Looking for advice ~ My Belize + Flores Itinerary

Sounds wonderful! I HIGHLY recommend the ATM cave trip, most commonly done from San Ignacio. I really loved the skywalk tour at Ixpanpajul - good choice. Can't wait to read your trip report! hint hint

I'd echo hopefulist's comment about ATM -- that's truly a unique experience and for many the highlight of the entire trip. It is a full-day trip, so you'd have to drop something.

Depending on when you get to San Ignacio the first day, you could do Cahal Pech or Xunantunich that afternoon. Either can be done in two hours. Of the two, I'd recommend Xunantunich by far.

--Lan Sluder
http://www.belizefirst.com

The other thing I'd say is that at the end of your father's visit you spend at least a couple of days on the cayes -- either Caulker or Ambergris. There are no good beaches in or anywhere near Belize City. Plus, you have many more options for diving and snorkeling from the cayes than from Belize City. And the cayes are special and very different from the mainland.

--Lan Sluder

Thank you! I managed to talk Dad in to adding 2 days so I will add ATM. My only worry is the swim portion. How long is it? He's not the greatest swimmer and (though he would never admit it) he tends to panic a bit in deep water.

I should tell you both, I used a lot of your comments from other posts to help me put this together so thank you again!!

You're wet quite a lot of the ATM trip but the main swimming part is not long, just as you enter - 25 feet, maybe? There are some good pictures of that part in my Belize 2009 photos collections below.

It sounds too busy for me. A 65 year old guy needs to relax now and then. I think you should insert some do nothing time which usually turns into the best time because you meet people and can improvise. Most of this is pretty physical stuff. Your dad is probably in great shape but that doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate some down time now and then. You need time to eat drink and hang out with people you meet and be willing to change your plans on a dime. You are forgetting travel times between places, hot sweaty clothes, tired legs and don't forget to smell the roses. Quality not quantity Maybe when you get older you will understand.

Edited by: Greggo

Thanks everyone for your advice. All of a sudden it's time for me to start packing and go! With work being crazy busy the last month, I haven't had the time to nail down any accommodations for my trip. If I book the first few nights now, do you think we'll be able to sort out the rest when we're there or is that just a dumb thing to do?

Side note: any recommendation for places to stay at any of the above location?

Also - would you recommend we rent a car or use buses/shuttles?