My husband and I will be making our first trip to AC the latter part of May for 10 days! We have never travelled out of the states and have no idea of what to expect or what to look for. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we should do while we are there? Dell would love to deep sea fish and it seems pretty expensive...any suggestions? What about the cave tubing any suggestions and also approx. how much? We welcome suggestions and thanks in advance!

When are you going to be there?? We (the Flo clan) will be there from may 19-26 at the Seven Seas.....my 1st time also, so I cant give you any advice from experience

Canjunflo:

We will try this a third time, my reply is not being sent through. We will be there 5/24 - 6/2 and have a couple of ideas for things to do...Winne Estelle day trip, Altun Ha, cave tubing and snorkeling. We have never snorkeled before...any advice from anyone is welcomed. Thanks again,
Donna



[This message has been edited by dellndonna (edited 05-06-2001).]

Hi. My husband (RobertE) and I were there last September for our first trip. You can expect to have a million and three things to do. We especially enjoyed the snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark/Ray Alley. We also enjoyed the trip to Lamanai, but I'd suggest Altun Ha for the first venture to the ruins.

A nice relaxing dinner at Capricorn is a MUST! You'll have to get there by water taxi if you're not staying above the cut. We also enjoyed the BBQ on Sunday at B.C.'s. The folks there are great the BBQ is great. Also Banyan Bay palapa bar serves up a delicious Stewed Belizian Chicken. (My husband is still trying to replicate the recipe!)

We're not anglers, so I'm going to rely on Pescador's review of the fishing. Met him while staying at The Palms and he's a pretty serious fisherman. "Tarpon fishing with Nesto Gomez: This guy is incredible. "Eyes of a hawk". Although no fish were landed (my fault) Nesto put me within casting range of at least 50 fish!!!"

This time we're going to take the cave tubing excursion on the mainland. We're going back in July...only this time we're getting our scuba certification and will be spending much of our time diving.

Have a fantasic trip! We'll be back on Ambergris Caye July 5 -14 and can't wait!

-Laura-

Laura-
Thanks for all the info. What about the water there? Should we take bottled water or just get it there? Read on the message board to watch out for the salads there as well? Any thoughts? Please advise if you can.

Loie -- Finally! Someone who is going to be there when I am!


Donna -- I've read on this board that most people don't take too many precautions with eating/drinking things in Belize, and it is very rare that anyone gets sick. We ate and drank like normal, and didn't even have a twinge of a problem. Thought I was going to DIE once in Queretaro, Mexico (and wished I would at the time) from the "bug", and hubby usually gets a queasy stomach when traveling, but did not in Belize.

Hint: Put in some time by just reading stuff on this website. I've been reading for months, and I still find interesting and informative articles.

kathy

dellndonna, I noticed in your post that you said that you have never travelled outside of the states. Therefore, you should be prepared for things to be quite a bit different than they are at home. If you do that, you should not be dissappointed.

I remember my first time. Our group was supposed to stay at Ramone's but the guide changed our stay to Rock's Inn. (some temporary problem at Ramone's apparently) I was pretty upset because I'd been so sold on Ramone's. Rock's didn't have a pool either (now it does and is called Blue Tang Inn). When I first saw my room, I was kind of dissappointed because I was used to resorts in places like Cancun, Cabo & Puerto Vallarta. In less than 2 days, I'd never felt so comfortable and was very happy with everything. I found myself very pleased that Ambergris didn't have any resorts like the places I'd stayed before. And on my second visit, I intentionally booked at the same hotel with no regret.

When in Mexico, as much as I'd enjoyed myself, I was always glad to get back home because I got so tired of being hustled on the beach and everyone having their hand out for a tip. I felt none of that in SP. It was so refreshing.

Go with an open mind and an open heart. Belize it!

Seashell and Kathy:

Thanks for the updates. What about the food from the street vendors I've been reading about? Do either of you recommend any place in particular for us to go/see?

You shouldn't have to worry too much about eating salads and brushing your teeth, etc. However, I buy bottled water to drink. Many of the hotels provide good water for you in your refridgerator or at a central spot for refills.

