Well, some of us (me, specifically) have never driven in a country which has been described to me in the fashion that Belize roads have been described. I have received most of my information from several tourism books and the message board. I rarely try any adventure (especially with my two daughters in tow) with out thoroughly researching my destination/travel plans heavily in the first instance) I appreciate your candor and insight concerning the ruins located in Caracol. I utilzed a tour/guide while in Egypt, and found it constricting. However, from what info I have been able to gather, It seems that many of the roads are a difficult trek. I want to be informed and well prepared. Hence, my postings! Do you have any other info on my proposed trip? (BC to Caracol) ANy suggestions on vehicle rentals. I am happy to see that someone recommends making the drive - as I would like to do so. Should I stay elsewhere (closer to Caracol) the night prior? It looks as though I had better plan for an extra day. What is the max speed that one could expect to travel on those specific roads? I may sound ignorant (concerning this topic) - and that is because I am!

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Originally posted by Lan Sluder/Belize First:
WHERE do folks read stuff like "I would like to do the drive myself but have read that it is not entirely safe to do so without a guide/tour." Goodness. Thousands of people each year rent cars in Belize and drive all over country. (I've been doing it for over 13 years.) Roads are generally pretty well marked and the main roads (Western, Northern, Hummingbird and Southern highways) are paved and in good to excellent condition.

Caracol is one of the most interesting historical sites in all of Central America. A thousand years ago, it rivaled Tikal in importance, a city-state of more than 150,000 people, with sophisticated building techniques and a wide-ranging knowledge of mathematics, architecture and astronomy (at a time when Europeans were still struggling to emerge from the Dark Ages). The trip there is half the fun. The unpaved road through the Mountain Pine Ridge and on to Caracol is in generally good condition, though after heavy rains it does get a bit dicey.

--Lan Sluder