We're arriving at BZE about 3:08pm from the US in a few weeks.

How long does it usually take to get through customs and get luggage?

Should I book a flight to Placencia in advance or just show up and get one there when we're on the ground and through everything?

Which airline would be the best to go from BZE to Placencia?

Should take no more than 15-30 mins to get through C&I.

I'd book ahaead for Placencia (Tropic is my choice) here;s the schedule. Full info on them & Maya on the site (homepage)

Leaving from Belize International
Destination Leave Arrive Flight # Adult
one way Adult
rd trip
Placencia 0815 0905 321 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1010 1040 511 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1020 1105 351 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1100 1135 521 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1220 1305 361 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1230 1255 531 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1350 1425 541 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1420 1505 381 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1520 1555 551 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1645 1700 561 $70.00 $140.00
Placencia 1700 1735 3101 $70.00 $140.00

Thanks klcman

I'll book for the 4:45pm flight with Tropic Air if they have it open. We'll be going to CC and AC from there, so it'll be a one-way.

how do you plan to get from Placencia to CC or AC? Can't do it directly by flying. Have to go through either airport in BC.

Ah...

This is a very good thing to know!

I hadn't considered that (slaps wrist). I was actually going to try to get a boat to get there, and maybe a tour that would stop off on the way for camping or similar on an island between Placencia and AC, but was going to fly as a backup. Guess that won't happen now.

Thanks for the head's up.

Any boating ideas?

hmmmmmmmmmm nope.......don't think that will happen either, unless you find some local willing to do it.

I'm not aware of any regular water schedule/tours.etc between Plac/AC/CC

Hi, I have found that customs can take longer than 30 minutes during busy times when more than one flight comes in at the same time, so give yourself some extra time.
I know your plan is to go to Placencia first but if you want to go to Caye Caulker first and sail down to Placencia there is Raggamuffin Tours that offers a package. You could email them about the return trip. Their email address is raggamuffintours@hotmail.com.
I am including a reply I got from them. I sailed with them last time I was down, for a day trip and had a great time. Very friendly, very professional.

Hi Cathy!

Many thanks for your enquiry!

We send out weekly our trips to Placencia, generally commencing on a Tuesday and generally our minimum number is 8 persons. Please do not concern yourself if you only find that you are a group of 6 as it is almost certain that a couple of likeminded persons will sign up to fill this trip in the meantime.

We generally commence our trip each Tuesday - does this fit in with your scheduling?? If not, then we can try and work around it.

The trip takes three full days of sailing, snorkeling, fishing and camping. It is a unique island hopping adventure which gently highlights Belize's beautiful reef. All your needs are taken care of, which includes setting up (or taking down) camp, cooking, sailing and fishing, however it is extremely common that there are those that want to get involved and this is by all means possible.

The first night is spent on Rendevous Caye, a tiny island the size of a tennis court with twelve coconut trees upon it. The second is spent on the famous Tobacco Caye, an slightly bigger island with small fishing and diving community. Both islands are set upon the reef with exceptional snorkelling right off the islands. This allows guests to maximise the time spent snorkelling if they so wish in the afternoon and morning during their visit.

The food is an additional welcome highlight on these trips. Breakfast and dinners are the largest being cooked upon land. Breakfast consists of fresh flour tortilla or fry jacks, eggs, cheese, sausage and fruit. Fruit is once again served whilst on the boat both at mid morning and mid afternoon as snacks. Lunch consists fresh rolls with vegetable salad, ham or cheese. Upon arriving at the island and after camp has been set up salsa or ceviche is served with chips and beer or rum punch to commence the evenings festivities. During the day the Guides will fish and therefore the 'catch of the day' will be roasted on an open fire or cooked in a traditional method for the evening feast around the fire.

Bathrooms are on the boat and all passengers will be able to get a fresh shower each evening. Camping facilities are provided with two persons sleeping in a large four man tent with foam matts and sheets.

The total cost of the trip per person all inclusive is $500 Bz. This essentially means that all you have to bring is yourselves and a smile!!

I do believe that it would be easier for you to reach Punta Gorda by car (perhaps commission an air conditioned van for all 6) from Placencia.

Does that answer your questions??

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

CHARLIE FAUX
Raggamuffin Tours
Caye Caulker
Belize
Tel: +501 226 0348

Thanks Cath,

We're arriving in Placencia first cause Lobsterfest starts the day we arrive in Belize and lasts for only three days. Hopefully it doesn't get rained out again and delayed.

That trip would've been perfect, had it gone the other way.

Scott, how long are you staying in Belize? The reason I am asking, Capricorn has some really great packages that include mainland, with 4 wheel drive vehicle, ac and cc for very reasonable prices. You might want to take a look at their website. http://www.capricorn.net.

Scott,
From Placencia you will need to fly to Belize municipal (TZA), either catch the flight to AC or take a cab to the water taxi terminal and take a water taxi out to the cayes.
By the way, you are pretty much on my schedule, except that I go to Placencia first weekend; second weekend; AC, third weekend, Caye Caulker.

