Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#45141 10/28/01 10:32 AM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 29
M
OP Offline
M
Debbie and I will be in AC in the 2nd week of February. We plan to spend most of our time diving and walking the island, but we are curious about the cost and quality of trips to the mainland to see ruins, jaguars, waterfalls, etc. Would appreciate info from folks who have been there and done that.


Debbie and Mark
Indiana, US
#45142 10/28/01 11:01 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,054
Offline
I've written a guidebook entirely devoted to mainland Belize, and also a Fodor's and another Random House guide, and my bias is that the more time you can spend on the mainland the better. Day trips from San Pedro are fine, but at best they only offer a a glimpse at the tip of the iceberg.

The cayes, especially Ambergris and Caulker, are great but in some ways they are not that different from small, less-developed islands elsewhere on the Caribbean Coast or in the main Caribbean.

By contrast, the mainland has many remarkable things to see and do, from the longest cave systems in Central America to incredible Maya ruins (including some where you and the caretaker will be the only people there) to scenic drives through the Maya Mountains to great birding and wildlife spotting to ... well, the list just goes on.

For day trips, I personally think the Lamanai tour offers the most. The Lamanai ruins are remarkable, and you'll see howler monkeys and other wildlife, plus the boat trip up the New River and New River Lagoon is interesting. But it does make for a long day.

Altun Ha is also a good trip.

The Belize Zoo is a must and is really the only place where you will be able to see a jaguar (jaguars are nocturnal and to even have a chance to see one in the wild you'll have to visit areas that are not practical to visit on a day trip).

The cave tubing trips, typically to Jaguar Paw, are also good.

Keep in mind that for the more adventurous types you can do your own trips. Fly or take a ferry to Belize City and then rent a car.

But better still is to spend at least a few days at a jungle lodge in Cayo or elsewhere.

--Lan Sluder
Belize First Magazine


Lan Sluder/Belize First
http://www.belizefirst.com
#45143 10/28/01 07:13 PM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 322
Offline
Mark,
Had a great time on the mainland when I was there. I went with SEArious Adventures, they're terrific. Price is same as pretty much everywhere - I think it was $65-70 to Altun Ha and $125 to Lamanai.

Don't quote me on the prices, but I think I'm in the ballpark. You'll have a blast whatever you decide!

IJ


Link Copied to Clipboard
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Cayo Espanto
Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
More Links
Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 327 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums44
Topics79,199
Posts500,011
Members20,460
Most Online7,413
Nov 7th, 2021



AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5