1

Thanks!

How much sea grass is in the water in front of Banana Beach?

2

There's some, but not too much if I recall correctly. Mar de Tumbo, the beach in that area, is the best south of the river mouth. Of course it's all relative. If you've been to San Pedro you know that the beaches are not that great for swimming, compared, say to the ones in the Yucatán, but they're beautiful to look at, with the reef just offshore. And Mar de Tumbo is better than most.

3

Thanks!

Any other suggestions where there may be a great beach and minimal sea grass?

4

Yeah Belize is tough for beaches and pools there are great locations....but cancun is cheap to fly into and playa del carmen not so far....we are thinking the same thing...just depends on how much as a parent and you kid can deal with travel....we dont know so trial by travel i guess... Travel is great no matter what...good days and bad days....i think it will be cool to sho pics to my kid later on in life and say you were here and didnt slow us down as parents....maybe a little with the diaper bag....

5

I've written a dozen books about Belize and think that I appreciate what it offers, but if all you want, or primarily what you want, is a great beach, then I would agree there are better destinations ... in the Yucatán and in the main Caribbean and elsewhere.

6

LanSluder - should we consider any areas on Ambrigris a bit further from San Pedro?

7

I think we may want something with a slightly nicer pool/beach area than banana beach resort...

8

For something more upscale I'd look at, among others, Pelican Reef, Grand Caribe, Victoria House, Villas at Banyan Bay, Coco Beach, Ramon's Village and Mata Chica ... but in nearly all cases in high season these are considerably more expensive than US$200 a night. For example beach front units at Grand Caribe are US$500, Mata Chica US$425+, Pelican Reef US$295, Villas at Banyan Bay US$375 (all plus 12.5% tax come Jan. 1 and service charge). Pelican Reef and Banyan Bay are two-bedroom units. All do have nice pools and beaches without sea walls.

Seagrass is a part of the ecology of the barrier reef eco-system. It is like a nursery for sea life. Many hotels do remove areas of seagrass so it's more comfortable for guests to swim, but in the long run like removing mangroves it is a bad thing for the shore and reef.

9

Sea grass doesnt bother me that much and i dont think my 5 month old is going to care too much... I love Belize and cant believe its the last central american country i travelled...just because of $$$$. Its not that bad.... I just can not see spending more than 50.00 a night in Belize....that being said i have yet to travel with an infant...but i dont think it should cost that much more...ok fine no more shared rooms or dorms as of past'..but....its not going to stop me from relaxn on whatever Caye i want to see...i think its all about who you are planning to see, hang out with etc... I think i could easily hang out on C Caulker fairly easily with my kid albeit with the odd rough day but i have that at home as well...perspective. Anyway its all about choices and we just try to figure out the best way to do what we want. I hope you have a good trip and am happy that young parents like us continue to travel....it reminds me when i was in Nicaragua and met a single mom travelling with her 4 year old girl and they were so happy... Or ini Guatemala where i met a guy with his kid travelling...i hope to be that parent...who still does because thats what we like to do...now we are just a bit more grown up with kids......and still travelling :)

10

If you're still interested in Ambergris, take a look at either Caribbean Villas or Coral Bay Villas. I'm not sure if you need/want one or two bedrooms.

Coral Bay has fairly large patios, and the pool is very close. The beach at both properties is raked daily. Lots of sand, nice stretch of beach, although, there is sea grass. Good swimming off of Caribbean Villas pier (you can use it if you're staying at coral Bay as well.)

11

Thanks for all the advice!

Obatanga - while I appreciatte the backpacking spirit as I have learned to appreciatte many corners of the world from that perspective, the times are long gone where it is possible to find a place on the beach with a pool in Ambrigis Caye! :) Oh, how I wish it was possible! As for the sea grass, it isn't the baby who I am concerned about, it is my husband and I. We will be sticking fairly close to the hotel this trip (though with relatives coming we do hope to get away and do some Scuba Diving) so having a fairly decent beach and pool is more important than it would be on other trips.

LanSluder - it didn't occur to me that they would pull the seagrass out of the water! I agree, that isn't good for the local ecology, I was just hoping that for whatever natural reasons there were some areas that had less where you could make it out into the water from shore without encountering it! ;)

Victoria House looks geat (of course) as does Mata Chica, however Pelican Reef is fairly reasonably priced if we split the two bedroom with relatives... That looks like a great option.

JeaninIowa - we are still looking at Ambergris, but also consering something along the Maya Riveria... decisions, decisions... Coral Bay seems like a possibility, and I can't find a picture of the pool or much of the property for Caribbean Villas Hotel... Where are they both located in comparision to town?

Thanks!

12

Pelican Reef is excellent. The same owners have another place nearby called Athens Gate. They are both fairly far south, well south of Victoria House, so maybe 3 miles from town.

Caribbean Villas and Coral Bay are maybe 1/2 mile south of town. Within, say, a 15-minute walk. Caribbean Villas has the advantage of having a large undeveloped area around it. I hadn't seen the pool at Coral Bay -- looks nice on the website.

FYI, you can download my free and ad-free 200-page book on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Belize's other islands at the BelizeFirst.com website.

For beaches you can't beat the Yucatán, although compared with even Ambergris Caye much of it is pretty touristy. But since it's for tourists, that's okay. And in most places there's no barrier reef, so little or no seagrass.

13

Thanks!

Edited by: lfen

14

Both Coral Bay and Caribbean Villas (they're next to each other) are almost exactly a mile south of the center of town. However, you don't need to go all the way into town for groceries or restaurants, there are several near by.

The pool at Caribbean Villas is small. It is an above ground pool with decking around it, so it looks nice. I think there's also a hot tub. Coral Bay has a hot tub as well.