I was looking for something that was a bit of a balance between what the other two offered, so we would have a full assortment of locations to choose from. This time I looked for a place with a little more Caribbean culture, like the Bahamas offered, and a little less expensive and longer of a trip, with more activities like the Florida Keys offered.
And where did I find that balance? In Belize!
Not only does Belize offer tons of culture, seafood, and amazing accommodations, but the second largest barrier reef in the world is right off it's coast, so it definitely meets my "awesome snorkeling adventures involving sharks" criteria that I've been craving for our 2012 vacation. Heck, I even know someone who got to kiss a shark there last year!
So here is an initial itinerary I put together for Belize, specifically, for an island called Ambergris Caye off the coast of Belize, about a 20 minute plane ride from Belize City.
Ambergris Caye, Belize with Lots of Snorkeling and Beach Time
Vacation Length: 9 days, 8 nights
Cost: $4,760.63
Time of Year: mid-June
Saturday: Wake up early and Fly to Belize City, with a layover in Charlotte, NC. Transfer to a much smaller plane for the short trip to Ambergris Caye. Taxi to Caye Casa, your inexpensive home for the next four nights, with complimentary pick up from the airport. Check into the hotel, which isn't fancy, but is right near downtown San Pedro, the hub of Ambergris Caye, so you can walk everywhere, and it's right on the beach. Don't worry, the accommodations the second half of the trip will be much more luxurious!
After getting settled, head down to the beach for a walk, and pick out a good looking restaurant for dinner. Not only is June before the rainy hurricane season starts in July, and after the tourist season ends in April (so lots of things are cheaper), but mid June kicks off lobster season. Be sure to check the San Pedro Lobsterfest schedule of events before your trip!
{Source}
And of course, you know by now how much I love my sunsets, so find a place on the beach to watch it set over the island.
{Sunset}
Sunday: No time for resting early on during this trip, that's for the second half of the itinerary! Wake up early for a morning half day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, two of the best snorkel spots off Ambergris Caye. Snorkel with huge numbers of fish, rays and sharks, many places only about 6 feet deep, so you're up close to all the aquatic animals!
After the snorkel trip, spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach, resting up for another day of activity tomorrow.
Monday: Another early wake up call, for a 7am to 5:30pm all day tour to the mainland of Belize. Start with visiting Mayan Ruins at Xunantunich ("Maiden of the Rock), and then spend the afternoon cave tubing at the Nohoch Che'en Reserve.
Since the all day trip will no doubt be tiring, after returning to the hotel, find dinner nearby and head to bed early. Tomorrow is another early morning!
Tuesday: Wake up early for another morning snorkel trip, this time to Mexican Rocks and Tres Cocos, more great snorkel locations near Ambergris Caye.
After the snorkel trip, clean up at the hotel and then spend your last the afternoon in San Pedro exploring downtown.
Have dinner at the Sunset Grill, and feed the tarpon fish!
{Source}
{Source}
Wednesday: Finally a morning to sleep in, but only a little. Wake up, pack, and go pick up your rented golf cart before checking out of Caye Casa.
{Source}
Golf carts and bikes are the main form of transportation around Ambergris Caye, and also fun to drive! Take your golf cart about 2-2 1/2 miles south of the town to Casa Miradores, the amazing private house on the beach you rented, stopping to pick up groceries and fresh seafood to cook on the way (you could also take a water taxi from town if you want). Unpack, and bask in the beauty of the house and it's quiet surroundings!
{Source}
Spend Wednesday afternoon relaxing on the rooftop deck, on the beach, or in the plunge pool. For dinner, grill yourself some fresh seafood from the market on your rooftop deck, and wait for the stars to come out.
{Source}
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Time for the relaxing portion of the trip!
Spend your days on the beach, snorkeling right in front of the house, using the kayaks, strolling on the beach, splashing in the plunge pool, cooking fish on the grill, visiting the tiki bar a short distance up the beach, exploring the southern end of the island by golf cart, and generally doing as little or as much as you want in the quiet retreat that is Casa Miradores. Try to wake up in time to see at least one sunrise over the water, if only long enough to snap a photo and go back to sleep.
(Yes please! Now THIS is how to get some seclusion on the beach, private house rental outside of town, all the way!)
{Source}
Sunday: Spend a last few hours on the beach in paradise, then back your bags and drive the golf cart into town. Return the cart, and fly home through Belize City and Charlotte, NC.
{Source}
The Budget Breakdown:
Airfare round trip to Belize City, with layover in Charlotte - $1,300.00
Airfare round trip to Ambergris Caye from Belize City - $110.00
Cheap hotel in town (4 nights) - $380.00
Private house on beach rental (4 nights) - $1,580.00
4 days golf cart rental (only need it 2nd half of trip) - $230.63
Half day snorkel at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley - $50.00
Mayan ruins and cave tubing day - $370.00
Half day snorkel at Mexico Rocks - $60.00
Dinner (Eating out 1st 4 days) - $160.00
Lunches (Eating out 1st 4 days) - $60.00
Drinks (out 1st 4 days) - $160.00
Groceries (for food and drinks 2nd 4 days) - $150.00
Misc souvenirs, tips, extras - $150.00
Grand Total - $4,760.63
Sigh! Can I just take all three of these trips next year? And while I'm wishing, can I win the lottery too? ;)
So, I know I asked yesterday which of the trips would you take, but now I'm asking again with this one thrown in too. I'm pretty sure I need to stop making itineraries and just narrow it down to one of these trips already, so we can start saving for it (although Bimini looks interesting too, right next to the Gulf Stream, it's full of amazing snorkeling opportunities too)!
Bahamas
5 days, 4 nights
$5,096.00
More relaxation, one big shark activity
Florida Keys
7 days, 6 nights
$3,757.86
Less relaxation, lots of activities
Belize
9 days, 8 nights
$4,760.63
1/2 relaxation, 1/2 lots of activities
