Shatzbones

Where would be the best location to go to in Belize for first time visitors? My wife and I like to explore and would be interested in plenty of beach time but would enjoy a trip to the jungle. What activities would you suggest and where would be some good lodging? Any other advice would be great!

Thanks!

volcanogirl

San Ignacio and Ambergris makes a good combo. Caye Caulker is popular too.

hopefulist

Many of us enjoy a split between inland (for caving, ruins, and hiking) and island or beach. If you don't already have one, pick up a guidebook; they list possible itineraries as well as lodging and food details. You could also check out www.toucantrail.com and the downloads at www.belizefirst.com . My photos, blogs, and travelogues are below if you're interested. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

qwovadis

robertsgrove.com

cozycorner-belize.com

my top 2 beach/jungle/ruins acess based on budget

cavesbranch.com for adventure...

Xanadu Resort on Ambergris

Have fun,

JeanH

Depending on the length of your trip, I'd either just head to Ambergris and do one or two day trips to the mainland for ruins and caves. If you have at least a week, then consider splitting between San Ignacio and Ambergris.

Katie_Valk

For your first trip, I would say splitting between beach and mainland. Which beach and mainland area? Depends on what you want to do, what sort of ambiance you are looking for. for mainland, Cayo pretty much is the most visited and attractive area due to all the Mayan sites, caves, river and horse trips, waterfalls, rainforest, botanic gardens, zip lines and friendly interesting cultures. Ambergris Caye is our most visited, most active and less than a mile from the reef. Placencia and Hopkins are more laid back coastal villages. Hopkins is 10 miles from the reef and Placencia 19 miles and both have better beaches than you would find on Ambergris. There are nice places to stay, depending on your budget and what amenities you require. Belize has lots to offer, each area has its own flavor and appeal. You'll be pleased with whatever you choose.

volcanogirl

I'm not sure of your budget, but if you can swing the cost, Victoria House is a wonderful hotel on Ambergris - beautiful soft white sand beach, hammocks, palm trees, a pool, tropical flowers, good restaurants, etc. There is sea grass in the water along the coast, so a lot of swimming is done off docks. The water is really pretty.

The best land tour we did from the Cayo/San Ignacio area was going to Tikal to see the ruins, and the best water tour we did was the amazing snorkeling at Hol Chan - that's a don't miss for us.

Shatzbones

Thanks for you replies! Is there anywhere that you can just walk in or swim to and snorkle? Do you have to take a boat anytime you snorkle? Overall is Belize safe? My wife and I like to drive around and check things out. Is that something we can do? We loved the Caymans for that. We felt very safe and checked out the whole island.

lingling24

Hi Shatz- I am also planning a first time trip to Belize this summer. I came across this website during my research:

http://www.belizefirst.com/documents...yLanSluder.pdf

It seems to have everything you could possibly need or want to know about traveling to Belize. Thought I would share the wealth.. Enjoy!

JeanH

There are resorts on small cayes that are on the reef where you can walk in and snorkel. Those are cayes where there are only a few hotels, no towns, and no cars.

On the mainland, I don't know of any places you can drive to, then snorkel. I'm sure someone will correct me if there are places.

On far north Ambergris Caye, you can swim to the reef and snorkel. Tranquility Bay is the resort there, nice place, too isolated for me, but others love it. Access to Tranquility Bay is basically by boat.

It is safe to drive around the mainland and see the sights. snorkel stops won't be one of the things you do though.

On Ambergris, the reef is less than a mile off shore. In Hopkins, 10 miles. By the time you get to Placencia, it's 19 miles.

volcanogirl

We felt safe everywhere we went. There are some unsafe areas in Belize City; our guide mentioned certain places that we shouldn't go at night, but we were just driving through so we didn't really worry about it. We were offered drugs once, but just said no thanks. The place where we stayed for our jungle portion didn't even have a door that would lock when you left the room, and all our stuff was fine.