I will be visting Belize for the first time in April and staying at Portofino. From what I am reading in this message board, the major drawback of this location is getting around.

Does anyone know whether golf-carts can be used to get between Portofino and SP? Or, between Portofino and north-end restaurants? Would this be a difficult journey, especially at night after dinner involving rum and wine?

Is the water taxi a better option? Can one hire a water taxi to get to/from Capricorn from Portofino. Do they run late into the evening? What is the cost between Portofino and SP?

Thanks for your help. Just browsing this message board makes me feel warm....it's below zero and snowing here!!

I would not drive a golf cart from San Pedro to the north end of the island at night. A water taxi is a much better option. The roads are terrible (2-3 ft deep pot holes all over the road) especially if you can't see to avoid the pot holes! (no street lights).

Except after heavy rains, you can make it Portofino (and even farther north) by golf cart. However, it's a L...O...N...G drive, and by the time you get there on an electric cart you're almost out of charge. After dark it would be a real pain. Lights on some of the carts are lousy, the golf cart path has holes and water traps, and you could miss a turn or drive into a ditch. Water taxi or other boat is really the only realistic option to/from town, though from Portofino you can walk to some of the other resorts and restaurants on North Ambergris.

--Lan Sluder

How long a ride are we talking about by water taxi to get into town? We'll be staying at the Costa Maya just north of Portifino. Also..are there good restaurants in the north that anyone can recommend...or do you have to hit town for a good bite to eat?

Portofino rents golf carts which makes things easier they also have a very good restaurant -Mata Chica/Rendezvous/Capricorn/Hamiltons and Sweet Basil for lunch are all good places to eat North of town.

La Costa Maya is more than "just" north of Portofino. It's a nice daytime walk, but best to lunch out and have dinner in.

Hi all and thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be depending on the water taxi to get to and from dinner, or, just enjoying the Portofino restaurant every night. From what I hear, it's a really nice place.

Thanks again....can't wait to get to Belize!!

Having just purchased Coconet Internet Bar,
I ventured north in a gas powered golf cart
to meet the resort owners and managers.

I have 2 main impressions of the journey.

1. What beautiful resorts and great people.

2. Take the water taxi.

PS I had lunch at Portifino. The Zuppa de Pieces
(peter will correct the spelling) was wonderful.