My wife and I have been to Belize a few times-- but the last was ten or fifteen years ago. We have been waiting for our boys to be old enough that they could enjoy it before we went back, this time with them. They will be 13 and 16 when we hope to go next June (late June, into early July.) First question is if anyone has any suggestions as to where we might stay in Belize City the evening we fly and the night before we fly out. (Unless things have changed greatly in that city, I can't see the percentage in spending any more time there than is absolutely necessary.) My preference would be something with easy access to both the airport and a decent restaurant for dinner.
Our tentative intinerary would include a couple days in Caye Caulker, a couple somewhere in the Cayo district, and then a couple nights in the park at Tikal (one of my favorite places in the world.) We don't necessarily plan to travel in that order.
Belize City hasn't changed, and if anything is worse in terms of crime. I always highly recommend D'Nest Inn B&B. It's in the northern "suburbs" in Belama phase 2 between the airport and downtown, a safe area. Not a lot of restaurants nearby within walking distance but you can take a taxi inexpensively to one. I've stayed at D'Nest several times, alone and with my kids, and always enjoyed it. It's run by a delightful couple, Gaby and Oty, and a delicious full breakfast is included in the moderate rates -- around US$75 double. You'd probably need two rooms, though.
--Lan Sluder
http://www.belizefirst.com
If you plan carefully, you can skip Belize City altogether and save yourself the extra hassle and expense of packing/unpacking again and taking cabs around the city. Spend your time and money at places where you actually want to be! Here's what I would recommend:
On arrival day, take a Tropic or Maya flight directly from BZE to Caye Caulker. There are several departures each day.
After Caye Calker, take the water taxi back to Belize City and transfer to Cayo via bus, rental car, or hotel transfer. Split your time between San Ignacio and Tikal as you like.
Spend your last night in Cayo and most hotels can help you arrange a 2-hour road transfer directly back to BZE on your departure day. Unless you have a very early flight, you should have plenty of time to do this in one day.
Good luck. You and your family will have a great time!
Actually, going straight from the airport to either Cayo or Caye Caulker is my first choice. We're thinking about staying for a few days at either Five Sisters or Cahl Pech. It looks like the scheduled arrival time for our flight to BZE would by around 3:00PM. Assuming the plane wasn't just too late, does anyone have an opinion as to whether it is reasonable to plan on taking a private shuttle out to either place right from the airport (thus skipping Belize City, at least upon first arrival)?
Lots of photos with lodging and tour recommendations linked below. I think it might be worth springing for a private shuttle that 1st night. Keep us posted!
Why not fly directly to Caye Caulker for the first nite. Check the plane schedules, they fly all day. Tropic air has a good site where you can book a flight.
If you haven't been there for 15 years, hold on to your shorts. Things have REALLY changed. It used to be unknown back then, now it's a tourist mecca!!
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