Need feedback asap re: fare cost and also travel in July

My fiance and I are seriously considering a trip to Belize for our honeymoon in early July (6-13). We only have 1 week--wish it was longer but that's the best we can do.

1. Can someone give feedback regarding visiting Belize in July? It's the low season and I'm wondering what that means in practical terms. We want to split our limited time between San Ignacio (Black Rock Lodge, possibly) and the beach (for diving and snorkeling). Will we roast in San Ignacio? The hotel does not have a/c. How are the activities that time of year? I understand some things might be closed. Our key interests are hiking, canoeing, biking, birding, that sort of thing...Also if possible a day at Tikal.

2. Any feedback on dive conditions in July? How's the viz? My fiance does not dive (yet) so someplace with snorkeling would also be nice in case he doesn't get certified between now and then. Can anyone recommend a good place to go? Given our short time, priority would be given to ease of getting there. We're looking for a moderately priced place ($75-100/ night) where we can spend some down time getting a feel for everyday life. I guess what that means is we don't really want a resort in the middle of nowhere. We've got that in San Ignacio. ;)

3. Getting around--how are car rental prices and road conditions? The place in San Ignacio does involve some dirt roads but we thought the flexibility (and savings) of being able to plan our own activities and food might offset the rental car cost. Transfers and booking activities through the hotel add up.

4. Airfare--We will be coming from the US (Atlanta). Does anyone have any feedback on a fair fare (lol)? Delta has flights on sale for $600 which seems to be a good deal (hence the reason I need to decide quickly).
   Thanks!

1. Can someone give feedback regarding visiting Belize in July?

For Cayo:
Average daily high: 31 to 32 degrees C
Average overnight low: about 22 C
Humidity: 70 to 80%

In San Pedro, the average daily high might be 30 or 31 C, and the overnight low might be 23 or 24 C.

Yes, it's going to be HOT! I don't know how you handle the heat, but many people find just a fan is sufficient at night. It tends to be a bit cooler at night in the west and at the higher altitudes.

I don't know if anything closes at that time of year. There is a small increase in visitors because of summer holidays in Canada, USA & Europe.

3. Getting around--how are car rental prices and road conditions?
I don't know about rental rates, but the road conditions are generally good. All the main highways are paved, 2 lanes. The main warning would be the extremely slippery conditions in wet weather (due to the paving material). You also have to be careful of pedestrians & cyclists who walk/ride on the highway, not on the shoulder and do not wear anything reflective at night. And numerous unmarked speed bumps.

The road from the highway to Black Rock is 6 miles (if I remember correctly) and is gravel/dirt. It should be OK to drive, but check that the rental company will allow the car on gravel roads -- some do not.

Here are some outtakes from posts that I have made previously...

The main highways are paved, two lanes and well sign-posted -- you don't need a 4-wheel drive vehicle. In Belize, you must have insurance. Gasoline is currently about BZ$12.00 (US$6.00) per gallon.

The Western Highway is the main highway that links the western border with Belize City. It's paved all the way and the maximum speed limit is 50 mph, but be careful of the speed bumps as you approach the villages along the highway. Also in wet conditions, the pavement can get VERY slippery due to the type of paving material. And there are some bad drivers in Belize -- watch out for speeding buses. Also, pedestrians and cyclists walk & ride ON THE HIGHWAY, not on the shoulder -- be careful of that especially at night.

4. Airfare
Many visitors fly to Cancun and either bus to Belize or rent a car in Cancun and drive. There are only a couple of rental companies that I know who allow their vehicles into Belize.
If you need bus info, click the BelizeBus link on my profile page.

• In Belize July is off season but not low season. The really slow period in Belize is September through early November. Few if any hotels, restaurants or tourism sites will be closed in July.

• Main roads in Belize are fine, like a rural two-lane road in Georgia. Tertiary roads especially after rains can be terrible. See my Belize Road Guide for detailed info on driving and roads in Belize -- it's on the Belize First website.

• Airfares to Belize are overpriced most of the time, because there is not enough competition on the route and the number of travelers to Belize is relatively small. A good deal from Atlanta or Charlotte is US$350-$400. US$600 is probably close to average. It's certainly not a deal. If you don't have enough FF miles on Delta, you might look at buying miles, which sometimes can turn out to be cheaper than paying regular fares.

