My fiance and I are thinking about getting married in Belize, and will have about seven or eight days in the country, probably in mid-March. I'm fairly well versed in how we get married there (we're not bringing any friends or family with us), but I was wondering if anybody here has suggestions as to what we should do, whether ambergris cay would be a good choice, maybe a resource on the net or in the library we can go to. It seems like most places I've seen have package room/diving/ruins deals, and we certainly don't want to be locked into an itinerary, and we aren't going to want to travel around w/ big groups (no offense), at least not on a regular basis. She dives and I'm getting certified, so we'll probably want to spend a few days diving, and a few days exploring the mainland, but most of the time drinking rum and snoozing on the beach. We'll have probably about four grand to spend.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

While many places do offer package deals, you can certainly go ala cart and decide once you get there as to what you want to do.

Denny is referring to Ambergris Caye (AC), I believe. Denny?

Mr Lyons: from your description of what you want to do (drink rum, snooze on beach) AC would be the perfect place for you to go. Very laid back atmosphere and a wonderfully romantic place to spend time with your hunny. You can meet and converse with people if you want or not, if you don't want. My hubby and I went there on our Honeymoom and it was the PERFECT place. I think all of the Hotels on AC will do just a room with no 'package deal'. IMHO, I would stay on the North end if you want more seclusion. It is less populated and you can rent a golf cart to take yourself into town if you want to be out late.

Use this website (under lodging I think, and on the main page) to search for accomodations.

You will not be dissapointed in AC. It is a beautiful place and the people are the nicest in the world.

Yes, AC

Malibu (or anybody else), can you suggest any places to stay on the north end? Anything right on the beach? How far of a golf-cart ride is it into town? And are we going to need to arrange everything in advance, or can we just show up in March and decide one day (for instance) to go diving, and be able to find a shop w/ room on a boat? And, when we first get there, would it be worth it to spend two or three days roughing it into the mainland to see ruins, wildlife, etc...? Are there places to stay inland?
Thanks for the suggestions, Malibu and Denny.

I have only stayed at Portofino (on the North end) and I do recommend them. (you can get a link to them thru this site in the lodging section) BUT you have to stay in room 1. The honeymoon suite is on the 2nd floor and their are 2 rooms below it. Also, they have these treetop suites but they are BEHIND everything and NOT right on the beach. I stayed in 1 and believe me, it is perfect!!!!

Golf cart ride from Portofino is about 30 - 40 minutes, it goes by very swiftly, not a burden AT ALL.

For the tours, you should be able to just show up and reserve.... however that is the hi-season. So HELLO... Maybe somebody else out there can answer that one. I will tell you thins though, do not reserve thru your hotel as it is might expensive. Go into town and reserve everything.

IMHO I would make AC your homebase and take day trips to the mainland. Ruins are great... Don't know about places to stay inland.

Hope I helped you out. Have to go home now but will be back tomorrow.....

It's roughly 7 miles into town from the last accessable resort. I don't think a golf cart will go beyond journey's end. Personally, I would stay south of the cut... that way you are pretty free to roam all around and have access to all of the operators that you wish to take advantage of... tours, diving, whatever. Malibu is right as far as High season in March.

As far as inland places to stay, I guess it really depends "how far inland"...

There are great places to stay inland. Blancaneaux, Hidden Valley, Chaa Creek, Black Rock (my personal favorite) to name a few. Look at the www.belizenet.com or www.belizex.com site for info. As much or as little "roughing it" as you want. How about overnighting in a cave? the options are plenty. Feel free to email me for more ideas, etc.

A golf cart will definately go beyond Journeys End. During my stay at Portofino we took our (gas) golf cart WAY way up North - on the path - to what seemed to be uninhabited areas... however the next thing we knew, we would come across a beautiful area of beachfront where someone was building a home...

Mr Lyons, I am not sure why people always urge other people here on the forum to stay 'in town' or 'south of the cut'. I suspect, from their writing, that they believe that it is a hassle to go into town and a hassle to reserve trips for oneself and, lastly, a hassle if you want to stay out partying. But I assure you it is not as I have BTDT. AND for your particular needs, getting married and not really wanting to socialize very much, the North is perfect for you. Alas, if you choose to socialize with others: there ARE others up North, we met some very nice people, AND your golf cart will allow you to stay in town as long as you want, and then take the cart path home. Most of the path is not lit (at night) however your cart does have headlights. One more thing on the North side: snoozing on the beach up North will more than likely facilitate a peaceful snooze, no one to bother you, whereas snoozing on the beach in town you will more than likely have people constantly walking by and people/children trying to sell you things.

This is, of course, IMHO.

Mr Lyons,
Agree with Malibu regarding the north end. It is quiter and peaceful yet not too far from town. We stayed at Journey's End and enjoyed it. They have complementary kayaks for guest use. You can also rent golf carts at Journey's End. We saw golf carts going north of Journey's End so there must be a path to go north. IMHO north is the way to go instead of the town.
P.S. Saw a beautiful beach wedding at Journey's End while there. Give them a call.
Enjoy your trip.