Adventurous Mom with teenage boys

Hello,

First time poster here. Trying to plan a trip to Belize June 4-June 16. Due to our long travel time (14 hours), I'm thinking we should start our adventure at Belize Zoo, spending a night there and doing the nocturnal tour. Then I want to make our way west across the country, sightseeing and exploring. I would love to overnight to see Tikal in Guatemala. We would then make our way back to take the ferry to Caye Caulker.( I understand that we could get a direct bus all the way back to Belize City.) I have reserved a great place for the second week on the island. I know I could cut up our trip and see more of the country, but I really need the down time. Our plan is to fly back to the muni airport for the return trip.

One of my boys and I fell in love with snorkeling our trip last summer to St John, USVI. However, we have not been able to convince the other one to try it. We also learned from our side trip on St John to the Baths at Virgin Gorda, that a more independent traveler route has some definite benefits when the guided tour crowds leave. We loved driving a personal vehicle and using the Vitran when we were in St John even though it wasn't the fastest method of transit. I am a professional driver by trade on some of the US's most treacherous roads, so I do not have any trepidation about my abilities in that arena.

So, for the advice I'm looking for...

Semi-affordable activities and lodging ideas for the path west.
Safe ideas for a single mother with two teenagers to see Tikal from Belize with an overnight. I'm open to staying outside of the park if it helps me stay in my budget or if it gives my young adults another experience that we would not have otherwise. I understand that the old policy of a late day ticket for the park is no longer valid the next day.
Any ideas for our non-snorkeling party member? The divorce decree says he has to stay with us at ALL times when on vacation. This posed no issue shore snorkeling, but we will probably be taking some boat tours while on Caye Caulker.

Thank you for your time...Nat

Oh, and we already know about the zip lining option at Tikal, and the boys are totally excited about that idea.

lodging ideas for the path west.

http://www.belizeexplorer.com/

Safe ideas for a single mother with two teenagers to see Tikal from Belize with an overnight.

You could go with one of the tour companies in San Ignacio, or use buses/taxis to get there.
The BelizeBus site has some information on how to get there (the link is on my profile page).
There are express buses between Flores & Belize City -- get one on the return trip. It will terminate at the water taxi terminal in BC -- very convenient.

Here's a guide for Tikal...
http://www.tikalroxy.blogspot.com/

Any ideas for our non-snorkeling party member?

Does he actually have to be on the boat when you go snorkelling? He's going to bored to death, and as red as a lobster (wear plenty of sunscreen & a hat). When you're out snorkelling, he should be hanging around the Split watching the girls and maybe sampling the Belikin (how old is he?). He can swim at the Split. Or, rent a bicycle. Or go for a day trip over to Ambergris Caye. Hop on a Tropic Air flight and do a day trip to Lamanai.

Thank you for that link. I had not yet found that site, and I love the map with the lodging options. That really helps me.

My Spanish is very limited, so I don't know if it would be a good idea to try to negotiate a cab fare. I guess I could always try the transportation only idea from one of the tour operators if I get nervous about it. I have heard from many people about Roxy. Have you stayed at any of the lodging in the Tikal/El Remate/ Flores area? The reviews are all over the chart just wondering if anyone has thoughts on that. I was thinking the Tikal Inn inside the park would be fun for the guys since they have a pool, but some of the reviews are making me nervous. For a smooth transition to Caye Caulker, it looks to me like we would need to stay two nights, so we could get the a.m. bus back to Belize City. Would make sense to spend our second night closer to the bus station? Also, buy the bus tickets in advance or when we get there?

The decree says they have to be with me at all times. Not exactly what a teenager wants to do, but c'est la vie. Anyway, the non-snorkeler is 15, so drinking a beer would not exactly be an option. Maybe I should make him try a half day, so if he doesn't like it, it won't be quite as long. I'll make sure to take your advice and bring him a hat and lots of sunscreen in case he gives up on the idea.

I'm sure whatever we decide, we'll have lots of fun.

Thanks hopefulist. Some of your ideas you have shared I have already researched- the Camp Casitas at Macal River Camp, and Hotel Anguada has been bookmarked on my favorites for a while. I like your suggestion for lodging in Santa Elena. Do you know if we would be able to walk to the bus stop or would we require a taxi? I have no idea of the size of this town.

I have two of the travel book you recommended-Moon and Fodor.

As far as activites, we are contemplating: cave tubing, rappeling the black hole, maybe taking a dip in the blue hole, ATM, and I love botanical gardens so I'd love to drag them there.The guys are really looking forward to sampling the local cuisine. Would you have an idea of how long it might take to make it through these activities and allow for travel time?

I understand that the same questions are asked and answered repeatedly, so I'm working my way through the previous threads.

so Monday land in BZE and overnight at the zoo
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday travel to Tikal overnight in the park, tour the park, ziplining
Friday Sunrise tour, Overnight in Santa Elena
Saturday Travel Flores to Caye Caulker

So it looks like we'd realistically only have two days to do those things, and I think that's not possible.

I'd choose to stay in Flores instead of Santa Elena - close enough and much nicer for food and strolling. You're correct that you won't have time for all of that in 2 days. I'd definitely pick ATM which is a full day trip. Black Hole Drop is a full day trip, too; you could go cave tubing and swim in the Blue Hole in one day. You could save a day and have Thursday for another Belize inland activity if you could fly from Flores to Caulker (or at least BZE) the afternoon after the sunrise tour; there are links to the airlines on this Belize transportation site. Happy trails!

Sorry, I might have misread the hotel's website...I thought it said Santa Elena. I think the airfare x3 is too expensive. Not like these guys are helping with the bill. :)

If we really want more inland adventures, we could cut back on our week on Caye Caulker to by a day. It's still early enough I could alter my lodging.
hmmm. more to think about...

There are 2 potential Santa Elenas in your itinerary - the one near San Ignacio where the Aguada is and the one near Flores, so maybe I'm the one who's confused. I'm a diver and love the blue water time but you might want to consider less time on Caulker if you're not diving and 1 of your boys doesn't even snorkel. Obviously, it's a personal choice. Good luck deciding!!

For your son that doesn't snorkel, maybe he would like to fish? During snorkeling tours, tourists can also fish. Caye Caulker is a great place to catch some of the most delicious and huge fishes of Belize. He might be excited about catching a five foot barracuda. You'll be snorkeling and he'll be a couple yards away in the boat casting away a fishing line.

nwagber76 -
I've been trying to reply to your message but the system won't let me. Here's my response:
Hi, -
The Tropic Air website shows 7:10 and 9:10 flights; the latter is probably what I'd take and even 9:30 should be fine. I hope it works out you can tour with Roxy - she's a gem. She's tough to get ahold of sometimes, though.
Have a great trip!
Stacey

Thanks Hopefulist,

I don't get notifications from lonelyplanet, so I didn't realize you had responded. Roxy is going to be able to work with us. She's picking us up at the border, and then we are going to tour Yaxha together ending at the park. Then the next morning, we'll do a sunrise tour with her. It should be a great time.

The nonsnorkeler is all set up with his schooling stuff and is excited about fishing. SO thanks again feuysbelize!

One week to go.

So great to hear you'll meet up with Roxy - please tell her Stacey says hi and can't wait to see her in July. :-)