Lurch:
I posted this under another post (honeymoon), but thought the chances of you seeing this and responding are better if I made a new topic with your name as the heading.
You are the first person I've heard on this board say that the natives were unfriendly on AC. Other than your bum experience at Ramon's, what other problems did you have? I was under the impression that everyone was so friendly there.
Where did you go on the mainland? My fiancee and I are planning on honeymooning on the mainland (after we get married on AC). We are planning on going to the San Ignacio area and then on to Tikal. Are there any hotels/activities that you would recommend? What shouldn't we miss on the mainland???
Thanks!!

Hi jenniee,

Not to knock AC because so many people here seem to love it, but I suppose it depends upon what kid of traveler you are.

Personally I am more of an adventurous traveler and like to move around a lot so the mainland appealed to me MUCH MUCH MORE.

I have also been to a few island vacations and given the choice between a vacation at AC only or someplace else like cozumel, I'd choose cozumel because the resorts are much better.

As for Belize, if you go to the mainland I think you will find a different sort of attitude in both the natives as well as the type of other tourists you see for obvious reasons.

I went to placencia and liked that much more than AC. Way more laid back and less commercialized (probably due to less and different type of tourist who visits). I stayed at the GREEN PARROT RESORT near Maya Beach which is 10 miles north of Placenica but we had a 4x4 rental to get around in.
Reef is further out and not as nice as that in AC, but the price is the same anyways.

Near San Ingacio I stayed in the Mountain Pine Ridge area, which is maybe 10-15 miles off the Western Hwy on a dirt road. I stayed at the FIVE SISTERS Resort which is next to Ford Coppella's resort. Very beautiful grounds and spectacular views. In fact a couple got married at the base of the falls when we were there.

As for Tikal, I took the tour that the resort offered and afterwards wished I had driven over myself since I could have gotten more time at Tikal. The border is a hassle and I hear it takes almost an hour to get your car over with around $50 in fees to various agents, but less expensive and more adventurous than a tour.

The people we met at Five Sisters, Green Parrot, and every place in between were great and we made lots of new fews. By contrast we only met 2 couples worth spending time with at Ramon's.

If you have a car, don't miss the belize zoo, jaguar reserve, blue hole and herman's cave, carocal, rios fios caves, barton creek cave...etc etc etc.

Good luck on your wedding, I think you picked a great place to jump into your honeymoon! In fact we met a lot of adventurous newlyweds down there!

Thanks for the tips! We'll definitely check out Five Sisters. Did you have a car? How difficult was it to get around? Did you drive to Mountain Pine Ridge area from Belize City? My fiance and I are both highly, highly directionally challenged, so I'm a little afraid we'll get lost and never find our way back! He gets lost coming to my house, and it's right off a major road in Austin, Texas (easy to get around here).
Again, thanks! I'm looking forward to our trip to the Belize mainland.
One more thing: did you have a reservation at Five Sisters, or did you just show up? I'm hoping to plan the honeymoon on the fly once we get there.

Oh, by the way, Turnbun and jenniee are the same person, depeding on what computer I'm using.....

Jen -

I didn't think driving directions were tough since there are only 4 major roads. Belize City and San Ingacio were a little confusing but I got specific directions most of the time, I have a good sense of direction and can follow directions quickly in the confusion of the city mess. Fortunately the cities are so small that getting lost will not last long. I know you don't NEED a car to get around (we met two couple using the bus and hitching rides with other guests, etc) but if you got the money ($100/day w insurance) its worth the freedom.

Be aware that mountain pine ridge is a 35-45 minute dirt road drive off the main highway at georgeville. Signs to five sisters are well placed.

As far as vacationing on the fly on the mainland - most of the couples we met were doing just that, picking a general itinerary with 1-2 hotels/resorts for 2-3 days and just making things up as they go. In fact I know the 5 sister's owner Carlos will discount a cabana if you call him while you are down there since it is the slow season.

I actually had reservations up front not knowing how easy it was to change your plans and get a place to stay around belize.

Good luck - I am sure you will have a blast!