Hello all, I've been lurking around here for a bit and have had most of my questions answered just by reading old posts. I'm going to be heading down to AC on the 18th of Aug. for some much needed rest and relaxation after almost 7 months in the desert. Gonna be staying for about a week, maybe more, not sure yet. I've read that August is the "mauger" season, and that there is very little rain. Is this true?
Also, I'd really like to plan in one of those jungle zipline tours and some of the Mayan tours. Are these available on the Island, or is it something I'll have to make a day of to go to the mainland, or another island?
I also want to do some snorkeling on the reef. Do you have to have any special certifications to do this, or anything like that, or do the tour guides take care of it?
Now on to the important questions: Booze and unattached women
I'm assuming that the bars on the island are pretty well stocked, but can you get most drinks you'd find in the States? Or is it pretty much Beliken beer and local Rum (not that it matters much to me)?
After 7 months straight teetotaling in the desert, I'm looking to kick back and relax and just enjoy myself, and maybe find some company (preferably the bikini wearing kind) while I'm there.
Anybody who answers my questions, first round's on me.
Thanks.

losinit, I'm not sure if you have the right idea of AC. I'll try to answer these basic questions for you. Zipline and Mayan tours, you will have to go to the mainland but they can be arranged on Island. Snorkeling on the reef is great and the guides will show you what you need to know, it is fairly simple. This is well worth doing out here. Booze and unattached women....I'm faily knowledgable on the booze but I'm a 25 year veteran of marriage and would like to keep it that way so I really can't answer the latter. Lets say it is not exactly South Beach, at least not yet.

Local beers mostly, if you drink Heineken, it is available in some bars. Local rum is my favorite but other drinks are available.

Now as far as August being dry....well let me say that you can some rain in AC in August. Most of the year's rainfall occurs during the period June to November, that is the rainy season.

AC is a great place to lay back and relax but remember it is not a "South Beach" atmosphere. Good Luck and I hope you have a great trip.

That's cool, I'm not exactly looking for the South Beach scene anyway. Just looking for a fun vacation. When it rains, is it usually an all day affair, or is it on and off?
Heiniken is fine with me, and I prefer Vodka to rum, but hey when in Rome... Who knows, I might even prefer Belikin.
I plan on staying at Spindrift, at least at first. The "Chicken drop" sealed the deal on that one (I've already started to refer to it as Chicken shit roulette).
It seems pretty centrally located.
One other question: where is the casino I heard about located? Is it in SP town or south or north? I can't find it on any of the maps I've seen.

Hi Losinit. You definitely deserve some R&R after 7 months in Iraq and you'll find Ambergris Caye the perfect place. August is hot and usually a very quiet time here. So, the bikini wearing girls may be to a bare minimum, but don't let that put you off. You'll still meet plenty of great people and have a brilliant time. Plenty of booze in the bars although as ragman pointed out, the choices of beers are minimal. Many people do like the local Belikin beer a great deal (probably because of the environment they are drinking it in). There are 5 types of Belikin - Regular, Lighthouse, Premium, Stout and Guinness. Heineken and Red Stripe are also widely available. Ragman has covered pretty much everything else. All I will say to you is that if you find some lovely female company, be safe - HIV/AIDs is here in Belize like everywhere else as are other STDs. You don't want to take an unpleasant souvenir home with you.

It's Mauger season as there's less tourists and less money around so the locals get Mauger!!! Mauger is skinny........

Typically in wet season the clouds build thrugh the late afternoon and it rains at night and is clear again via morning and repeats.

"One other question: where is the casino I heard about located? Is it in SP town or south or north? I can't find it on any of the maps I've seen."

The last one was in the Yacht Club, but has been closed for awhile. They never seems to make it on the island. You'll have to settle for Texas Hold'em. Several places have poker, but you'll have to check when you get closer.

No matter, you will enjoy!

I guess the meaning of Mauger has changed with all the gringos here now.
Usta refer to a couple of weeks in August when the wind stopped and the humidity and temperature was very high...uncomfortable!

Hey losinit, some buddies and I from Texas will be down there on the 19th for a week. We are staying at the Carribean Villas. Come find us and I will buy you a couple of beers for your service in Iraq.

Losinit.... I concur what everyone has said. You will love AC.. the view is beautiful beyond compare and the snorkeling/diving is some of the best I have seen. I know you don't dive (I do both) but there are several places around AC that will not disappoint. I dove and snorkeled Hol Chan. I also hear that Mexico Rocks is a great place to go as well. I would like to say that Tanisha Tours is a fantastic guide group to sign up with whether zip lining or mayan ruins. I went with them in February for the Lamanai tour and I can that Daniel Nunez is not only a great guide, but very informative and knowledgeable of the Belize flora and fauna. I'm sure you will enjoy your well deserved time in AC. Have fun and I would also like to say "Thank you" for all your service.

The chicken drop is kinda like a casino....