Highlights:
- Very good vacations ! One week sailing in Placencia, managing a few dives in this area (within the reef) and one week in AC at Ramons.
- Dont change any money in the US, as youd get killed with the exchange rate. Bring cash USD instead!
- Lots of activities beyond diving and lots of decent bars and restaurants. But pricing are somehow high, clearly an indications of where the tourists are from. Hotels on the other hand are good and reasonably priced.
- I would not recommend July for best time to go there (and obviously after ALEX, not end of June either). We got lucky as only 2 days of bad rains, and when we were moving from one place to another. But having that weather for an entire week would be nasty.
- Like probably everywhere, there are good and friendly DM, and stupid/useless ones!
- Water temp always >86F . No need for wetsuit (3mm is ok, at max!)
Only diving video available so far: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxzKewiTmMg
1/ Pacencia
The south of Belize and the area really look like isolated, and next to the jungle type of place. Its small, quiet, and friendly. There are plenty of activities in land. Id certainly recommend doing the Monkey river tour, and certainly the others proposed. We saw Manatees in the mangrove, and plenty of wild life. Really cool !
But if you get in the forest at this time of the year, strong mosquito repellent is a MUST. After a long debate before the trip, we decided to get quinine, and based on the number of bites, no regret on decision. Maybe there is very low malaria risk, but it only take one bite!
Shopping in Placencia is little challenging. You need to be creative and accept its not Costco. Funny how different it is compared to San Pedro.
The inside reef islands (from Placencia to the Queens Cayes) are really nice. Very quiet (except during the night with really impressive thunderstorms), nice little islands, lots of good snorkeling places, and marine life (Dolphins, osprey, etc )
We did a few dives, but it wasnt outstanding. If Id go back there for diving, Ill go to Gloover and wont stay within the reef.
First, 2 tanks dive at 105$/p is just not worth the value. Then, if flore life is ok, there were not that many animals. Much less than in AC. Whether large or small stuff. Also (and maybe only at this time of the year), the inside reef is full of trash. It is really impressive. With currents, some areas got really bad, and not only at the surface, but also down. Plenty of plastic, bottles, etc. Really sad.
2/ Ambegrys Caye / San Pedro.
We stayed at Ramons. We really liked the hotels and the bungalows. It is well located, and well organized.
We only took a partial package (6nights inc. breakfasts+4days/2tanks), and because we ended up having several lunchs and dinners, it was a mistake. The saving of getting at least half of the staying within a fully included package would save a lot. (basically, half of the menu pricing ).
There are many really good diving locations outside the reef. They are similar, but still always different. Its large canyons starting around 40ft down to ~100/110. Diving around up and down within these Canyon is amazing. You end up seeing different stuff all the time, and feel you dive at a different place too, which is really nice.
The inside reef closest dive site (Hol Chan) is a small reef pass, and is really cool!
Max depth 29ft, but the amount of marine life you have there is amazing. Id say the best spot for the all family. From Large turtles, barracuda and nurse sharks to tiny little shrimps and huge school of fish. Really an amazing spot.
Ramons dive club: I thought it was the reference, and got a little disappointed. The manager & 'deputy' were a pain. No information provided ahead of time. Always had to beg, eventually complain to get to what was possible.
The way they run their dives days is something like: 9am first dive in a deep area (80ft), then back, 11am, second dive in a more shallow (60ft), then back, at 2pm another dive either at Hol chan, or outside the reef in a shallow area.
But sometimes it differs, and you dont really know until the last minutes. True it depends on the conditions and the number of divers, but still not well explained, and certainly not in a friendly way.
One DM almost ruined our diving as he brought my 12y into a deep dive. We had to stay at 50-60, but the fact she stayed mid water with 50ft above and 50ft below got her dizzy. Because of that she didnt do all the planned dives.
But 2 other DMs (Gil and Will) and one boat captain were really nice and friendly. Funny to see the correlation about: DM saying hello, chating, doing a long detailed dive briefing = good under water, vs a DM not even talking to you till you arrive at the dive site, or when asked about where we go: Diving , and then <20s site explanations, eventually as bad in the water too.
Well, it makes the tipping very easy.
Consequence: I liked the hotel, and indeed the way it is organized with the dive club so close, but will not go back there. When a place is supposed to set the reference, some of the things I saw are not really acceptable when it adds up: including rental equipment: dive light not working, but you still have to pay, borrowing a pair a fins, you still pay 15$ (price for Fins/Mask/snorkel), most if not all of the tanks were leaking bad, including at the valve/tank, someone had a BCD corr. hose which broke during a dive, and then, some boats have a way to put the tanks which can easily pitch the wing or BC.
But dont get me wrong, with only one exception, we did enjoy all the other dives A LOT !!
Others stuff in San Pedro:
Dinner at Sunset on the mangrove side is cool. Plenty or Tarpon fish waiting, and if you are lucky youd see crocodile !
Dinner at the Jerk terrace, in front of the ocean, I can recommend as well (one rare place you can order a real full fish and not only filet !).
But most of the places are similar and good.
We didnt go to the Mayan Ruins, but did the Cave Tubing and the Belize zoo.. This is really worth it. Pricey like everything else (180USD), while considering the trip, its probably not that bad. But definitely an experience ! We also liked the (small) Zoo a lot.
Conclusion:
No doubt these were outstanding vacations. Belize seems to be one of these Diving paradise place, but you do have many other things to enjoy.
Well probably go back there some days, as there are all the Turn Reef sites we didnt dive.
With only a couple of exceptions at the Ramons dive club, we also found the people there very friendly. Whether in Restaurants or when service are concerned, but also in the street.
