Nancy

My husband, 18 y/o stepson and myself are going to Belize for the first time the week between Christmas and New Years. We will have 4 full days there. We are not diver types, but are more interested in wildlife, the ruins and scenery. Any and all suggestions are welcome, especially for hotels, places to see, etc. Thanks!

Eva

Nancy, <BR> <BR>My husband and I went to Belize last year, and a report of my trip can be found on my website at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html. <BR> <BR>While staying at Ramon's Village on Ambergris Caye, we took two tours. The first one was on Suya (with an excellent guide named Carlos) and was a boat trip that explored the mangrove systems and the Northern River; we then boarded a bus at Bomba Village and rode to the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha. On the return trip, we stopped for lunch (included) and a visit at the Maruba Jungle Resort and Spa, which also looks like an amazing place to stay. <BR> <BR>The other tour we took was with Ricky on Excalibur. We did some manatee watching at the Swallow Cayes, then went to Goff's Caye on the barrier reef for snorkeling and beach time. Here our guide also cooked us a wonderful lunch over a coconut husk fire. Next, we went snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley (yes, we swam with sharks and rays). Finally, we stopped for a stroll through Caye Caulker. <BR> <BR>Pretty much any hotel on Ambergris Caye can help you arrange these tours, and will recommend one appropriate for you and your interests. We booked through Innovative Watersports, on a pier in front of the Sunbreeze Hotel, and were not disappointed. <BR> <BR>As for hotels, I can recommend Ramon's Village. I liked its location on the edge of San Pedro (with its streets of sand and barefoot ambiance). It made it easy to get to different places for dinner, entertainment, grocery shopping, without having to mess with water taxis or transportation. Other recommended spots (of which I have no personal experience) -- Victoria House, Captain Morgan's Retreat, Journey's End -- are further from town. <BR> <BR>Good luck, <BR>Eva

Julia

Nancy: If you are not intersed in diving or snorkeling but ruins and wildlife the best way is to stay in one of the jungle lodges. Try Cha Creek or Lamanai and check some guidebooks for other suggestions. Be careful with Maruba resort which looks fine but many people on this forum reported very unpleasant experiences including us. My husband and I would never go back to Maruba. It is overpriced too. My choice would be Chaa Creek. From there you could even go for a day trip to Tikal, Guatemala. However, it is I think too late to have any choices as it is very busy time. You could maybe stay just in San Ignacio, then go to Eva's restaurant and they will help you to find any possible tour incuding, if you are interested, bird watching. From the town you can walk to the ruins of Cahal Pech, it is a short drive to Altun Ha, longer to Caracol, and easier than to Caracol is a trip to Tikal. I think that San Ignacio is a great based for the activities you are interested in. There is the Hotel San Ignacio with very nice and warm pool. They do have a website and e-mail address. From San Ignacio every tour is so much shorter and much less expensive. But only four days? Good luck

Julia

Nancy: I should say that from San Ignacio it is a short drive to Xunantunich ruins not Altun Ha which are closer to Belize City and where all tours from San Pedro take people. Xunantunich is so much bigger and impressive and if you get there early in the morning you will see unbelivable number of birds.

Bruce

Nancy: I agree with Julia. We just returned from a twelve day trip to Belize. We divided time between Lamanai, San Pedro and Chaa Creek. With only four days available it would be a tough call. I would opt for either Lamanai or Chaa Creek. Chaa Creek is a bit more up-scale. Their packages also include a stop at the Belize zoo, which is definitely worth seeing. Tikal was also very impressive, although it is a full day excursion. Lamanai was a great visit also. The staff was some of the best we've ever encountered. They have an animal research sight on premises and their tours and guides were top notch. They also have Mayan ruins to visit close by. Check out both their web sights. It's too bad you only have four days. I guess I'd stay at either Lamanai or Chaa Creek depending on availability for your time frame. I know you'll want to return to Belize after your visit. You can go to the places you weren't able to see the first time. We're planning on going back in March.