Advice for Central American travel

[momshell]

I can trust the advice I get from this board, so if anyone has been to Belize just want an opinion of Ambergris Caye versus Caye Caulker. We like the quiet and usually stay on Lubbers in Abaco, but want to be able to eat/shop when we desire. Love snorkeling, fishing, good beaches, and will have our 2 pre-teen girls with us. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[Steamboat]

We're going to Belize (Ambergris Caye) for our Feb 2009 trip (flying USAir). We picked Ambergris Caye based on a friends recommendation, size of the island, ease of getting to the island (flying instead of ferry), variety of places (and associated cost) to stay on the island, etc. Based on the information available on the web, Ambergris Caye seems to have more to do than Cay Caulker - I recommend look at TripAdvisor.com for more information and as a source of Q&A's.

[Seahorse]

We have been to Ambergris Caye several times. Now as far as beaches go. . . the beach is the road on most parts of AC. Due to the reef the surf doesn't come in therefore the water is really weedy/grassy. Most hotels do have a pier and off the end of the pier there are swim area markers. So it does not have the beautiful beaches like Guana. Now that I have bashed their beaches, the snorkeling and fishing is awesome. It is laid back but definitely different than Guana. We took a day trip to Caye Caulker and we love quiet, remote places but we were at a loss trying to find something to do while we were there for the day. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do believe the only place to swim in the ocean at Caye Caulker is at the split or cut or whatever they call it. It isn't my idea of spending the day at the beach. I cannot imagine staying there for any length of time.

That is just my opinion - take what you want from it. We have travel to most of the caribbean islands. The Belizian Islands do not compare to the caribbean in my eyes.

[momshell]

I am getting some good feedback-thanks! I was leaning towards Ambergris, and now I think you all have helped me out. The house we are looking to rent sits right on a beach south of San Pedro town, and the pix look good. Just wanted to check about activities. Thanks again for the input!!!

[Tolerance]

Been to both, (and more via s/v) and indeed you are getting good feedback.
The only other thing I would recco would be at least a long weekend trip into the jungle. There are lovely resorts, and will show you and the kids another, wild and wonderful side of Belize--VERY cool!
Enjoy!

[BahamaAngie]

My daughter stayed at Jaguar Reef in Belize. She loved Belize. She said you had to get out a bit for the clear water that I would not like it but she loved it and would love to return sometime BUT she is very outdoorsy and it was also before she went to Abaco! Very tropical place. They had to take a real itty bitty plane to get to the resort.

[.info]

Our family spent almost two weeks in Belize a few years ago...about fve days on the jungle and a week on AC. The jungle was great and we were able to see some Mayan ruins as well. AC was too built up for our taste, funky but too many people...then again we think that Elbow Cay is too built up for our taste.

That said the people were very nice and the fishing awesome - rented a boat and fished the reef with the fishing almost jumping into the boat. The marine preserve snorkling was also very special. Caye Cauker is even ore funky and much quieter - more to our liking. We only did a day trip but I'd like to return. I can understand that it may be too limited for some.

If I get to return to Belize, I'd like to explore the southern coast which I hear is remarkable.

[Tolerance]

.info,
Sounds like you would love Placentia!

momshell,
by "resorts" in the jungle, I don't mean Atlantis, but there are some lovely spots like Chaa Creek that bear research (I guess you might call it rudimentary luxury, an oxymoron that actually fits, sort of like those luxury safari tents in Africa). Anyway if the kids would appreciate Mayan ruins that are not "touristy" it's worth looking into

Pattie

[Eva H.]

If it helps any, one of the differences between AC and CC is that CC seems to draw a backpacker/college crowd. Lots of younger hippy-dippy folks hanging around, preening and posing for each other, at what is essentially the only beach on the caye (that being "The Split"). You will get the occassional waft of "herbal" smoke... It's not an especially rowdy scene (it's definitely mellow), but I haven't seen pre-teens or other younger kids around.

The guests on AC are a more mixed bag ... divers, sailors, expatriate retirees, families, couples, etc. Yes, there are more of them than on CC. Yes, it's busier than Lubbers or Guana. But really, the Belize cayes are so mellow as to be in slow motion, regardless of how many people are about.

Patty makes a good suggestion in mentioning Placencia. Haven't been there myself (yet), but it sounds like it might suit.

As long as you are prepared to have less-than-dreamy beaches, and if you're ready to take advantage of the wonders that Belize offers (manatees, Mayan ruins, snorkeling, etc.), you'll have a great time.

My trip reports are here: www.islandtime.homestead.com (http://www.islandtime.homestead.com) (land-based in 1999, and by sailboat in 2003).

[Rykat]

Hello, momshell.

Been to Ambergris Caye several time and visited Caye Caulker but did not stay there.We have stayed south of town because it is more convenient but did rent a Golf Cart for the duration of each stay.

