This journey to Belize felt like our first entry into touring with the children, not trip. We didn’t “backpack” (solely carry-ons, although), we stayed in nicer inns (not bunk room hostels), and we had a completely deliberate agenda (by yours actually), however the spirit of “journey” was there. We moved round, noticed a lot of the nation, and my god, we got here again with tales and quite a lot of hard-wired household connections. Fifteen years in the past, Brian and I, broke and depressed through the recession, backpacked round Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand for 9 weeks. We noticed {couples} touring with their infants/toddlers, shirking all regular expectations, bedtimes, or routines in alternate for experiencing the world. We naively promised that will be us. After which…we went again to life in LA, circa 2009 – I began the weblog, gained a actuality present, had two youngsters, purchased a home (or two), had a pair psychological breakdowns, pandemic, and landed in a farm exterior of Portland. For sure, we’re not these folks. However this journey felt so academic, cultural, and adventurous (which I feel is my trip pleased place now that the children aren’t toddlers – see extra on that beneath).
Why Belize?
Extremely beneficial by just a few faculty pals, Belize was described as a “Higher Costa Rica” (Unattainable! I take offense!). Why? Nicely, it has the tropical climate and rain forest, however as well as, the Caribbean waters + Belize Barrier Reef + caves, and Mayan ruins. I’m listening. Primarily, simply a lot to do, be taught, and see, however sufficiently small that we might actually see the entire nation in 10 days. What we didn’t know til we arrived was that English is the official language (it was The British Honduras til the Eighties) they usually take American {dollars}. It’s far more African/Caribbean than it was Spanish, which we didn’t know (regardless of Mexico being its neighboring nation). It’s extremely straightforward to journey and felt actually protected. That’s all to say if you’re eager about going to Hawaii since you don’t need to cope with a language barrier, forex alternate, then Belize could possibly be for you. It wasn’t as inexpensive as some nations in Central America, however definitely extra inexpensive than Hawaii, and should you’re in Texas or Georgia/Florida, it takes lower than 4 hours to fly direct.
I did a ton of analysis, learn so many opinions on Reddit and Journey Advisor, and I deliberate the hell out of this journey (and did a implausible job if I do say so myself). In reality, a few the native guides requested me how we have been capable of finding the three greatest locations to go to in Belize. Reply: hours of Saturday morning analysis. I wished three distinct cities/experiences. And boy, did we get them. So let’s get into the highlights.
Caye Caulker – A Tiny Island, Ambergris Caye’s Little Sister
We landed in Belize Metropolis and took a jumper flight to Caye Caulker (10 minutes, 10 folks), which is a tiny island close to the reef. No vehicles, simply golf carts, naked toes, sand, and quite a lot of backpackers and heat locals. We opted for Caye Caulker over Ambergris Caye as a result of it was the smaller, much less touristy route, and admittedly, I attempt my best possible to keep away from crowds/site visitors on trip, so I used to be nervous about that (however seems Ambergris Caye shouldn’t be that crowded both, simply extra established and better finish + vehicles).
IT WAS RAD. Whereas it’s “touristy”, certain, we met so many guides that lived there from beginning, and nary a McDonald’s in sight. Simply quite a lot of backpackers and households like ours who’re down for journey. It’s 3 miles lengthy and you may eat your dinner in a swing that sits within the heat Caribbean water whereas later feeding/petting sting rays at sundown (to not point out the tarpon feeding). We stayed at El Ben, which was nice, however too distant from city for us (throughout The Cut up, which required a 10-minute stroll and a tiny 3-minute boat trip). Subsequent time we’ll keep on the town. (El Ben was very peaceable and quiet, nice thatched model rooms, AC with good bedding – it was nice, simply additional than we wished to be – superior honeymoon spot).
The Snorkeling – Out Of This World
Among the best locations on this planet to snorkel, alongside an amazing barrier reef. We booked a full day with Caveman (implausible and run by locals). The spotlight was the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is a break within the reef the place all of the marine life is available in from the ocean to feed on the bay life – we noticed dolphins, households of manatees, sting rays, enormous colleges of fish, nurse sharks – it was WILD. We simply appeared down and noticed all of them crossing the “road” proper beneath us, coming in to feed. BLOWN AWAY.
