Will Caye Caulker be pretty deserted in July? Will all (or most) of the resturants and shops be open?
And will we be able to find a tour company for a trip to Lamanai? Or would we be better off going to AC and booking a toru w/ somewhere there (eg Tanisha)
July is a great month here. All will be open. Our hottest time is April-May because there is little rain or clouds or cool breeze.In July is is often the most beautiful here.
There are three snorkeling trips I would recommend. One would be with Jimmy and Charlie at Ragamuffin. This is on a sailboat which accomodates a fairly large group and is a very social and fun trip. It usually includes lunch. Another is with Ras Creek. This is a neat experience with hands on with sharks and rays. He makes several stops all near CC. He usually prepares lunch from his seat with fresh conch. He includes a tour of the west side of the island. His groups are fairly small in a power boat. The next is Junie. I would do him last because you will need the practice to beable to keep up with him. Junie's tour is with a maximum or six people on his very well maintained sailboat. He is a very proud CC native and loves to share CC and the water. These three tours are unlke each other even though Ragamuffin and Junie both go to Hol Chan Marine Preserve. Ragamuffin has an office on the east side of Front St. north of Oceanside. You can find Ras Creek on Front St. in the evenings at Oceanside or The Sand Box. Junie operates from his home on the west side of Front St. north of the basketball Court. There is a small sign.
I would also recommend a manatee sightseeing trip with Chocolate. He has been fighting for years for protection for the manatees. He is a very knowledgeable and passionate person when it comes to his babies. We were also able to do a little snorkeling after the manatee sighting (in another area), while my 88-yr old stepdad fished.
These recommendations are with 'ole classics on the island; except for Ragga Muffin which is making a name for itself in the classics division very fast.