abw75

I am planning a 1st visit trip to Belize late Jan-early Feb. I will be traveling on my own as a mid 30s female. I have looked into Island Expeditions, their trips look wonderful, but without the rustic feel. I would like to have a mix of Jungle and Ocean.

Any suggestions on hotels and excursions I must do. My budget is around 2000 w/o airfare. Looking forward to any responses. Thanks

hopefulist

How much time do you have?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

qwovadis

www.belizefirst.com excellent info on your options

Victoria House Ambergris my fav for beach

www.cavesbranch.com for jungle

travel.state.gov insuremytrip.com always wise..

Can get a little dodgy particularly in BC keep wits about you

cheapoair.com BZE flights also kayak.com/buzz


Happy Travels!

Katie_Valk

If you like IE's itinerary, it can be replicated using lodgings more comfortable for you or customized to exactly which trips you want to do and how long you want to stay in each area. There are many wonderful options for you to consider

volcanogirl

Our favorite jungle excursion was going to Tikal over in Guatemala to see the ruins - very cool. Also enjoyed caving; we did canoeing at Barton Creek and loved it. The ATM cave is also really popular. On the cayes, we loved Ambergris. We stayed at Victoria House mentioned above and loved it. Lots of other more affordable properties as well and tons of good restaurants. VH is a very quiet pretty property. The snorkeling at Hol Chan is a don't miss in my book - one of our favorite things we've ever done. We saw huge rays, turtles, colorful fish, nurse sharks, etc. Most people like to split the San Ignacio area with either Ambergris, Placencia, or Caye Caulker. We stayed at Chaa Creek and got a good deal on Luxury Link.

Deb15July

so vg...you didn't do the ATM? I'm still sooo confused and am having a hard time figuring out transportation and order of stops. I think we've decided to skip the beach on this trip and try to do Tikal, Chan Chich and somewhere in the Cayo area.

Cattail

Deb, two recommendations in the Cayo area: look up the tented camp at Chaa Creek. Also, absolutely loved Clarissa Falls. How long are you going for? What do want to spend per night? Chan Chich is pricey, so I imagine that you want to spend less the remainder of your trip. ATM is a must-do in my book.

hopefulist

Here's a link to the tent camp cattail references, it's awesome if you want a camping experience in a great jungly setting but with wonderful food and comfortable beds:
www.belizecamp.com

volcanogirl

Deb, no we didn't do it, but it does look amazing. We had a hard time fitting in everything we wanted to do. We loved Barton Creek though - really pretty, and we did see some artifacts there, including a human skull - eerie. The snorkeling in Belize is phenomenal, and it's so pretty - probably our favorite thing we did. If you have any interest in it, I'd do it. I didn't feel like we relaxed until we hit the cayes.

Deb15July

cat and hope,
The tent camp looks quite nice, but I would like to have my own bathroom. My son was a Boy Scout and I actually enjoyed the camping back then, but I'm not sure I would be up for that on this trip! I tried to look up Clarissa Falls, but the website is not available. I think we will have at least 7 nights, but I'd like to make it 10. Not a problem for me, but hubby has limited vacation.

VG,
I would love to go snorkeling, but I just don't know if we will have time for that. I really have my heart set on Chan Chich for some reason.

I really want to do ATM, but I have a question about the hiking. I don't mind a 45 minute walk, but how is the terrain. I have bad knees and I'm always a little cautious since I broke my foot a few years ago.

abw...sorry for hijacking your thread!

hopefulist

Hello again! The hike to the mouth of the cave isn't strenuous (mostly level) but there are a few shallow rivers to cross. Inside the cave isn't exhausting but there are toughish spots where you're climbing up rocks with water running over them. Maybe my photos will help; they start the 2nd photo in the 2nd row here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyh...7622234749818/

Deb15July

hope,
Looked at the photos last night...thus the question!!! I just seem to be a clutz and am not in as good of shape as I'd like to be. I just hate to miss it.

hopefulist

I think you could do it! Just take it slow. Our guide was very helpful and showed us where to put our feet in any tricky parts. It would just be even more of an adventure for you than for some people, which isn't necessarily a bad thing! ;-)

Katie_Valk

You can charter a flight to visit Chan Chich and can be dropped off or picked up in Cayo, from where you can visit ATM or Barton Creek cave if you find atm is not for you and visit Tikal on a day or overnight trip, from where you can fly between nearby Flores airport and Belize Intl airport. Two resorts in the Mtn Pine Ridge have private airstrips, Hidden Valley Inn and Blancaneaux.

Deb15July

Thanks Katie...I'll be starting a new thread eventually with some of my more recent thoughts. I need to get pricing on the charter flights in/out of Chan Chich. Was hoping to make it the last stop since some people have said the wildlife is so good there everyplace else in Belize is a letdown.

Cattail

Deb. Tikal will have great wildlife as well. We spent two nights there, and it felt just right. It is a lot of walking however...

You're right; the Clarissa Falls site is down. I can tell you that it is run by a super-nice, extremely helpful local family. The cabins are rustic, but cozy with private baths. Tons to do, or just relax. The food is the best we had on the trip.