When did the vibe switch from CR to Belize?
Jun 21st, 2008, 07:32 AM
#5
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Do you mean in this forum? Do you mean in tourism in general?
I think it depends on how you define your terms. Costa Rica's tourist figures (1.9 million in 2007) leave the rest of Central America in the dust. Its numbers are still growing -- the 2007 figure was up 300,000 from the previous year -- but as a percentage growth, it's not as astronomical as it was during the 1990s. Costa Rica started marketing itself big time 16 years ago. The other six countries are "hot" because they are newer to the game. No one writes that Costa Rica is the "hot, new" tourist destination the way it was 10 years ago. It's just a more mature tourism market. Nicaragua and Panama get the "hot, new" adjectives these days.
The stats I saw for Belize last year were about 900,000, impressive for a small country, but that's half of Costa Rica’s numbers. The kicker with Belize is that about 70 percent are cruise ship visitors who don't spend the night in the country. The average length of stay in Costa Rica is 12 days.
Guatemala is also interesting. It's in second place with about 1.4 million, but about 40 percent of those are visitors from El Salvador who drive up for the weekend. There's nothing wrong with that, but that makes for a big segment that doesn't stay very long. It also means that Guatemala doesn’t draw quite the worldwide numbers that Costa Rica does. That's its main goal, to market itself more internationally.
These are really "apples and oranges" comparisons, but as a solid, growing market with big numbers from the widest variety of countries, Costa Rica is still Number 1.
I do love Belize though.
I think it depends on how you define your terms. Costa Rica's tourist figures (1.9 million in 2007) leave the rest of Central America in the dust. Its numbers are still growing -- the 2007 figure was up 300,000 from the previous year -- but as a percentage growth, it's not as astronomical as it was during the 1990s. Costa Rica started marketing itself big time 16 years ago. The other six countries are "hot" because they are newer to the game. No one writes that Costa Rica is the "hot, new" tourist destination the way it was 10 years ago. It's just a more mature tourism market. Nicaragua and Panama get the "hot, new" adjectives these days.
The stats I saw for Belize last year were about 900,000, impressive for a small country, but that's half of Costa Rica’s numbers. The kicker with Belize is that about 70 percent are cruise ship visitors who don't spend the night in the country. The average length of stay in Costa Rica is 12 days.
Guatemala is also interesting. It's in second place with about 1.4 million, but about 40 percent of those are visitors from El Salvador who drive up for the weekend. There's nothing wrong with that, but that makes for a big segment that doesn't stay very long. It also means that Guatemala doesn’t draw quite the worldwide numbers that Costa Rica does. That's its main goal, to market itself more internationally.
These are really "apples and oranges" comparisons, but as a solid, growing market with big numbers from the widest variety of countries, Costa Rica is still Number 1.
I do love Belize though.
Jun 21st, 2008, 07:39 AM
#6
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It's funny. This past February, we went to Costa Rica. When planning our trip for next February, we looked at Belize.
But, we decided to go back to Costa Rica again (tickets were $360 for CR as opposed to $960 for BZ).
But, we decided to go back to Costa Rica again (tickets were $360 for CR as opposed to $960 for BZ).
Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:36 AM
#7
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Saw this and wondered - What have I missed here about Belize?
Jeff you are always full of interesting information!
RAC - for years we considered Belize, but went to CR 4 times before actually committing to Belize. We enjoyed our Belize trip, very different than our CR trips. Missed many things, but enjoyed so many others. Still have a couple of CR trips on the wish list. But next up is a couple of weeks in Guatemala, ending with a week in Belize. Airfare to CR always won out and ease of travel, coupled with previous CR experience, always made the CR decision - well Easy! CR is rather addictive.
Jeff you are always full of interesting information!
RAC - for years we considered Belize, but went to CR 4 times before actually committing to Belize. We enjoyed our Belize trip, very different than our CR trips. Missed many things, but enjoyed so many others. Still have a couple of CR trips on the wish list. But next up is a couple of weeks in Guatemala, ending with a week in Belize. Airfare to CR always won out and ease of travel, coupled with previous CR experience, always made the CR decision - well Easy! CR is rather addictive.
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Jun 22nd, 2008, 08:27 AM
#9
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The only things Belize really has that CR doesn't, from what I've read, are Mayan ruins and jaguar sitings.
Given that we're already familiar with CR and love it so intensely, it'll take some doing before we opt out of CR for our winter vacation.
P.S. Why is Belize so much more expensive?
Given that we're already familiar with CR and love it so intensely, it'll take some doing before we opt out of CR for our winter vacation.
