Any pointers on Belize here? Ambergris Caye?

[babylonsister]

I'm going, never been, not much of a snorkler, and hear there's only 10 streets in town. What to do?
I do like to read, party, and test new restaurants. ;)
Any insights would be fun-thanks!

[yellowdogintexas]

1. go to their tourist site, check out Rough Guide

and go snorkeling every day. I would go in a heartbeat

I hear there are some neat caves in Belize too. Another good reason for me to go there

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/belize/

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks for that link; in our haste to go somewhere, I forgot about

Lonely Planet. Our first destination was a seaside town in Honduras until we heard how scary it was.

[mike_c]

2. can you spend time in places other than Ambergris?

I've been to Belize several times, traveled through much of the country (it's been 15 years since the last time I was there, but things don't change fast in Belize). Ambergris is just about the most developed part of Belize, mostly a tourist destination. Read some guide books for a more complete view-- my favorite places are the southern rainforest and Punta Gorda area and the Pine Mountain Ridge area in the west, including San Ignacio and the Macal River. From there it's easy to arrange a trip to Tikal in Guatamala, too. I also like the Garifuna town of Dangriga on the coast, or better yet, Hopkins and Sittee River. For snorkling, you cannot beat Glovers Atoll. The best beaches are in Placencia (Belizean beaches are generally not great otherwise).

Anyway, I can give you more info, tell stories, etc if I have a better idea where you want to go or what sort of experience you want to have. I'm off to bed now, but I'll check back tomorrow. Belize is a wonderful country-- I used to go there often because it was really easy to get there from the Miami, and I lived in the south east. It's not so inexpensive from northern California, LOL.

[babylonsister]

4. Sounds so funny to me that Ambergris is the most developed but

has only 10 streets with restaurants, etc. :D
No, we're only there for a week, but will take side trips providing the weather cooperates. This is a 'vacation', not anything more. And my sister was there right after a hurricane a few years ago, a sad reality there. She wasn't so impressed. May is good!

Thanks, mike_c.

Are your current vacations so energetic? Do you have any good ideas for somewhere people might be able to afford now, like NOT Europe? Hell, for me, maybe not OK if I have to drive.

[mike_c]

5. I love Mexico and Central America....

These days I vacation in Baja whenever I get the chance, although I'm thinking about a possible trip to the mainland at Christmas. It's generally quite inexpensive other than transportation costs. Yeah, I suppose my vacations tend to be "energetic." I like to experience lots of new places. But even energetic vacations are pretty relaxing-- you can be on the go a lot, yet still giving yourself up to the moment, experiencing your surroundings rather than imposing your agenda on them. Not driving helps, of course.

You'll enjoy Ambergris. It has a funky, laid-back atmosphere (or at least it used to). Some of that's a show for the tourists, I think, but on the other hand there's a REASON Ambergris and the Cays evolved into the primary tourist destinations in Belize-- it's easy to imagine living there all the time. Have a great trip! :hi: