Is it just me,or does spending time at any zoo while in the tropics sound like a waste of valuable time. I know some people find zoos interestiing. I never liked them. Is there anything sadder than seeing a once free roaming animal locked up so us humans can throw food at them & make stupid faces throught the bars!!!!!

How about just going into the City, see the port and the Raddison Fort George area itself.

Almost everything is in walking distance but the taxi is almost dirt cheap for 4 people. Most of your taxi drivers will enlighten you on sights as you drive past or will be glad to take you to anything in a good area. They will not be out to try to frighten the living day lights out of you.

In the city, driving is not fast but sometimes a tad frightening since you want to be the driver and the scenic viewer as well

There is so much to be seen and your time is limited, I agree.
Everyone says to avoid the city, they don't know what they are missing if they don't try to experience some of the wonders of the country. It's not all about the waters and sunshine.

I liked the ZOO, and I am not a zoo person. I think the animals and the habitat they have are totally different than the Americanized Zoo's.
It's a wonderful place to view animals and NOT know what they are, we know most of the animals in the US, or proclaim to. These animals are in a good place.

Ask your resort for information, ask your travel agent, if they have actually been to Belize or ask at the Airport in Belize. There is good information and most of the people of the country are very open to show and tell you about their land. So dislike ourselves in the US.

The internet offers so much, see what you can seek and hopefully you will find something that suits all of you.

Again, one day will not be enough to do several things unless you don't mind flying back to AC.

Another thought. If you want to see a smaller town and view some of the true natives, go to Placencia by air, if $$ allows. Go to Hopkins via Dangriga and then taxi. There are many options. There is a bus as well for tighter purse strings. Time is a factor.
OR Placencia...the list goes on and on.

Have fun and enjoy whatever you do, it's a country of many choices

Another poster recommended Daniel Nunez at Tanisha Tours for mainland tours, anybody got any comments and contact info on this operation?

I agree with Barb... AC is nice and so is CC... but why not get a taste of both worlds? Do the island thing and then head inland for the jungle. How many of your friends spend their vacation on the beach, beach, beach... just think how interesting you'll be when you tell your friends about being in the deep jungles of Belize.

Mike -

Daniel Nunez gets my vote - one of the nicest, professional, knowledgable eco-oriented people I have ever met.

Daniel is the best. www.tanishatours.com

WOW, i have never been to a zoo i didn't enjoy from denver to san diego to wash. d.c, to australia and and paris and all places in between.. the way each has it's own habitats and each zoo is able to have species unique to its area i believe is a true thrill!! in this day and age when man has taken its toll on habitat and so many animals are near extinct..sometime the only way to see these lovely creatures is thru the conservation effots of our world wide zoo keepers who are doing their best to maintain them in their natural habitat and in addition to promote their growth and attempt to re introduce them into their natural habitat... by all means check out the city and the zoo... it is on my to do list and i hear it is a truely great exhibit.. john in denver

BUMP BTT, My internet service has been out for over a week so I am just now catching up on things. The Tanisha Tours site looks great. We are going to contact them about the cave tubing trip.
We will be heading down on the 30th. (8 days and counting, and I am soooo ready.)
PS WE HAVE TICKETS TO A JIMMY BUFFET CONCERT THE NIGHT BEFORE WE LEAVE!!! YEAYAS Boyz & Gurls!

Do the cave tubing - the trip we went on included a short but adequate visit to the zoo, which really isn't all that big. It sounds like the cave tubing process has changed since we went in 2001. Before getting into the tubes, we had about a 45 minute walk through the jungle, then some free time to play in the river. The jungle walk and seeing the plants and animals was as good as the cave tubing.

Hey Mike G,
My wife and I will be visiting Apr 29 - May 8. I am currently trying to set up a tour with Tanisha that you may like. We visited Belize 5 years ago (and of course "lived the dream") and went on a tour with Daniel Nunez. As everyone has mentioned he is great. His secretary is pricing a combination tour of horseback riding at possibly Banana Bank in the jungle (not sure if I would call it jungle if it is like Maruba Resort jungle), a stop at the zoo and for an added bonus a tour of the Belikin Brewery on the way back. What else could anyone ask for!. If you guys are interested it definitely would lower the price of the trip. Let me know. Anyone else who will be visiting at this time is more than welcome to come along also. I'm not sure which day it will be yet. The only catch is it won't be with Daniel. He keeps busy with Altun Ha and Lamani trips. If it doesn't work out, we may still do a cave trip on Sunday with Daniel. It is the only day of the week he does cave trips.
As an added comment I really appreciate what the frequenters of this board are doing. I think its really special. I viewed the board before we went last time and learned so much before I even went. When I arrived, I too had to take a double take but that soon dissipated (about 5 minutes). I have a lot of wonderful memories of our first trip and I'm sure I won't be disappointed this time either. Many Thanks!

Norm