I would start with the assumption that you'll be staying in two different locations.

I would say that you can choose 2/3 of Chan Chich, ATM, and the coast.

One alternative would be to stay at Chaa Creek instead of Chan Chich, and take the ATM tour from there.

I would tend to agree that due to expense and location, Chan Chich is a destination rather than a base for tours.

Another good place to combine Mayan archaeology plus wildlife and great service would be the Lamanai Outpost Lodge, right across the road from the Lamanai archaeological reserve, with forest wildlife plus the lagoon. The boat ride there is fantastic with wildlife--lots of cool birds plus big crocodiles.

3 locations is a lot of moving around for one week. If you're set on the ATM tour, I would stay in the Cayo area for your inland part. If wildlife/birding is more important, I would stay at Chan Chich or Lamanai Outpost Lodge.

Am I wrong to be so set on the ATM tour? I read in a guidebook that it is the best thing in Central America for people who have done it. That's the only reason I am so set on it. Would that experience be more valuable or would staying at Chan Chich give us more--or Lamanai Outpost?

Without sounding like PT Barnum, I think ATM is a lifetime memory and a unique experience. Pelican on SWC is magic. Most similiar to Chan Chich closer to ATM would be Chaa Creek (closer to Tikal) in tropical foliage and Hidden Valley Inn and Blancaneaux in the Mtn Pine Ridge (closer to Caracol).

We haven't done ATM, but understand the appeal.

We chose to do Tikal and Caracol instead.

I haven't done ATM either. I'm claustrophobic and don't do caves.

Our family of 5 (3 teens) will be staying on South Water Caye in two weeks. I'l report back.

I look forward to hearing about your trip! Where will you stay?

Thank you, responders who suggested we look at Chaa Creek instead of Chan Chich due to its closer proximity to ATM. I am considering that option now. Had wanted to stay at Chan Chich because I had read that it was the nicest jungle lodge, but Chaa Creek sounds nice too.

Chaa Creek is one of the best lodges in the region for all they do. Great choice!

>> Without sounding like PT Barnum, I think ATM is a lifetime memory and a unique experience.

I'll second that. My boyfriend and I went last year (we actually stayed in Hopkins...3 hour drive each way to the caves) and it was the highlight of our trip. In general the cave is quite spacious, though there are a few tight squeezes you will make between rocks. If you are claustrophobic, I would imagine the darkness (you wear headlamps) to be a bigger issue than the actual physical space. It really is a unique/amazing experience. If you can make it, I think your boys will love it.

I would add that if you're in the Cayo (where the ATM is) please make an effort to see Tikal, which may be the most important set of ruins in the entire western hemisphre. It's the only place that's a UNESCO Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage site--great wildlife as well as archaeology and history.

naturetraveller, we are splitting our stay between Pelican Beach and Blue Marlin.

Yes, you are right to be so set on the ATM cave. I have travelled to many different countries and it remains one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life.

So now I am thinking of splitting the time at only Pook's Hill and Pelican Bay/South Caye. Some things I read about Pook's Hill made it sound inferior to Chaa Creek, but another review I read somewhere said that they saw more wildlife at Pook's Hill than at Chaa Creek, and that it was very nice. Wildlife is the big selling point for us, plus Pook's Hill is so much closer to ATM and it sounds like their tours are the best because you get to go first thing in the morning, before other people. And then Pelican Bay/ South Caye because they have the nicest beach and snorkeling? Would love for people to either affirm my thoughts or tell me I am making a mistake.

My advice to you would be stay at Chaa Creek and do the ATM from there. Also make sure you do a Mayan Ruins tour also either Caracol or Xunan as you might want to get the full Mayan Experiences. Stay 3 nights or 4 nights there and then you head to beach for your sea adventure there. You will not regret it.

We stayed at Chaa Creek and really liked it. They have howlers on the property, lots of good birding, and we saw a new kind of opossum on a night hike. Also saw some aracaris, oscillated turkeys, and spider monkeys at Tikal. We paired it with Victoria House which was spectacular. If there's any way you can snorkel at Hol Chan, I'd recommend it - some of the best snorkeling we've ever done and included seeing sea turtles and huge rays.

We've stayed at duPlooys which is very close to Chaa Creek and saw agoutis, possums, kinkajous, bats, iguanas and lots of birds. Night walks are good for spotting. Haven't stayed in the area where Pooks Hill is so can't make a comparison in terms of wildlife. South Water Caye is a gorgeous gem and you can snorkel from shore.

