AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye First timers

Help! We're going to Belize in 6 weeks and know nothing! I've been visiting the websites, but hope you experienced travelers can help this novice. Last year we (me, my husband and 4 college aged kids) went to Cancun using my our airmiles accumulated from business travel. My folks gave us their timeshare there, so it was a wonderful budget trip! We loved our day trips out into the country, the ruins and snorkeling, but NOT the hotel zone & drunk American kids! Anyway, the airline "bumped" us all & we received comp tickets. We decided (some of us) to get certified and go to Belize! We are so excited, but nervous! We need to find reasonable accomodations to stay together w/some simple kitchen facilities to do some of our own cooking. We love luxury, but our budget is moderate for all six of us, and we need somewhere QUIET at night, clean and safe. Is there nudity at the beaches/pools? How previlent is the "party" atmosphere..we don't want to repeat Cancun hotel zone. I've seen 2 different schedules posted for ferrys from B.City to AC...do they run past 3 pm or not? Should we stay on AC or in B. City? Our objectives would be diving, nice pool, and ruins. I have a million questions, I'll watch this wonderful message board for help. Here's my first dumb question: everyone swims w/rays...don't they sting? Thanks everyone!

[This message has been edited by andapanda (edited 03-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by andapanda (edited 03-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by andapanda (edited 03-24-2001).]

use this board!!! there is a search function above to the right. USE IT. ask it anything, it will tell you everything you need to know.

Hi,
You and the teens will love Belize. I would suggest not staying in Belize City, you will be sorry, I lived in Belize City for 2 years and started a tour operation there. Rather, I would stay in the jungle at a lodge for a few days and explore ruins, horseride in the jungle and do the river cave trip and then head out to the island for water activities and relaxing. I lived in Belize 5 years and know the resorts and tours pretty well. Please feel free to write me direct if you need detailed info. My email is [email protected]

I would strongly recommend staying on Ambergris Caye. I went with two friends for a week in January and we had a relaxing and wonderful time! We stayed at Banyan Bay Villas - the 2 bedroom/2 bad condo's were very nice with all the amenities. Our unit was right on the beach and a few steps to the beautiful pool. I believe their bar and grill is now open, as they were just finishing it up when we left. There is a dive shop located on their dock and Eli is very knowledgeable about water and land tours. She arranged all of our trips and everything went very smoothly. I can't recommend this place enough! It was one of the nicest places on the island and away from the noise of downtown, but close enough to walk or take a short golf cart ride to the shopping, restaurants and bars. Hope you have a wonderful trip!