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[jillhopejohnson]

Were looking at Belize as a Winter Vacation site. We don't dive, but we love the water and are avid snorklers and do kayak. We've heard about Belize and its great Barrier Reef, but wonder if anyone has suggestions to 'cool and unusual' things to do in Belize. We've heard that Belize city is a dive and not too friendly for female travellers. Any other suggestions? We are open to jungle excursions and the Mayan Ruins as well.

Thanks for any advice you can provide. JHJ

[starlagurl]

Belize looks pretty wondrous to me...

Lots of people had awesome experiences:

http://www.travelpod.com/blogs/0/Belize.html

There's a pretty cool zoo and a temple here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...77160/tpod.html

[mmbcross]

Why don't you look at a two centre stay. Caye Caulker for the beach and diving, and San Ignacio for the forest and Maya archaeological sites.

[will]

I totally agree with mmbcross. Caye Caulker is a top spot to do some snorkelling, and swim with manta rays and nurse sharks. San Ignacio is also great, and if you go there you'll have the opportunity to do one of the most unique archaelogical trips you'll ever be able to do. 'Actun Tunichil Muknal' is a cave which you swim into after an hour long hike through the jungle. Once inside, you'll not only see one of the most beautiful caves you've ever seen, but you'll see remnants of the actual sites where Mayan kings performed human sacrifices, including the calcified skeleton of a young virgin. It's a truly amazing experience, and I thoroughly recommend it.

[barrybc41]

[quote name='will' date='Dec 2 2009, 09:35 PM' post='242601']
I totally agree with mmbcross. Caye Caulker is a top spot to do some snorkelling, and swim with manta rays and nurse sharks. San Ignacio is also great, and if you go there you'll have the opportunity to do one of the most unique archaelogical trips you'll ever be able to do. 'Actun Tunichil Muknal' is a cave which you swim into after an hour long hike through the jungle. Once inside, you'll not only see one of the most beautiful caves you've ever seen, but you'll see remnants of the actual sites where Mayan kings performed human sacrifices, including the calcified skeleton of a young virgin. It's a truly amazing experience, and I thoroughly recommend it.
[/quote that sounds amazing. As a relitave fit 69yr old guy would it b too physical or not

[will]

If you're relatively fit you'll be able to visit Actun Tunichil Muknal. As long as you have no problem with swimming into the cave and wading through waste deep water. My memory is a bit hazy as I was there almost 6 years ago, but the agencies that organise the tours will be able to give you more specific details.

[nattyatx]

I'm making my 3rd trip to Belize this March. I LOVE IT!!! My favorite town is Placencia, small fishing village on the peninsula. Some cool activities are Xunantunich ruins, Rio Blanco Falls, Laughing Bird Caye, Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve. You can book all these activities with Caribbean Travel & Tours in Placenica... here is their link

http://www.ctbelize.com/placencia-hotels.html

I especially like Xunantunich. It takes a good 3 hours to get to from Placencia and it's a beautiful drive. If you want to do something unusual.... try a night time hike through Cockscomb Basin to look for Jaguars!!! If you do book any of these tours through Caribbean Travel, request Basilio as your tour guide, he's super knowlegable and very funny! Just watch out if you go on a jungle excursion with him... he'll make you eat termites!!! They taste like mint.

Also, the last local flight (Tropic Air or Maya Island Air) to anywhere out of Belize City leaves at 5pm... so if you get there after that, and don't want to stay in Belize City, try Black Orchid Resort in Burrell Boom, it's really nice and they pick you up from the airport.

[cofygrl]

I took my 9 year old backpacking in Belize a couple years ago, we loved it! You should check out a tour of the cave Actun Tunichil Muknal. I have been to many caves in my life & this was impressive, just the journey there was fun! Plus there are so many Mayan artifacts and skeletons of sacrifical victims, including the famous Crystal Maiden. Most people stay in San Ignacio if they plan on going here! S.I. has some great food! I'm going back to Belize in two weeks!!! Thats how much I liked it!

[tripumdiewelt]

We stayed at Caye Caulker last year and loved it.
But beware of the mozzies during the evening, they can really be nerve-racking. Anyway - you have lots of water activities like snorkeling and - if you like - diving. But the beach isn´t a beach as you would expect. That means there is no real sandy beach, but more like a water bar kind of thing. Still nice to be there at "The Split"
We also liked that there are no cars on Caye Caulker. You can see pictures here:
http://www.tripumdiewelt.de/2011/07/das-paradies.html

In Belize city there is not much to do or to see. But there are heaps of activities on the mainland as well. Best base to do it is San Ignacio. You can explore caves or nice landscapes (Mountain Pine Ridge). Cave tubing is cool and fun.
Find out more and enjoy our panorama images right here:

http://www.tripumdiewelt.de/2011/07/durch-...heel-drive.html

Cheers
Biene and Holger