hey all.i am arriving at the international airport at 5.30 so after going through customs etc.i guess i have to stay in belize city. i want to be near the pier so i can board the water taxi early and get over to ambergris caye.any ideas where to stay safe clean and inexpensive?and should i catch a cab or what would you suggest?your expertise will be appreciated

betcha you could still catch a flight to San Pedro if that's an option for you

What is your final destination?

I am not a local just a one time visitor and a long time board lurker but here is the contact info for the airline that services the area

https://www.tropicair.com

In the US or Canada call: 1-800-422-3435
In Belize call: 011-501 – 226-2012

I also think there is a ferry but I have never taken it and don't know when they stop. Someone more in the know maybe able to help more. I hope that helps and have a great time.

Tropic and Maya will normally hold flights if an International carrier is late arriving, as a large percentage of arrivals at Goldson are in transit to San Pedro by some means or other, and a late arrival means the water taxi option is often not viable.

Which airline and where are you trying to get to?

How many in your party? Have you traveled in less developed counties before?

If you are alone and not familiar with Belize, a night in Belize City may not be the best start to a vacation, but for others, a $20 room at the Belcove with only a mattress, a fan and a few Belikins is a nice transition into another world.

Another alternative I've used a couple of times when there have been 4 of us was a night at Tonys in Corozal.

A nice hotel with a good restaurant at a price around half what the same style of accommodation in San Pedro would cost, but for transport up there you need around 4 to make it cost effective.

The Thunderbolt water taxi leaves Corozal at 7am and 3pm each day for San Pedro, and if you are going to be in a condo, try Kens Butchers in Corozal for supplies before hitting the island!

As I've mentioned before when questions such as yours have been posed, the more information given, the better the replies will be in addressing your concerns

The whole customs thing is not what you may have experienced elsewhere. Last trip down, we retreived luggage 5 minutes after arrival, we went through customs in about 2 minutes, checked in at Tropic and walked to the gate. We did not even have time to stop for a beverage. So get your info together and if going to AC try to catch a flight. Your toes will be in the sand by 7:00 at the latest (allowing time to shuck the luggage, pull on the swimmy and grab a beverage). Oh also spray down with repellant.
If not, take Pugs advice if it applies and stay in Corozal. I'll just say - Belize City can be a challenge for a newbie and may result in a unpleasant beginning to a trip to paradise.

I can't speak for Maya, but in my experience and that of guests Tropic will ALWAYS hold back aircraft as needed to transport passengers to SP. My personal record was landing at SP after 8 in the evening. But of course you MUST have pre-booked - it's no good just turning up at the desk an hour after they've gone home.

I agree that if Tropic know you are arriving they will do everything possible to get you to San Pedro that evening. Make your reservation in advance via email and let them know which international flight you will be on and the ETA. And with a HOT Discount Card, you can book your flights and save 10% on the tickets.

I thought they could not land in San Pedro when it was dark.

San Pedro Airstrip is lighted and OK for night.

Are you coming to Belize on a sheduled flight or a private flt?
If it is a scheduled flt then chances are the local airlines will be meeting the flt and you won't have a problem coming out to SP the same day. Or do you prefer to take a boat versus flight? If the latter is the case then you will prob have to overnight in the city and catch a water taxi the next day.

I'll be damn......I've been living there about 5 months a year for the past three years and did not know the airstrip was lighted........too much Belikin I guess!

Life in the fast lane....actually they are only turned on if there is going to be a late flt, usually in the winter time when it gets dark early.

I don't know that I'd go all the way to Corozol for the night just to avoid Bz City. There are several good hotels in the city - Radisson, Great House, Biltmore, D'Nest. Belcove or Hotel Mopan for some less picky travellers - I would just avoid the real budget ones (and the Princess). Bz City doesn't make a great first impression but it is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be on this board. You do need to be on your toes if you go out on the town though. If you find yourself in Bz City and want to venture out, call Errol Flowers - a great local taxi driver & tour guide 602-0120. Good person to know in the city.

Tropic Air does usually try to hold flights to SP for delayed Int'l travellers, but not to Placencia or elsewhere.

"I don't know that I'd go all the way to Corozol for the night just to avoid Bz City" I agree, usually Pug is rational but to go all the way to Corozal after arriving in BC at 5:30pm is nuts.

If I have to spend the night in BC I stay at Radisson or Great House and grab one of the taxis at Radisson to head out for dinner or entertainment (they will give good recommendations).

I can recommend the Radisson and they are right up the street from the ferry dock. They had a decent restaurant and a really great bar.

If being close to the water taxi terminal is important, check out Isabel's Guesthouse. It's about a one minute walk from the water taxi terminal; you can see the terminal from the guesthouse. It's safe & clean. Here's a link to the Toucan Trail for more info...
http://www.toucantrail.com/Isabels-Guest-House.html

Also owned by the same family is Three Sisters Guesthouse, about a 3 minute walk from the water taxi terminal. You can find info on the Toucan Trail.

Both are situated in the downtown area of the City, and I wouldn't advise walking around alone at night there, so ask at the guesthouse for places to eat and take a taxi. Nerie's is a good Belizean restaurant nearby.

Get a taxi from the airport. Before exiting the airport terminal, try to find another person to share the taxi.

Here's a site I set up with some travel info...
http://belizebus.wordpress.com