Hello,
I am trying to plan a trip to Belize in March. I will be going with a group of 8-12 people with diverse interests--snorkeling, hiking, Mayan ruins, adventure, beach time, etc. I wanted to find a place to stay for the entire time we're there that gives everyone an opportunity to do what they want to do whether adventurous or relaxing in nature. Any suggestions on where to stay and what we could do from that spot?
Thanks!
The most central location for all those activities is Belize City, but it's probably the least desirable place to stay in Belize (I've heard it described as a "crime-ridden slum"), and you would still have to do some travelling for each activity because none of your activities are really close to BC.
So, what's the priority? Which activities will you be doing the most?
If diving/snorkelling/beaching is something everyone wants to do most days, then stay at Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, Placencia or Hopkins, and do day trips for other activities. If diving/snorkelling/beaching is something you will do only a couple of days, then stay at San Ignacio, Placencia or Hopkins.
Placencia or Hopkins might be your best choice -- great beaches, but the reef is a long boat ride and Mayan sites are a long road trip. Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary is close enough for day trips.
No matter where you stay, some travel will be involved for all the activities listed. The most central location for all those activities is Belize City, but it's probably the least desirable place to stay in Belize (I've heard it described as a "crime-ridden slum"), and you would still have to do some travelling for each activity because none of your activities are really close to BC.
So, what's the priority? Which activities will you be doing the most?
If diving/snorkelling/beaching is something everyone wants to do most days, then stay at Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, Placencia or Hopkins, and do day trips for other activities. If diving/snorkelling/beaching is something you will do only a couple of days, then stay at San Ignacio, Placencia or Hopkins.
Placencia or Hopkins might be your best choice -- great beaches, but the reef is a long boat ride and Mayan sites are a long road trip. Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary is close enough for day trips.
How much time do you have? I would suggest two places from which to base your activities from, San Ignacio and Caye Caulker. You can't really do everything from one place without spending lots of money for long, all day tours. I hope you are a good chaperone. It isn't an easy job with this amount of people particularly if you don't, yourself, know the lay of the land.
I concur with greggo, Caulker for a couple of days then San Ignacio. With that many folks you can hire your own shuttle to SI and to Tikal.
I disagree about caulker as it is more a small backpacker place. Ambergris Caye has a town called san pedro with much more to do. Look at them both on gmaps to decide. There is no great location. The cayes are best for snorkeling/diving, Placencia has better beaches and quicker access to the mainland boutique chocolate guys and cave tubing but is 19 miles from the reef for diving. I would usually suggest splitting to 2 destinations but you need time for that and you would have a cattle drive facing you. Determine if mainland or caye is a best base by number of activities. do day trips to the area with fewest activities.