Foo - Have you ever been to Belize?

we're going in late October. just my GF and me. I'm a bit worried about the rain, but it won't stop us from going. not sure where we'll be staying...Belize City, maybe? Just starting to research this. If anyone has any tips on traveling in Belize, what to see, where to stay, etc. i'd appreicate it.

I'm interested as well as we (wife and I) will be headed down there in December. But since I come from the NW rain is just rain.

Are you going there to dive? It's an amazing diving destination. If you aren't certified, get a quickie course in so that you can go out and enjoy the reefs. Belize has some amazing and unique marine life off shore. The Blue Hole is one of the most popular dive spots in the world. There are a zillion dive outfitters down there, just make sure you get a somewhat reputable one (i.e. don't hook up with them on the street). There are also kayak outfitters who will take you to some of the small islands. I didn't do that but it looked like fun too. We didn't spend much time inland because people usually go there to dive or do something aquatic, but I'd imagine you could find a day trip to the jungle and check out some ruins and critters. Like many people though, we chose to head to Tekal in Guatemala for 2 days to do the Indiana Jones thing. We did that and it was fascinating. If nothing else, they filmed some of Star Wars there. :)

Belize City is not known as a tourist destination and it's mostly just a stop to go elsewhere. I got some stuff stolen out of our guesthouse so I'm a little biased, but you'll find others with similar opinions. Pick up a Lonely Planet guide and that will give you good insight as well.

thanks harlot - yeah, the reefs are appealing to me. as is the jungle. what time of year did you go down there?

We went in March 2001 and it was dry the whole time. If I recall they have 2 dry seasons and 2 wet seasons, but I may have things mixed up. We stayed in Placencia (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/central_america/belize/belize.htm) for the diving. It was a really nice town, very laid back, good places to eat, good for tourists but not overdeveloped.

I don't know if you plan on making your arrangements before you go down, but you might want to. We did everything spontaneously and it got a little too hectic for my tastes - not knowing if we'd have a place to stay or who we'd dive with, and getting a flight to Tekal almost didn't happen. Belize has become a huge adventure travel destination, not to mention they've been hit by a few hurricanes recently, so it's not the best place to go w/o prior arrangements. But that's just my observation.

I have a good buddy and co-worker who went with his family last year. He absolutely LOVED it!! I remember him going on a long car trip across a river on a manual ferry and then to some kind of ancient pyramid...sounded awesome and pics were great.

I'll try to get some specifics from him tomorrow and post back.

I've also got a good online buddy (another forum) who lives in Belize....will PM him and ask too.

Here is the response from my online friend who lives in Belize
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What to see???
1. Inland
a. Mayan Ruins - scattered all over the country
b. caves - all over
c. various nature reserves incl jaguar reserve
d. river canoeing
e. depending on time - many village festivals
f. hunting - licenced guides
g. Inland fishing tours
h. Ruins in Guatemala -Tikal serviced daily by airlines I work with.
I others - cannot recall right now

2. Sea
a. many Island resorts offering usual scuba diving, fishing, snorkling, visits to marine reserves ie: Jack Costeau's Blue Hole.

http://www.travelbelize.org/see.html

http://www.tuttinsieme.it/tutti/tut...lize/places.htm

As usual we have the expensive hotels and not too expensive ones. You will not find the international brands like Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott etc. Many small hotels that provide all the large hotels provide.
Exchange is $2.00 bze dollars to $1.00 us cy.

Charters available - sea, land and air.
There is a lovely place called CHan Chic (google) They get many repeats.
Hope that helps. If you need any thing specific Pm me anytime
Regards
Selmo

I recently returned from a 7-day Carribean cruise and we stopped in Belize. The diving was good but the island sucked. I wouldn't want to spend more than a day there.

okay - good to know. The guide books we've been reading make everything sound rosy and i know that's probably not the case.

Thanks a ton, KingTermite - I'll check some of that out.

okay - good to know. The guide books we've been reading make everything sound rosy and i know that's probably not the case.

Thanks a ton, KingTermite - I'll check some of that out.
FWIW it may have only been crappy to BigGunZ because he was only in the main area or something....my friend/co-worker was there for a few days or a week and absolutely LOVED it!

I'm still waiting to hear back from him....as he did it as a tour, his info may be even more useful.....get the tour name/group he used, the places he specifically went to, etc...

Here is the response from my other friend/co-worker who went there last year.
-------------
Chris,

We did a Carnival Cruise, and in Belize the big thing we did and enjoyed was to see the myan ruins. The options of things to do was part of the cruise so I'm guessing that the options are much greater if you're starting off the boat ....

I spent a month there in January of 97. We were at a Belizean Defense Force Base just outside of Belize City. We visited a couple of the Mayan ruins (very cool), the state zoo (name?) and worked in Burrell Boom the whole time. The Boom was a dump but Belize city wasn't the worst place I've ever been. We also spent a day on Ambergris Caye (very nice) doing the dive thing. Eat the local food but stay away from the water. Drink Belikin and enjoy the friendly locals. I'll visit again someday when my kid gets old enough to enjoy it.

FWIW it may have only been crappy to BigGunZ because he was only in the main area or something....my friend/co-worker was there for a few days or a week and absolutely LOVED it!

I'm still waiting to hear back from him....as he did it as a tour, his info may be even more useful.....get the tour name/group he used, the places he specifically went to, etc...

I should have clarified. The place has gone downhill. In the last few years, the hurricanes really tore the place up. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting piles of debris and garbage. I visited several islands during my cruise and they all were pretty tore up. Having said that, I still had an awesome time. The Caribbean Islands are the last folks to get any clean-up relief so if your trip follows a heavy storm season, expect to have to make a few concessions. Even on a bad day though, you're still partying in the Carribean and not at work.

FWIW it may have only been crappy to BigGunZ because he was only in the main area or something....my friend/co-worker was there for a few days or a week and absolutely LOVED it!

I'm still waiting to hear back from him....as he did it as a tour, his info may be even more useful.....get the tour name/group he used, the places he specifically went to, etc...



All you need to do is consider the source. ;)

All you need to do is consider the source. ;)

Freakin insects are thick this time of year ;)

Freakin insects are thick this time of year ;)


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I understand bathing works wonders! :p

What do you use?

What do you use?


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