Back to reality now (I mean <65F water dive
- Very good vacations ! One week sailing in Placencia, managing a few dives in this area (within the reef) and one week in AC at Ramons.
- Dont change any money in the US, as youd get killed with the exchange rate. Bring cash USD instead!
- Lots of activities beyond diving and lots of decent bars and restaurants. But pricing are somehow high, clearly an indications of where the tourists are from. Hotels on the other hand are good and reasonably priced.
- I would not recommend July for best time to go there (and obviously after ALEX, not end of June either). We got lucky as only 2 days of bad rains, and when we were moving from one place to another. But having that weather for an entire week would be nasty.
- Like probably everywhere, there are good and friendly DM, and stupid/useless ones!
- Water temp always >86F . No need for wetsuit (3mm is ok, at max!)
Only diving video available so far: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxzKewiTmMg
1/ Pacencia
The south of Belize and the area really look like isolated, and next to the jungle type of place. Its small, quiet, and friendly. There are plenty of activities in land. Id certainly recommend doing the Monkey river tour, and certainly the others proposed. We saw Manatees in the mangrove, and plenty of wild life. Really cool !
But if you get in the forest at this time of the year, strong mosquito repellent is a MUST. After a long debate before the trip, we decided to get quinine, and based on the number of bites, no regret on decision. Maybe there is very low malaria risk, but it only take one bite!
Shopping in Placencia is little challenging. You need to be creative and accept its not Costco. Funny how different it is compared to San Pedro.
The inside reef islands (from Placencia to the Queens Cayes) are really nice. Very quiet (except during the night with really impressive thunderstorms), nice little islands, lots of good snorkeling places, and marine life (Dolphins, osprey, etc )
We did a few dives, but it wasnt outstanding. If Id go back there for diving, Ill go to Gloover and wont stay within the reef.
First, 2 tanks dive at 105$/p is just not worth the value. Then, if flore life is ok, there were not that many animals. Much less than in AC. Whether large or small stuff. Also (and maybe only at this time of the year), the inside reef is full of trash. It is really impressive. With currents, some areas got really bad, and not only at the surface, but also down. Plenty of plastic, bottles, etc. Really sad.
2/ Ambegrys Caye / San Pedro.
We stayed at Ramons. We really liked the hotels and the bungalows. It is well located, and well organized.
We only took a partial package (6nights inc. breakfasts+4days/2tanks), and because we ended up having several lunchs and dinners, it was a mistake. The saving of getting at least half of the staying within a fully included package would save a lot. (basically, half of the menu pricing ).
There are many really good diving locations outside the reef. They are similar, but still always different. Its large canyons starting around 40ft down to ~100/110. Diving around up and down within these Canyon is amazing. You end up seeing different stuff all the time, and feel you dive at a different place too, which is really nice.
The inside reef closest dive site (Hol Chan) is a small reef pass, and is really cool!
Max depth 29ft, but the amount of marine life you have there is amazing. Id say the best spot for the all family. From Large turtles, barracuda and nurse sharks to tiny little shrimps and huge school of fish. Really an amazing spot.
Ramons dive club: I thought it was the reference, and got a little disappointed. The manager & 'deputy' were a pain. No information provided ahead of time. Always had to beg, eventually complain to get to what was possible.
The way they run their dives days is something like: 9am first dive in a deep area (80ft), then back, 11am, second dive in a more shallow (60ft), then back, at 2pm another dive either at Hol chan, or outside the reef in a shallow area.
But sometimes it differs, and you dont really know until the last minutes. True it depends on the conditions and the number of divers, but still not well explained, and certainly not in a friendly way.
One DM almost ruined our diving as he brought my 12y into a deep dive. We had to stay at 50-60, but the fact she stayed mid water with 50ft above and 50ft below got her dizzy. Because of that she didnt do all the planned dives.
But 2 other DMs (Gil and Will) and one boat captain were really nice and friendly. Funny to see the correlation about: DM saying hello, chating, doing a long detailed dive briefing = good under water, vs a DM not even talking to you till you arrive at the dive site, or when asked about where we go: Diving , and then <20s site explanations, eventually as bad in the water too.
Well, it makes the tipping very easy.
Consequence: I liked the hotel, and indeed the way it is organized with the dive club so close, but will not go back there. When a place is supposed to set the reference, some of the things I saw are not really acceptable when it adds up: including rental equipment: dive light not working, but you still have to pay, borrowing a pair a fins, you still pay 15$ (price for Fins/Mask/snorkel), most if not all of the tanks were leaking bad, including at the valve/tank, someone had a BCD corr. hose which broke during a dive, and then, some boats have a way to put the tanks which can easily pitch the wing or BC.
But dont get me wrong, with only one exception, we did enjoy all the other dives A LOT !!
Others stuff in San Pedro:
Dinner at Sunset on the mangrove side is cool. Plenty or Tarpon fish waiting, and if you are lucky youd see crocodile !
Dinner at the Jerk terrace, in front of the ocean, I can recommend as well (one rare place you can order a real full fish and not only filet !).
But most of the places are similar and good.
We didnt go to the Mayan Ruins, but did the Cave Tubing and the Belize zoo.. This is really worth it. Pricey like everything else (180USD), while considering the trip, its probably not that bad. But definitely an experience ! We also liked the (small) Zoo a lot.
Conclusion:
No doubt these were outstanding vacations. Belize seems to be one of these Diving paradise place, but you do have many other things to enjoy.
Well probably go back there some days, as there are all the Turn Reef sites we didnt dive.
With only a couple of exceptions at the Ramons dive club, we also found the people there very friendly. Whether in Restaurants or when service are concerned, but also in the street.
Back to reality now (I mean <65F water dive
