Belize

[betsyv]

I am thinking about bidding on one of the Belize LL packages but when I went to read about what others said about Belize, I can only find Bonniejoy's posting about St Ignacio-Belize, and that didn't sound like a great experience. Has anyone tried any of the other LL Belize trips? I will do my outside research but usually gain so much information from the LL community. Can't wait to hear!

[kyshel]

Mountie did one. I've been researching a trip to either St George's Caye or El Pescador (Boss is a diver)
We shy away from the condo-crowded cayes. TA reviews of El Pescador have been very favorable if that's any help. I've found some reliable sources to PM for detailed info. I think we'll try for early Dec for a look-see. Belize is on our short list for possible retirement options.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi B...what region are you looking at visiting?? We did have a great time in San Ignacio. We found getting around on our own was the way to go. We incorporated San Ignancio with Tikal in Guatemala. (stayed at La Lancha, Francis Ford Coppola's property.) We loved the region. The cayes are getting extremely crowded. We have stayed at Hopkins Village and Ambergris Caye in the past.

[betsyv]

Thanks Kyshel and Bonniejoy, I may have to send Mountie a PM. Bonnie, I haven't limited my choices as to a particular region at all. Was just looking at all LL packages. So it would either be St George's Caye, San Ignacio, Ambergris Caye and Gallon Jug. I was thinking to do an inland combined with a coastal and hit two different properties. I really wished we had done that in Costa Rica instead of just El Silencio. But I don't know anything about Belize so am open to any and all possibilities.

By the way Kyshel, saw on the tv recently a whole program about retiring outside of the USA. They were talking about how popular it is now and spotlighted Panama, Italy and a third location.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi B....have you thought about San Ignacio (Blancanaux or Ka'ana) and maybe Turtle Inn (Placencia) or back to Guatemala to Tikal??? Francis Ford Coppola properties are very nice...check them out also. That is right about El Silencio for you. We will be heading there in December and we also added on Gaia on the beach.

Do you snorkel or fish? If so, you really must go to Ambergris Cay and do the day snorkel trips.......Have fun planning!

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I did the Blancaneaux package when LL had it posted a few years ago - a great place! Also if you like less crowds but still want to be near the water - Caye Caulker is great - very laid back. Very easy to rent a car and drive around in Belize, we have been 3x and each time we had a car. Lamani Outpost Lodge is very nice - north of Belize City and San Ignacio is very nice area to explore - lots of ruins - Caracol is a very big Mayan ruin and easy to get to from the San Ignacio area. AS BonnieJoy mentioned the Placencia area is nice - that is where Coppola has another property - The Turtle Inn

[jsattapr2]

How about Ka'ana? Who has been there recently?

[bonniejoy03]

I was there a few years ago-right after they opened. I enjoyed being in the San Ignacio area of Belize. The property was nice. It was convenient to a bus route into and out of town. The property was right off the main road. I thought that the food was quite expensive.

[omegaet]

How about Ka'ana? Who has been there recently?

j-s-2, we'll be in Belize at Ka'ana, the end of January. If the pre-arrival service is any indication of the total resort experience, then Ka'ana should be exceptional.

The reservation manager has gone out of her way to assist us (we needed to change our arrival date she jumped right on it). We wanted some additional details as to the needs of the school they support through Pack For A Purpose.....and she immediately responded.

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I just won the Cotton Tree Lodge auction down in Punta Gorda - just be aware of increased crime levels.
I have been reading many Belizean blogs from expats and locals and the #1 concern now is the huge increase in crime and the police corruption. I have not been to Belize since 2006 and it seems like the crime increase started in 2009 and has been getting worse. Home invasions - expat who lived there was just murdered in his home, break ins at hotels, muggings, quite a few rapes of American and European women reported in local Belize papers
We always rented a car and drove all around Belize but this time I don't think I will be doing that.
Also there is a state department advisory about travel from Belize to Tikal due to many tour buses being held up by armed robbers near the border.

Cotton Tree Lodge has fantastic reviews on Trip Advisor and it was a good deal so we are going in 2013 that is if there not a problem - got a call from the LL concierge saying there was a problem with part of the auction listing and they need to discuss - waiting for a call back from LL to see what the problem is!

If anyone has been to Belize recently would appreciate your take on the situation there.