AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Here we come...

Hi everyone, nice forum you've got going here. Reading through a bunch of these posts has me very excited to get to Belize!

I'll be meeting a buddy of mine in Belize City in late December for two (hopefully) warm sunny weeks in Belize. We have no plans at all beyond meeting up and finding the nearest place to grab a Beliken, I mean, some Belikens. I'm hoping to get some information and ideas from you guys on what we should be aware of and what we definitely HAVE to do while in Belize.

We'll be trying to squeeze the absolute most out of our dollar so luxurious accomondations are definitely not a priority.

We know we want to get to San Pedro for at least a few days (plane or taxi?). We'd also like to see the country...is there a decent bus system to take us up and down the coast?


We would like to do some fishing and snorkeling. Do we need our own equipment? We'd love to spend a day out on a catamaran and maybe try some windsurfing and parasailing as well. Anybody know of any good deals anywhere to do this kind of stuff?

What about cave tubing? Is it worth it?

Nightlife? Where's the best places to hang out at night, and how late/early do they stay open? We plan on playing all day and then finding some fun watering holes to mingle with the locals and other visitors. I'm planning on winning that Chicken Drop that I read about.

Where should we stay? We'd take the lowest price we can find for a safe place to crash.

Is San Pedro the place to be on New Year's?

Sorry, I know this is a mouthfull, but if anyone has any suggestions or comments for any of the above...I'd appreciate it!!

Thanks!

For cheap place to stay on San Pedro check out ambergriscaye.com/conchshell/

We did cave tubing first time we came here it was combined with a zoo trip and lunch and i think it was worth it.

Pier Lounge and Crazy Canucks fun to hang out at.

Also Fido's for music and dancing, and BC's on Sundays for awesome b-b-q, music, and dancin' in the sand as the sun goes down....

Oh yeah, at least a few days in San Pedro. My first trip I split between mainland and AC. My second trip was all AC.

Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley with Alfonso Graniel. He's extremely knowledgable and a total blast. Once you get to the island, local tour companies (at many hotels) can book you with him. You can do both in a half day.

Cave tubing was enjoyable. I liked learning about the leaf cutter ants along the trail to the river, seeing the bats in the dry caves and tasting the treasures the guides found for us along the way. Then, the cool water is a welcome, relaxing ride. We stopped at some gems of swimming holes along the route. It's a wonder to to see the jungle canopy through openings in the cave ceilings.

Be sure to do a Mayan ruin while in country. Lots of folks have fun with the zip line tours as well, although I haven't done hat one myself...yet : )

Would suggest starting mainland, probably San Ignacio is best. Bus is good, from what I hear, and about 2 hours from airport. Do as much as you can from there--cave tubing, zip line, Tikal is fantastic. Then hit San Pedro for second week--fly from Municipal or water taxi. Stay near or in town, for best deals. Better to be able to walk to where you want to go. Lots of restaurants, places to stay, etc. in reasonable range. Snorkeling, even fishing reasonable, just read the board. Mask and snorkel, if you have them, rent fins. You will enjoy!

I second on going snorkling with Alfonso. If you get a chance, go night snorkling with him. It's absolutely amazing, if you are up for an adventure.

Crazy Canucks-great hang out on Monday night. And please, try to visit Fido's.

Most of the local restaurants we have eaten have been great. There is one place, Waraguma's, on Middle Street. If you blink, you may miss it. It's South of Elvi's kitchen (going towards the airport on the right. Two tables in the front. She has the best lobster burritos you have ever tasted.

I haven't been inland much, so good luck with you research on that.

You look like you will have a great time and fit in just well.

take the water taxi from Belize City to San Pedro - you've got the time, it's a beautiful ride, a fun way to chat with locals and between the two of you you'll save about $150 over the cost of flying.

Pedro's Inn is the cheapest place to stay on the island (around $12 I think), fun bar, free internet and for a while he had a deal where you got free pizza as long as you were ordering beer.

You'll find differing opinions about cave tubing if you do a search - it will cost a lot less to go from the mainland - same for the ruins - if you're only going to one site see Lamanai.

You can rent snorkels/fins for about $5, a half day at hol chan & shark/ray alley is about $25 + the entry fee and worth every penny.

Good cheap food from the street venders and really good meals if you try some of the smaller spots off the beaten path.

You'll be hooked! Have fun!

Personally I'd upgrade just a bit on accomadations & stay at Ruby's or Lily's right on the beach in town. My favorite local watering holes are Cholos Sports Bar & Dready's Coco Loco Sports Bar which is the first Bar South of the bridge. Rent a cart & explore the North end.
Hop on the water taxi and spend a afternoon on Caye Chaulker.

Hey, what about little Coco Loco's, just north of the cut on the beach with a swim-up beach bar!!!

Not a dang thang wrong with Coco Locos! I like it