Anyone vacation in Belize?

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I'm contemplating a family snorkling/etc. vacation for end of June and considering Belize. Anyone holiday in Belize on either Ambergris Caye or Caye Cauker?

What's the weather risks for end of June/early July?

Thanks!

89911 · 03-13-2006, 09:48 PM

Haven't vacation there, but I looked into it rather extensively for spring. I think it would be a great place.......but.....maybe not for a family. All flights are into Belize city and the surrounding area there doesn't look that great to me. If you go further down the coast, there are some nicer beach resorts. The only problem is getting to there. You have 3 choices for the 100 mile trip: A Bus down mostly dirt roads. Renting a car and doing it alone which can be expensive. Small commercial plane. Just had a hard time convincing my wife, who doesn't like small aircraft, into flying "Belize Airlines". Too many unknowns, at least for me, to take the family. Doesn't mean it wouldn't be a great time.

slodave · slodave's Garage

My parents were just there, but not at the time you are going. they had a very nice time, but they stayed inland and did not venture to the sea. I can try and get some pics if you'd like...

Dave

David · David's Garage

One of my buddies at work has been there a few times. He said he'd be glad to talk to you about it. Send me a PM if you want his phone number.

Moses · 03-14-2006, 07:00 AM

Belize is great for scuba diving and salt water fly fishing but little else, in my opinion. It wouldn't be a great choice for a family vacation. For a family vacation, head a little south to Costa Rica. That would be my first choice.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Moses - you have a PM.

I looked at Costa Rica, but didn't see as good of snorkling, but the beaches did look better. Any suggestions?

89911 - thanks for the concern. The two main cayes are reachable by water taxi but frankly we'd probably fly Maya Island Air - I'd love to take everyone up in a Cessna Caravan. The smaller the better!

Rex Walter · 03-14-2006, 10:06 AM

Don,

I went to Belize a few years ago. The two islands you mentioned are both great - especially Caye Cauker. You fly into Belize City (not a great place or safe place to hang around), you go down to a Texaco station on the water, and a very fast speed boat picks you up, and off you go to paradise. The locals open their houses up in the evenings as restaurants, there is a dive shop on the island, and everyone is very friendly. Daily tours can take you to any snorkeling or diving, and small sailboats can be rented. Some of the locals have rooms for rent, and there are a few regular hotels. This is a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy yourself.

We visited a few other spots in Belize.....depending on how much time you had.....Caye Cauker was the best. Plecencia was also very nice, but not as much to do there, and more crowded.

Rex

PRE-H20 · PRE-H20's Garage

i went to belize last year.... its beautiful there but i would suggest staying on the beach........ water is warm and clear, people are super nice and warm and welcoming....

houses are built on stilts... funny to see.

have fun if you go.

alexander

ken_xman · 03-14-2006, 11:43 AM

My friend owns the land surrounding a river there, not sure where. It has a Land Rover Jungle Adventure tour... thats suppose to be pretty cool.
If you go, let me know, and I will get you the details.

Moses · 03-14-2006, 12:29 PM

Been to both places, so here's my 2 cents;

If you are going to scuba dive, by all means go to Belize. The Cays are the only part of Belize that are really fully "tour ready". Keep in mind, the Cays are out in the Caribbean, not part of Belize proper. Of course they speak english in Belize which makes things easier. Exploring Mayan ruins takes a committed effort depending on time of year. The jungle is stifling hot and filled with insects. Except for the off-shore Cays, Belize has a high crime rate. Thankfully, there is no reason to stay in or around Belize City for long.

If you go to Costa Rica, you will likely be on the Pacific side. The Caribbean side is poorly developed and if you can find crime in Costa Rica, it would be there. Why go to Costa Rica? Without a doubt the friendliest people you would ever hope to meet. No crime, no oppressive poverty. The highest literacy rate in the hemisphere. Free good quality healthcare.

Guanacaste has amazing rainforests with flocks of wild macaws, parakeets and toucans. The beaches are great. You can ride horseback on the beaches and watch the monkeys in the trees. There is a volcano (Arenal) that erupts all year round. Did I mention they grow some of the finest coffee in the world?

So having been to both, if it's a dive trip to the Blue Hole, Belize would be great. If it's a family vacation, I'd pick Costa Rica.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I spent a couple of weeks on Ambergris Caye a few years ago. We stayed at a great little resort right on the beach, PM me and I will look up the name. It is owned and run by a very nice American couple and the place is first class. We were North of town on the part of the peninsula where cars are not allowed - just bikes, golf carts and water taxis.

While a little pricey, it was very secluded and peaceful.

We spent the next two weeks in Roatan Honduras which is one of the bay islands. Very remote, quiet and peaceful. Extremely cheap being true 3rd world. West Bay Beach is fantastic but a little more $ than the rest of the West End.

All travel within 3rd world nations is a little much for some people once you get off the international flights.

TimT · 03-14-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moses

Why go to Costa Rica? Without a doubt the friendliest people you would ever hope to meet. No crime, no oppressive poverty. The highest literacy rate in the hemisphere. Free good quality healthcare.

Guanacaste has amazing rainforests with flocks of wild macaws, parakeets and toucans. The beaches are great. You can ride horseback on the beaches and watch the monkeys in the trees. There is a volcano (Arenal) that erupts all year round. Did I mention they grow some of the finest coffee in the world?

So having been to both, if it's a dive trip to the Blue Hole, Belize would be great. If it's a family vacation, I'd pick Costa Rica.

I havent been to Belize (yet), but I just returned From a week in Costa Rica, and a week in Peru. I would heartily recommend Costar Rica for a family vacation. I was actually down there for my cousins wedding, which was attended by 75 family members (brides and grooms) from the states, and about 30 Costa Ricans who knew my cousin through his being a teacher in a small town near Tamarindo.

I digress.. It was a great place to vacation

Peru deserves a seperate thread of its own

cashflyer · 03-14-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Belize also has one of the most diverse reef ecosystems in the world, and it is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Nearly 260km long, it runs from the northern border of the country, where it is only about 1km offshore, south to the Sapodilla Cayes which lie some 40km offshore.

I know a pilot who vacationed there one summer. He came home, sold his business, his home, property, cars, ... everything except his planes. He took his planes and his wife and moved to Belize, where he still lives to this day. He says he has never been happier.