If you are staying in the jungle at a lodge, you will end up doing your tours with them. Would not save you $$ getting into town to start from there (example - about $35 taxi fee duPlooys to SI) unless you plan to rent your own vehicle. Staying in town or at a place like the Aguada is considerably less $$ than staying at a lodge and will have cheaper tours as well. Longer drive getting to the sites usually but more choice of restaraunts, etc. Depends on what you are looking for. I have stayed at the Aguada and Crystal Paradise with my 2 kids (6 &11) and they liked both. The lodges have more of a jungle "on site" experience (birding scopes, canoes on the river, cool bugs, etc. But the town hotels usually have more creature comforts like TV, A/C, pools. Personally I think CP might be a good choice for you as it is lower priced than some of the lodges and includes breakfast & dinner in the prices. Run by a large Belizean family so very family oriented and usually kids on site. Good tours, horses on site. Aguada has kids on site too and a pool & playground. Feel free to contact me for more info or specifics, and check out several years worth of photos at http://photos.yahoo.com/barbsbelize

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