i am guessing most of these excellent rates being quoted are for "off months" like now, february, march & so on and also that people are staying for shortish lengths of time (between a week--2 weeks) and that they live closer to the gateway cities of miami and houston than i do. i have tried every web site posted here, but for the trip i am planning nothing seems to be in my favor, all have quoted really high fares.

i plan to leave mid-june and return mid-august and i'd love to find a delightful bargain flight. but san francisco is way far from houston, it's pretty much a cross country flight on top of the part to belize. summer is "high season" for travel in the states while it's low season belize way. no matter how i sliced it on these web sites, being flexible w/departure days, etc. i was being quoted prices that started at $700 and rose mightily. same story last year.

anyway, enough grumbling. i have an excellent ticket consolidator/travel agent who seems to specialize in central american countries. she's in sf--ana adams at imperial travel 415.826.8100. the price she quoted me this year was $570...about $40 more than i paid last year. however, last year i contacted continental after i made my reservation with ana and a seat on the exact same flight booked thru continental reservations was going for about $250 more! i wish i had the guts of steel to try for last minute cheap seats, maybe that works for people, but i have a need to have certain aspects of my trip assured in advance. i am not sure if ana can hook folks all over the country up with deals but it doesn't hurt to try her if you are planning for an extended summer trip this year and finding the prices steep...

cheers