April 25, 2012 | 0 Comments

Planning a trip to Belize

Pier at Tobacco Caye

When you are planning a trip to somewhere you have never been and know little about, there are 3 important questions to ask yourself:

Where should I go?
When should I leave?
What should I do?

Planning a trip to Belize is no different than a trip to the Florida Keys, despite the passport requirement. It is helpful to know a couple things before departure:

English is the main language
November to May is Belize’s high season, the rainier months consisting of the rest of the calendar
The current exchange rate is about 2 Belize dollars to 1 $US
Snorkeling/diving are musts and are some of the best in the world!
Departure tax is $20
Be prepared for sticker shock, this country is not a travel bargain.
Belikin is the national beer
Belizean Snorkel Time

Pre-Departure

Preparing for a trip to Belize

Belize travel book- I downloaded Lonely Planet Belize (cause I love using my Ipad for travel guides) but I would also recommend Fodor’s See It series loaded with tons of great pictures
Trip Advisor is a great reference for advice on hotels to book and things to see/do

Narrowing down my research I decided a mix of the coast and inland culture. I decided to skip Belize City (very wise decision) and only use it as a demarcation point. Belize has several notable popular spots to call home for a couple nights:

San Ignacio was rated high as a place for ruins and on land adventures.
The Atolls near Caye Ambergris (Caye= Island) is supposed to be amazing for for the snorkeling and diving opportunities. 45 minute boat ride form Belize City.
Tobacco Caye- Secluded, I mean secluded island near Dangriga on the south coast
Stann Creek Cayo (Cayo= District) – Adventure district including the cities of Placencia and Dangriga; adding best of surf and turf.

Bridge heading to San Iganacio

Transportation

Belize has a very capable transportation network but remember you are still in Central America and road quality is questionable in parts. Buses run from Belize City to almost everywhere in the country and to neighboring Guatemala, they are dirt cheap but are slow so plan accordingly. Getting out to the islands or specifically Ambergris Caye involves a plane if you are rich enough or a water taxi/ferry service if you want to rough it. The trip is 1.5 hrs and will run your $12.50 (US) 1-way and drops you off in San Pedro.

Taking Bus from Belize City to Dangriga

Hotels

You may be in Central America but prices won’t be typical of those in neighboring Guatemala but you can still find decent, clean accommodation for about $45 pp. While you can book ahead of time, you’d be surprised at some of the rates you can find if there are vacancies…a riskier venture for most. I would recommend Midas Resort in San Ignacio, it was reasonable priced, and you had a little cabin on the property all to yourself.

Eats

Belezian food is tasty, very Central American with stewed chicken, beans, tortillas and one of my favorites for breakfast, fry jacks. It’s like a puffy sugarless donut. Belikin is the national beer and a surprisingly very good. Marie Sharps is a local hot sauce and makes a terrific gift upon heading home.

Menonites of Belize

Excursions

If you want to do something and can pay, there is most likely a local to take you. Water trips range from snorkeling, diving, Manatee watching to trips into the mangroves. More inland excursions consist of river rafting, Mayan ruins, horseback riding, hiking, zip lining and the list goes on and on. It’s very hard to get bored here but very easy to spend all your money and quickly. While there is variety of things to do, you definitely pay for it in upwards of $80-100 pp depending on the excursion.