Overview
Located along the Caribbean Sea, Belize is full of breathtaking things to explore, including 400 cayes along the coastline and the majestic Maya Mountains. Belize offers rain forests, savannas and lush green interiors filled with plant and animal life, with a large variety of orchids and birds. And don't forget the Mayan ruins that dot the landscape, from the smaller burial mounds to the large ruins of Caracol, these are worth a visit.
Hotels
The Great House Inn: Sam spent the night in the Fort George neighborhood of Belize City, just a stone's throw from the Caribbean Sea. She chose this restored colonial mansion, which has been turned into an inn. The rooms are spacious, with breezy verandas. Family-owned, the inn is within walking distance of Fort Street Tourism Village (see entry below).
Web: www.greathousebelize.com
Xanadu Island Resort: Instead of the regular hotel experience, Samantha's choice for accommodations on Ambergris Caye was an idyllic beachside setting called Xanadu Island Resort. This place really is paradise! If offers 19 condos that range in size from cozy lofts to three-bedroom suites, accommodating between two and six people. The condos include full-size kitchens and AC! Plus, you have the perks of daily maid service. In addition to a tropical beachside pool setting, the resort offers complimentary bicycles and kayaks, and can arrange any type of ground or water adventure tour.
Web: www.xanaduresort-belize.com
Shopping
Fort Street Tourism Village: Fort Street Tourism Village is the primary port for all international travelers arriving in Belize City. Designed to cater to cruise-ship passengers on day visits to Belize, Fort Street Tourism Village is composed of terminals packed with duty-free shopping (only cruise-ship passengers on cruise ships are eligible for duty-free discounts) and a wide variety of colorful restaurants and bars. Once you disembark from your ferry, a host of tour operators and guides can sign you up for a variety of eco-tourism activities.
Web: www.mybelizeadventure.com and www.travelbelize.org
Caribe Creations on Ambergis Caye: Pack light when you head to Ambergris Caye - things are pretty relaxed on the island. If you do want to pick something up, Samantha discovered just the place - Caribe Creations. This store's slogan is: "From cloth to clothes in 24 hours." Yes, you can pick the fabric and the pattern from the store's selection, and within 24 hours you'll be wearing your island outfit.
Web: www.caribecreations.com
Food/Restaurants/Bars
The Smoky Mermaid Restaurant & Bar: You don't have to walk far for a meal when you're staying at The Great House Inn; in the lower garden, you'll find the tranquil courtyard setting of the Smoky Mermaid. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it's always a popular spot.
Web: www.smokymermaid.com
The Wet Lizard: While visiting the Fort Street Tourism Village, Samantha stopped for a cool drink at the Wet Lizard. Located between terminals three and four, this colorful and lively restaurant/bar has a second-floor veranda that overlooks Belize City Harbor. It's the perfect spot for sitting back and enjoying a cold rum-punch drink (house specialties include the Wet Lizard and the Iguana Stud). The Wet Lizard also has a variety of tour options available.
Web: www.thewetlizard.com
Nerie's Restaurant: Samantha's friend Javier Molina took her to this local lunch spot for some true Belizean cuisine. Family owned and operated, Nerie's serves up traditional foods like rice and beans, and beans and rice (there is a difference). Sam got adventurous and tried one of the daily specials too - gibnut (a rodent that roams parts of Belize).
Rick's Hangar Café: Before her flight to Ambergris Caye, Sam stopped at Belize Municipal Airport for a quick cold beer at a very unusual airport lounge - Rick's Hangar Café. Just steps from the airport tarmac, it's an open-air, outdoor bar with views of the water.
The Pier Lounge: Place your bet! Situated right on the beach underneath the Spindrift Hotel, this local hangout features a very unusual weekly event - "The Chicken Drop." Samantha got the lowdown on the game. First, you wager on a number written on a wooden board. A chicken is then placed on the board, and the number where the chicken's poop lands wins the pot. The holder of the "lucky" number usually has to clean up the mess. The Chicken Drop is held every Wednesday night, starting at 6 p.m.
Sights/Landmarks/To Do
Discovery Expeditions Belize Ltd.: Sam met up with the folks at Discovery Expeditions for cave tube riding down the Caves Branch River. For nearly 30 years, Discovery Expeditions has been a full-service destination and guide company specializing in eco-tourism services. They can book anything from an afternoon of snorkeling to an entire vacation package. They also offer transportation and professional, friendly guides. Samantha's guide for her cave tube adventure was Peter Herrera.
Web: www.discoverybelize.com
Astrum Helicopters: Sometimes the best way to cover a lot of ground is from the air. With the help of Discovery Expeditions, Samantha cruised the sky with Astrum Helicopters for an incredible flight over Belize. Untouched, windy rivers, unspoiled beaches and deep caves are just a few of the sights Sam was treated to in this helicopter ride.
Web: www.astrumhelicopters.com
Tropic Air: Samantha took a scenic flight on Tropic Air, from Belize City to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Founded in 1979, Tropic Air is one of Belize's largest airlines. They have regularly scheduled flights to the islands from Belize City, or you can arrange a special charter. As Samantha found out, if the plane is full, you might even be able to sit in the co-pilot's seat. It's the best way to see the islands from the air!
Carts Belize: Golf carts are the Caye's most popular mode of transportation, and the most fun. Samantha cruised around on her "monster truck" golf cart from Carts Belize. You can rent by the hour, day, week or month. Accommodations/rental packages are available in association with Xanadu Island Resort.
Web: www.cartsbelize.com
Ambergris Caye (San Pedro): A short 15-minute plane ride from Belize City, Ambergris Caye is the largest and most populated of Belize's Cayes (islands). This caye is known for the small, bustling town of San Pedro, as well as its beautiful beaches and snorkeling.
Web: www.ambergriscaye.com
Alfonse Graniel (Local Dive Guide): Thanks to the help of the staff at Xanadu Island Resort, Samantha met up with one of the best snorkeling guides on the island, Alfonse Graniel. The locals call him "Lil Alfonse." Samantha headed out to Belize's barrier reef, the second largest in the world, for a little snorkeling - with the sharks! Alfonse has been interacting with all types of fish and sharks since he was a little kid. Whether you're a novice or an experienced snorkeler, you can sign up for day or night snorkeling trips. Samantha overcame her fear of snorkeling and even hugged a nurse shark!
Web: www.abergriscaye.com/alfonso/index.html
Marina's Superstore: Within walking distance from her condo at Xanadu Island Resort, Sam stopped into this neighborhood market to stock up on groceries. She also tried a sip of beer with a bit of local spice.
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