rdpesq

We are in the planning stage of our seven day spring break trip in April 2007. We are travelling from So. Cal with our two children 5 and 2. Both have experience traveling.

Our kids have been to Maui, Mexico (Cabo San Lucas twice) Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, San Francisco and Seattle.

For Spring break, we are looking for a place with the obvious amenities, nice beach, nice hotel, etc.

But I am also looking for a place with interesting archeological sights and native and African cultures. It would also be great to find a place with great ecological diversity and nice hiking trials.

I have always wanted to go to Oaxaca but a friend recommended Belize. Once we begin researching Belize, others recommended Costa Rica and proclaimed it a "world class destination."

If anyone could give us insight, we would really appreciate it.

shillmac

Costa Rica is, indeed, beautiful; and the people very gracious. It IS a world class destination to those of us who can't get enough! And these days, you truly meet people from all over the globe when traveling there. While at Tortuguero in July, we were with people from Latvia, Russia, England, Spain, and France. Amazing! We met others from Ireland, Austria, Canada (of course), Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Germany, Italy, the list goes on.

Do check the Easter holidays, though. I'm not sure when Easter is this year, but it usually occurs in April, and Costa Rica will be exceptionally busy during that weekend and the preceding week. All the Ticos (their name for themselves) are on vacation, their kids are out of school, and they are off to the beaches. Lots and lots of tourists are taking advantage of the holidays as well. This might influence your decision. Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

hopefulist

I'm sure Costa Rica is very beautiful and I've heard the people are wonderful, but it's not culturally diverse or archaeologically rich country compared to Belize. Also, I've read estimates as high as 90% of the people visiting Central America head to Costa Rica, which is reason enough for me to pick somewhere else. The last 2 summers we've visited Honduras, another fabulous country to combine cultural interest (including Maya ruins), outdoor adventures, and blue water time.

My suggestions would be Belize, split between Cayo (with a side trip to Guatemala to visit Tikal) and an island (Ambergris or Caulker?) OR Honduras, starting with a few days in Copán and ending on Roatán.

We are budget travelers by choice, preferring villages to resorts and using public transport to get around, but maybe our trip stories for Belize and Honduras would interest you:

http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/u...;f=10;t=000362

http://sidewalkmystic.com/CopanRuinas.htm

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me...d=0&from=1

Have a wonderful time, whatever you decide! Happy trails...

mikemo

Love Costa Rica and looked seriously at retirement there, but the incentives for retirement are totally gone.
Lots of negative comments on the Trip Advisor forums re: Belize recently.
The chaos in Oaxaca (city) is expected by many to continue through Spring, but I assume with your beach wants you are thinking Huatulco. That's OK as far as I know.
Consider Costalegre: www.costalegre.ca
or www.tomzap.com
M (SMdA, Gto.)

rdpesq

Thanks a million for the input. We are as confused as ever, but we are working on it. Your continued input is appreciated.

TravelinGator

mikemo,

I hate to kick a poor country while it's down, but I'm usually not that quick to recommend Belize, either. When I was travelling in Mexico and Guatemala, I'd met a lot of people who were unpleasantly surprised by their time in Belize, finding it less friendly and more expensive than its neighbors. And when I got there, what did I find? That it was less friendly and more expensive than its neighbors.

Of course, my impressions are limited to the time I spent there, and I'd like to think there's a much warmer and fuzzier side to the country than I uncovered. That being said, I don't think anyone can really argue that, in terms of cultural richness, it can compare to Mexico. Maybe you should consider a trip to the Yucatan? Since your kids (lucky little devils!) have already gotten a taste for the Pacific Coast and Baja, they might enjoy a place like Playa del Carmen. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't touristy, but it's in a far less onerous way than you'll find in, say, Cancun. Beaches are gorgeous, lots of great hotels/restaurants. Perhaps most importantly, though, basing yourself there will give you a chance to explore the ruins scattered across the Yucatan -- and to visit a beautiful colonial town like Merida.

Of course, depending on when your Spring Break is, you might get some obnoxious spill-over from Cancun. Still, the Riviera Maya is worth considering.

Chris
Travel better. Travel Gator.
www.travelgator.com

Katie_Valk

Belize is multicultural, has Garifuna (African) and Maya villages and inmpressive Maya sites, the largest barrier reef in the hemisphere, Extensive systems for recreational explorng and some with artifacts, mountains, waterfalls, butterfly farms, horses, is english speaking and filled with friendly people.

rdpesq

Thanks Travelingator:

My wife and I went to Cancun, B.K. (Before kids.) Cancun was nice but I loved Tulum and the Yucantan. My only concern is the Spring break college crowd. Does anyone know whether that crowd heads to Playa Del Carman also?

I have heard varying reports about Belize. One concern I have is accessibility. (By the way, the same is true about Costa Rica.) I have heard that it can take a long time to get from point A to point B because of the roads. That makes it hard with small children. Any opinions. Thanks again.

Robesq

I would avoid the Cancun area during Spring break. My wife and I went and it was overrun with College students and to our surprise High School students.

shillmac

Regarding Costa Rica, it depends on how you plan your travels. You don't have to do the long drives--there are shorter ones available connecting equally fascinating places--no shortage of fascination down there!

We've traveled for weeks at a time there with our granddaughter when she was 5 months and again as a 17 month old--nary a problem. By the way, she loves it, too!

ltt

you mention long drives in belize but i didn't think so. it was only several hours to drive from placentia to san ignacio. belize does have great diversity in things to do there. it is more expensive then most central american countries such as guat or honduras. not sure how it compares to the yucatan. it does not have the beautiful beaches that you'll find in the yucatan or even possibly costa rica (i haven't been there). i think placentia has the nicest beaches. i loved my three week trip there and would return.

rdpesq

Thanks Shillmac and ltt. Beleize sounds like it may not work out for us. A couple of hours drive is to far with scraming kids in the background. We are narrowing down to Oaxaca, the Yucatan Penisula and Costa Rica.

My preference is Oaxaca. My wife's preference is the Yucatan. (We have been to Cancun before we were married.)

My overall problem with Playa Del Carmen is the college spring break crowd. I wonder if they make there way down.

Costa Rica still has an outside shot but it does not seem all that diverse. Am I wrong?