Household Journey Journal To Belize

Need to get out and expertise one other nation together with your children with out having to journey far? Belize is a superb alternative!

Why We Selected Belize

We heard good issues about Belize from mates and journey web sites. Belize had direct flights from Atlanta (solely three hours), and the aircraft tickets have been pretty cheap. We have been offered. 

Getting Round

We rented a automotive on the mainland. The rental firm was on the airport and was very accommodating. We have been additionally capable of hire a automotive seat with the intention to reduce the quantity of bags we introduced. Instructions have been very simple. It took us about two hours to drive to our first resort, which is situated within the jungle, comparatively removed from the coast. The roads have been narrower than we have been used to, however adequately maintained. Even so, have drugs available when you or anybody you might be touring with are susceptible to automotive illness, because the roads can get bumpy. As well as, a few of the extra remoted temples and ruins require driving on grime roads that may be treacherous, particularly within the rain. 

In the event you plan to go to one of many a number of islands in Belize, you may fly or take a ship. We selected the cheaper route, which was a 90-minute boat journey. Nobody obtained seasick, even with a automotive sick inclined child, however the boat was crowded and loud. All of the passengers have been squished collectively. It was undoubtedly the extra adventurous route. We took the identical boat journey again when it was time for us to go to the airport. Then, we took a neighborhood taxi to the airport. 

What We Did

We spent the primary half of our journey on the mainland. We stayed in San Ignacio, which is about two hours from the capitol, Belize Metropolis. We spent most of our time visiting the close by Mayan ruins referred to as Xunantunic. We even ventured out within the jungle on grime roads to go to Caracol, one other of the Mayan temples. Once we arrived, we have been greeted by the sounds of howler monkeys screeching above our heads. Each of the Mayan ruins we visited have been self-guided with non-compulsory excursions out there at set occasions. We have been capable of climb to the highest of the temples and actually discover the positioning at our tempo.

We additionally visited the Belize Zoo which solely has native species from Belize. The animals on the zoo have been rescued and are rehabilitated of their pure habitats whereas offering a novel instructional expertise for guests. We completely loved our go to there.  

The second half of our journey we spent on Belize’s stunning Ambergris Key. We stayed in San Pedro; if that sounds acquainted, it’s most likely since you heard Madonna sing about it in her music “La Isla Bonita.” We rented a golf automotive to get across the island, which is what most individuals do. It was so enjoyable zipping round on it. We visited Secret Seashore, which isn’t so secret, the place we spent the day swimming in pristine blue tropical Caribbean waters. The eating places on the seashore serve you whilst you sit at tables within the water. It was fairly the expertise having our recent fruit juices delivered to us instantly within the ocean. The water was the proper depth for our youngsters — deep sufficient for them to dive underneath the water, however shallow sufficient for them to face. 

The spotlight by far was snorkeling round Hol Chan Marine reserve. We booked a guided snorkeling tour that took us out to the reserve, which is subsequent to the Belize Barrier Reef (the second largest reef on this planet). Our information offered snorkeling gear and fins. My husband and I took turns hanging out with the infant whereas the others snorkeled. Whereas snorkeling, we noticed a number of coral, tropical fish (massive and small), eels, sting rays, eagle rays, sea turtles, and extra. The tour additionally took us to Shark Ray Alley, which is an space the place fishermen used to wash their catch and now nurse sharks and stingrays inhabit the world. Our information put some chum within the waters and nurse sharks got here and we jumped in with them! It was actually secure. The sharks and rays weren’t fascinated by us in any respect.

For our final full day in Belize, we booked one other snorkeling tour that took us to Caye Caulker, the subsequent island over to hopefully snorkel with manatees. We have been actually fortunate and obtained to snorkel with one which was an expertise we’ll always remember. We additionally obtained to feed some large fish referred to as tarpon and see seahorses and even a puffer fish.

Our children nonetheless speak about this journey a pair years later! Have you ever visited Belize? I’d love to listen to about your expertise!