Belize Help

[crux0724]

Hello,

My wife and I will be travelling to Belize in November. The plan is to do mainland activities for a few days then head out to the Atolls for diving. I keep reading that Belize City is not the most comforting place to stay so I was hoping on advice where to stay for the few days inland activities. We are flying into Belize City and I noticed the Belize Zoo and possible cave tubing as interesting activities. I would imagine that we will attempt to see a Maya ruin as well. If at all possible, I would like to avoid renting a car so transportation / recommended guides and activities would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Timothy

 

[tanksforthememories]

I have travelled to Belize several times and have found it best to fly from Belize City to Ambergris Caye and plan day trips from there. Belize City just keeps getting a worse reputation for drugs and violence. The day tours give up to three options of activity and the boat ride to the mainland is fast and beautiful. Talk to the resort operator as to who has the best deals. I stay at Ak'Bol Yoga resort, amazing out of the way, the owners are friendly and very helpful seaside cabanas are rustic but very reasonable. I treated my staff to a trip there and they loved it. Not party central but you can always go into town for that.

 

[koozemani]

I was just there in April. We were booked on the dancer boat and planned for activities both before and after. The tour operator we used was based in Belize City and picked us up/dropped us off at the hotel(Radisson Fort George). The zoo, though small is well worth it. Lamanai and Xunantinich tours were great.

Belize City is kind of sketchy but with the tours taking up most of our day, we simply settled in for dinner in house.

 

[Downing]

I recommend either The Radisson Ft George Hotel or, right across the street, The Great House.

The Radisson is much bigger, has several restaurants, a bar and a pool. The Great House has only 12 rooms, all at the same rate even though some are bigger and/or nicer than others. If you stay at TGH, ask to take a look at the available rooms and choose the one you like best. It has one restaurant/bar, The Smoky Mermaid, in a very nice tropical garden in what would be TGH side yard. The outdoor setting is better than the food, which is only ok.

Both hotels have adequate security, and you'll be safe there no doubt. But as they'll tell you, don't venture off the properties at night.

There's also the The Princess Hotel & Casino. It's on the marina where you'll probably catch the boat to the atoll. I can't recommend it, though. Casinos give me the heebie jeebies. and this place is kind of nasty with a shiny veneer.

The resort on the atoll should be able to arrange a guide for you. The Belize Zoo and cave tubing are relatively close to each other about a half hour out the Western Highway, and you could do those two in a day. Both are great fun.

A very popular full day trip is Lamanai. Drive up the Northern Highway for about an hour and a half almost to Orange Walk, then take a boat down the New River. A longer full day trip would be Xunantunich, where you would see Belmopan and San Ignacio along the way. Another popular ruin is Altun Ha. It's a great way to kill a morning if you have a flight out in the afternoon as it's near the airport.

And finally, you might want to check out the howler monkeys in The Baboon Sanctuary.

Obviously, there's way more to Belize than just the above but that's a good start. You might consider ATM, too.

Belize Insight Guide is an excellent resource.

 

[peterbj7]

I know someone (a local ex-pat) who was mugged walking on the street near the Radisson Fort George in the middle of the day. I wouldn't walk anywhere in Belize City now, day or night.

Generally people do their diving first so they can do their land trips whilst off-gassing.

A day trip to Lamanai is often made from Ambergris Caye by boat, and the trip is very much part of the adventure. And it's one of the most worthwhile trips to make.

 

[Damselfish]

Or rather than staying in Belize City, actually go stay inland for a few days. There's a a variety of jungle lodges and it will be a very different experience. You'll be closer to many of the land activities and I expect most places will arrange transportation. (We stayed at Maya Mountain Lodge. They picked us up at the Sun Dancer dock, arranged all activities with transportation and good guides, and the food was surprisingly great.)

 

[salth2owannabe]

If you want to be near Belize City this is another option.
Belize City Resorts, Hotel Deals: Black Orchid Resort
We've stayed here a few times and find it very nice and convenient. They will pick you up at the airport and return you for no extra fee.
Their location is separated and safe, food on location is good and affordable. All the staff was very friendly and helpful.
I'll gladly stay there again in the future.

 

[Edward3c]

For something a bit different have a look at ReefCI they also have links to in-land activities through Blue Reef Adventures ltd.

 

[Hank49]

Not sure why you don't want to rent a car. It's pretty easy to drive here. There are only about 4 main roads in the country. Of course, there is no driver's education so you do have to take driving defensively to a new level.

 

[mathauck0814]

I've always done Belize as a two week trip. Rent a jeep and go mudding around in the jungle and then fly out to the islands for some R&R. Belize is an easy country to navigate, I've always found it to be safe and friendly. You'll also see much more and have a more authentic experience on your own than in a herd. For diving, Caye Caulker is great - no cars on the island, bicycle around to everything. Check in with Dani and Chip at Belize Diving Services. They have a top notch diving operation and a great bar right outside the dive shop.