We are a group of 8 adults who will be going to Belize next January. We are thinking about flying into Belize and staying a few days in the city, then travelling to Caye Caulker for 4 nights then to Ambergris Caye for 7 nights. Does this sound reasonable?????? Where would people recommend to stay in all those places???? Is it easy to get from one place to the next???? We assume that there are buses that run on the mainland and that we would need to go to the cayes by boat???? What things should we see in each place???? We would like to see the ruins, the waterfall, the cave tubing, good snorkelling and whatever else is recommended. We like to see the beauty of the country by touring around. I know this is a very loaded batch of questions, but, would really like some info from those in the know. Thanks so much for any help you could give. Looking forward to being there in 2008!!!!!!

Do not stay in Belize city, very little to see or do, and lots of crime at night. Spend all your time on the Cayes. Belize City is not a place you want to spend more than a day in. Just my opinion.

For the mainland portion (caves, waterfalls, Maya ruins,etc) you could easily rent a vehicle, take a bus or have a hotel in the Cayo district/San Ignacio area pick you up. You could do day trips to this area from Bz City but better to go right there and have everything easily accessible to you. You can get a lot of info about the area at www.belizenet.com. Lots of hotels and jungle lodges to choose from depending on what type experience you are looking for, price range, etc. Spend a few days there, then come back to Bz City and hop a boat or flight to one of the cayes. Not sure I would stay on both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye - usually people like one or the other. They are very close to each other in proximity so basically the same experience as far as things to do. Where they differ is in amount & style of hotels, restaurants, nightlife. Both have the same access to snorkeling, diving, etc. AC is more built up and also has jet skis, parasailing, etc. AC also has many more restaurants, nightlife, shops, etc. CC is smaller, more laid back and overall less expensive. If you want 2 beach areas, I would suggest spending some time on either caye, and then some time on one of the mainland beach areas like Hopkins or Placencia. Different experience culturally as well as physically.
You can email me (or one of the other agents listed on this site) if you want help setting it up or just keep asking ?'s and you will get lots of suggestions.

I agree completely with Barbara. Within the last year, we have been to Belize 3 times. The first time spent 3 days in San Ignacio and then on to Ambergris for 4 days. The second time, 3 Days in Placencia and then 3 days on Ambergris. The last trip,6 days in Ambergris with a day trip by water taxi to Caye Caulker.

While inland went to the 1000 foot falls, Xunantunich and the Belize Zoo. LOVED everything!

Cayo baby! (San Ignacio) Belize City can be fun, but so much more worth it to stay in the San Ignacio area! I'll heading up for the weekend. I would suggest Cahal Pech Village on top of the highest hill in Cayo, great vistas and a nice pool.

Have a great trip, rent a van and make it a serious blast.

SIN

IMNSHO, one cannot properly say they have been to Belize, without spending time inland.

Bummer, I've never been to Belize!

well, FIX IT, girlie!

TQ, if you don't get your butt to Actun Tunichal Muknal, I'm gonna whoop it!!

We traveled around mainland Belize quite a bit before exploring the Cayes. Found Placencia very beautiful, Corozal a bit dull, (But you can go to Chatamal (sp) Mexico right next to Corozal for shopping etc.) Been out to San Ignacio area (Xunantavich) was Interesting. Cave tubing was also cool, If you have business in Belize City I would recomend doing it during the day. We stayed at the Raddison hotel and the Princess hotel while in Belize city, Both are nice hotels. Caye Calker is a cool place to stay a little while, But (IMHO) Ambergris Caye has much more to offer. Many diving / snorkeling /watercraft rental businesses, reaturants galore, great places to party or just hang out and relax. Long Caye, St. Georges Caye, Caye Chapel are much smaller than Calker and Ambergris, As Barbra stated above Caye Calker has simular things as Ambergris, but just not as many.

Thanks to all for your responses. I think you've talked us into maybe Placencia for a few nights so we can do the river tubing and some ruins. Then we'll head to Ambergris for the remanider of the 2 weeks and maybe just head over to Caye Caulker for a day of exploring there. Thanks again for the info.
ps. Is there any specific drink of the area. Special beer or cocktail they are famous for????

