Jungle... Beach... Advice Please!

So I am planning a trip to Belize next may... i know kind of far in advance. I am totally confused with what to do! I want to experience both the cayes as well as the jungle. We are planning a trip from 7-9 days not sure yet. I wish we had more time!

My first instinct since I am a beach person was to go to Placencia but after reading I am leaning more towards Caye Caulker. For various reasons... but one of the main being that we do not have to take a flight down there. But I am also torn because I want to see Whale sharks... I know they are more likely to come out at night but is there any likelihood we will see them snorkeling during the day? I also am interested in seeing the Blue Hole... but I am not an experienced diver nor do I really want to dive there. Is there other options to tour there... do people snorkel there?

We also want to go to the jungle area to see ruins as well as go cave tubing/zip lining. What is a good way to get out there other than renting a car? Is flying to Belmopan and getting a transfer a good option?

Any suggestions/input will be so helpful! I think my main problem is I want to see it all and I just don't have enough time!

Firstly, Caye Caulker doesn't have any "beaches". Most people occupy themselves by resting out on the dock a la pier 39, San Francisco. Secondly, the Blue hole can only really be appreciated from the air. The diving there is ordinary (nearby reefs are WAY better). Snorkelling is possible, but WAY overpriced for what you get.

As for "jungle" you're best to set up in San Ignacio. There are plenty of buses heading there from Belize City and it only take a couple hours. Check out my blog if you're bored

http://joestrippin.blogspot.com/search/label/Belize

Whale sharks are present in Belize waters all the time, but congregate off the Placencia coast within 3 days either of the full moon March-July and are active during the day and there are many dive and snorkel trips out to Gladden Split Reserve to see them. Its a humbling experiance. You can book a full day snorkel trip to the Blue Hole, which I have dove and snorkled. The second site is Half Moon Caye with lunch on the reserve. Third stop is the Aquarium. This is in Lighthouse Reef atoll, one of 3 atolls in Belize, 4 in our hemisphere. Some of the best marine environment you'll find anywhere. You can rent a car and drive yourselves to Cayo and most tours easily enough.

you got something against buses?
i favor Caulker by far over Plasticia. you may sail between these points (www.raggamuffintours.com) 2 night camping on cayes done it twice.
also consider flying through cancun half the price for me (from indianoplace)
I think blue hole excellent diving also 2 dives go with it same atoll same trip

You mention you don't want to go to Placencia because you don't want to fly there, to get to Caye Caulker you will have to either fly or take the water taxi. You can get to Placencia by car, but it will take longer. If you are a beach person, stick with Placencia or head to Ambergris Caye. The internal flights within Belize are easy to use and not expensive, they will save you time and allow you to see more.
Tropic Air has started service between San Pedro and Belmopan, but you don't have to fly to Belmopan to do a jungle visit. Alot of the lodges will arrange to pick you up at Belize City, it's about an hour and half, and a good way to see Belize. Same from Belmopan to the coast it's a beautiful drive along the Hummingbird Highway.
It really depends on what you want to do, and what you expect from your trip in order to decide where to go and stay. There is lots to see.

Thanks for all your tips!

I am not against buses... I am planning on taking a bus to San Ignacio because the Hotels I have been looking at have said they offer transport at $150! A $10 bus trip sounds WAY better to me.

I have been looking up planes to Placencia but they seem to run about $150 round trip... and I have read that the bus trip is around 8 hours... is this true?

Also the bus from Cancun to Belize sounds like a good idea but since I will only be there around 8 days I don't know if I want to spend my time on a bus? I read the wordpress blog about buses and I am gathering that it takes around 8 hours to get to Belize City from Cancun... is this accurate?

Also are there any tours to the atolls and small cayes that do not include diving? I feel like the only way I can "island hop" is to carter a boat... seems expensive!

dont think it takes 8 hr Belize to Placencia. Maybe 4. John or Lan?
8 days is a bit of a squeeze for flying through Cancun. Cant you cob a few more days?
i think its not significantly cheaper to go as a non diver on dive boats. I checked on this a few years back and decided against it (for my female friend).
yes, approx. 8 hr cancun to caulker. i once made it from placencia to Tulum in 12 hr.

Your bus times seem about accurate to me, provided no delay at the border (from Mexico) - but yes take the bus to Placencia, you will see beautiful mayan mountains along the way. Snorkelling can always be exchanged for diving.

Many of the smaller cayes are privately owned by resorts and offer a ride over. For instance if you went to Thatch Caye and stayed there, I know that you could discuss what you want to do with the dive/snorkel staff and they would take you out and you could see what you want. We stayed there, and each day they ask you where you want to go, this is part of your package. Same for your dinner, the chef asks you what you want for dinner that night. Otherwise if you stayed on the mainland, you can negotiate with a local boat owner to take you to visit what you are interested in. It's all reasonably priced for what you get. The people are very friendly and you will have an experience you will not forget whether you dive or not.

I snorkeled the Blue Hole and it was great fun. We went out with divers and snorkelled the rim while they did their dive. It was combined with a trip to Half-Moon caye and snorkelling there as well. You should be an experienced snorkeller and strong swimmer because when you go with divers - they don't babysit you. It is more expensive than the local snorkel trips because of the distance. - the price reflects the gas and time involved.