My wife, myself and another couple are looking to go to Belize and Costa Rica next year, most likely May 20th through June 5th. I'll just give you a quick run down of who we are and what we enjoy so that may help you plan this. We are some what adventurous and enjoy tropical places(just like everyone else). We enjoy doing day hikes during travels. We have been to Cozumel a couple times and enjoyed the beauty in the ocean and also liked the price that came along with the all inclusive but we didn't like how "touristy" it was and how there was really nothing to do besides hang out on the main strip and buy things. We did enjoy going over to Playa and hanging out at Xel Ha but again very touristy and it didn't feel too safe once we got off the beaten path. We have also went to Hawaii a couple times and loved it. We loved everything about Hawaii, the hikes, the water, the rain forest, the cities, the overall beauty and of course the people. The only thing that makes us want to try places besides Hawaii is the cost and we would also enjoy traveling to other parts of the world to see what there is to offer. We have done a lot of research and have decided on Costa Rica and Belize. We need someone with actual travel experience in the area to help us out. We want some adventure, some beauty, some relaxation and of course some place safe to go outside the gates. We love diving so good dive spots would be cool. We love to fish so I'm sure we'll do that once. We plan on going on hikes so any that you have done and enjoyed let me know. I think the ruins would be good to see but I'm not overly excited to see all of them, just some of the more fascinating ones. Any advise for places to stay would be great, and of course any ideas for places to EAT would be even better! Does 7 whole days in each country sound good? Let me know what you all think, any help would be awesome.
Reply to this I forgot to add I bought a bunch of books already, mostly lonely planet books. Let me know if you have any questions that will help with clarification. Money isnt too much of a problem, meaning I don't want to stay in hostels but at the same time I think its a waste of money to stay in a 5 star resort when much of the time is spent outside anyways. Somewhere in between would be great! Thanks
Reply to this I would recommend going with a good planner. There are a ton of things you can do here in Costa Rica. I like companies that are involved with charity efforts here in CR, here is my short list.
Horizontes – http://www.horizontes.com/eng/ - Very green company, offers packages, involved with community programs, good company & good folks
Crreferals – http://www.crreferrals.com/ - Fav for custom planning, has packages, involved with animal rescue, good company & good folks
Caravan – http://www.caravan.com/ - Best for larger group tours up to 30. Excellent reputation and well respected. Awesome at what they do.
Cheers
Reply to this We went to Belize last year and had a great time. We started by renting a car at the airport and driving 3 hours south to the Placenica and renting a huge and beautiful cabana at Drew's Maine Stay. He has a fabulous web site and the prices are very cheap for a house with private beach that can sleep up to 8 people ($160.00 US) We used local guides instead of resort staff for cave tubing and touring the rainforest. We bought all our fish right from the fisherman who came right up to our beach and shopped at all the local stores and produce vendors. Fresh lobster was about $5 each.
We spent a week there and were never bored. we spent another week on Abergris Caye. Take a plane from the airport , we went thorugh Belize City and took the ferry but it was pretty wild. In San Pedro we rented a 3000 square foot 3 bedroom 3 bath house with pool for $190 (found on vacation rentals by owner: Casa Azure) US per night. This house was off the water in a regular neighborhood but the owners owned a beachfront resort nearby and we had full access to the resort and free breakfast there daily. We were really glad we we back off the water when a hurriacane hit on June 26 and most of the beachfront's got evacuated! We rented a golf cart and the house was very convenient and for the price and size was great. A trip by boat to the Lamanai Mayan ruins is a must do!
We finished with a week on Caye Caulker in a 2 bedroom apartment that was very luxurious but more pricey. It was totally worth it though. So if you are really into the adventure try these private rentals instead of of staying at a resort. You wont regret it!
Reply to this I went to Belize a few years ago, but agree with Mamadoo - I went to Placencia for about a week and never ran out of things to do. I didn't stay in a resort, I stayed in the township on the beach and it was cheap, clean and safe. I also enjoyed being part of the local town, a bit more flavour! I snorkelled a couple of times, and went with local guides to the Jaguar Park. I also had a couple of days in Caye Caulker, and it was gorgeous. Plenty to do!
Reply to this PS - I absolutely loved Belize - one of my all time favourite countries, so highly recommend it!
Reply to this Costa Rica is one if not the most expensive countries in all of central america, lots of people from the U.S. as well as Europe who live there also so that's what's driven the prices up, lots of stuff to see and do, climbing volcanoes, rainforest treks, beaches on the pacific are more for surfing and on the caribbean side much calmer and the water is clearer. you will be arriving right about the rainy season in costa rica..be prepaired!!!!! Trust me!
Happy travels!!!
Reply to this I have decided to travel to just Belize rather than Costa Rica as I discussed earlier. I figured this way I wont be rushed and I can spend more time in each destination, I was thinking I will leave around May 20th, of 2012 and stay there for 12-14 days. I have done a bit of research and believe that I will probably travel to three different parts of Belize. I was thinking 3-4 days in Cayo somewhere, 3-4 days on Caye Caulker and 3-4 days in Placencia. I like to dive, hike, fish and relax. I'm open for any suggestions. Should I get a car? Public transport? Do those three locations look good? What about things to do? Places to stay? I know it's getting close to the rainy season around that time so I'll have to factor that in. Any info helps. Thanks
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