AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize by District Cayo San Ignacio Ideas

Hi,
We were in Belize this past November with our two kids (aged 10 & 7). Just wanted to add a few things to the excellent advice you have already been given.

- You may want to consider staying near the Belmopan area. We stayed at Pook's Hill, and loved it. It is really beautiful & there is a lot to explore. Also, it is closer to Actun Tunichal Muknal (I know - I butchered the spelling!) and Caves Branch than San Ignacio, so you would have less travel time.
- We took a day trip to Tikal. It was one of the highlights of our trip - BUT - it is an all-day venture. If you have only two days, you may want to consider some closer ruins. (By the way, Pook's Hill has a small ruin located just behind the cabanas.)
- I have heard that the political situation in Guatemala is getting unstable right now, and there have been isolated incidents of tourists being stopped on the road to Tikal. I almost hate to say that, since Tikal is such a fantastic place, but - as a parent - I would want to be informed before deciding to take my kids.

Hope you all have a great time in Belize. It was a great vacation for us!

I just returned from Belize and spent a week in San Ignacio and can honestly say that I could have spent more time!

I stayed at the Aguada and Shala arranged wonderful trips including Tikal, Carocal, but you can do things on your own too. Just walking around San Ignacio you can go to Cahel Pech and Xunatunech on your own.

The caving at Barton's Creek is on the way to Xunatunech and both can easily be done in one day.

If you go to Carocal stop at Rio on Rocks on the way back since this is great swimming after climbing ruins.

Your kids will love the whole adventure and then wind down at AC before coming home.

Have fun!

Hi Mo and other Folks! Let me reiterate this. If there is anyplace on this earth, short of the midwest of the US, that you can pretty much be sure you will be fine, Belize is it. Do be careful of Peten. Other than that just go and have fun. It is a wonderful thing to take your kids on an adventure when you rent a car, and just hit the road. It is a memory they will remember, forever. I'm a Mom, too, and I really wouldn't say this if I didn't know it was a safe place. You'll be fine, and go have your adventure.

Hey Mo, you said you want your kids to learn a bit about the Mayan ruins. Well I have a friend in San Ignacio who is a tour guide (Yucatec Mayan/Spanish)and works at Bartons Creek. He loves to teach about his culture while canoeing thu the caves then horseback riding. These are short, simple trips at one place. Also in the area are Cahal Pech and Xunantunich. He would be more than happy to show you these sites. I will be seeing him Monday 4/14 if you are interested email me sweetlilbigheart@yahoo.com.
There is so much to do...you almost dont need to plan in advance! It's a good way to sqeeze lots of adventures in though! Also dont forget to visit Spanish Lookout for ice cream!

Do a search here on whats been written about Tikal.

Cruise ship passengers go to Jaguar Paw, not Ian Andersons Cave Branch. And it's absolutely awful when the hoards are there. If you want to book the 1/2 day cave float in this area, make sure it'snot cruise ship day.

We took a day trip to Tikal, and it was AMAZING!!!

Alright, here I go again. I have no agenda here. Just as a former sales agent with Pan Am, who was in the business 10 years, could I suggest that there are few people on this earth, especially traveling in Belize, that couldn't do this on their own. Read up on Lan and Lonely Planet. Save yourself a couple bucks. Belizean bucks or otherwise. If you want someone to arrange it, then do it, but sometimes on this site, I see people who are difficult with that idea, my guess, who are in the travel business. You do not need help in Belize. This could be your adventure, unless you are really uneasy with doing it on your own. In that case, do get someone to help you. My only issue is, sometimes most of the fun is the adventure of getting out there and doing it on your own. Get that car and go! There is something to be said for the awful day. It is the one you remember.

Ditch the kids and visit the Casino!

I just might take you up on that suggestion about the casinos! Thanks again for all of the advice. I will go and buy the Lonely Planet book. I was able to buy 2 books at a Rand McNally place that was going out of business! I was actually thinking of going to Flores and taking a bus to Tikal.
Mihal- how did you take your family to Tikal? Did you drive or take a tour? I would think a tour there would be safe enough. I will definitely look into it before we go. Since we have a few months yet before we go (unfortunately) anything could change.THANKS! Mo

We5 -

While it would be awesome to drive through Belize ( having done it myself :p ), I would strongly suggest taking a tour to Tikal, especially since you have a little one.

Most car rental agencies won't let you go across the border anyway. Do a search on the board and you will see the general consensus.