Worth spending a week and a half in Belize?

#8 original comment has disappeared......

I understand your disclaimer at the end but the expression of worth just doesn't belong here. It also helps to give a few more details of your proposed itinerary and your likes and dislikes. Panama and Belize in 14 days? The sheer logistics kind of scare me. But anyway, Yes, it is worth it to me.

I fell off the wagon but on the grid.

I spent a summer there in college, one of my life's most wonderful periods. Belize has a very interesting culture and history, terrific people, lots of natural beauty, very good food...I can't wait to return there this spring.

Belize has many smaller Mayan sites which I find interesting. They have the cave systems which is unique and good snorkeling/diving from the cayes. Is it worth it? That's your call. There are much larger Mayan ruins in Mexico and Guatemala. Better beaches too. There is diving on the Bay Islands of Honduras.

It just seems to me, the further down you go into Central America, the less tourist attractions you will find. Not that the countries aren't great to travel in, I have a house in Nicaragua, it's just that there are more activities like the caving, diving and ruins in the northern section. Nicaragua has great volcanoes which is a whole other thing. Your call, just my experience.

I've traveled a ton in other regions but in Central America I've only been to Belize--no other countries of yet (doing Costa Rica this summer) so I can't compare. That said, I thought Belize was fantastic. I love the beach and diving but my favorite part was Cayo district (in and around San Ignacio). I loved ATM. We didn't go to Tikal but rented a car and drove to Caracol. There was hardly anyone there which was amazing. Also there's some nice places to stop on the way (a beautiful river with pools and rocks). I'd love to go again.