Hi everyone,

Just got back home froma trip to AC and I am already thinking about next year!!! We are thinking about driving from Belize City to Placencia and wondered a couple of things.

How long of a drive is it and how are the roads?

What car rental company would be the best and how to contact them?

Ok maybe one more thing!!!

Where to stay when we get there?

Thanks everyone this is the greatest board!!

Placencia Road can be from mediocre to horrible, depending on the time of the year. Driving time for someone who has never done it before will be about 4 hours, watch the speedbumps along the way, they are killers. I recommend Crystal Auto Rental, not the cheapest, but some of the most reliable vehicles I have seen. My personal favorite is Barnacle Bills in Maya Beach, small secluded and quiet. And some of the nicest beach in Belize in my opinion.

Placencia road not too bad now, drove it today. new paving to begin in May. 25 mph pretty much max today in small car. Maya Center to Maya Beach took about an hour & ten minutes

Thanks for the info, next year we are planing to stay 2 weeks and see some of the mainland!

How far is Maya Beach from the main "town"? That may sound like a stupid question but we have never been there and on the map it looks very spread out!!!

Would you rather stay outside the main part or right in town?

dabunk, what is Barnacle Bills like? Any other places you may have stayed?

Thanks again!

Maya Beach is about a half hour or less drive to Placencia proper (the end of the road) I prefer to stay outside of town and go in when we want to. I much prefer the quiet of Maya Beach, there is a small grocery near by and Barn's place has fridge, stove and coffee pot, all the amenities I need, He has two cabanas right on the beach. I have looked at many other places, but always stayed there. Barnacle posts here every so often, mostly pictures, and he is a great host.

Marty, they say that EVERY year, don't they? I'll believe it when I see the equipment on the road!

Maybe Marty wants to get in on the chicken feet pool with Barn. What are the odds now, 5lbs of chicken feet to one?

guess what marty,, it rained hard and long last night.
after a few days the road will be it's usual self.
i heard a rumor you were in the hood!!

lakegirl,, 'town' is 8 miles from Maya Beach. the airstrip is about 5 and once there it is paved the last 3!
you can take a bus one way and a cab the other. unfortunately the bus schedules makes it tough to go both ways by bus.
you can find a list of accommodation's in M.B. here,
http://www.gotobelize.com

edit: we tell guests that are driving that the trip will take 3- 3 1/2 hours from BZ city.
from M.B. to placencia is about 20-30 minutes.

Thanks dabunk and Barnacle for all of the great info, that's one of the many reasons I love this board.

The drive sounds like it would be a great adventure and Maya Beach sound like it may be pefect for us!!

Barnacle, do you have a bar there or would we need to stock the fridge?!!!!

no bar at our place,, just seems that way sometimes!
Mango's is a short walk north and a few feet further, the Maya Breeze Inn has a new thatch umbrella on the beach they sell booze at. plus all the restaurants sell drinks.
just let us know and we stock all you need, food and booze.

Thanks Barnacle,

I checked out your website and I love all of your pictures!! I also love your dog, can I borrow him while we are there?!!!

I'll be in touch as soon as we firm up our dates.

Thanks again

Scurvys in charge. You might borrow Barnacle Bill but never Scurvy!

Actually scurvy is a cheap date, buy a pack of chicken feet and he will be your friend forever!!!

Now Fuzznuts the cat is actually in charge! Scurvy is just window dressing and Barn is the entertainment!

we did this last year with our sons.

suggestion: if you want to see the mainland, drive west and spend a couple of days in cayo before you hit the peninsula. well worth it!!! maya beach is a very nice area. gorgeous beaches. stop at blue hole park on the drive down...nice swim stop. do not underestimate what they are telling you about the road once you hit the peninsula...it was AWFUL!!! plan to be at your destination before dark!!!!

also - if you want/need travel help, contact barb K at escape@barbsbelize.com. she is a wealth of knowledge.

more pics:

http://www.pbase.com/sweetjane/belize_mainland_07

I love that name, fuzznuts!!! I still want the dog however while we are there, I'll buy lots of chicken feet!!!

What kind of entertainment does Barn offer!!!!

Sweetjane, thanks for the info, I really want to see Blue Hole Park, is it on the way down?

Barn is an old swabbie, and he can swap stories with the best of them. We just had a great time sitting on the beach under his palapa and talking for hours on end. And his wife is a sweet heart as well, she tries to keep him on the straight and narrow

Thats hopeless!!!

He and my husband should get along great then!!! I try to keep him on the straight and narrow to but it never works!!

blue hole is about half-way down the hummingbird highway - these guys could give you a more accurate location, but it's kinda hard to miss. we picked up chicken rice n beans etc roadside on the way, and picnicked there too - an absolutely lovely afternoon.

oh - we used crystal auto too - they are located across the way from international airport.

http://www.crystal-belize.com/

Blue hole is about a half hour south of Belmopan. It stinks as we drive by it several times a year and have never stopped to visit, always in a rush to get back to PG! I hate to drive at night in Belize, it is dangerous.

Didn't the Blue Hole lake dry up and disappear about a year ago?

no,, that was 5 blue lakes,, not re-filled yet, i am told.
blue hole,,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2343984902_ca6cb396e5_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2343154847_7fd9721ee7_o.jpg

I was told it has refilled, just not up to old levels yet.

Thanks so much everyone, what else is on the "not to miss list?"

Also what kind of car would be best? I see they have several different kinds!

Barnacle- Do you by chance have AC, I don't care but hubby likes it!!

For just two people, a high 4 wd is best, suzuki or the like. No low ground huggers, usually do not need the 4 WD, but is handy if there is lots of mud. No AC at Barns place, but plenty of fans and wide open cabanas for lots of air.

Thanks all of you!! I just LOVE this board and wish we could meet you guys in person!! Lets all meet and have a few Belikins!!!

Lakegirl,
The drive is absolutly beautiful you will enjoy it. As for the time it takes, don't rush yourself, enjoy the sights, you will get there eventually.
Bill and Adriane, we will see you next week!