Belize vacation Planning 2 weeks..one week wet, the other dry.

[peterbj7]

So Sunbreeze is now arranging dive packages with Amigos? Despite AquaDives being on the premises?

You'll have no problem with Sunbreeze, pleasant, efficient, perhaps rather anonymous, quite pricey (though you may have got a good package). I've heard a few less-than-complimentary comments on Amigos recently but hopefully they were one-offs.

 

[peterbj7]

I am not usually the type that feels it necessary to justify my decisions

That has come through loud and clear. Good luck with your choices.

 

[Storm]

So Sunbreeze is now arranging dive packages with Amigos? Despite AquaDives being on the premises?

Actually you're making an assumption, albeit a fair one given the information I gave out, so I'll clarify. I booked this portion of the vacation through a Canadian travel agency that specializes in dive travel and they booked the dive shop they have used in the past, and prefer to use.

I've heard a few less-than-complimentary comments on Amigos recently but hopefully they were one-offs.

Actually this is the reason I booked through the agency. I have them as the buffer for the dive package. If there is any issue with any dive operator they book (i.e. a cancelation due to just cause), and a refund is due, I get said refund from the agency, and not the dive op. I prefer to leave the industry "in fighting" to the industry folks...all I care about is getting the chance to see the country in its entire splendor, including its underwater beauty; the politics I'll leave to others.

Quite frankly, after witnessing the online antics between some of the dives shops and their online champions (and not just here but on a wide variety of travel boards and advisory forums) I almost opted for a return trip to Curacao.

You folks might want to consider the fact that guys like me, stuck some 3000 Kms away, cannot simply jump in a car for a quick scouting trip. The only resources I have to plan my travels are websites, travel books, agency recommendations followed up by reviews from fellow travelers. However when innuendo replaces fact, and partisanship takes place over objectivity, little of value is learned. Anyway, enough of that.

Now if anyone has decent suggestions for the land portion....

We're looking at spending this trip in the Cayo and Orange Walk districts. We've already decided that a second trip will be necessary (perhaps the following year)) and that one will focus on the Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo districts (with lead off week of diving of course). If I've got the geography wrong please forgive.

To date four Jungle lodges have been suggested, and I have some research to do on them

Chaa creek
duPlooys
Cave Branch
Hidden Valley

My below the surface passion is underwater photography, and that passion for photography extends above water as well. I hear that the Mountain Pine Ridge has some beautiful waterfalls...would love to see those so but would also like to see Tikal, and ATM cave and I hear that the river boat trip up to Lamanai is also a beautiful tour.

Should I divide up the land accommodations between the two districts or is travel between the two easily done without loosing too many precious hours to road/air travel?

Also, I love unique street photography, but have heard that Belize City might no be the safest place for this type of activity. Is this true?

Thanks again for the input.

Cheers!

Rick

 

[Hank49]

I stayed at 5 Sister's Falls a few years back. I was amazed. Very nice river and nice place. It had the feel of an old fishing camp up in Canada. Did some horseback riding on a nice mountainous trail. Nice.
I don't know much to do in Orange Walk. Driving through there, it's more of an agricultural area. Sugar. I've been back to Blue Creek and up to Chetumal. For me...I wouldn't go there for vacation. Locals go to Chetumal for shopping duty free. More to see in the Pine Ridge and Cayo.

 

[Storm]

I stayed at 5 Sister's Falls a few years back. I was amazed. Very nice river and nice place. It had the feel of an old fishing camp up in Canada. Did some horseback riding on a nice mountainous trail. Nice.
I don't know much to do in Orange Walk. Driving through there, it's more of an agricultural area. Sugar. I've been back to Blue Creek and up to Chetumal. For me...I wouldn't go there for vacation. Locals go to Chetumal for shopping duty free. More to see in the Pine Ridge and Cayo.

I was going to target a day trip there for the New River boat ride up to Lamanai. Other than that I was planning to concentate on the Pine Ridge and Cayo districts. What I was wondering was if I shoud day trip to Lamanai from Cayo, or grab a one night accomodation in the district before heading to a resort in Cayo (Probably near San Ignacio). It would really depend on how the travel is between the two districts.

If I have to loose a day in travel then it might not be workable given our schedule and the places we want to see.

 

[Downing]

Also, I love unique street photography, but have heard that Belize City might no be the safest place for this type of activity. Is this true?

Yes. What you've heard is pretty mild compared to what most people say about it.

Do not venture out at night under any circumstance. If you're downtown, stick to the main streets with lots of people and cops on the corners, ignore the sometimes aggressive panhandlers and you'll be ok. Probably.

That was my experience two years ago, anyway, and we're headed back there next week for three nights before moving on to Turneffe Island Resort. We'll be clambering over the Lamanai ruins next Friday, btw.

In my opinion BZ City is really cool in a funky but impoverished third world kind of way. Definitely not for the easily intimidated, though. Most people think it's a dump and can't wait to get the hell out of there.

 

[Storm]

Yes. What you've heard is pretty mild compared to what most people say about it.

Do not venture out at night under any circumstance. If you're downtown, stick to the main streets with lots of people and cops on the corners, ignore the sometimes aggressive panhandlers and you'll be ok. Probably.

That was my experience two years ago, anyway, and we're headed back there next week for three nights before moving on to Turneffe Island Resort. We'll be clambering over the Lamanai ruins next Friday, btw.

In my opinion BZ City is really cool in a funky but impoverished third world kind of way. Definitely not for the easily intimidated, though. Most people think it's a dump and can't wait to get the hell out of there.

Does anyone know oif there is a walking type tour guide that could possibly guide one through the areas that are safe?

 

[peterbj7]

Especuially at this time of little work/money, if you venture into Belize City with an expensive camera you are more than likely to lose it, even in broad daylight in busy populated areas.

As regards Belize as a whole, I recommend to you the Astrum Helicopters' tour of Belize early in your trip. You can see an example of the tour as a video on their website.

Please don't be surprised that people who actually live in a place and have business dealings with each other are not open in their criticisms of others. In a place like this you'll read fulsome praise but you'll rarely see open and documented criticism. That's where you have to be a little more subtle and perceptive in interpreting what you are told. New York "tell it like it is" doesn't apply here.

 

[sevenmeadowsdiver]

I can tell you that im not a dive op or a champion and I thought amigos was less than average.On the refund issue I doubt you would get a refund unless the dive shop says they screwed up wich wont happen.

 

[peterbj7]

I thought amigos was less than average

That's not PC around here