Belize questions

[the wife]

I have seen some posts about the fishing in Belize. I am already thinking about
our winter vacation.
Can anyone recommend a place to stay on Ambergis Caye? (or caulker?)
We want to fish some, but not an entire fishing dominated week. So I think a fishing resort might be more than what we need.

Are there any fairly decent resorts/hotels that anyone knows of first hand?

[Count]

Hi,

You may want to contact Bill Kiene at Kiene's Fly Shop (www.kiene.com). He's fished and traveled this area for years and is the expert on Belize.

He'll also recommend you buy and study the Belize guide published by Moon Travel.

Good Luck!

Count

[ihatework]

I would really reccomend belize for a winter vacation with a fair amount of fishing thrown in. I go there with my girlfriend, who doesn't fish, and am able to find a good balance. I would urge you to go to caye caulker instead of ambergris-ambergris is pretty built up and touristy and more expensive-caulker is just as easy to get to and a neat place. PM me if you want reccos on places to stay and guides etc.

[LeeG]

Try Blackbird caye or Manta resort. They're not in the areas you mentioned but are good compromise resorts for fishing and non-fishing couples. This assumes the non-fishing person like snorkeling, kayaking, or diving.

[the wife]

There isn't a "non fishing' person. Just a wife who doesn't want to fish 7 days straight. 5 or 6 in a row, maybe. But not 7. And we'd just like to see more of the country than flats.
thanks for the advice.

[gammarus]

Check out Central and Southern Belize. Leave the tourist traps behind and go see the real country. I usually go to Hopkin's Village. There are plaenty of great places to stay and because you are on the mainland you are close to all the sightseeing action. You can combine river canoeing with Baby Tarpon fishing Take treks into the jungle. Go caving, see ruins, head to Guatemala for the day.......... It is a rough boat ride out to the reef and cayes but usually you will have them all to yourself.I can give you the number of a great guide if you send mail.

[twick]

i highly recommend mata chica. definitely on the pricier side of scale, but the sleeping in yerts, great service, guest limit of 24 made it a great experience. my wife and i only fished 2 of 7 days there, with rest of time spent kayaking, seeing mayan ruins, and just relaxing.

[daveb]

Be sure you (and your wife) know what you are getting into before making reservations to Belize. It is not the Bahamas or the Keys as far as infrastructure and amenities are concerned. Things like hot water and a/c (or electricity for that matter) that you expect at every hostelry in the US are not universally available. Check this forum:

http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Diving at the reef is a must. I wish I had had more time for inland and island exploring. Do at least one trip to Mayan ruins.
If you are the least adventurous you will have a great time.