My husband and I and our 8 year old son will be traveling to Belize for almost two weeks. The majority of the time we will be on a tour (Global Tours with Ann Miles - any comments on them will be appreciated) I think we will have a blast - there are 2 nights before the tour starts (Christmas and boxing day) where we will be on our own. Any great budget-minded suggestions for a place to stay in Belize city that include a 8 year old boy?
Or if there's a super Boxing Day celebration outside of town, we would travel - but we have to meet the tour on the 27th.

After the tour we will be on AC, and we're thinking of going to CC. The tour will be rather orchestrated and we will be staying at lovely places, but I'd like my son to realize that we are actually in a third world nation and all the world is not a resort. We've been to Cabo and other than a car rental drive to La Paz, it was hard to believe we weren't in Southern California.
So, again I'm wondering if people have an idea of a place to stay and some interesting places to visit that are a little more representative of Belize than Aquamarine Suites. This would be for three days from the 4th to the 6th when we fly out of Belize. Thanks, we're all very excited and our 8 year old, who still believes, is wondering whether we'll run into Santa.

Now here's a circumstance under which I would recommend Hotel del Rio. It's certainly more representative of Belize than is Ramon's or AquaMarina Suites, it's right on the local's neighborhood and very close to the children's park and the beach at the cut. Take him to eat at Papi's, take him to the bakery, show him the highschool and walk around and see how some of the people live near the cut in Boca del Rio.

Rent bicylces (or a golf cart) and go over to the lagoon side in San Pedrito and San Pablo. Take the hand ferry across the cut and wander up the road.

Don't forget your bug repellent.

Look up our San Pedro Santa... his name is Paisano.

Thanks Seashell,
That does sound ideal. I like the details. Wasn't thinking about bug spray. It's bad eh? We'll be in the jungle for part of the tour so, probably by the time were on AC we'll be used to it. So does Paisano come by boat? I just read the post from Cats about bringing some things for the kids. We hope to play a little Paisano while we're there too. It's amazing what we can get at the dollar store in terms of school supplies.
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Re: the Belize City part....Well, BZ City is probably NOT the place you want to look for a "local" hotel. Most visitors to the city cannot wait to get out of there or ONLY stay in & around the larger hotels like the Radisson, etc. I happen to like Bz City more than most but some of the "local" hotels can be a bit scary to tell you the truth. That said, you might look at The Bakadeer, Hotel Mopan, The Bellevue (if it's open), possibly the Bel-Cove. A local experience in Belize City and a local experience elsewhere in the country are not the same thing! Feel free to email me for more info (escape@barbsbelize.com) and for my little list of things to do in & around BZ City. You might also try to contact Katie Valk at katie@btl.net who is a travel agent living in BZ City. She will probably have the best ideas and know if anything is going on for Boxing day. She often replies to these postings as well so check back here. Bz City can be fun & interesting but you do have to know where to go and what to do. It's not very tourist geared and can be somewhat intimidating. If you decide to get out of town for the first few days, try looking at Banana Bank Lodge - not too far & definitely more "vacation" like & kid friendly.

Barbara, as I understood it, Ellie was looking for a place to stay for 3 or so days in January after they return from their tour. They were thinking AC or CC. So my recommendations are for their time at the Cayes, and not their time in Belize City. As you pointed out, that is not the place for a local experience with regard to hotel.

Their time in Belize City, would be a good time to take the little guy to the Zoo, though don't you think? That is Ellie, unless it is already on your tour itinerary.

"........there are 2 nights before the tour starts (Christmas and boxing day) where we will be on our own. Any great budget-minded suggestions for a place to stay in Belize city that include a 8 year old boy?...................again I'm wondering if people have an idea of a place to stay and some interesting places to visit that are a little more representative of Belize than Aquamarine Suites. This would be for three days from the 4th to the 6th when we fly out of Belize."

Looks like ya both got pieces of it

Guess we make a pretty good team!

Yes great team, thanks to all. The zoo is part of our tour. I think I will contact you at Barbsbelize for a list. I'd hate to miss out on something cool just because we didn't know. We do have something arranged in Belize City that is probably a resort (don't have all the details yet) I was just checking out other possibilities in case I was missing out on a great thing. The Del Rio will be cool at the end of the stay though - I already checked it out on the web. If it weren't for my 'I hate camping' husband, I'd be happy under a palampa for a couple of days!
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Not sure what your other plans are, but arrive at Intl and go straight to Crooked Tree, lovely village on a huge lagoon, managed by Belize audobon. Do the lagoon tour with back creeks (howler and spider monkeys, maybe Belize zoo and maybe Lamanai ruins (full day). I like both Sam's and Birds Eye View. Xmas is very special in small villages such as this.