Just started to look at Belize for a weeklong vacation in April. Any ideas on where to stay? I like beaches, snorkeling, eating out, tours, and just resting. I need ideas on where in the country I sho
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Cat:Central and South AmericaForum:0EE7FC86
Cat:Central and South AmericaForum:0EE7FC86Discussion:d4e6b1fb-e054-4c28-b3e8-e25c00a97305
Just started to look at Belize for a weeklong vacation in April. Any ideas on where to stay? I like beaches, snorkeling, eating out, tours, and just resting. I need ideas on where in the country I should be looking.
If you want to see Mayan ruins, do cave tubing, and explore the interior of the country, I'd aplit your trip. Spend a few nights in/around San Ignacio, then head to one of the beach areas.
Belize has more main beach areas. Starting in the north, there's Ambergris Caye. Most visited location in Belize, white sand beaches, blue water, the reef is less than a mile off shore for diving and snorkeling. There is sea grass in the water, most swimming is done off the docks. Large selection of lodging and restaurants. Live music somewhere every night. Downtown can be crowded with golf carts, bicycles and pedestrians. I love it. In fact, I'm here now for three months....
Caye Caulker is about 20 minutes by water taxi south of Ambergris. Much smaller island. Very few cars, not even many golf carts. Doesn't really have any good beaches. Most swimming is done at the 'split'. More of a backpacker vibe, although there are some nice places to stay and good restaurants. I like it there, but only for a few nights.
Hopkins is south of Belize City. I've never been, sounds like an interesting place. By now the reef is 10 miles out.
Placencia is a peninsula in southern Belize. I can never remember how long it is, somewhere betwee 15 and 20 miles. The village of Placencia is at the southern tip. It's the only place I've spent any time. It's a really cool little town. Very pretty beaches, but the sand is darker and coarser. No bare feet for me there. 19 miles from the reef.
Just spent week in Ambergris Cay with a large family group.. We stayed at BELIZEAN COVE and loved it..Very beautiful and relaxing. Plenty to do, snorkeling,biking,yoga,etc.etc. Excursions to swim with the sharks and stingrays. Restaurants close by to walk or a water taxi ride away. Thoroughly enjoyed.
I agree about splitting your trip up. I spent four nights in the jungle at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. It was WONDERFUL. It is 1/2 mile from the ruins and they sponsor their own tours, most are included in the price of the stay. I did a Mayan Medicine excursion, bird watching, ruins tour, learned to make tamales at the co-operative restaurant in town and did a night cruise on the river. Fabulous. Then I spent four nights at Ruby's on Ambergris Caye for snorkelling. I thought Ambergris Caye was a little dull, but the snorkeling was great and the street food tasty, especially the pupusas!
There are many things you could do in Belize, even in April when it's hot and humid. For starters, if you enjoy archeological sites, go visit Altún Ha, Lamanai (try the river aproach, you'll feel like Indiana Jones); Caracol (the biggest Mayan site in the Country), Nim Li Punit, and near San Ignacio, visit Xunantunich. In case you're willing to cross the border to Guatemala, the island town of Flores and Tikal are less than 2 hrs away (by car).
Trekking, snorkeling, tubing, caving, scuba diving... everything can be done, just be on your toes and avoid tourist traps, since services can fluctuate from very good to really mediocre, depending who you hire. Generally speaking, food and restaurants are not-so-great either.
Where to stay? I found a very nice place perched on a hilly area overlooking the Makal River, where you can take pictures of monkeys, toucans and other animals from your cabin. It is called Black Rock Lodge, I'm sure they must have a Web page. In San Ignacio, try the Cahal Pech hotel. Enjoy your trip!
Good idea to move around. Try the jungle camp at Chaa Creek for the jungle experience, Hopkins for a local town, and Island Outfitters for an amazing visit to one of the small islands with fabulous snorkeling and kayaking. Belize is wonderful. We also enjoyed our stay on Tobacco Caye. No roads, just a small island that we could snorkle directly from the beach.
We spent two weeks doing the route of the Maya through El Salvador, Homduras, Guatemala and Belize. We wanted R&R and found it on Ambergris Caye. We spent four wonderful nights at Xanadu resort (xanaduresort-belize.com) about one mile south of San Pedro. We had lovely accommodations with a full kitchen and full grocery store nearby. The staff were super. We took two snorkeling excursions through them with Lil Alfonso and I must say it was the best we've ever experienced. It involved a 10 minute boat ride to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark alley. Bicycles were readily available as were golf carts to rent. There were plenty of good restaurants such as Blue Iguana and Wild Mango within a mile walk. We can't wait to go back.
