Ultimate Belize Exploration: Unearthing the Most Exquisite Destinations

For the third installment of possible trip itineraries, I’ve chosen Belize. With so many different amazing places to stay and things to do, this is a trip I would be thrilled to do someday. 

Transportation

  • Bryan and I do not have experience driving abroad yet and want to increase our comfort level before adding this element to some of our trips. The solution we found for this conundrum in Belize was to work out an airport shuttle to the resort and take day tours out of the resort. This would help us avoid the stress of driving. 
  • Hop from BZE to SPR for San Pedro
  • BZE to DGA for International Airport to Dangriga (for Hopkins and San Ignacio) Taxi or hotel shuttle from DGA to hotel
  • BZE to MZBZ for Philip Goldson International Airport
  • Can also take a shuttle from BZE to Hopkins or San Ignacio (longer travel time and probably more expensive)
  • The San Pedro Belize Express water taxi ($55 round trip to San Pedro from Belize City) station is located at a terminal in Belize City, about a 25-minute drive from the international airport and about an hour and a half boat ride. You will need to take a taxi or shuttle (around $25 one way). Price compare with flight from BZE to SPR.
  • Shuttle services are available. Belizing (can take to water taxi)
  • Rent a golf (starting at $32 a day, near the airport and in town, especially in San Pedro, find a way to distinguish your cart so you don’t get it mixed up, watch for speed bumps)
  • All legal taxis have a green license plate and the name of their company posted on the window. Negotiate fare in advance of journey.

Activities 

*Utilize hotel or resort concierge services to help book tours, prices vary depending on where you are staying or the company you book with

Stay

Stay in Hopkins, San Pedro, San Ignacio, Ambergris Caye, or Belize City?

  • Hopkins: cultural center, small, quiet, cheaper, closer to excursions, no need to rent a vehicle, undeveloped
  • Belize City: fast paced, large city
  • San Ignacio: budget friendly, small, easier transportation, good food, forests and Mayan ruins
  • Ambergris Caye: beautiful island, easy to get to from Belize City
  • San Pedro: main town on Ambergris Caye, developed, many activities

(see post on tips for booking hotels)

Hotels

*cost per night just for a frame of reference

Belize City

Hopkins

  • $217 Hopkins Bay Resort, a Muy’Ono Resort (contact to figure out an airport transfer of $150 per person round trip via Muy’Ono Explorer or a commuter flight, can arrange VIP arrival service, hotel helps arrange tours, Garifuna drummers every Saturday night, beach games, volleyball, paddle boarding, bicycles and kayaks, kids games)
  • $153 Buttonwood Belize (Fly to International Airport to Dangriga, airport shuttle for $55, sets up excursions)

San Pedro

  • $165 Ramones Village Resort (air and water taxi service booking assistance, assistance booking and scheduling tours)
  • $135 Costa Blu Beach Resort (airport shuttle, shuttle to local attractions for a fee, adults only, Caribbean views, free kayaks and paddle boards)

Ambergris Caye

  • $405 Pelican Reef Villas Resort (airport shuttle available, free breakfast, beach front)
  • $167 Mahogany bay Resort and Beach Club (free airport shuttle from San Pedro Airport, complimentary boat ride will take you to white sand beach with cabana beds, overwater hammocks, and full beach service from the bar and grill, tours can be arranged, free breakfast)

San Ignacio

  • $224 Ka’ana Resort (airport shuttle for a fee, help arranging tours, free breakfast)
  • $229 Sweet Songs Lodge (tropical forests, bird watching, treehouses, private beach with complimentary tubes for floating, kayaks for exploring, ride horses to ancient Maya sites, all-inclusive optional, activity bookings available, van transportation from BZE $75 each)

Information

  • No potable tap water 
  • Need a valid passport and return booking, can stay for 30 days without a visa
  • Belize Dollar but USD pretty widely accepted, most places accept credit cards and most hotels can exchange currency
  • English is the primary language 
  • Airport code: BZE
  • The climate is subtropical, the rainy season is between June and August and the dry season is from February through May
  • Evenings can be cool in temperature
  • Recommend choosing transportation method in advance and pre-booking on the plane to ensure smooth transits
  • Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza
  • Risk of zika virus, malaria and dengue. use mosquito repellents, netting and wear protective clothing. Antimalarials may be recommended based on your itinerary.

Restaurants

Just some of many fantastic places to try!

Dishes to try:

  • Conch fritters (deep fried conch meat)
  • Ceviche
  • Cheese dip
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Fry jacks (deep fried dough)
  • Johnny cakes (cornmeal bread)
  • Meat pie
  • Rice and beans
  • Hudut (green and ripe mashed plantains called Fu-fu and a fish coconut stew)
  • Pibil Tacos (slow roasted pork with sauce)
  • Boil Up (tomatoes, coconut oil, fish, root vegetables, dough disc)
  • Pupusa (thick corn tortillas stuffed with various fillings, including meats, refried beans, cheese, or squash flowers)
  • Rum
  • Cashew wine

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Michelle

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