Hi we are traveling down to Belize the beginning of March, been on the Cayes a few times first time going into the interior. We want to see Tikal, Placencia ect, so renting a car..good Idea??? whats the costs..anyone know??? or maybe bus it everywhere, or fly...anyways ok what would people see or do first when you get there, is there a order to see, we will probably get a bus to Chetamul then from there head into Belize, Placencia is further south is there things or towns in the north to Visit, we want to go on a jungle tour, kayak maybe, scuba dive, and bone fish ect so any help would be great. my email is [email protected] thanks Grant

Sounds like you are coming into Belize from Cancun? How much time do you have?
Renting a car for the mainland is a great idea.
Costly...but it gives you a lot of freedom.
Check www.lewisautobelize.com.
Most car rental places will not allow you to drive the car into Guatemala or Mexico.
For the Placencia area check
www.placencia.com or www.destinationsbelize.com
Happy Trails
Also try www.belizeforum.com (Lots of mainland info)

I think renting a car is the best way to see the mainland. Crystal is one car renter that will allow you to take a vehicle into Guatemala. Thrifty may still allow it, too. One slight problem is that it's not easy to get auto insurance for Guatemala at the border, so you may have to go naked and take your chances.

In Northern Belize, Corozal is a terrific and much underrated part of the country. And there's lots more to see -- I love Shipstern and Sarteneja, not to mention Lamanai and rural Orangewalk, the Mennonite areas, Programme for Belize, Gallon Jug. Wonderful. Some of the Belize City car renters will drop a car for you in Corozal Town -- Budget has done it for me a few times.

With the main roads in Belize now all paved (except for a few miles of the Southern Highway) it's so easy to get around the country from Corozal all the way down to PG.

I've got to update my Guide to Mainland Belize, which I published in 2000 but is sold out now.

--Lan Sluder

And get Emory King's Drivers Guide to Beautiful Belize. You can order it from www.belizefirst.com or when you arrive in Belize at one of the gift shops in town. Not sure where in Corozol, ask around.