We did a combo of Chaa Creek and Victoria House - both really wonderful. You could head over to Tikal to explore. The food in Belize was excellent. Even though Ambergris has development, Victoria House seems very quiet and away from it all. Bosque del Cabo is wonderful too if your primary interest is hiking and seeing wildlife. You could take a look at Chan Chich too; we haven't stayed there yet, but it always gets rave reviews.

Have you looked at the Lodge at Pico Bonito in Honduras?

Thanks to both volcanogirl and RAC. We're leaning toward more of a cultural hiking vacation (with good food) this time around rather than a nature trip. I really want to go to Peru, but January is not the best season to hike the trail. Not to be picky, but Belize seems a bit too westernized (and expensive)while I worry that Honduras is not quite westernized enough, although I'm admittedly not familiar with either.

Take a look at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge in Belize--it's literally across the road from one of Belize's top 2 Mayan ruins, offers fantastic service, great ecotourism options, cultural opportunities, and free transfer by road+boat to and from the international airport. The boat ride there is particularly stunning--everything from jabiru storks to crocodiles.

http://lamanai.com/

Just a few thoughts. I doubt you'd find Belize near as westernized as Costa Rica, though it depends on where you're looking in each country, of course. The vast majority of folks visiting Belize stick with Ambergris but there are fabulous outdoor adventures and a variety of interesting cultures and lodging options available in addition to fine snorkeling and diving. Whether it's expensive or not also depends on where you choose to stay; looks like Bosque del Cabo (I thinks that's what you meant) would set you back $500+/night so I'm guessing budget wouldn't be an issue in Belize.

Honduras has developed and undeveloped places, too. Although I prefer the latter, if what you're wanting is high end you'll find it. It offers easy access to snorkeling and diving and Maya ruins that aren't available in CR.

Guatemala is the absolute cultural gem of Central America. If you're truly interested in culture, go there! You can check out my photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on t;he main page of each collection. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections/

jdp, we thought Belize felt a little bit westernized - probably because the official language is English, things are calculated in miles, etc. but in terms of culture, great food, and hiking, it has it all.

Another spot you could look at - Casa Chameleon if you decide to go back to CR. It looks amazing. Good luck finding your spot.

Thanks for the replies. Casa Chameleon looks awesome. Seems like a smaller and more private version of Makanda in Manueal Antonio (which we loved)

We've always wanted to stay there. I discovered it on tripadvisor. Lots of wonderful reviews, and I believe you can arrange for a private chef. Looks amazing.

If you decide on Belize, be aware that the food isn't very highly regarded at the Coppola property in Placencia, Turtle Inn.

Have you looked at Chan Chich? It's on my 'list', maybe this winter. Can't decide whether to go there for a couple of nights, or go to Roatan. Decision....

Thanks for the tip on the food, Jean, as good local cuisine is very high on our list. We're leaning toward three nights at Chan Chich and 3 nights at Chaa Creek. If so, I'll post some follow up questions soon. Thanks to all

jdp,
I'll be anxious to hear how you like Chan Chich as I hope to stay there in May!

Me too; people always take wonderful pictures there, and there seems to be a lot of wildlife. jdp, are you sure you don't want to spend some time on one of the cayes? It's really beautiful. I feel like a traitor saying it, but we found the food in Belize to be better than in CR, or at least a little more sophisticated with more variety.

We're not really beach people. We prefer hiking and adventure to lounging and tanning. Also, we prefer cooler weather or at least A/C. I've definitely decided on Chaa Creek for 3 nights. I'm now trying to decide on the next three nights. Either Chan Chich or La Lanchas in Guatemala. Jungle/culture rather than jungle/beach. Any idea whether travel between Belize and Guatemala (with a driver) is difficult? Any experience flying into one of these countries and flying out of the other?

By the way, thoroughly enjoyed your trip report on Belize and your helpful hint regarding luxlink. It was very helpful

belizefirst.com

victoria-house.com

robertsgrove.com

cavesbranch.com

La Lancha for some Tikal

would be an awedome new place for u in winter

mayan-traveler.com I love the Mayan history ruins

little dodgier than CR always do driver/guides of quality

Do not rent a car there too risky tourist hotels are fine.

travel.state.gov entry safety info insuremytrip.com wise

Happy Planning!

aa.com open jaw in BZE out GUA best for short stay

or for budget

spirit.com in CUN out GUA

what I usually do first class for the price of coach

pick up some ecotulum.com xel-ha.com on the way down.

