hi! we're a family of 4 (two daughters ages 12 and 14) - we'll be spending time on AC in August, then to the mainland for a week - a total of three weeks in Belize, we are soooo lucky! Thinking of staying at Caves Branch and Black Rock lodges (but read about the December incident there) Coming from the canadian rockies, we're accustomed to hiking, climbing, camping etc. - but are wondering about the amount of rain and mosquitoes at that time, and what river swimming is like then. And are anti-malarial pills really necessary? Any recommendations and information about this area would be greatly appreciated! (this board is fantastic, it eased our minds regarding safety of relatives during Iris and Keith)

I'm usually in Belize in August and last August was at both Ian Anderson's and Black Rock (actually I stayed at Ek'Tun which is across the river from Black Rock -- Ek 'Tun by the way is fabulous). I've always had pretty good luck with August weather -- it's hot and humid but that's how Belize is most of the time. I don't think I saw a mosquito at Ek'Tun -- there aren't many in that area due to the porous terrain which doesn't allow much standing water for mosquitoes to breed -- and only a few at Cave's Branch.

On antimalarials we've had many discussions on that issue here -- just search the board using a key word such as malaria.

--Lan Sluder
Belize books and publications by Lan Sluder:
Belize First Magazine (http://www.belizefirst.com)
Fodor's Belize & Guatemala Guide (new 4th edition coming this summer)
Adapter Kit: Belize (the first and only comprehensive guide to living, retiring, working and investing in Belize -- a best-seller on Amazon.com)
San Pedro Cool (the first and only visitor guide to Ambergris Caye)
Belize First Guide to Mainland Belize
UpClose Central America
Belize Book of Lists

thanks so much for the info on cayo - still debating about anti-malarials, we'll keep researching.