Has anyone vacationed in Belize?

[Guitar55]

Please tell me about it....

[mge80]

My brother goes every year. Flies into Belize City, then takes a boat to some outer island. The accommodations are a bit spartan out there (although his "spartan" and others definition of it could be vastly different, as he is used to the high life), but he goes for the fishing. There must be something to it, because he keeps going back.

I could get more information and details, if you want...depending on what others chime in with.

[prsflame]

I stayed in Belize city back in 2006. One of the highlights of my trip was hiking through a rainforest, then cave tubing down this beautiful river. Great fishing, and tons of outdoor activities. I also felt the people were friendly, welcoming.

[guitarist58]

Dang, prsflame, your startin' to make me "jeallis"! :D

[Guitar55]

anyone else?

[bluesjunior]

My son did his jungle training there while in the British Army. He said they have spiders like spaniels.

[Scott Miller]

I was there in 1974 and 1975. Really friendly people, open sewers, little kids make a sport of kicking rats to death on the street... OK, so that's Belize City, not the vacation areas. Belize City is a fascinating place, but not for the timid. I have no idea about the resorts and whatnot. Belize was not a tourist location when I was there. I took a boat to Amergris Cay... not much out there back then. Took a Cessna back, landed in an orange grove.

[sws1]

I spent a day in Belize City as part of a cruise stop. There was nothing in the city that made me want to go back. I think the draw to Belize is certainly other areas.

[Shamus]

I hear the scuba diving is sick!

Not that I'm a scuba diver, or have any substantial info to bear in this thread..

Just sayin'... :D

[slipbeer]

I've got a buddy who just got back from a week there, He was out in the boondocks and said it was a great, laidback place to vacation. He said it was the anti-Cancun and he would definitely go back for an R and R type vacation.

[donnyjaguar]

Check out Youtube for Howler Monkey and Botfly. :) This ain't Hawaii!

[Glowing Tubes]

Yes, my wife took me for my 40th and it was great. We stayed at Key Calker (not sure if that's the correct spelling). It's a small island off the coast. Was like going back in time. Very quiet, one golf cart is the taxi on the whole island, food was excellent, you get a lot for your dollar, scuba diving is great (if you do, go the the blue hole) take some trips through the jungle and up rivers, enjoy!

[vandi]

Visited for a little over a week in early June of '07. Visited several of the cayes (keys). Went fishing multiple times as well as diving. Probably the best fishing and diving experiences I have ever had in my life. The reef is amazing and the fish (snapper, jack, 'cuda) are out of sight. Our fishing guide cooked for us on several occasions (local Belize cuisine is fantastic). We visited a smaller Caye while fishing one day where a local woman that cooked at a bar/restaurant which sat right next to the boat dock kindly cooked up our catch right on the spot. From the ocean to our plates in less than an hour!

Most of the locals are soft spoken and wonderfully kind people. I did notice that the occasional drunk & obnoxious tourists were not well received however by and large most locals remained very tolerant.
Your money can definitely go a long way. When we were there I think the exchange rate was $1 US dollar to $2 Belize dollars.

If you find yourself on Ambergris Caye visit Crazy Canuck's (beachfront bar) and ask for Ali or Mario they are wonderful people and fantastic fishing guides.

One last thing, if you can manage to go during LobsterFest.........two words....DO IT!

[trisonic]

My son did his jungle training there while in the British Army. He said they have spiders like spaniels.

The SAS are still out there, no? They were there to scare the Guatamelans who are always threatening to invade and annex Belize, or they were.....

Best, Pete.

[flume]

Been there twice. 2001 and 2003. Great place...stayed at northern part one trip then southern. Inn at Roberts Grove was one of the resorts. Forget the other. Great combo of jungle experiences and killer snorkeling - though it has to be done from a boat dropoff--no beach access. 50cents on the US dollar back then. Friendly people, safe at all times (flew into Belize City and peeled out immediately for the coast as advised). Highly recommended.

[schmidlin]

Just spent 10 days there in April. I liked it a lot, lots to see and do, nice people. But it's a poor country so be prepared to be hustled for your tourist dollars. I'll PM you my blog if you like.