Make more time if you can 5 days is not a lot

I'm not positive, but I don't think a Belizean driver can drive you into Guatemala. When we went, we had to change drivers at the border, but doublecheck me. Glad you enjoyed the trip report.

Last I heard, Chaa Creek doesn't have air conditioning. Belize to Guatemala is not a difficult trip with a driver, though I haven't been tempted to drive myself. I fly "open jaw" (into one airport and out of another at least every other year, usually into Guatemala and out of either Honduras or Belize. Search engines like www.kayak.com and www.momondo.com have "multi city" links to accommodate your searches. With your planned itinerary, though, flying in and out of Belize but perhaps flying from Flores to BZE for your flight home might make more sense $-wise. Happy trails!

hopeful, I said the same thing on another post regarding the a.c. and someone corrected me that their room did have it, so I think there may be some a.c. there somewhere. Ours definitely did not. We just had a big huge fan.

You might check out Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Guatemala City, Guatemala. It has so much culture, nature, beautiful and friendly people (even more so than Mexico) with amazing handcrafts, volcanoes. My husband and I loved Mexico, but after a couple of trips to Guatemala, we love, love, love Guatemala and anything else just seems too much like America. There are some lovely boutique, historic inns in Antigua, so I'd make Antigua your home base - it is only about 40 miles into Guatemala City, which could be a day trip(s) for you. Consider taking a boat across Lake Atitlan, it is spectacular.

Thanks, volcanogirl. I dug deeper and Chaa Creek's new Spa Villa (pushing $700/night including tax) does have air conditioning. Yikes! Most of the places we've loved best have been less than that for 2 weeks!

One of the advantages of the western highlands in Guatemala is the climate - springlike all year long. In Antigua and around the lake, figure on sunny days in the 70s with cooler nights - perfect!

Hi to all! My hubby & I are looking to take a vacay sometime probably in feb/march. We have taken several cruises & really enjoyed them. One port was Roatan, & I fell in love w/ it, so much so that I went back in the summer w/ a friend & stayed for a wk. One of the things I liked was that it still isn't too touristy, which so many places are now.
We're ready for a little more adventure. We've heard wonderful things about Costa Rica-but now we're also hearing that it's become so popular that it's getting touristy.
I think we'd like to try something really outside of our usual experience -- like Costa Rica 20 yrs ago.
It seems that much of Central America is now the new place being discovered. I've read what sounds like interesting things about Guatemala, mainland Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvdor, Nicaragua, Panama .....
I think we're looking for a varied experience. Certainly some eco stuff, rain forest, etc. We also love a beautiful beach, but neither of us can plop ourselves on a beach for 7 days. We love history & sightseeing, exploring other cultures.
And we love nightlife. It doesn't have to be fancy. We don't need hi-tech clubs & chi-chi restaurants. A bar on the beach w/ a local band where peo dance barefoot & get sweaty together can be way more fun.
We can most likely spend at least 10 days, maybe 2 wks.
I know this post is all over the place -- but we're kind of open to suggestions.
Help!

Shoot for 2 weeks, then start in Guatemala and end up on the beach in Belize or Honduras. My photos and recommendations are below. PS We don't consider CA to be a new place - have been visiting since the 80s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections/

So, you're recommending Guatemala for most of the trip?
I just heard on the NPR that mainland Honduras has like the highest murder rate in the world (outside of a country actually at war).
You don't speak about any of the other places I mentioned. Do you not recommend them?

If you were interested in Costa Rica, there are still plenty of unspoiled places. Check out Bosque del Cabo - amazing. They have a cool video on their website. They don't even have locks on their doors.

Hi, again -
Costa Rica doesn't interest me and I love Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize so much I keep going back over and over and haven't made it to Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, or Panama yet. Maybe some day!

In Honduras I have felt safe in Copán, the La Ceiba area, and on the islands. I've used Hedman Alas buses and the occasional private shuttle (plus flights and ferries) to get around and have felt them to be comfortable and safe (except for getting seasick on the Utila ferry despite dramamine). Most of the crime in CA is gang related and in the large cities. Most of the crime against tourists is crime of opportunity - pickpocketing, stealing a backpack left unattended in a restaurant or on a balcony. I've pasted my personal safety guidelines below from previous threads. Happy trails!
____________________________________________

Sometimes I travel alone, sometimes with one or more of my kids and/or my husband, sometimes with a group in tow. I don't feel overly paranoid but have never had a problem and would like to keep it that way.

