yn10

We are trying to plan a last-minute trip to Belize for about 7-10 days. We are traveling with our 2 year old son. We usually like to divide our vacation time in 2: active and beach time. Good food, nice, quite beach, some entertainment and shopping, rain forrest, ruins and day trips are all of the things that we want to do. We don't dive or snorkle (hard to do with a 2 year old) so that's really not that's important.
What is the best way to split our time? Can you get to Amergis Caye from Belize city by car? How far is it? Should we plan on spending sometime in Belize city or just skip it alltogether?

hopefulist

Caye (pronounced "key&quot means island, so, no, you can't drive to Ambergris Caye; there are ferries and flights available.

Lots of folks divide their time between the San Ignacio area in western Belize and either Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye. Lots of lodging options in a range of budget categories, some may have babysitters if you want a night out or an adventure that's not appropriate for a 2-year-old.

IMO, plan to skip Belize City altogether. Rent a car or hire a shuttle to take you to San Ignacio (the zoo is very cool on the way), then head back to Belize City to the ferry dock or airport for a flight across to a caye. I love the chicken buses but not with a 2.

Belize has lots to offer besides those options, Placencia, for example (which you can bus to, drive to, or fly to).

You need a guide book! The latest is Lan Sluder's Fodor's Guide - haven't seen it but I've always appreciate his advice and opinions. The Moon Handbook has gotten some awards, and we loved the Rough Guide for our trip. Also check out the Belize Forum: www.belizeforum.com

You'll get more specific recommendations if you tell us more about your budget level in terms of lodging. Happy trails!

yn10

Thank you. Our budget for the hotels is up to $300 per night. I wouldn't want to spend more that that. Also, the proximity to town and the restaurants is important, as I've been reading reviews of the San Ignacio Rain forest lodges, and it seems that people are not always happy with the meals served on premises.
How long is the ferry ride to Ambergis from Belize?
Thanks

JeanH

You might look at the San Ignacio Hotel or Cahal Pech. Both right outside the town of San Ignacio. We stayed at the former and walked into town to eat, but wouldn't with a two year old. The hill is brutal. Both hotels have on site restaurants, but it's also an easy cab ride into town.

The water taxi from Belize City to Ambergris Caye takes about 70 minutes. I've never taken it, we take the flight. Only a 15 minute flight. If you rent a car and go to San Ignacio, you can return the car in Belize City, and have them drop you at the municipal airport. From there, it's only about $US30.00 to fly one way to Ambergris.

Lots of great hotel/condo options within easy walking distance to town on Ambergris, even with a toddler. Also golf cart, but no cars, available for rent.

hopefulist

Can't advise you on lodging, that's for sure: $300 is about what I plan to spend this summer altogether for 3 weeks of lodging, homestays, meals, 40 hours of 1-on-1 Spanish instruction, plus hiking trips and traditional cooking and weaving lessons. The sky's the limit, even in Belize, with a budget like that! Enjoy!

hopefulist

Oops - Guatemala for me this time around, which accounts for a bit of the price difference.

wasigan

Hopefulist: this is off-subject, but seriously? you travel for 3 weeks and do all that in Guatamala? Can you pass on some info on what these schools are like, and which are good ones to look into? I've always wanted to do this - it gets so frustrating for me having 6 years of Spanish finally come back to me my last 2 days of traveling. Any help along this line would be so appreciated! Thanks.

hopefulist

wasigan - Thanks for your interest - no joke on the costs. I'll start a new thread with information so I don't derail this thread.

swim1

If you go to Ambergris Caye, do not take the water route. The boat travels at 60 knots and you travel rain or shine. It is an open boat- no life jackets. Fly by Tropic Air. Waters edge in Ambergris Caye is full of grass. They rake it every day but you walk through it to get into the water.Roads are sand but when it rains (El Nino is causing alot of rain this year) everything changes to a slick wet sand/mud.We stayed at Banana Beach last week and their 2 pools are not heated and too chilly for a child.

Katie_Valk

You have a good budget, take a look at duPlooys or Chaa Creek in Cayo, both great lodges, very good food asnd they offer trips that'll interest you. You might be more comfortable in a condo on Ambergris. You'll be able to arrnage for soneone to watch your child when needed. You can take the glass bottom boat to the reef and see the creatures below. Barton Creek Cave works for people of all ages too.

yn10

Jaguar Reef Lodge - how far is it to San Pedro? Is there anything to do around there, outside of the resort area. We looked at the Victoria House in Ambergis Caye, but it is completely booked for our dates. Is there anything comparable?

Katie_Valk

Also look at Portofino and Mata Chica on Ambergris. Jaguar Preef and Hamanasi next to each other. Roberts Grove and Turtle Inn in Placencia

optroy

We just got back from 9 nites in Belize w/ our 3 yr old. We had an incredible time at Chaa Creek Lodge and would highly recommend it for people traveling w/ or w/o children. Our son got to ride a horse, go canoing, see ruins and make a LOT of friends. We spent the last few nites in Placencia at The Turtle Inn and were, unfortunately, disappointed in comparison - both by the attitude and property. While the property is generally beautiful - it is somewhat contrived and obnoxious. Also, they've expanded recently and we were in a cottage right on the beach -- but next door to (a) a private house with barking dogs (all night) and (b) a hotel/apartment building. Cottage had lots of ants and cockaroaches (to be expected, I guess). We were told the Inn was also opening a new restaurant right outside the door of that cottage this week (I feel sorry for the people stuck there after that opens!). However, the water is great in Placencia for a toddler. Our son really had a great time -- and got much more comfortable swimming in such shallow water (although rougher in the late afternoon). All in all, I think the rainforest experience was incredible and we were sad to leave! Chaa Creek staff were so friendly and the guests we met there were terrific. Turtle Inn was contrived and filled with ... well, nevermind!
Keep in mind that travel w/in Belize is a little rough w/ a toddler due to the heat and bumpy roads. We took one flight from Placencia to Belize City -- but our son eventually got motion sickness on the flight (small plane). Roads aren't terrific -- but every driver and guide we had was wonderful w/ our son and filled w/ knowledge. Don't expect to do much shopping. I would suggest traveling when it's not so hot (i.e., not in April/May, which I was told were the hotter months).
Hope you have a good time.

ushana

Hi there,
Try www.vrbo.com - it's vacation rentals by owners, if you're interested in renting a condo.

LvSun

Thinks it's about 4 hours to Jaguar Reef Lodge from San Pedro.

We loved JRL but don't think it is right for you this time. Keep it on your list for when your son is older.
Not many tours that would be good to do with a 2 year old. Well, unless you strap him on your back. You are not going to find shopping, entertainment, etc there. It is a great place to go but it is an adventure lodge located near a fishing village.