kmitch

Hi there! My fiancé and I are very late at planning our honeymoon. We are looking at a 2 week time period in Central America and looking mainly at Panama and Belize. At first we thought we could do one week in each but the flights are quite expensive to get to Panama once in Belize so now we are looking at one or the other. This will be for Dec. 4 through Dec. 16.

We are both young and adventurous and would like a honeymoon that included jungle exploration, scuba, (we are both PADI instructors), with decent accommodations. We do not need 5 star resorts or anything like that (and can't spend a fortune!) but for a few of the nights I would like a nice romantic inn to stay at or something similar. We are not looking at spending too much time just sitting on a beach.

So what do you recommend in either place? What reasons would you pick one over the other? Our main goals would be one part adventure (jungle, white water rafting, caving, ...) and the other part diving and some decent accommodations in a romantic setting (I imagine most of these places have this!)

We have not been anywhere in Central America, so this would be new to us. We lived for many years on Tortola, BVI's and have also lived in the Turks and we are in Florida now.

A few options we have looked into in Belize are Ian Anderson's Caves Branch and then to Ambergris Caye for diving (not sure where is best to stay or dive with, opinions?)

In Panama we have looked at Coral Lodge, and Coiba diving, also La Loma and spending time in the city. Thoughts on a good itinerary here that wouldn't cost a fortune and wouldn't include too much moving around?

I apologize for the lengthy email but I look forward to any and all response!!
Thanks very much!!

deanny41

Hi,
My husband and I are on our way to Belize 2 weeks from now. We have booked a weeks stay at cuxlin ha. We have never been to central america either, but we are avid snorkelers always looking for the best snorkling sites we can find. There are snorkling and diving sites in the cayes which are rated as one of the best in the world (We will see) There are reef packages that you can choose from one day to overnight, we are choosing the overnight visit. tours also will include visting the maya ruins to kayaking, diving, hiking the waterfalls, snorkling and visting the caves. You can also have dinner in your guides home (this will be very interesting since my husband is a hamburger and fry kind of guy) I have been in touch with this wonderful lady by the name of Donna who has arranged our flight transportation from Belize City to cuxlin ha, tickets are already paid for. We will reimburse here once we arrive. There is also a great 7 day schooner yacht package in Belize, but it was a little out of our budget maybe next year, but anyway I hope this information has been helpful, so far our travel and activities coordination has been excellent. Will give a report on how everything went when we return. Congrats on your honeymoon.

judmar1

Hi! My husband and I spent two weeks in Belize in March. It was our second trip to Central America as the prior year we spent some time in Costa Rica. (This year, Panama). It was fabulous! We spent a week at Chaa Creek in the Cayo District. We did jungle hikes, hiked Mayan ruins, went cave tubing, and took a day trip to Guatemala! It was incredible. The second week we spent on Ambergis Key at the Victoria House. We snorkeled in Shark Alley, went to visit a few of the other keys, spent time in the downtown. The food was great. The snorkeling/diving great. It was just a super vacation! We are not sit on the beach people and we were busy every day. Up at 6am and the last ones out of the bar in the evenings! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]

Duke44

My wife and I sent 10 days in Belize in April. We spent more time in Caye Caulker than Ambergris. Of the two, we liked Caulker better. Less expensive and crowded. But spend time in both. They are only a 30 min. $10 boat ride apart. and you can dive from either. Caulker is small enough that you can walk everywhere. If you like lots action you can go to Ambergris.

JeanH

We spent two weeks in Panama a couple years ago. We had a very good time, although it rained the entire six days we were in Bocas del Toro. We stayed at a small (four room) B&B. Two of the other couples there were there to dive. They didn't get any diving in because of the weather. That was in January. We also spent a couple days in the San Blas islands. Beautiful weather there, sunny and warm. The Kuna Indians inhabit the islands, and the lodges they own are primitive. We did have a private bathroom and shower (cold water only). Great fun for two days. Spent some time in Panama City, which was interesting for a couple days. It feels far safer than San Jose Costa Rica, which is really my only other experience with Central American capitals. We also stayed at Canopy Tower for a couple nights, mostly a place for bird watching. The birding was excellent, but it definitely isn't a honeymoon kind of spot, very thin walls, communal dining. It used to be a US government radar station. We didn't make it to the Pacific coast, so I know nothing about it. We also didn't travel to the montain towns of the interior. I read it was much cooler there, and we're from the midwest and were searching for heat.

On to Belize. My favorite place. Planning to retire there in a few years (at least for the winter.) Our favorite beach place is Ambergris Caye, definitely the most developed, and has the most tourists. Caye Caulker and Placencia are fun as well.

I think Ian Anderson's place sounds awesome. Haven't been there. There are numerous jungle lodges around San Ignacio, huge price range. I like the town, we stayed close by. If I go to that area again, it will probably be to spend a few days in a more 'jungly' environment. I'm still kicking myself for not doing the ATM cave tour while we were in the area. It sounds wonderful. Next time for sure.

The barrier reef is very close to the northern cayes (Ambergris and Caulker), less than a mile. Closer to 20 miles off the coast of Placencia. There are also some atolls with wonderful diving, never been, we prefer being able to wander and choose restaurants, rather than having a meal plan. Might be an option for a few days though.

globetrots

You can do all of what you want in Belize without having to travel very far in between, so that seems the more logical choice--and the consensus here. You know the diving is going to be good there and while the jungle activities may not be mind-blowing, there are some good lodges there with experienced guides. You can also splurge to get pampered in Belize for a few nights if you want, especially in one of the two Francis Ford Copola places.

author, Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune