Looks like this will finally be the year my wife and I get back out of the States to do a little warm water diving. I'm still convinced I want to go back to Bonaire, but we're also toying around with the idea of an all-inclusive in Belize...the added benefit of going there would be the trips into the rain forest and the Mayan ruins.

I've checked out a couple places on the internet, but I've become too wary of getting information anywhere other that BT.

I don't know that I can trade in the shore diving freedom for the rain forest, but I figure we should at least check it out.

Thanks!
Michael

Michael, the diving on the outer cayes (pronounced keys) in Belize is some amazing stuff. Seeing the rain forest and Mayan ruins is also amazing. The problem is how to get both. If you stay on the mainland the good diving is a ways away, if you stay on the cayes the mainland is to far. I would stick with one goal (either diving or rain forrest) or stay two different places.

As far as Belize is concerned for us, been there done that, never again.

My husband and I spent about a week on Ambergis Caye. I know we took a short trip to the Mayan sites in Guatamala. (It's been 10 years so my memory is hazy.) There was a day trip from Ambergis in to see Tikal. Worked out well. Can't remember how we booked it though. I really enjoyed it. Flying in to the airport surrounded by concertina wire and armed guards gave me pause, but it was worth it.

We did the Belize Aggressor a few years ago, it was some spectacular diving, though I think you waste a day diving the blue hole, many folks love it.

Seb I concur on what you said. What a waste of a dive.

We spent two weeks in Belize this last Feb. We loved it. However, we've never been to Bonare. We're coming in 25 days. We stayed on Ambergris Caye. Absolutely, don't do AI. Food is really reasonable and tasty. We rented a golf cart for two weeks and stayed at Mata Rocks. It was perfect for us. Next door to Banana Beach, which is where we ate breakfeast every morning. Sharks and eels on every single dive. Lots of walls and critters. It's not cheap to dive there, but by boat it was $50 a day for two tanks. We're looking forward to diving freedom. Freedom from going broke diving as much as we want not as much as our pocket book could afford. I'll post a comparison upon our return Feb. 25.

Michael, have you been to www.tripadvisor.com ? I was able to find some great information for a trip to the Yucatan last year. Not as good as BT but, you may get some information from their forums.

Thanks for all the input. I've also struggled with the hiking/diving issue. There are a lot of very interesting day trips into the rain forest, but that means much less time for diving. The diving is probably really nice, but that would mean no hiking.

In the end I think Bonaire is still the better bet. I can hike up Brandaris again to get that out of my system and then dive in the afternoon and evening.

Diane, I've checked out a couple resorts on Trip Advisor and one in particular had rave reviews from all but 2 of the 50 people who had posted about it. Maybe if we go we'll have to push it to 2 weeks so we have a week in the water and a week on land. Or we could do 2 weeks in Bonaire... Hmmmmmm...that's giving me happy thoughts.

Michael

I triple agree - I too have done the Belize Aggressor (actually that was our honeymoon) and that part was good and yes, the blue hole was a waste of a perfectly good dive. We wound up doing our Friday afternoon land trip at a place called Jaguar Paw - LOADS of fun - we did cave tubing - BRRR but a blast.

I have not gone diving in Belize but I have done the cave tubing and that was a total BLAST!!! I highly recommend it.

Patrick, it's so frustrating, some of the best diving I've ever done on that boat, and not able to do it so folks can go deep to look at a yellow rock.

Mara, we went to the zoo, and Altun Ha, which was way cool, but mosquitoville. We had dinner at some joint where I ordered the mixed seafood, and it was bigger than my head!

Maybe we should all organize a Belize Aggressor trip without the blue hole!


(Message edited by seb on January 17, 2007)

You got that right Seb.

Went to Belize right before christmas planned to dive but when got on land, We were side tracked by how poor the country was and spent most of the day driving around looking for a nice spot to even shop, spent a great deal of time in the cab listening to the driver tell us how poor the country is and no one there hardly works, Ect we were so wrapped up in that and shocked at the conditions we didnt dive opted for cozumel instead, we snorkeld in Costa Maya day before nothing to see where we went it was bad visb, dont know if it was just a bad spot not. I know we got beat up it was very ruff out there that day. But they had an awsum pool and bar and shopping near the dock so we stayed there all day and drank like fish. LOL

I would suggest Ambergrise Caye. I've stayed at Banana Beach and Aquamarine Suites. Aquamarina Suites I didn't care for but liked Banana Beach. Next time I will probably stay at Ramon's Village. The island is small and the roads are mostly sand. The main form of transportation is golf carts (get a gas one!) There is a very good message board www.ambergrisecaye.com The diving is better in Bonaire but sometimes you just need to see other places.