I can't speak for eating at the vendor's as I've never done it. Lots of my friends have and only one ever complained to me. She'd eaten at the vendor's plenty of times before that and so it could have been anything. Regardless, since this is your first trip out of the states, just to be on the safe side, why not take a pass on the vendors (except for the johnny cakes, that's OK). I recommend you wander down to Papi's once or twice. It's off the beaten path but don't be afraid to go down there. Also, have a romantic dinner at Jambel's. To do that (ie: have a romantic dinner at Jambel's) you have to be up on the roof over looking the square and the ocean.

Don't be afraid to learn to punta. Let your spirit free.

Loie...Where did you stay on AC? Were you happy and was it clean? Any info would help. Going in mid July.. Cherie

Loie.. Sorry Loie I had a senior moment and sent you that last message after you had already told me what I wanted to know. Gosh, this getting old stuff is awful. Thanks again. I'm starting to get worried about finding a place to stay before they get booked up. I have to get on it tomorrow. I'm still thinking of the Sunbreeze Palms, or Seven Seas; unless I get some not so good reports. I do like a place to be clean. Cherie

[This message has been edited by Cherie (edited 05-06-2001).]

Seashell...thanks for the update. Do you know anything about Capricorn's? Have heard it is also a wonderful romantic restaurant. Any suggestions for breakfast? I read something on the message board about coconut pancakes...any ideas of who serves them?
Do you have any recommendations of "fun" things to do as well? Thanks Much-Donna

We took all the precautions that cdc.gov told us to...all the shots, Cipro, Pepto and never had to take one of them. Ate salads and from the street vendors without a worry. We did drink bottled water because we do that even at home. Brushed teeth with tap water just fine. No problems at all.

Maybe it was all the Belikins that washed away the cooties?

We stayed at the Palms and found the facility to be wonderfully clean. We'd probably be staying there again if they weren't booked when we're going. We're looking at Avalon Reef (formerly Casa Caribe) and hear good reports form there. DenverDan/Hope are checking it out for us this week.

Laura

we eat at the vendors all the time,they are delicious...

And capricorn is definently a treat for the taste buds... we like to go there on our anniversary...

What is the dress code for Capricorn? Husband does not like slacks at all on vacation...is it too nice to wear nice shorts and a button down top?

Sorry, I've never been to Capricorn. Also, I almost always have breakfast in my room, so I'm not much help there either. I have had breakfast at Estelle's, yummy!

Unfortunately, I also can't help you with tours, etc. I'm never able to get myself out of the water long enough to take any. It's always, next time. Next time, I'll go cave tubing, next time, I'll go to Maruba, next time, I'll go to Placencia for a few days. Well, ya never know, maybe next time. :^)

dedl,
GOOD QUESTION!!! I would like to have my birthday dinner there, and hubby REFUSES to pack slacks....... If it were him, he'd toss in a couple of swimsuits, a couple of T-shirts and his flip flops....... period.
I too would like to know what the dress would be at a nice place like that.....
Debbie

Go to Maruba Spa via the Altun Ha excursion. Go snorkling. Go for an all day snorkle trip with lunch on the beach. Rent a golf cart and tour the Caye. Drink Bellikin Beer. Walk barefooted everywhere and all the time. Don't need those fancy clothes. We wore bathing suits, shorts and t shirts. Went whole days without shoes,,,in stores and restaurants. Bought bottled water. Ate all resaurant food. No problems. No shots before going but dr. said to take malaria pills if we went south into the jungle. We did neither. Have fun

c'mon deb. no one expects you to wear slacks in AC! no worries!

seriously, when we went to rendezvouz, also a nice place, f wore nice shorts. he bought a tropical shirt while there to complete the look! it was the most expensive (and spiciest and yummiest)restaraunt we went to, and the chef was barefoot!

don't be stupid, tho, folks. bring some pepto or imodium just in case, but we also had little trouble. no shots needed.

be prepared to see poverty in the town. it is a third world country. if you have never been outside the US, you will love the place, but be glad you live in the US. in spite of this, the people there are pretty happy.