Here are my concessions to safety when I travel in Central America:
:: I avoid the big cities as much as possible
:: I don't "party"
:: Where recommended I take specific transportation (Hedman Alas in Honduras, for example, or avoiding chicken buses on the mountain runs in Guatemala, taxis after dark)
:: I know where I am and where I'm headed
:: I don't wear jewelry (not even my wedding band) and try not to flash camera equipment or money around
:: Some trips I carry a “throw down wallet” with an expired card or 2 and the day’s cash in it
:: I keep important documents and cash under my clothes (except what I need for shopping, buses, etc. for that time period) and keep close watch on my things, especially in crowded places and when I’m tired
:: I ask locals about safety in an area - evenings, hiking, etc.
:: I travel really light so I don't feel vulnerable getting my bag off and on buses, shuttles, etc.
:: I continue to build skills in Spanish

Thanks, hopeful -- yes, I felt very safe on Roatan, & yes, I've heard the ferry to the mainland could be very rough. We went out to a deserted island in the bay for a snorkel trip-it was about halfway to the mainland-& going there was fine, but coming home was a roller-coaster ride.

When you say you don't party-what exactly do you mean? Do you never go out at night, or to a bar and/or dancing? Or do you mean you don't indulge in getting drunk, etc? Because we love music & dancing, etc., but I don't drink & my hubby only drinks moderately.

Ummmm.. what exactly is a chicken bus? Why do you love Guatemal, Honduras & Belize so much, and why no interest in Costa Rica?

Volcanogirl - thanks for the info, I will check it out. Where would you suggest going in CR that's off the tourist track?

By "party" I mean in a rowdy drinking/drugs way, though in truth I don't go out much at night unless to a concert or a speaker. I'm either living with a local family and hanging out with them and studying in the evenings or traveling with my husband for some highly valued together time that we're reluctant to share our evenings. You'll be fine with your evening interests.

Chicken buses are the locals buses, usually refurbished and often much-embellished old US school buses. They're fine for local runs (to surrounding villages around Antigua, for example) but I avoid them on mountain runs after several near-death experiences. Drivers and maintenance sometimes leave much to be desired and when they're racing each other down mountainsides with steep drop-offs and no railings sometimes prayers aren't enough.

My interests are largely cultural - both contemporary indigenous and local cultures and ancient Maya cultures including ruins. My 3 favorites are awesome for those things - I've spent years total visiting them and have barely scratched the surface. I enjoy outdoor activities, too, like hiking, waterfalls, hot springs, and caving and they've never disappointed. I'm a diver and avid snorkeler and my husband loves to fly fish; Belize and Honduras are incredible for those pursuits. Costa Rica offers beautiful scenery but doesn't have the ancient Maya history, the interaction with indigenous folks, or easy access to great diving and snorkeling that they have, therefore it's not high on my list.

We've put down some roots ( www.becaproject.org ) in Guatemala and will live there part time eventually; I nearly always start there, then wind up in Belize or Honduras for blue water time. Happy trails!

lojo, the Osa Peninsula is off the tourist track. Here's the video I was referring to. It's what I thought of when you said Costa Rica like it was years ago.

http://bosquedelcabo.com/home/index.html

Like I mentioned above, we also adore Belize, and it has more in the way of history that you're looking for and wonderful snorkeling.

Thanks all! Volcano, that place looks gorgeous!

And I'm going to read all the info on those other links.

If anyone else has something to add or wants to put in their 2 cents -- please feel free!!

BDC is awesome!

Costa Rica. Where else can you see a chapel like this?

http://frontiercostarica.com/FrontierCostaRica/Chapel-in-the-Clouds.htm

I am also completely hooked on Guatemala. I have been in all of the Central American countries except El Salvador and although I enjoyed all of them there is just something about Guatemala.
I visited twice this year so far and will be going back for New Years Eve.. that was completely a surprise and a last minute trip. I just booked two days ago. Antigua is one of the places I find my self day dreaming about.
I am going back to Costa Rica in April with my family . I haven't been there in about four years and although I know I will enjoy going back.

Deb -- I'm sorry, what's BDC?

http://www.bosquedelcabo.com/

lojo, it's shorthand for the place that I mentioned up above - very popular place on this board.

I like this travel website for country comparisons. Obviously it is written from the point of the backpacker market, but if you prefer independent budget travel and avoiding the mass tourist market it think it is also useful.

http://travelindependent.info/america-central.htm

If you just want to sit on a beach or clifftop with a beverage in your hand and chat with other North American tourists, you can probably skip it.

Looks like an interesting site - thanks for posting!

I'd recommend going to Costa Rica and checking out Pachamama (http://ow.ly/7MOYG). I've been here for a month and it's amazing!