Advice on Belize in October

[doctorsi]

I'm thinking on heading over to Belize and Guatemala this October. The plan is to travel but incorporate a week or so diving at one or other end of the trip. Is this a good time of the year for diving over there and should I go liveaboard or not?

 

[DandyDon]

Well, it's hurricane season in the Carribean, and we're seeing more and wilder than usual, it seems. Do get trip insurance.
http://www.crownweather.com/tropical.html

Where are you thinking about going in Belize?

I'd suggest a body guard for any mainland locales in the part of Central America, but the toursit areas along he coast of Belize are safer.

Here's a link to our CDC advisories for Central America: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm

And excerpting from our state department warnings:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent criminal activity has been a problem in all parts of Guatemala for years, including numerous murders, rapes, and armed assaults against foreigners. The police force is young, inexperienced, and under-funded, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know that there is little chance they will be caught and punished.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/guatemala.html

Tell us more about what you have in mind...? :biggrinba

 

[doctorsi]

Thanks for the weblinks.

The plans are in their infancy at the moment. It looks like Guatemala will be crossed off the itinerary. I was hoping to explore some of the Mayan ruins and as I say do the diving.

I've not made specific plans for Belize at the moment but staying on an Island appeals, possibley Cay Caulker or Ambergis Cay. Do you have any recommendations?

doctorsi

Well, it's hurricane season in the Carribean, and we're seeing more and wilder than usual, it seems. Do get trip insurance.
http://www.crownweather.com/tropical.html

Where are you thinking about going in Belize?

I'd suggest a body guard for any mainland locales in the part of Central America, but the toursit areas along he coast of Belize are safer.

Here's a link to our CDC advisories for Central America: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm

And excerpting from our state department warnings:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent criminal activity has been a problem in all parts of Guatemala for years, including numerous murders, rapes, and armed assaults against foreigners. The police force is young, inexperienced, and under-funded, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know that there is little chance they will be caught and punished.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/guatemala.html

Tell us more about what you have in mind...? :biggrinba

 

[cleant]

If you are in Belize you owe it to yourself to go and see Tikal in Guatemala.There are several tours that will take you to the park and back from Belize city.The only time your feet touch the ground in Guatemala is in the Tikal park which is fourty miles from anything and safe.The entrance is on the only road into the park and 20 miles from the ruins.

There are three nice hotels inside the park,first come first serve.We stayed there two nights and did not see all of the impressive ruins.I was with a group of two familys including my ten year old son and my wife and felt safe at Tikal and everywhere in Belize.
Look over this board for trip reports from all the resorts and liveaboards in Belize and have a great time.
Tom

 

[pigletfish]

If you're interested both in diving and in topside activities (Mayan ruins, jungle canopy/boat tours, hiking) then I would suggest either splitting your trip between the mainland and one of the cayes or else basing yourself along the Placencia Peninsula, which will allow you to do some of both. Have a good trip!

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks for the weblinks.

The plans are in their infancy at the moment. It looks like Guatemala will be crossed off the itinerary. I was hoping to explore some of the Mayan ruins and as I say do the diving.

I've not made specific plans for Belize at the moment but staying on an Island appeals, possibley Cay Caulker or Ambergis Cay. Do you have any recommendations?

doctorsi

These other 2 members gave good suggestions. You can visit Myan ruins in lots of countries onescorted tours; just don't play explorer, unless you are a qualified militant.

For diving, I'd suggest flying into Belize City, with a connection to San Pedro, to dive with Pro Tech. I put up with a bad group operator for 5 days, but loved my one day with this super provider. Better prices, too, if you do Nitrox and your already with them; plus their new channel crossing boat to the Blue Hole and Turnef Atoll is great. Tell Roni I referred you, and ask him for hotels.

Costa Rica is a safer Cent American country for jungle tours, BTW. :bandit_2:

 

[gourmetdiver]

Thanks for the weblinks.

The plans are in their infancy at the moment. It looks like Guatemala will be crossed off the itinerary. I was hoping to explore some of the Mayan ruins and as I say do the diving.

I've not made specific plans for Belize at the moment but staying on an Island appeals, possibley Cay Caulker or Ambergis Cay. Do you have any recommendations?

doctorsi

I was on Turneffe a bunch of years ago and it was the bomb! Of course, the airport lost my luggage and I missed the blue hole trip. Didn't want to borrow gear for such a deep dive. Turneffe is about 30 mi off the coast on the other side of the reef. The first night we were there a storm blew in and I couldn't get the song from Gilligan's Island out of my head. The island is only 6 acres and half that is mangrove, but I loved lobstering in the grass flats out front of my cabin. Chase around a HUGE leopard ray. I couldn't believe he could swim in that foot of water. The diving, especialy with the sharks was incredible. The food was filling, and the dominoes a fun way to pass the hours between dinner and bedtime. LOTS of mosquitos and no-see-ums. Cabins are rustic. No glass, of course, but storm shutters. The boats were great, but at least one was broken down at any given time, but that's normal with boats, I've found. Notihng else on this property except Turneffe. Good luck.