Shark Alley can also be a should. If you’re doing a extra personal group tour I feel you’ll be able to skip among the different areas for these two (additionally we received burnt out after 5 hours – our PNW pores and skin may be very delicate and I felt prefer it was my full time job to placed on sunscreen which then we needed to wait to get into the water for eco functions, and so forth). Oh, however afterwards we sat in swings within the teal Caribbean water and sipped on drinks.
The Cut up is a dope place to hold. You don’t want greater than 2 full days/nights in Caye Caulker, however should you keep longer, there are quite a lot of boat excursions to different islands. Oh, and the Nice Blue Gap (a well-known heritage website) is extra for diving than snorkeling, and is a 2-hour trip out to it, so what we have been advised is that skip it except you might be diving.
San Ignacio – The Rain Forest
The Caribbean seashore is GREAT, however should you can keep longer in Belize, it’s a must to get to the rain forest – and Belize is known for its caves and Mayan ruins. YOU CANNOT MISS THE ATM CAVE. It’s mainly a 4 mile lengthy cave re-discovered within the 80s that homes centuries, millennial! of Mayan sacrifices which can be properly preserved – actual Indiana Jones shit.
It’s difficult (7 hours together with the drive, hike, and cave, many cave swims as much as your neck, squeezing between rocks all miles contained in the earth) and but the payoff is so WORTH IT. You may’t watch movies on-line and even see good pictures as a result of they aren’t allowed inside, so we nearly skipped it (it’s additionally costly, like $70 per particular person). I don’t need to spoil what you’ll see, and I’m certain your expertise will depend on how good your information is – ours was nice. It needs to be guided, BTW, and solely 70 excursions a day – and it’s doubtless going to shut to the general public within the subsequent 10 years because of put on and tear on the artifacts. I rank it 15/10. We realized a lot fascinating historical past in regards to the Mayan tradition, and seeing it with your personal eyes actually imprints. Since there have been no pictures or movies, we had the children make a video describing it, they usually retained a lot insane details about Mayan faith, form of heads, and so forth. Oh, and I feel the youngest you could possibly be is 7/8 – Elliot was by FAR the youngest at 9 years previous, and she or he was nice, however a lot youthful, we’d have been nervous. Def not for everybody.
We stayed at Chaa Creek resort, which is likely one of the first rainforest resorts (30 years previous) and it’s fantastically run. I used to be afraid it will be slightly fundamental, drained, previous, however it was fantastic. Scrumptious meals, nice service, and a billion guided excursions (so no must lease a automobile – however the guided excursions aren’t low cost). Wildly family-friendly and for all ages. Pool, spa, horseback using, butterfly farm, and fantastic thatched roof model rooms which can be quiet and clear. Not low cost however not loopy luxurious – correctly priced for the way good it was IMHO. We did a 5-mile canoe journey to city, hiked the ruins (you don’t must see a couple of IMHO), and one afternoon we gave the children again their treasured gadgets so we might get massages. ABSOLUTE HEAVEN. Stay music, scrumptious N/A and pleased hour drinks. 10/10.
Hopkins Village
To spherical out our tour, I booked us a beachside room in Hopkins Village, a fishing village that’s quaint, quiet, and really particular, stuffed with Guanaese African influences (who have been exiled and settled right here). This got here on the finish of quite a lot of bodily journey and felt like a real VACATION. The seashore is teal and clear, and the sand is vibrant white. And it has a really low inhabitants. Not quite a lot of large motion, so anticipate to take day journeys, chill, or simply hang around on their extremely memorable dock bar with hammocks. We had an enormous “down day” right here – biked to lunch, learn collectively on hammocks, watched a film – simply ate and drank and chilled. The seashore was unbelievable (however windy, undecided how regular that’s).
We stayed at The Lodge at Jaguar Reef, which was nice and on the extra luxurious aspect, however not pretentious. Felt a bit honey-moony however fairly darn nice for households, too. We didn’t get within the water a lot (there have been quite a lot of jellyfish and once more the wind was excessive), and I felt that the restaurant was a bit too fancy for the vibe, however that is the resort that the children cherished essentially the most (I feel as a result of it gave “fancy”). We favored it and would return, however 8/10 due to the wind and the oddness of the restaurant (seating occasions, costly, and oddly far aside tables). The dock bar/restaurant was a 20/10 and sure one of many extra memorable locations of our lives (thus why we’d return). We spent hours on the market all studying collectively within the hammocks and leaping off the highest (not me, did it as soon as and was TERRIFIED).