• Usually better prices are available to Cancún, since there is much more volume and competition to that destination. The downside is that you essentially spend an extra day coming or going, and the savings aren't worth it if you only have a week.

• It's not as hot in July in Belize as it is in April or May, but still it will be hot and very humid. However, if you live in Georgia, you will be used to it, and actually Belize is not that different in climate from Central Georgia in the summer. Cayo cools off some at night in summer, and Black Rock will be bearable. On the cayes and coast breezes from the sea will be a blessing. And in fact parts of Belize such as the Mountain Pine Ridge are very much like Georgia -- with lots of pines and red clay.

• Unless you hit a rainy period, dive viz should be good in July. For snorkeling, I'd think you'd want to be near the barrier reef, so that's probably going to be Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye.

--Lan Sluder

I always drive in Belize. Go on line and check Crystal and Budget rental companies for vehicles and prices. I'd get a 4x4 for off road mostly for the vehicle height. Book it on line, it will be cheaper. Don't drive at nite, too much stuff on the road. It's easy to drive in Belize.

It will be hot but the only problem you may have is canoeing down the river. It may be pretty low. You have enough other things to do in it's place though so I wouldn't worry about it.

If it were me, I would go to Caye Caulker for a few notes. I think you would really like it there and you may be able to get a good deal on accomidations as it is off season. Good snorkel trips from there and hanging out at the Last Lizard at the split is always a favorite.

One more thing. Check the airline prices every day at the actual airline sites. You will be surprised at how much they can change. Most major airlines will go to Belize. I've taken American and US Air.

Wow! All this information is hugely helpful. Thank you all so much. It would be great if we could get a cheaper fare than $600 but who knows if that will be possible. Over the past several weeks everything on Kayak has been in the $775 range so when I saw $600, I thought we'd better make a decision quickly. We've been dilly-dallying between Costa Rica and Belize for a while. Now it seems that despite the higher airfare, Belize would suit our needs the best since I am really itching to go diving and my fiance loves hiking and paddling.

Thank you again.

Also, yes the weather does sound like Georgia. I can handle that. Plus I lived in Africa for 4 years so I had to get used to weather that felt like Atlanta during mid-August for 9 months a year (and the other 3 were basically like Atlanta in May...)

Belize is just about to enter the rainy season. As i am in Belize, i will be the first to tell you that all tours that you want to do will be available. If you will rent a vehicle the best place to do it is through Crystal Auto Rental, www.crystal-belize.com, Black Rock is nice, but there are other resort options. Maya sites are great in the cayo area, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech are easily accessible, while Caracol is located deep in the Jungle near the Guatemala border and is at least an hours drive into the Mountain Pine Ridge. There are also nice places to visit there, Rio On Pools, and Barton Creek.

As for snorkeling, you can decide on staying some time in either Caye Caulker or San Pedro, day trips are available to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley. You can read about some of these places on my blog at belizevacationblog.com If you need more assistance i am here in Belize, and plan many vacations.

Louigi

We've been there in July twice and are heading back this year (late July/August) and find it to be a great time to visit.

I'd consider an overnight to Tikal - so great to explore the ruins and the jungle during the cooler evening and early morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the place to yourselves. Consider contacting archaeologist/naturalist Roxy Ortiz - she's amazing.

Here's another highlight I wouldn't miss: ATM cave.

What are your priorities for the beach time - nightlife, privacy, budget, romance, snorkeling from shore? We can help you more with more information. Congratulations and happy planning!

I know I didn't start this topic but I will be in Belize in July and just wanted to say thanks for all the awesome info!

I'm an American living in Belize and I can tell you that July is a good time to come to Belize, as it's not so full of tourists. You'll be here in time for the lobster season. You can rent a car from the international aiport for about $60 USD a day. A trip to Caracol near San Ignacio Town will cost about $75 USD per person with a tour group, but you can hire a private SUV taxi for about $125 USD. It's a total of 5 hours drive to and from Caracol, but it's worth it. I suggest going to Tobacco Caye for snorkeling and or diving as the island is actually on the Barrier Reef itself. The resorts on the island is about $45 USD a day. Placencia village is a great place to stay in Belize as it's a major tourist town, but very laid-back. You can get snorkeling, diving, and whatever else you want to do in Belize done from Placencia. It's also close to two Mayan Ruins, like Lubaantun, where the famous Crystal Skull was found. My husband is a tour guide and has worked all over the country, so if you need more information, just ask.