Our schedule is 3 days Placencia and then to the cayes. No set schedule after Placencia. We're brining everything in backpacks and have a tent, so we'll be ready for anything that comes along. We'll decide when we get there, based on more accurate and timely information but tentatively we're heading for AC after Placencia and will either stay there or CC for at least a few days. I would love to find a reverse trip like the Ragamuffin tour to get to AC tho.

Thanks for the tip gapeach. I'll check them out.

Gee Scott, why not try contacting Ragamuffin...they gotta get that boat back someway!

Got that in mind

I haven't found their contact info yet other than the phone number that cath was kind enough to post. My cellphone doesn't call to Belize for some reason and I've been doing 12 hour days for a bit so I haven't had a chance to yet. As soon as I can get a way to contact them, I'm gonna try.

Anyone have an email address for them?

raggamuffintours@hotmail.com

Hope this helps.

After many trips to Belize there is one thing that can really hang you up and that is getting thru Customs. It only took 1 or 2 trips to figure out how to get thru fast. On the plane they should hand out your declaration papers. Do not wait until you get off the plane and in line at customs to fill these out, like a lot do. Fill them out immediately. Then when the plane lands and is taxing to the gate... once the plane is pulling up, get up and get any carry-ons. I know you're thinking this guy is nuts, but believe me, the line can be very long, and hot. Once that plane door opens make a beeline and get off the plane. There will be a guy by the building pointing the way to Customs... walk fast.. you'll get thru Customs faster. Have that paper and passport ready. You'll have to wait a bit for your bags if checked. Then you'll take the bags thru Customs... some they check, some don't. Remember, you have two lines to wait in... one is the Customs clerk before you get your bags... the next line is where they may or may not check your bags... once thru the second line you are home free...

Thanks Denny, we'll definitely remember that.

We'll be checking our backpacks for the flight, no other luggage. I would imagine I'll have to wrap them in something that I can rewrap in case of inspection. Haven't settled on what yet, maybe plastic wrap.

Denny, things have changed in the last few years. The last six times I was in Belize (between June to Feb this year), I have had no delays. They now have two routes you can take, a nothing to declare (green) and declaration line (red). Nothing to declare takes about 5 seconds unless you look suspicious.

Hi,
If you are interested in sailing to Caye Caulker "Japs" from Placencia does Placencia to Caye Caulker sailing trips. You can contact him by e mail at leeandjaps@btl.net. Thanks

Sweet!

I'll see if I can get a hold of him.

Where would I find him in Placencia if I can't get him by email?

Scott, note Secret Garden's homepage in her profile. Good information.

denny et al; tho many have taken more trips than i, u havent since 9/11 & SARS. i didnt hand my SARS relaese to the right girl & was delayed additional 20 minutes to get back in line.

i would say expect close to 30 if goes well (start to finish), more if high season, give or take. that was in slow season (few tourists on AC anyway). well, then the maya flight was 20 min late, and they had to load up....i'd say (6/14/03) i landed at 12:12 and got to AC by 2:30.

ps - on way back to states, they took my bic lighter and all my rechargeable niCad batteries ($30 US) so pack them in suitcase, not carry-ons!!!!

Japs lives right behind Wallen's Market in Placencia.

hey all----

my friend and i will be sailing with japs from tobacco caye to caye caulker in early august. we are totally excited about this because it is affordable enough to make our long-time dreams come true! (i never thought i'd find a sailing trip i could afford.) we are thrilled we'll be picked up at tobacco caye and that we'll be the ONLY passengers. all we are wishing for now is good weather on the whole trip.

lee and japs have been excellent about answering all our questions and have been totally accomodating to our needs. we will post a travel report when we return. be persistent when you email them! btl was really messing with our communication this week!

counting the days....

gogo

G0GO, this is exciting, can't wait to read your sailing report.
Good to see Secret Garden here, offering a new option for travel and fun.

Lee and I have emailed a few times today. She's been a big help. Things look great. We're going to plan on going with Japs to Tobacco Caye and Goff's Caye to CC. We don't know yet whether we'll be staying our last few nights in CC or AC yet though. Guess we'll figure that out when we get there.

hi again----

we're being picked up at tobacco caye (which i THINK i may have mentioned, haha) and then we are going to explore all around the lighthouse reef area. i want to check out half moon caye, the blue hole, long caye and so on. i want to snorkel where we are the only people around. i hope to see dolphins and turtles. i am so excited i can hardly stand it.

scott--when will you be doing your trip? we are aiming for august 8--10 weather permitting!

cheers

gogo

Sailed with Japs in the Sapodilla Cayes. Very laid back, excellent sailor & superb cook to boot. You will enjoy.

We will be hitting Placencia for Lobsterfest this Friday then probably sail on the 30th (June) to CC or AC, depending all on Japs' availability.

One thing to note about Maya Island Air versus Tropic is that the new Maya Island owners have put some big dollahs in new facilities (like the new terminals in Placencia and at Belize Municipal) and also have bought some new equipment. I recently flew on a one Maya Cessna 14-seater that looked almost brand new.

--Lan Sluder

was it hamster or rat powered?

gibnut