ksddfam

Hi,

My wife and I are early 50's and have done quite a bit of travel.
Thinking of 5-7 days in Belize on our way to a 3 week stay in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende. Lv California Jan 15 or so for Belize.
Should we go to Belize? Comparisons w/ Hawaii, and Costa Rica would be helpful, since we've been to both.

If we go, we like nice beachfront lodging, good food, ocean swimming and outdoor activities. We are not afraid to pay for comfort.

Any comments, observations, suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Ken

LanSluder

Search for posts comparing Belize and Costa Rica -- there have been a number of them. As to Belize and Hawaii, I don't really see much that's similar.

With your interests, you'd want to be focusing on San Pedro and Placencia.

--Lan Sluder

chapin

Hawaii is a first world vacation destination. I spent much time there at Hilton Hawaiian Village when I worked with Hilton Corp. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize's most developed vacation destination is a 3rd world vacation destination and that is what I and many others love about it. Charming, beautiful emerald sea, great barrier reef diving and snorkeling, dirt roads (mud during rain and dust during dry weather) no fancy clothes, no suits, no shoes or just flip flops. Because Belize is a small country, just minutes away are Maya sites, rivers, rain forest, cave tubing, etc. I have met many converts in San Pedro who only come here now and don't go back to Hawaii.

LanSluder

Note that all of Front and Middle streets in San Pedro are now paved, as is part of Coconut Drive. There are US$500K condos and $1MM houses. So the island is changing fast.

--Lan Sluder

eznmomma

My husband and I (same age as you) just returned from Belize last night. We have done Hawaii and there is no comparison. Ambergris Caye is much more quaint and slow paced and peaceful than Hawaii. As we left, the road was being repaired from torrential downpours that occurred days before we arrived. They have been waiting to fix the road machine they needed for this job. So we took it slow and used the golf carts, that everyone uses, to make our way into town. We stayed in a medium rated hotel that was small, clean and on the best beach the caye has to offer. It is not the sandy shores like Hawaii but the water is bathtub warm and the water activities outstanding. There is snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, all very close to shore. If you want luxury, victoria House is recommended although there are lots of less expensive choices. We compared our trip to the Florida Keys, Hawaii, Australia, the Carribean and Eilat in Israel. This was by far the most interesting and least commercial. There is adventure inland as well depending on your energy level and interst. Definitely go.