Greetings, Belizers. We are bringing our two kids (17 and 21) to Belize in March. We are pondering the difference between staying at Ambergris Caye or Sarteneja or Corozal. We're looking for just a wee bit of nightlife, but want to see some jungle, critters, native folks and culture. Of course we're trying to do this on a budget ( $100 - $150 a day for four of us...if that's even possible.) If we go to the Caye, can we find some back country to explore as easily as on the mainland? Anybody have any thoughts?

hmmm- are you asking us if you can obtain lodging, meals, activities & nightlife for under $150 a day for 4 people?

Thanks. Just wondering if it's possible ...just for lodging...maybe a couple of meals? Nightlife and activities separate.

Also, how different is the territory over by Corozal and Sarteneja compared to the Caye?

The three areas are totally, totally different. Ambergris Caye is the # 1 visitor destination in Belize with the biggest choice of hotels, restaurants and recreational activities in the country. That's either good or bad, depending on how you look at it.

Sarteneja, by contrast, is one of the least visited areas of Belize. Until recently, you couldn't even get there without driving on dirt roads for most of the day. There are a couple of guesthouses but other than that really almost no tourism infrastructure.

Corozal is somewhere in between. There are eight or nine hotels, a few restaurants and a growing but still small expat community. There's very little beyond a couple of small ruins and a tiny museum to see. It's on a shallow bay, not on the Caribbean Sea. Most of the visitors there are just en route from Mexico or are shopping for property.

Actually, the better alternatives to Ambergris Caye would be Hopkins or Placencia on the southern mainland coast, or Caye Caulker.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

Check out http://www.cybercayecaulker.com or http://www.cayecaulker.org or http://www.gocayecaulker.com for info on hotels and activities for Caye Caulker.

You guys are great. I will check out these other sites. I guess I am trying to do the tourist thing, but really want some Belize reality, too. Thanks very much!

I don't see you making that budget, unless you do nothing while you're here - which is rather pointless. I would have thought that budget indicated Guatamala or Honduras, not that I have any experience of either.

You could do AC for your budget as long as you don't mind old hotels (Rubie's, Martha's), will eat where the locals do and budget nightlife separately. My beachfront room with a queen at Ruby's was $25.00/night tax inc. and breakfast at the deli downstairs was never more than 4.00 US when I pigged out. A very good lunch can be had for 6 or 7 bucks US in several places plus your liquor tab.