Wow. What a friendly group! I've been lurking here for months as we've been planning our first trip to Belize and AC. Thanks for all of the handy information; you've already helped us immeasurably.

We'll be traveling with our 8 month old infant at the end of the month, arriving by air into San Pedro. Once we land, we're planning on taking a taxi to the hotel, Xanadu. Is there any need (or requirement) to bring a infant car seat for the very few taxi rides that we'll be making?

Troy

Hi most people hear just hold their kids I know this sounds foriegn to most north americans. You really don't need to have a car seat unless of course you are using it for the plane. There are no car seat laws.

Troy:
Xanadu is only 1.5 miles south of the SP Airport. the Taxi ride will now be much smoother as the road has been Paved since my last stay there.The cabs are in the Minivan Variety and you should be fine sitting in the back with your child in your lap.

When will you be at Xanadu? The wife and I and a friend will be there on the 10th of Nov. If our times overlap, stop by for a cool one. Unit #6 is where you will find us hanging out.

Bill - Thanks for the invite! Unfortunately, we'll be there from Oct 27 - Nov 3. Maybe next time.

I don't remember ever seeing a seat belt in one of those taxis? No way to secure the car seat?

You probably don't need a car seat. Most of the locals put their kids on the front of their bikes! My husband won't let me try it, though. Hahaha..... One more thing. I hope you got a passport for the little one. I ran into a girl on our 3rd trip down that didn't get a passport for her 6 month old and she got stuck in IAH for a couple of days....Hope you enjoy the island as much as the rest of us do....

Oh, EJR, excellent advice! Amazing how many people don't even think this is necessary!!

Thanks for the heads-up on the passport. We did get her a passport a few months ago, during the spring/summer passport scramble where everyone suddenly realized that they needed one to travel to the Caribbean. Luckily, we've been traveling down there for years now and were staying up on the news. I do find it humorous that the photo she had taken at 4 months old will be good until she is 5 years old! Should make for some interesting immigration stories at some point down the line.

No worries Troy. Our next trip will be in February 2008.
There are many many posters on this board that visit at all times of the year. Just post when you decide to return to " Isle Bonita" and I'm sure someone will be happy to share a Cold one with you. Enjoy Paradise! I hope to meet you at some time or another.

I will be traveling to San Pedro in December with my 6 month old daughter - her pediatrician has recommended (as does the CDC) to take anti-malaria medication prior to our vacation. Wondering what the risk of contracting malaria is on Ambergris Caye. I don't feel comfortable giving my 6 month old the medication.

I have many friends who come to visit with babies and they have never gotten anti- malarial medication for the trip. The risk is very small here and the side effects of the antimalarial are substantial.

antimalarial med.s are bad for the liver and we all need livers to work good if we live here.
To bad the US Health adv. people arn't more savy , they warn traverlers about Malaria in Belize and that an unrealistic fear.
worry about liver from dark carrib. rum is more realistic.

Don't let the Kid drink the dark carrib. rum

Very very small. If you were going into the jungle areas, yes I would, but on the cayes, no. Just my .02

We are planning a trip for April and I'd also be curious to hear of any medication or shots given to infants. We will be traveling with a 7 mos. old and 3 yr. old. I'd like to hear if anyone has taken such young children to some of the sights on the mainland (i.e Tikal, Caracol, Zoo etc) and how manageable it was with them. Thanks Tanya

I wouldn't do Tikal with kids so young as it is a very long day & they wouldn't get much out of it, possibly the same for Caracol. But you could do one of the closer ruins like Altun Ha or Lamanai. The zoo is a good idea with kids. Are you staying all on the island or splitting it up and staying part on the island, part on the mainland (where the ruins & zoo are)? Any of the day trips from the island would be a long day but enjoyable with boat ride to the mainland, etc. Be sure to bring juices, diapers and anything you will need since not a lot is available on the tours. Probably a kid carrying backpack would be the way to go with the 7 month old as strollers would not be very manageable either on the island or on the tours.

No shots needed - just bring a good kid safe bug spray.