Belize (March 2003)

(including Belize City, Ambergris Caye, and Tikal, Guatemala)

• Day 1 (March 2, 2003): Philadelphia to Belize City on USAirways www.usairways.com
  Radisson Fort George (Radisson Hotels) www.radisson.com/belizecitybz
  Link to my review
  Lunch at Fort Street Guest House Link to my review
  Dinner at Chateau Caribbean Link to my review
• Day 2 (March 3, 2003): Belize City to Tikal, Guatemala
  Radisson Fort George
  Dinner at Smoky Mermaid Link to my review
• Day 3 (March 4, 2003): Cave Tubing at the Jaguar Paw Jungle Lodge www.jaguarpaw.com
  Radisson Fort George (Radisson Hotels)
  Dinner at Harbour View Link to my review
• Day 4 (March 5, 2003): Belize City to Ambergris Caye
  Belizean Shores www.belizeanshores.com
  Link to my review
  Dinner at Buena Vista at Captain Morgan's Link to my review
• Day 5 (March 6, 2003): Ambergris Caye, San Pedro
  Belizean Shores
  Dinner at Capricorn Link to my review
• Day 6 (March 7, 2003): : Ambergris Caye, Snorkeling Trip
  Belizean Shores
  Lunch at Sweet Basil Link to my review
  Drinks at the Palapa Bar Link to my review
  Dinner at Rendezvous Link to my review
• Day 7 (March 8, 2003): : Ambergris Caye
  Belizean Shores
  Lunch at Tamarind at Journey's End Link to my review
  Dinner at Senor Croc's Cantina Link to my review
• Day 8 (March 9, 2003): : Belize City to Philadelphia on USAirways

We stayed at the Radisson and took day trips to Tikal, Guatemala. We also went cave tubing and hiking in the jungle at the Jaguar Paw Lodge. Lastly, on March 5, 2003, we flew to Ambergris Caye for some relaxation on the beach at Belizean Shores, where we also snorkeled.

Tikal 1-Day Tour: On March 3, 2003, we took a one-day trip to Tikal through Tropic Air, which cost about $200 per person for the complete trip (including flight, bus transportation, entrance fees, tour guide, and lunch). The flight left about 8:30 am from Belize City, and arrived in Flores, Guatemala about 45 minutes later. From the airport, a guide and driver met us and transported us approximately 30 minutes to the archeological site. We spent about 3 hours touring Tikal, which provided us with enough time for a broad overview. Our return flight left around 4:00 pm, and we were relaxing back in our hotel in Belize City by 5:30 pm. We had previously been to Chichen Itza in Mexico, and Tikal is so much more amazing!

Cave Tubing at Jaguar Paw Lodge: We debated about staying at Jaguar Paw Lodge, but we were glad that we chose not to. Instead, we only visited it as part of our cave tubing excursion. The grounds were nice, but it was very isolated (no nearby hotels or restaurants). Lunch at Jaguar Paw was included in our excursion, and the food was good. The pool area is small, but pretty, and we were treated to seeing a large boa constrictor near the pool eating another snake! The lodgings are rather hidden in the foliage.