I'd like to put in my two cents on the travel agent issue.
There are some great ones, and there are some horrible ones. Belize has changed so much in the last 2 years, that one shouldn't rely on information from agents that have not updated their knowledge.
That said, a travel agent can get you some great deals that you can't get otherwise, and the good ones have deals with hotels and tours that can get you in when you couldn't otherwise.
I have personally worked with about 20 agents on a pretty regular basis, and certainly recognize both Barb (Barb's Belize) and Kathleen (Magnum Belize) as being 2 of "the best in the business". Yes, there are a few others, just BEWARE... there are agents that don't know Belize. My first trip down was the prime example. My travel agent sent me to a property that was nothing close to my expectation, but the brochure was shiny and nice.
Do your homework..... as you can see, people on this board who have traveled with travel agents are more than happy to share the wealth.