We stayed at: The Palms, Banana Beach and Ramon's Village.

Like each place but The Palms and Banana Beach were best. Low profile and good prices.
You will enjoy the flight over from Belize City.

My opinion: Stay on Ambergris for first visit but be sure to visit Cay Caulker one day while you are there. It is much more layed-back, very quiet but if I were to return just for the solitude I would stay next visit on CC.
There are a few don't miss things to do there, be sure to snorkel Hol Chan and visit Shark/Ray Alley. We charterd a guide for a full day of snorkeling and visited those sites and a few others.
Try to charter a guide for a day of fishing also.
We skipped the mainland stuff only because we prefer water activities.

Main difference between Abaco and Belize? Freedom of your own boat in Abaco. Go where you want when you want. AC boating, fishing , diving, snorkeling is all guided charters

Lots of great places to eat on AC - I do think you will love it but remember it is different than Abaco

If you need guide recommendations, phone numbers, etc, PM me
There is a great site www. ambergriscaye.com Tons of info, maps etc there and a message board that I frequent (politics BS) but lots of helpful voices there also.

Check out that site, how far south of town are you staying?

Have fun,

Joe Bogan (Rykat on that board also) www.ambergriscaye.com (http://www.ambergriscaye.com)

[momshell]

First of all THANKS! You are all awesome with your suggestions and input. I was mistaken - the rental is a few miles North of San Pedro. It is a palapa style house on the beach. Finally- how safe do you feel there? I have read many things and have traveled the Caribbean pretty extensively, but mostly the eastern side. Only been to Mexico once, everything else an island in E. Caribbean. Familiar with being smart and staying away from certain areas after dark, but otherwise, did everyone feel ok?

[Rykat]

Havent been back for a couple of years but we did feel safe while there although we have heard of numerous petty thefts. Hopefully house will have a safe if not bring your cash and valuables with you.(as you travel about) Better safe than sorry.
Acouple of miles north presents a different problem getting around. A golf cart will be a must and I understand the road north of the new bridge is quite and adventure - double-bra potholes, if you know what I mean.
If you can stay south it is easier getting around if not go anyway and have a good time.
Check out that website closely lots of good info there and message board people are relatively friendly and helpful and up to date with eateries, roads, getting around and local guides for snorkeling,diving and fishing as well as mainland tours.
If you get time stop at Holy Cross Anglican School and see Francis Wilson, visit will be an eye opener (just north of the bridge) :)
http://www.holycrossbelize.blogspot.com/ The 4 red roofs in pic is the school, nearby is bridge and looking further south is San Pedro on AC.
In the extreme upper left corner is the barrier reef which runs south about 100 miles and north about 15.(The pic is looking south)

[Steamboat]

If your house is north of town and close to a pier (most resorts have one), there is regular water taxi service to and from town. There seems to be a per trip cost or a weekly (??) pass that you can purchase. Unlike Abaco, the water taxi runs on a sorta regular schedule and also appears to run at night (or at least until early evening or later). We're staying way north of town and plan to use the water taxi's or resort shuttle boat for trips to town and back since the road eitehr doesn't extend far enough north or is in very rough condition (possibly impassable by golf cart so you may want to wait to see the road before renting a cart).

[momshell]

The house we are considering does have a pier, so we will porbably use the water taxi as well as the golf cart. Love that aerial photo. Thanks!

[Rykat]

http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/28/1/Photographs.html

scroll down there are a couple of pics of roads
try a search with the name of the house you rented...maybe

JB

[Zancada]

We stayed in a beach cottage in Placencia in the mid 90's and it did have a lovely beach, good snorkeling, fishing, and birding. I'd have to second the recommendation to watch out for your valuables. While between flights in Belize City we took a cab to a restaurant. The first thing the driver said to me was, "Take off your necklace, bracelet and watch, and keep them hidden." He also told us to stay on the main road when walking. If I were to go again, I'd leave those things home and not worry about them.

[badwing]

Hi, we spent a week at Manta Resort in Glovers Atoll. Great week if your into scuba. It looks like it's currently closed for remodeling and is now owned by Blackbird which is very similiar. http://www.cayeresorts.com/blackbird/index.php

I would also look into Roatan Honduras if your set on going to Central America.. Stayed at a small resort owned by an American couple. West Bay Lodge.. Fun, cheap and one of the nicest beaches in the world. Rated the #1 hotel in Roatan on Tripadvisor. We've been twice and would go back in a heartbeat...

[billmc]

North of town you will have a quiet stay, and then you can go into town for your dining and shopping and activities. You'll be glad you are staying out of town, it's very busy. I think most people go to AC on their first trip, then try other parts of the country subsequently.

Don't try to swim out to the reef from your beach, the boat traffic is too heavy. I have seen people kayak out though, and heard that there are moorings for kayaks/small boats, but no idea of the locations. Ask around.