Lots of folks on here recommending Chaa Creek, which is nice, but really overpriced compared to just as good resorts right in the area. Here are two to look at: Table Rock Jungle Lodge (across the river from Chaa, easier to get to and about half the price). Gumbo Limbo Jungle Resort is closer to ATM Cave and is a very charming resort with super nice owners...again less than half of Chaa Creek price. I get it that some people want to stay at the most expensive resort with a reflection pool, but for my money I want clean, nice, authentic and convenient more than I want a "big name resort."

Regarding what to do with your teens, ATM IS a must, but there are lots of great activities in Cayo that the whole family will love. Best Mayan site for us was Xunatunich which is pretty close and features a cool hand cranked ferry ride. Cave tubing at Jaguar Paw is really fun too. To explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, you could rent mountain bikes or horses to visit Big Rock Falls and other natural wonders in this area.

For the beach portion, I would recommend either Caye Caulker which is laid back island life at its finest, or the Maya Beach area where you have many choices for great resorts right on the beach so you can snorkle easily. My pick would be the Green Parrot, not too fancy, but really nice. Enjoy Belize and tell your friends!

Best wildlife will be in the more remote areas. That means:

Tikal (stay inside the park for guaranteed monkeys, flocks of 50 parrots making huge noise, toucans, tanagers, trogons, agouti, coati, etc).

Chan Chich

Lamanai

I'm sure that Chaa Creek has some pretty good wildlife, but its main claim to fame is the lodge experience itself, not the wildlife.

I didn't really have a desire to stay at the most expensive place with a reflection pool; we got a great deal on Chaa Creek at Luxury Link. I always check there and Groupon and have scored some nice deals that way. Agree with RAC that Chan Chich is a good bet for wildlife.

Hi,
I would suggest splitting you stay between two places. Blue Marlin Lodge on Southwater Caye is amazing! Better than Pelican! They have a full service dive shop, snorkeling, a great restaurant, Charlie's Place bar and the most idyllic location right on the barrier reef. They can arrange for transfers to the mainland and from there a tour of the ATM. The ATM can be taken as a day trip from the Stann Creek District. For the mainland, try Macaroni View Hotel on the on the gorgeous Hummingbird Highway. The ATM cave is definitely worth seeing but I would not schedule your hotel stay around this as many hotels and resorts offer this as a day trip. between these two hotels you can base your stay in the amazing Stann Creek District and get the best of jungle and beach. Blue Marlin Lodge also partners with Chaa Creek for Surf and Turf vacations. Perfect for families with teenagers. This district is also the most cultural and diverse of all the districts in Belize! Come and enjoy, relax, and adventure with us!

Luxurylink is a great resource if you're flexible and willing to snap up a good deal. Chan Chich occasionally goes on sale there as well.

I agree that Chan Chich or Lamanai would be better for wildlife so it's a tradeoff between that and ATM. There are lots of accommodation options in the Cayo area. We wanted to be on the river for easy access to canoeing and dePlooys worked well for us and we liked their very jungly feel. Chaa Creek definitely felt a bit more manicured to us and we joked that they had valet canoe parking. It just depends on what you're looking for. We also considered Black Rock and Mystic River looked really nice.

I've stayed on Maya Beach and don't recall off the beach snorkeling. We did kayak out to False Caye one day. A trip to the reef from here will require a longer boat ride as the reef gets farther and farther away as you travel south. There are very few snorkel off the beach places in Belize, mostly offshore cayes and I think the very north end of Ambergris.

Can you snorkel from the beach at Caye Cauker? Would like to know from dan_heimbrock why you prefer Caye Cauker to South Water Caye? I read that Pelican Beach at South Water Caye was the only, or maybe the nicest, place to stay if you want to be able to snorkel from the beach. I would like to go out to the reef as well, but my family really likes the flexibility of being able to just snorkel all day from the beach and have the comfort of the resort right there.

Good snorkeling from Caye Caulker is by boat. People do snorkel at the 'split', but, it's not that good.

Caye Caulker is a fun, funky little island. Lots of good food and drink. A few quirky little shops. Lots of cheap places to stay. It's fun.

I've never been to South Water Caye, just Tobacco Caye, which is close by. It was fun being able to just walk in and snorkel. But after three nights, I was ready to get back to 'civilization'.

I just like having easy access to a town and a variety of restaurants. It sounds as though your family is happy just hanging on the shore and snorkeling.