wherenext

We are booking Chaa Creek and Turtle Inn with 3 young kids. We were thinking of 3 nights at Chaa Creek and 5 at Turtle Inn. Will there be enough excursions from Turtle Inn for 5 days?

Also, Treetop or Garden suite at Chaa Creek? We don't care if we are in the same room, we just want something the kids would get a kick out of. Chaa said that they can accomadate us in either.

Katie_Valk

Tree Top at CC for sure. Plenty to do at TI-snorkeling, Monkey River Trip, Maya sites, kayaking, sailing, hiking in the Jaguar Preserve.

Pumpy

Can't comment on Turtle Inn. However, we stayed in a Treetop w/ our two kids (6 & 11)and had room to spare (gorgeously done). The wrap around porch has several hammocks and a hot tub (it was summertime so we filled it w/ cool water and the kids called it the cold tub). We spent 3 nts at Chaa before going to Ambergris Caye for 7 nts. If we went again, we'd stay an extra night at Chaa. If you stay at Chaa, definitely take the kids on the night nature walk. For a leisurely day excursion, also recommend the canoe float to San Ignacio (Chaa will come pick you up). We loved Chaa Creek...Enjoy!

LanSluder

I think with three kids the full Garden Suite would be better than the Tree Top suites, as it has two incredible bedrooms plus a whirlpool bath. Pricey, though.

I'd probably split 4 and 4, as there's more to do in Cayo than in Placencia, unless your kids are mainly interested in the beach and a swimming pool.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

wherenext

Thanks everyone. That was the last detail that I needed to finalize. We are booked.

We are just bringing DEET for the mosquitos. Do we need anything else to guard against insects for the kids?

Pumpy

What time of year are you going?

wherenext

We are going in early July Pumpy. I have read about bugs that bite your ankles on jungle hikes causing bleeding through socks etc... However, on other trips we have taken, we have found lots of exaggeration on how bad these things are. Your thoughts?

Furthermore, any tips on sand fleas? Friends have used vaseline or Baby So Soft on the kids feet and ankles. Does that work?

Pumpy

Here's what we experienced last June:
(no particular order)
1. Humidity is off the charts (25% greater than Fl or LA on their worst day)
2. It did not rain when we were at Chaa and thus experienced very few mosquito's or bugs (we did find a scorpion in our rm one nt...keep shoes off the floor or check them carefully before putting them on)
3. While I'm sure there are all kinds of strange bugs, we did not experience any out of the ordinary. However, it rained one nt when we were on Ambergris Caye and the mosquito's the next few days were out of control (as you've noted, be prepared and bring plenty of bug spray)
4. Not sure about Turtle Inn but Chaa does not have air conditioning. So, I would try to plan most of your day activities around water. While I believe last summer was exceptionally hot, day time heat/hummidity can make most normal activities seem very strenuous. Good news..the rooms have plenty of ceiling fans and after 9:00 or so the heat is very tolerable.

Not sure how old your kids are (our 6 & 11) but I believe you all will have a wonderful time. My kids still talk about our time at Chaa Creek (Butterfly Farm, night nature walk, canoe trip to San Ignacio, & Horse Back ride..my oldest favorite)

Enjoy!