricane, September 9, 1931, Belize City and Northern Cayes, 110 mph, estimated 2,500-3,000 deaths
Hurricane Janet, September 28, 1955, Northern Belize, 165 mph, 16 deaths in Belize
Hurricane Hattie, October 31, 1961, Belize City, 140 mph, estimated 225-310 deaths in Belize
Hurricane Carmen, September 2, 1974, skirted Northern Belize, 120 mph
Hurricane Mitch, October 27, 1998, skirted Belize to the south, 155 mph
Hurricane Keith, October 1, 2000, Ambergris Caye 120 mph, 2 deaths in Belize
Hurricane Iris, October 9, 2001, Placencia & Southern Belize, 145 mph, 21 deaths in Belize

Source; Belize National Meteorological Service, NOAA and other weather records

I just got back on 10/21 from my honeymoon and we did Blancaneaux/TI combo. I don't know how it will be in June/July but it was beautiful in Oct. We did TI last, which I highly recommend. We did stay in the honeymoon cottage right on the shore and with the fans on we were completely comfortable. Kept the covers on even! The beach was wonderful. Water so warm! Not sure how to compare it to Fla. or Mexico beaches as I've never been, but I don't think you'd be disappointed. The seaview cottages must be the ones right behind the shore ones (like the honeymoon and matrimonial cottages) I don't think there would be too much of a difference temperature-wise if you're in a beachview, it's just not as beautiful or convenient as the beachfront. The cottages are not as private as I thought but it wasn't that big of a deal. From the honeymoon cottage we could hear the toilet flush and some conversation from the chinese matrimonial cottage. So many others are honeymooning though, no one will be paying attention to you but your honey!
At Blancaneaux, we did 5 days. We hiked to big rock falls, went to Caracol (amazing), Rio Frio and Rio On, and went to Barton Creek Cave. We only stayed at the lodge one day, which was more than enough. We got massages that day. You'll get bored if you don't keep somewhat busy. Plus there's so much to learn about and see you don't want to miss out on Belize history/culture. We fell in love with the country and people. At Blancaneaux we had a riverfront cottage (#6) which was nice but #5 had a better back porch which had steps going down. I'd suggest a riverfront. I don't know about a honeymoon cottage at Blancaneaux. We did a package at both places, which included 2 excursions, a massage each and meals. You can book whatever you want to do the night before so it's flexible - you don't have to do it all in advance.
Definitely ordrer the ceviches del dia as an appetizer at either place, it's delicious! We loved our honeymoon!! Go to Belize definitely!