The ITMB Travel Map of Belize is a necessity, whether you are driving yourself or have a driver. At $8.95US it seems a bit pricey but it is NOT! It is well worth the expenditure and is available all over Belize.

An alternative to fussing with a vehicle and finding your way is to hire a driver and his car. Add up your cost of vehicle per day, fuel (much higher in Belize) and frustrations and you might want to consider.

Email me at ozarkdaz@usmo.com and I'll give you the name of a great driver whom I have used many times. Unless, that is, you are going to be there January 6-16, 2001 when we will be in Belize also.

Thanks NYGal and Raymond for the excellent advice...that website was great! Appreciate all the help I've received from the people who read these message boards; if the people I meet in Belize are half as friendly as you all have been, I can't imagine taking a nicer trip! Leaving for Belize tomorrow am bright and early...can't wait!

Just double-checked our voucher for the rental car- we have a Grand Vitara, not a Samurai! That thing should handle the roads with no problem, I should think! (Bet it will guzzle the gas, tho!) Can anyone give me a rough idea on how long the trip between the airport in Belize City and Chaa Creek might take? We were hoping to stop at the zoo on our way, but don't want to risk being on an unfamiliar road after dark. Our flight arrives in Belize City at 11:20 am.

It's about two hours non-stop. Chaa Creek is about 5 miles west of San Ignacio, then south 3 1/2 miles on an unpaved road. The road is good to great all the way except for those last 3 1/2 miles.

You should have plenty of time to stop and see the Belize Zoo.

--Lan Sluder