P.S. Why is Belize so much more expensive?
Jun 22nd, 2008, 09:45 AM
#10
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The vibe hasn't changed for me, either - I'll continue to go to Belize and have little interest in Costa Rica. In addition to the ruins and jaguar sightings (rare), the snorkeling and diving off Belize are incredible, something not readily available to most travelers to CR unless you're an experienced diver and have big bucks to spend. Also, the variety of cultures is amazing in Belize, from Maya to Garifuna to Creole to Mennonite - really fascinating to us. In addition to some lovely ruins in Belize, Tikal in Guatemala is just an hour or 2 over the border. Guatemala and Belize combine for an amazing trip really easily, especially if you can swing an open jaw into Guatemala and out of Belize.
I can't compare costs between Belize and CR, but it's possible to have a blast fairly cheaply in Belize; our family of 5 spent less than $5000 for nearly a month there. Our photos (with travelogues linked on the 1st pages of the collections) are below if anyone is interested. Happy trails!
http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
I can't compare costs between Belize and CR, but it's possible to have a blast fairly cheaply in Belize; our family of 5 spent less than $5000 for nearly a month there. Our photos (with travelogues linked on the 1st pages of the collections) are below if anyone is interested. Happy trails!
http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
Jun 22nd, 2008, 03:24 PM
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Hey Faithie, don't know if you will be jumping to this site again. Just looked at your Panama advice. I will check to see if I have your e-mail but hoping all in Canada is well. I have GREAT NEWS (no, my 24 yr. old daughter is not getting married, yes, my 21 yr. old "hockey playing" son is "home in S.D.) for the summer. BUT this news is about me. I am quiting work in Sept. (Well, I will continue as a Hospice Social Worker but my days are more flexible, not 5 days a week like they have been lately). So, I hope to TRAVEL more. First our 30th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii and the adult children are joining us (always wanted to go there, now wonder ("due to Costa Rica in my blood" if I really do?!!!), then several Cornhusker football games due to my daughter working for the UNL Foundation, and then St. Cloud Huskie hockey games later this fall - gonna enjoy those kids and their interests. AND, CANADA - that is a goal too. Dyer
Jun 22nd, 2008, 07:00 PM
#13
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I think more people are just traveling south instead of overseas these days. Belize is an interesting place to visit. I enjoyed it well enough. I still love Costa Rica enough to be moving there in two weeks but would go back. There are different things to see and do there as hopefulist pointed out. I would really enjoy the snorkeling again. I have also been to Guatemala a couple of times and will go back there for sure. Very different from CR. It is easy to get into a comfort zone in regards to traveling to CR. Even one trip makes people an expert in the particular areas they visited because it is so easy to get to know. I am really glad we ventured out of our CR comfort zone and tried some other countries. We have been traveling to CR regularly for 16 years now but have still been to the above plus Argentina, Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, a small part of Nicaragua and a small part of Panama not to mention several states right here at home that I had never been to. It has been a lot of fun enjoying new things. I honestly don't feel I can put a price on the wonderful experiences we have had. If one trip costs a little more then the next one we will spend a little less.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 08:25 AM
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Please don't take offense, but I have been to both countries and for me, Costa Rica wins by a large margin. Belize was just a little to touristy for me and was alot more expensive, especially on Ambergris Caye. I also didn't like the fact that you couldn't swim off the beaches without walking through seaweed that went up to your knees. If you like Mayan Ruins and incredible diving, go to Belize, otherwise I would highly recommend CR. just my opinion though.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 02:51 PM
#15
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I don't take offense, but after two trips to Costa Rica, we 'found' Belize and haven't been back to Costa Rica.
I have to confess that we were looking for a place to retire, and Belize is it.
When we get down there, the plan is to far more extensively tour the rest of Central America.
I have to confess that we were looking for a place to retire, and Belize is it.
When we get down there, the plan is to far more extensively tour the rest of Central America.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 03:20 PM
#16
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I've been to both and like both. However, neither is a bargain. When I were to go to Central America again I will probably head to Honduras, Nicaragua or Guatemala which are much cheaper and have as much or more natural beauty.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:56 PM
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We've been to both and liked both. I asked my kids (9 & 14) which they preferred and one said Belize and the other CR. So, though obviously not scientific, it depends on what you enjoy. CR has more natural beauty & Belize has more culture and snorkeling / SCUBA options. While Ambergris Caye is a bit touristy, we found CR too be a lot more touristy (not talking Cancun, PDC, or Cozumel touristy)
