Hi Folks,
simple question before I start doing some indepth research on place.
Q. Do you think it is possible to see the highlights of the Yucatan peninsula and Belize in two weeks, and if it was possible would I be missing some other real gems?
If you would like to give any other advice/your personal 'must sees' please do, although I am aware I can get most of this by looking through the previous posts.
Thanks
Not sure just how many things are included in your list of ´highlights´, but in my opinion two weeks should be OK. Of course there are going to be people that say two weeks isn´t enough, but we all dont have unlimited time and $ do we!
I travelled from Flores (Central Guatemala) to the ruins at Tikal, into Belize, spent some time on Cay Caulker, then travelled north to Tulum. Then up to Isla Mujeres (off Cancun). Essentially I didn´t spend time in alot of places on the Yucatan itself, but as a guide for timing, this could have easily been done in two weeks.
I didn´t see any other parts of Belize (because I didn´t really have the time or $), but Cay Caulker is a must. I did a pretty cool tour with the Rasta guy that parks his old wooden boat at the split too. Nice and chilled. If you are travelling with a few people, try to rent a house (even if it is only for a day or three). We ended up paying less per person than for a bed in the dorm at the hostel.
Isla Mujeres was also great. Away from the wanky scene of Cancun (but still a bit overdone). We hired a golf cart between four people to explore the island for the day. Good hostel there too (its in the LP). You can easily get to and from the island from Cancun. Boats leave every half hour or so, so its easy to get out and back in a couple of days.
There are easy bus connections between Belize and Tulum and Tulum and Cancun.
My tip: make sure you dive the cenotes just outside of Tulum. Even if you are not a diver, snorkeling is just as good. We organised an early morning (8am) bike/snorkel tour through the Weary Traveller (i think?) Hostel in Tulum. Amazing. Make sure you go in the morning if you do cause they say the water clarity can decrease a little if lots of tour groups/divers are in the water. In addition, a day at the ruins and the beach is all you´ll need.
Good luck, I´m sure you´ll have a great time.
I recommend dashing south through belize to guatemala then up the rio dulce and over to Copan Honduras, then on the way back stay a night or 2 at the places you grooved with on the way down. Where are you flying into? I flew through Cancun last Jan, stayed a night each at Chetumal, Corozal, and Puerto Morales. I wouldnt waste my time in Yucatan Mexico again. Much more expensive and boring, like the US.
Hey I´d have to agree with no.2 also. I hate to rubbish your plans but I have just spent 3 and a half months in Central America and I would deffinately say that central Guatemala (Antigua, Semuc Champey and Tikal) and western Honduras (Copan) should not be missed. I actually travelled from Copan (Honduras) to Coban/Semuc Champey (Guatemala) to Flores (Guatemala) and onwards etc as I mentioned above. It does depend on where you start your trip though.
My personal must-sees in the area:
Yucatan: The Tulum beaches and ruins (Been all over the Caribbean and still haven't found a cleaner, whiter beach!)
Chichen-Itza ruins (obviously)
Coba ruins: Still covered in jungle....very spiritual place..
Belize: Actunchil Cave (abbreviated ATM) .....Exploring this cave was one of the weirdest and most beautiful experiences of my travelling life...totally pristine...amidst pottery artifacts and calcified human skeletons...look it up, you will NOT be disappointed!!!
Caye Caulker: I was on both cayes and I definitely preferred Caulker. Totally relaxed little island, very beautiful, great snorkeling, great food, nice spread of budget places to stay.
With all these places, you might want to look at 3 weeks, if that is possible for you. If I could say one thing that would be NOT to miss the ATM Cave, Caye Caulker, or Tulum.....Good luck!
i think that would work, i've been in the yucatan for one week, then placencia for one week. playa del carmen has lots of accomodations, plus you can take a great bus from there to belize. when you arrive in corozal, belize, you can either take a plane ride to caulker of ambergris, or placencia. by bus you can easily go from corozal to belize city, belize city to independence on another express bus to independence, then take the hoki-pokey water taxi to placencia. placencia also has many accomodations, easy to do jungle trips from there. check out placencia.com.