I’m planning to take a trip to Belize with my boyfriend at the end of July for two weeks (maybe three). Has anyone been? Any tips? Anything that you feel I MUST not miss? Please, share your experience and give me advice.
I’ve been twice for a total of over 2 months, but not the way you are most likely going. I suspect that you’ll probaby spend most of your time at ambergris key. That is the major tourist destination and where you’ll have the best time for snorkeling and scuba diving. There isn’t to much to see in Belize City, and I’ve never been to Belmopan.
I would recommend taking some time to see the Mayan ruins that are sprinkled throughout the country. This site describes the major sites in Belize. Particularly worth while are Altun Ha (its main temple is on the bottle of Belikin beer)and Lamani, with its beautiful jungle setting and classic Maya era ruins is worth the time. There is, IIRC a pretty nice little hotel near the site. Also, Caracol, if you can get there, is a fairly important Maya site being excavated by the Chases. For sentimental reasons, I have to also mention Cerros, since that is where I spent most of my time doing Archaeology. However, it can be hard to get to, a boat from Corozal is the best bet, as the overland trip includes a long drive from Orange Walk to Copper Bank on unpaved roads, and then a half mile or so trek through the jungle (watch out for Fer de Lances) - If you do decide to go overland to Cerros please say hello to Mrs. Lowe for me. Also, once you get to the site, the best features ( carved masks are currently encased in cement to protect them. Not to mention the mosquitos that can be worse than anything you could imagine.
I hope that this helps a little.
I have never been, but it’s my theoretical ex-pat destination…I keep telling my wife that if things here get much worse, we’re moving to Belize.
So I’d appreciate a full trip-report when you get back 
Just be sure to allow time for rain. There is a little bit many days in July. Doesn’t usually last long, sometimes an hour, but that can ruin a picnic if you have not considered finding cover.
If you are going for that long you may want to spend time on the Mainland.
My wife and I spent 4 days at a place called duplooys
Very interesting, we did the Guatamala ruins tour (Tical). Horseback riding and at the end of the trip, we cannoed into town (San Isabel?). The driver came and met us with our luggage and took us to the airport and we went on to Ambergrise Caye.
Ambergrise is nice and laid back, although I didn’t find the beaches that great. We spent most of our time diving (did the Blue Hole), hanging out by the pool and eating.
I would not recommend spending much time in Belize city.
Uh, the town we cannoed to was actually San Ignacio
My partner and I spent several days on Ambergris Caye. It was one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. It was very relaxing and laid back. The snorkeling was excellent. The people are great.
The only drawback was the heat. We were there in October, so I can only imagine how hot it would be in July. We usually took a siesta around mid-day because it was to hot and uncomfortable to do anything else.
Most favorite memory: Sitting on the dock at our hotel at night, listening to the gentle waves lapping at the piers, and spotting satellites as they crossed the star-filled sky.
The folks retired to Placencia. They absolutely love it there. Very laid back, safe and cheap.
I know a lady whose husband went diving in Belize, picked up some sort of weird infection, and died. :eek:
Wow, thanks for the info everyone! I’m planning on spending much time hiking on the mainland (although I do want to relax on the cayes for some time!). Hopefully my boyfriend will be able to keep up with me! Enipla, horseback riding sounds fun, I will have to look into that! Thanks! I wish I could go right now!
I know Carmen Sandiego, the sticky-fingered filcher, has been there.
My sister just got married and took her honeymoon there. Apparently the hotel they stayed in burned in a fire the day after they left. This happened sometime last week. Sorry, I don’t have any details, but you might want to check to confirm your planned destination is still standing.
I just got back from a (short) visit to Belize on a cruise ship. We opted out of the organized ship tours and went to Caye Caulker for the day. You can get a water taxi out of Belize City for 15 dollars U.S. round trip leaving every few hours. The caye has no paved roads that I could see and seemed like a great place to remain motionless for days. A few “rustic” lodgings, a few dive shops, and a few restaurants. Well worth the trip if you want to go to a place with no worries.
I just saw a few blocks of Belize City on the walk to the Marine Terminal for the water taxi and I wasn’t impressed. Got hit up to buy drugs more than once.
This is a good site…have fun.
http://www.gocayecaulker.com/
Google: “cave tubing Belize” It’s a perfect activity for the hot days. Don’t step on the leaf cutter ants. Florida fire ants pack a worse bite, but don’t wander around as much.