Hi,

Getting married in Ambergis Caye. Will be going to the southern coast for the honeymoon. Fiance is a big fan of beaches. I guess we are debating whether to go to Punta Gorda or Placentia. Any preference? Any good places to stay for either one? Activities that we can do there? Any information would be appreciated! Thanks!

Not many beaches in PG at all. My personal favorite for a beach is in Maya Beach, just north of Placencia. And my favorite place there is Barnacle Bills place. He has 2 bueatiful cabanas and the nicest stretch of private beach. You can check it on the web, he has a site.

Placencia peninsula is about 12 miles long with great inns, hotels, codo hotels and guest house in the village. Some of the best beaches in Belize, very quaint village, friendly people and great day trips for hiking, swimming in waterfalls and floating downstream in inner tubes on a jungle river in the Jaguar Preserve, cave trip and Mayan sites in the Mayan villages in Toledo, jungle river trips to see howler monkeys, croc, manatees and waterbirds and of course great snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking and sailing. PG would be a good option for mainland trips, as is the Cayo district in western Belize.

There are some awesome beaches on remote cayes in the south - day trips to these areas including snorkeling and diving are a real treat.
You can stay on some of them ..... Ranguana is pretty amazing if you want your own island and don't mind a bit of roughing it.

Also check out French Louis Caye.

OK, we are thinking of spending our honeymoon in Placencia. Any recommendations on where to stay? We want some place that is nice, but won't break the budget.
Thanks for all your insight!

Robert's Grove has a summer special for reservations booked by June 1, 2009 - they are offering a 20% discount off the summer room rates (June 1 through November 15). There are probably specials at other hotels too. Maya Beach Hotel always has decent rates and a great restaurant. Bella Maya, Laru Beya, Nautical Inn are all good choices. Singing Sands has just had a total makeover and has decent rates. Many small budget places in the village like SeaSpray Hotel, Paradise Resort, Westwinds, etc. Lots of options - what are you looking for & when are you going?

... well, it is your honeymoon...

Which is better - Maya Beach or Placencia and how far apart are the two? We have been looking at Singing Sands in Maya Beach and Robert's Grove. Between the two, which one is better? We also want to be fairly close to good restaurants and shopping.

maya beach has no 'shopping', if i understand what shopping is. and neither does placencia for that matter, a few gift shops.
roberts grove wins the 'which is better' category.
R.G. is about 5 miles north of placencia and M.B. is about 3 miles more.
the which is better between maya beach and placencia is up to you. they both have pluses and minuses.

Belize in general has no real "shopping" other than local crafts like woodworking, art and some Guatemalan crafts. There are some nice shops in Ambergris Caye for jade, handmade jewelry, cool tropical clothes, etc but not serious shopping like on some caribbean islands.