Belize/Guatemala Question!
Replies: 15 - Last Post: May 6, 2012 8:29 AM Last Post By: hopefulist
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Hello!
I have roughly 2 months to explore Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala this October thru early December. Making a lot of headway with Mexico, but I need some help with the other 2. Looks like I'll be crossing into Belize from Chetumal around the first few days of November.
So, here's my question. I see a lot of people border hop to Tikal from Belize. I was planning on doing Belize for a week ish (I'm not super worried about beach time bc I will have had plenty in Mexico-I may just check out the reef) then crossing, but I see also that Rio Dulce and Livingston are much more south. So, does it make more sense to do northen Belize/San Ignacio/Tikal, cross back over and go south,visit Placencia etc, then cross back over via Rio Dulce? Since I want to eventually end up in the Antigua and lake area this seems like it makes more sense but please correct me if I'm wrong! How essential is Rio Dulce/ Livingston area? It seems cool to me...
I have roughly 2 months to explore Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala this October thru early December. Making a lot of headway with Mexico, but I need some help with the other 2. Looks like I'll be crossing into Belize from Chetumal around the first few days of November.
So, here's my question. I see a lot of people border hop to Tikal from Belize. I was planning on doing Belize for a week ish (I'm not super worried about beach time bc I will have had plenty in Mexico-I may just check out the reef) then crossing, but I see also that Rio Dulce and Livingston are much more south. So, does it make more sense to do northen Belize/San Ignacio/Tikal, cross back over and go south,visit Placencia etc, then cross back over via Rio Dulce? Since I want to eventually end up in the Antigua and lake area this seems like it makes more sense but please correct me if I'm wrong! How essential is Rio Dulce/ Livingston area? It seems cool to me...
1
There is a ferry from Punta Gorda, Belize to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala...not so far from Livingston.2
Lots of bus and ferry info on this awesome transportation site.Sounds like you have about a month for Belize and Guatemala, plenty of time to check out Rio Dulce and Livingston if you want. That area doesn't make my top 50 places in Guatemala list, though it has its fans. If you're not planning on time in southern Belize it makes the most sense to head to the San Ignacio area (don't miss the ATM cave!), spend some time in Peten, then head south from there. Rio Dulce town is roughly half way to Guatemala City on the main bus route; you could stop for a few nights and do a day trip from there to Livingston and back.
If you're planning time in southern Belize then the plan you mention makes sense, though includes some backtracking. Come back with more specifics about your route, budget-level, and priority interests and we can help you more. Happy planning!
3
Stacey, thanks for the website. I need to make a visa run this month and don't really want to do the Tapachula trip. the site is great.6
#5 are you talking about Belize or both? I wouldn't be doing the majority of Guatemala til later Nov, which I read rainy wraps up in Sept. I did just check the guidebook and it does say that in Belize Nov is the hurricane season but most rain stops in Sept or so but in some parts continues into November. Is thi off at all? Thank you!7
Re Belize climate (from someone who lives here)The hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30.
We don't get a hurricane every year -- I think it averages about 1 every 5 years.
Over the past hundred years or so, all the hurricanes (except for a few) have hit Belize in September or October. That's the period of greatest probability.
We can get a lot of rain in that period (Sept to Dec), but it usually doesn't rain every day nor all day.
There are probably more sunny days than rainy days.
Rain can come at any time of the day or night, and a brief afternoon shower is not uncommon.
Overnight rain is common.
It seldom rains for more than a couple of days in a row.
Of course, if a tropical storm hits, there can be several days of continuous rain.
Edited by: misterbee
11
thanks misterbee, great site, and am going to look into them seeing as how i'm going to be in Belize in a couple of weeks.13
Your idea of going to Placencia and then taking the ferry to Puerto Barrios sounds like a very original and great idea. The trip from Tikal to Rio Dulce is somewhat boring and although it would be a little bit faster than your idea it doesn't sound nealy as interesting.Also, don't let peope frighten you with erroneous ideas about the rainy season. Those of us who like to go out into the back country in Guatemala much prefer the rainy season.
Fact: Just because it's called the rainy season doesn't mean that it rains all the time. It usually only rains for a short while during the afternoons.
Fact: Tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes occur once or twice during the "season."
Fact: The last really damaging storm in Guatemala happened two years ago.
14
Thank you for all the info everyone! Since I have time on my side I think I'll do it "the long way" since getting back to San Ignacio from Tikal isn't too terrible of a backtracking price to pay. Then I can move on to Belize City, southern Belize, and cross via Livingston, etc. I believe then I will do the Lago Isabel route to Copan/Lanquin area then find my way to Lago Atitlan...Antigua, GC for departure. Thanks again!