Visit Margie at Coconuts bar and try a "Panty Ripper" and a "Dirty Banana Colada", these you'll remember for a looooong time!

Most people drink their Belikin Beer, try the premium. The bottles seem to be somewhat heavier than ours, so you always think there is some in the bottle. The beer is not bad at all. I don't remember for sure, I think it was at the Banana Beach Resort, I had a Hamburger that was to die for, imagine 1/3 of a pound with all the trimmings so when you are hungry and after a few beers...............heaven!

Enjoy your stay.

"Panty Rippers", that sounds interesting!

Do you know what's in the drink?

Coconut Rum & Pineapple juice

...and sometimes grenadine for color. Jet uses that smash stuff...yummy.

first, listen to Barb and SIN...they know of what they speak.

second, TQ, get your butt to the mainland, girlfriend!! not to be missed! i agree with klc - you haven't really been until you've been in it.

lastly, please reconsider a few days in cayo. i am no expert, but this May will be my 6th trip, and my 3rd to cayo (first time to placencia - to get married on a secluded caye!!). we can't wait! there is nothing like waking to the jungle sounds, and seeing the mist rise up from the valley at dawn. seeing wild parrots and toucans is pretty cool too.

I live on Caye Caulker, have a business here and every day tourist stop by regretting their decission to stay in San Pedro, lots of traffic, expensive, busy, busy. I would do Caye Caulker 7 days , San Pedro 3. Placencia is a great place but after a few days nothing to do, the reef is an hour away. San Ignacio is great also, its a gateway to alot of culture. I just dont like the rat race in San Pedro or the high prices.

"Placencia is a great place but after a few days nothing to do.." That is kinda how I feel about Caye Caulker after a couple hours. The great thing about Ambergris Caye is that you can stay out of town with all the peace and quiet you want but are always a quick jaunt to town when you want something to do. This is a "big" island with many characteristics, something for everyone. Although I do agree it is too expensive.

We definately will do part of the holidays on both Caye Caulker and Ambergris. Does anyone know if we can fly directly from Cancun, Mexico to either Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye???? I know that you can fly from Cancun to Belize. Any suggestions on which airlines to check with regarding flights direct to the cayes???? Thanks again for all the help this site provides to us first-timers.

There are no flights from anywhere in Mexico to anywhere in Belize.

You could do a roundabout - Mexico to Guatemala or Honduras (on Taca) then onward to Belize City (from Guatemala on Tropic, not sure about Honduras). You would then have to get another plane (Tropic or Maya Island) or take the water taxi to either of the Cayes.

A total waste of time and money IMO.

Just updated the low budget hostels web page around Belize.
This is intended mostly for the hostel adventurer type in their 20's and 30's. There are now six hostels around Belize and a lot more so- so could be types.
You can stay busy in Western Belize out of Santa Elena Town for eight days and never repeat an adventure.

http://folkmusicfl.tripod.com/hostelsandhotelsinbelize


Ray Auxillou
http://folkmusicfl.tripod.com/adventuresinbelize

Hmmmn! We just had a group of 5 adults from Minnesota stayed two nights and chose TIKAL for one day and the Actun Tunichil Mucknal cave trip for the other. They had flown into Cozumel and bused down to Corozal, spent overnight and took the water taxi to San Pedro and promptly took another water taxi to Caye Caulker. I picked them up in town on the coast a hundred miles away when they came in from Caye Caulker. From me in Western Belize, I delivered them to the port again and they were going to do Ambergris Caye before returning the same way back through Mexico to Cozumel. In Belize, they were doing different adventures every day on a 7 day trip.
Depends on how tight your time is? Here is a website which lists SEVEN hostels around Belize for low budget sightseeing and adventuring. http://folkmusicfl.tripod.com/hostelsandhotelsinbelize
There are too many attractions and adventures to complete in less than maybe eleven months. You would really have to be choosy with your time and interests.

Ray Auxillou
Falconview Tourist Backpackers Adventure Hostel
Western Belize

Pedro's Inn does not have dorm beds but self contained,lockable rooms containing a bed.These rooms have shared bath rooms while the more expensive ones come with tv

The bar is a full service bar and we according to our supplier are responsible for drinking 59% of the jagermeister sold in Belize.