Ended With The Greatest Hike
We pressured the children out on an enormous hike on our second-to-last day (like I mentioned, Hopkins is fairly gradual), it was intense and paid off. We did the Antelope Falls hike in Mayflower Bocawina Nationwide Park. It was fairly tough (wanted ropes lots, very vertical, typically mountaineering, youngsters would have complained the entire time had we not bribed them). However they have been completely capable of do it, and the payoff was this unbelievable waterfall swimming gap on the prime that felt secret (and nobody else was there). We requested them on the prime if it was price it, they usually each reluctantly mentioned, YES. So particular. Carry a ton of water and snacks – it took us 3-4 hours.
Good To Is aware of:
- Like Disneyland/World, if you’re solely going to Belize as soon as in your youngsters’ childhood, it is best to wait til they’re 8, the age they will fortunately snorkel and do the ATM cave and perceive the damage tales. It’s completely toddler-friendly, however you can be lacking out on among the greatest “rides”.
- Our meals at Chaa Creek was superior as a result of they’ve their very own farm, however the remainder of the journey was rice and meat-friendly. Good for certain, we have been by no means bummed, however don’t anticipate natural or a big selection (Costa Rica meals impressed us tremendously – couldn’t get a nasty meal). Embrace the Creole tradition (fried complete fish) and tropical drinks 🙂
- There are much more inexpensive family-friendly resorts than the place we went – extra rustic and completely enjoyable. Brian and I could be bougie, so we wished nicer locations to remain to make sure we slept properly and will stroll locations since we didn’t have a automobile, however if you’re on extra of a funds, this resort and others have been extremely beneficial and possibly extra charming. The Jaguar Reef is admittedly on the dearer aspect (though a beachside 2-bedroom condominium with an enormous kitchen and tiny plunge pool for $600 felt completely affordable to us).
- We employed the inns to switch us (a service they promote as straightforward, and it actually was), which was superior, however it added up for certain. The nation is ready up for tourism, so it’s straightforward. The guides are nice, and we realized a lot from these lengthy drives with the drivers. I requested all of them my burning questions, “What’s elementary faculty like? Can homosexual folks get married right here? How do they really feel about People retiring right here? Why are there so many Mennonites and Amish right here? Do you watch American information? What do folks right here consider Trump?, and so forth. I used to be met with such openness, they usually have been all so grateful for my curiosity (thus me persevering with to ask…I learn the room). Pay attention, I’m not going to a different nation with out my youngsters understanding the precise tradition and discovering out that the notion of America is all the time fascinating and mind-expanding. We realized a lot about Mayan tradition and even the difficult historical past of Guatemala (bordering nation). The guides within the tourism trade take quite a lot of pleasure of their information, and we have been so grateful for it.
- Carry American money (in 5’s, 10’s, and 20’s). Which brings me to tipping – As a water/bartender from the ages of 15 – 25, I’m a large believer within the energy of tipping. That bump from 15 – 25% merely makes your day/life/lease. In case you can, tip lots (20-30%), it might actually make such an enormous distinction for folks.
We actually cherished Belize and would completely return – A stable 10/10 for an journey, nature-based trip (and in addition GREAT for teams of pals and {couples} – you may also simply lie out and drink all day within the water ought to that please you). Folks ask on a regular basis which nation/journey we favored extra, Costa Rica or Belize, and I’d say we cherished them equally for various causes. A bit extra journey/historical past in Belize, however we most popular the meals and eco-friendly tradition in Costa Rica. Each are very nature-based and intensely pleasant to vacationers. We really feel so so so grateful to have the ability to do that with our children and got here again with unbelievable household recollections that are actually a part of our shared historical past. Y’all Central American, FTW 🙂 Ask questions within the feedback, and I’ll do my greatest to reply! (P.S. I used Reddit and TripAdvisor a ton, too.)
Additionally, I’m a TERRIBLE journey blogger, with simply janky, completely unedited iPhone photographs, however hopefully it helps you if you’re ever considering of going there. I can’t suggest this family-friendly Belize trip sufficient! 🙂
