Hi, My husband and I are planning a 2 week surf n' turf Aug. 2003 trip to Belize...

We booked Belizean Shores for the second week and I am having trouble deciding on a "Jungle" lodge. We plan on 3 or 4 days at the Mtn Pine Ridge area then 3 or 4 days at Hamanasi before heading to A.C.

We want to see a lot of ruins/sites in this time and tours through the resorts are just to expensive. Is it feasible to rent a 4x4 and have either Five sisters or Blancaneaux as a "base" to see a lot of the sites? Also Tikal is a must for us, is there a tour group/agency any one can recommend (don't want to do this on our own) that is reasonable.

Or am I just way in over my head and should just go with the resort's tour?

Thanks

you can e-mail at
djones@btl.net
for some info on Tikal tour agency.

Yes, you can do most of Cayo from either Blancaneaux or Five Sisters (or Hidden Valley Inn after it reopens). Blancaneaux and Five Sisters are about 45 or 50 minutes by car from San Ignacio.

On the Tikal tour you can arrange it in San Ignacio. Basically what you are buying is transportation to and from Tikal, as only Guatemalans can guide you at Tikal, and the Belize operators arrange for a local guide for you at Tikal. Or to save money you can do the transportation yourself from the border.

--Lan Sluder
Belize First www.belizefirst.com

Great, Your books are fantastic! I've been lurking on this board for awhile and you give such a wealth of information when you could just say go buy my book. Thank you for your expertise! It will surely make our trip so much better. After reading your posts on Hamanasi is when we decided that we had to stay there! Now I just have to decide between Blancaneaux & Five Sisters.
Ok, one more question, should we keep the rental car during our stay at Hamanasi or drop it off before we go there? Jim at Hamanasi said most guests do not rent cars and that the roads sometimes are not marked in the area, etc. Any further suggestions would be great...Thanks again

We just returned from Maruba Resort which my wife and I truely enjoy. We have traveled to many places around the world , but Maruba is by far a special place. It is just large enough that they cater to you hand and foot.
The servive is outstanding, the food to dye for, and the spa treatments are luxurious.
You can see many major mayan sites that are not so far and as dangerous as those sites are starting to be in the cayo area.
San Pedro is only 1 hour boat ride. If you do stay in San Pedro , you can arrive at Maruba by boat.I would recommend you stay there at the last part of the trip to unwind with some of their treatments and impeccable service. They are only a half hour by car to the airport.

web address; www.maruba-spa.com
1-800-maruba-7

Check them out!!

Seaman

Thanks, I'll check them out!

If you book a package (including excursions) at Hamanasi, no need for a car.. but if you only book the room and are not planning to take excursions with the resort, then it might be usefull to have a car... Have fun ! Hopkins is a great little place and Hamanasi is very nice...

Thanks Karin, Do you think it would be better just to stay at Hamanasi the whole week and not do the "jungle/forest" lodge? Also what about other restaurants (for a little variety) if we do stay at Hamanasi for the week. If we don't have a vehicle are they accessible by walking or bike? I just don't want to feel like I'm stranded, for lack of a better word. Plus I would loveto see Hopkins. But if all this is doable from Hamanasi and we don't have to rent a car then that is the best idea yet.
I'm thinking maybe do Hamanasi for 6 days (do a couple tours) then catch the overnight Tikal tour with Tropic Air then we will end up in San Pedro ready for our week on A.C. Thanks and I look forward to your reply!

P.S. I'm always afraid I'll miss something! LOL

What is it you want to do???
There is only a certain amount you can do from down south. Most of the excavated sites are in the northen part of Belize.Lately Tikal is better to fly to due to the disterbances in the area.
Lamani and Altun Ha are the most popular ruins as well as better excavated sites in the country. You need to find out what you really want to experience. Do you want seclusion or a bit of variety????

Seaman

Hi Seaman, My problem is I want both! LoL! But Hamanasi has a "magical ruin tour" that takes you to Xunantunich & Cahal Pech and then one to Blue Hole National Park and to Antelope Falls. So if we do these and then take Tropic's overnight Tikal tour before heading to A.C. I think we will see some sites and have plenty of relaxing and seclusion. We don't have to see everything on our first trip and it might of gotten to hectic anyway if we tried-I think this will be the perfect balance (as long as we can explore some while at Hamanasi without a car). Thanks for all your help, a day trip to Maruba from A.C. would be great...that place looks beautiful!