One week in Belize over New Years - Itenerary
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Nov 12, 2012 11:38 AM Last Post By: ravisurdhar
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One week in Belize over New Years - Itenerary
Hi all, I've been trying to figure out where to go over New Years, and Belize seems to fit all my criteria: Easy to get to from the US, relatively cheap in the country, and a good mix of diving, jungle, and historical ruins to explore. Here's a quick itinerary I've thrown together; could you all please take a look and offer suggestions?Dec 26: Fly into BZE in the late afternoon (most likely United's 4:16PM arrival from IAH), transfer to Caye Caulker
Dec 27 & 28: Diving from Caye Caulker
Dec 29: Boat and bus to San Ignacio (Cayo)
Dec 30, 31, and Jan 1: A day each for ATM, cave tubing, and either Caracol or Tikal
Jan 2: Bus back to BZE and fly home
So with that, here are a ton of questions:
1. What's the latest I can fly into BZE and still catch a transfer to CC, either by boat or air?
2. Is the Blue Hole worth it, or are there other good spots to see?
3. How long will it take to travel between CC and San Ignacio? Any recommendations for short activities to do that afternoon if we still have time?
4. As a day trip, Caracol or Tikal? I've heard Tikal is only worth it if you go overnight.
5. How long will it take to get back to BZE? What is the earliest I should get a flight out? I have to be back at work on the 3rd (in DFW), so leaving on the 2nd should be fine, right?
6. Hotel recommendations for both places? Definitely require private bedroom, bathroom, and hot shower. AC would be a plus but a fan is perfectly fine. Looking to spend less than $150/night for one room, 2 people.
Thanks so much!
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1. What's the latest I can fly into BZE and still catch a transfer to CC, either by boat or air?You can check the schedules & fares yourself on the websites of the water taxi services and airlines. All have contact details if you want to confirn the schedules or book online.
a) Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association
http://www.cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com
b) San Pedro Water Jets Express
http://www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com/index.html
The abovementioned services operate from the Caye Caulker Water Taxi terminal on North Front Street beside the Swing Bridge.
c) San Pedro – Belize Express Water Taxi
https://belizewatertaxi.com/
SP-Belize Express operates from the Brown Sugar Market at 111 North Front Street, a few hundred metres from the CCWT terminal.
d) Topic Ferry
http://www.tropicferry.com/
Tropic Ferry offers pick-up at the airport, private a/c shuttle transport to their boat (a 3 minute drive to a marina located across the highway from the airport), boat transport directly to your dock on Ambergris Caye, and they throw in all the rum punch you can drink. It's more expensive than the other services.
Here are the links to the two Belizean airlines:
a) Maya Island Air, http://www.mayaregional.com/
b) Tropic Air, http://www.tropicair.com/
3. How long will it take to travel between CC and San Ignacio?
CC to BC by water taxi: 1 hour
Walk or taxi to bus terminal: 15 minutes (walk) or 10 minutes (taxi)
Waiting for a bus: no more than 30 minutes
Bus to SI: about 2 hours (a bit less on an Express bus; a bit more on a Regular bus)
Buses depart every 30 minutes.
Any recommendations for short activities to do that afternoon if we still have time?
Go to Pacz Tours in San Ignacio and arrange your tours.
Visit Cahal Pech.
You might have time to go to Xunantunich.
Stop at the Belize Zoo on the way to San Ignacio.
5. How long will it take to get back to BZE?
Bus from SI to BC: about 2 hours (see above)
Taxi from BC to airport: 20 minutes
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4. consider Lamanai, which can be done as a day trip from Caulker4
1. What's the latest I can fly into BZE and still catch a transfer to CC, either by boat or air?-The most reliable water taxi is San Pedro Belize Express.
www.belizewatertaxi.com
2. Is the Blue Hole worth it, or are there other good spots to see?
Bule Hole is worth it, but if you don't have time there are GREAT 1/2 day dives out of Caye Caulker
3. How long will it take to travel between CC and San Ignacio? Any recommendations for short activities to do that afternoon if we still have time?
It takes about an hour on the water taxi to get back to the city. From there you can take a bus/rent a car/take a taxi to San Ignacio. Depending on your location it will take an hour to an hour and a half.
4. As a day trip, Caracol or Tikal? I've heard Tikal is only worth it if you go overnight.
Carocol is amazing! I think it is better than Tikal because it is less crowded.
5. How long will it take to get back to BZE? What is the earliest I should get a flight out? I have to be back at work on the 3rd (in DFW), so leaving on the 2nd should be fine, right?
6. Hotel recommendations for both places? Definitely require private bedroom, bathroom, and hot shower. AC would be a plus but a fan is perfectly fine. Looking to spend less than $150/night for one room, 2 people.
Caye Caulker has some great places including Caye Reef and San Ignacio I would recommend (on a budge) Windy Hill.
Have fun and good luck!
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For that amount, you could stay at Seaside Cabanas in Caye Caulker. Great rooms, AC, fridges, nice bathrooms AND a pool. About $125 a year ago when we were there, a little breakfast included. But there are lots of less expensive places.6
OK, here's our somewhat final itinerary. Any suggestions you have will be more than welcome!Dec 26: Arrive BZE at 4:16PM. Water taxi to Caye Caulker. Staying at Caye Caulker Plaza Hotel for $90/night (none of the cheaper rooms were available)
Dec 27: Turneffe North 2 tank dive with Belize Diving Services for $90pp
Dec 28: Blue Hole/Lighthouse Atoll 3 tank dive with Belize Diving Services for $155pp
Dec 29: To San Ignacio (is an express bus the best way to do this? Other options?). Still not sure where we're going to stay yet...it seems very booked out. The Orange Guesthouse and Rumors Resort are some available options, but they look like they are a little ways outside of town. I think that'll be an issue because we won't have a rental car? The San Ignacio Resort Hotel looks better, but it's also a whopping $165/night. In any case, Cahal Pech or Xunantunich in the afternoon
Dec 30 - Jan 1: ATM, Cave Tubing, and Tikal day trip with Pacz. Any recommended order for those?
Jan 2: Bus back to BC and fly home.