Yes. you can wear shorts anywhere, at any time on the island, although even my slovenly self has felt underdressed at times[NY eve, church]. Here is a "guy" trick. We love GEAR! Take [or go yourself] to a outdoor store and because he needs the all season wicking water resistant hi-tec ginchy pant with multiple pockets, zippers, and hidden compartments. Mine ar eNorthface and really are both cool and comfy and look good with a guayabera shirt.

Big Frank (and Jane)
Thanks. Just didn't want hubby to look like a hoodalum. He wears mostly Columbia brand outdoor wear. I guess those are pretty nice shorts.....
Am curious though Big Frank... Just this past Sunday my husband was watching a documentary on some musicians living in Cuba. The men were wearing Guayabera shirts and he decided he liked them and wants a couple. (What a coincidence that you would mention them)My Grandpa from the island of St. Maarten used to wear them all the time. I've always liked them. They remind me of him. My dentist used to wear them too. Where did you find yours? In San Pedro or did you find one before you left. I haven't seen them for sale anywhere in years.....
Debbie

[This message has been edited by Debbie (edited 05-08-2001).]

I'm not really sure where i got mine. Mine are really just Hawiian shirts. Look in out door mags like Islands or Caribbean. I don't know if you can get them in Bze.

showing my ignorance, what is one? i never heard of them, but i do remember what my old dentist used to wear. is it just a loud hawaiian shirt?

These shirts really aren't loud at all. They are actually pretty understated. Most I've seen are white, pale yellow, tan, baby blue or off white. They are to be worn out side of your pants, not tucked in. They have maybe 4 or 5 tiny little pleats down either side of the front with tiny little embroidery spinkled down the front. At the sides there is a small 2 inch slit at the hip with a button atop the slit. They tend to be more on the dressy side, but are very Caribbean. They are loose, short sleeved with a cuff and collared.
I wonder.... Would the old Banana Republic carry something like this??? I've heard they have really changed their clothing line. I'm at a loss.
Debbie

GOD, I LOVE THE INTERNET!!!!
I found the guayabera shirts, and several places to order them..... Jane, if you want to see what they look like, try one of these sites. http://www.shushans.com/guayabera.html
and http://guayaberashirt.com/fancy.htm

these shirts are distinctly Latin American. You apparently can get them plain, with just the pleats or the fancy, formal ones with the embroidery. Ordering hubby one today.
Debbie

Someone mentioned breakfast? We enjoyed picking up some yummy breakfast from Tropical Take-out (Next to hardware store on Coconut Drive). Fast, easy, affordable.

Dean also got one of those shirts. His has a California version. White with skull heads embroiderd on it. It's the CA Surfer Look! Flames, Martini Glasses and skull heads on shirts are very popular here and fun. He wears his Hawaii shirts on Fridays to work.
He hates wearing long pants on vacation and shorts are fine at Capricorn's. In Barbados he had to wear long pants and nice shirts to dinners. He hated it!!! He would never go back there. I always feel sorry if guys have to wear long pants in warm weather while I wear my little sun dresses. That's not fair.

LOL @ Dean.
Mark is going to LOVE him......... Two peas in a pod. Mark has a T-shirt with Einstien on it, with a surfboard under one arm and "smoking material" in the other......
Did I tell you he had a pony tail last year when we went??? All gone this year. Once a surfer, always a surfer..... I had to laugh. He tried surfing on my son's board last weekend (which used to be his in high school ,a Ben Aipa) It sunk..... Won't float his "keg" anymore. That's what my son calls his belly...... *grinning* Now he decides he wants a long board. We call them a Big Joey here. He's pouting. Does Dean still surf?
Debbie

[This message has been edited by Debbie (edited 05-09-2001).]

Munichchick,
Does Dean wind surf too? Mark wants to know......
Debbie

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Munichchick.... you out there?

.

Debbie,
You live in Texas so see if there is a LEVINES store ..... They handle those shirts ..In dallas anyway , probably all Levines do ...I hope so------
John

Debbie! Yes, the guys will get along great.
Dean does not Windsurf. However, I used to have a Mistral Windsurfer back in Germany.
I have to learn again in the ocean with waves since I only did it on lakes. He only boogie boards now because he had ripped his knee ligaments twice and still has a pin in his knee.