Belize - What to Expect

Belize! I lived here for like 1 1/2 years for medical school. We lived in Los Lagos. Ladyville is on the out-skirts of Belize City. Its an okay kind of place. I would check out the Baboon Sanctuary, The Belize Zoo, Old Belize, and go Cave Tubing. All you gotta do is ask any local, they will let you know how and where to go. People are very friendly there. You can exchange your U.S. dollars easily for Belizian dollars with anyone. Much better exchange rate than at banks and stores! Make sure you check out those Mayan Ruins if you can. They are beautiful. Plus, if you get a chance, take a propeller plane from the airport, or go to downtown Belize City and take a motor boat to Caye Caulker and San Pedro (islands of the coast of Belize), trust me, you won't be sorry you went. Beautiful islands full of snorkeling, water skiing, diving, adventure sports, and much more. Don't forget to get your hair braided! Also, make sure not to miss an opportunity to go clubbing at the Princess's club in Belize City. Plus, make sure you try the national favorite "rice beans chicken!!!!!!!!!!!"

For eastern Belize, this is a great place to get back and recharge. There are all the facilities you may need from laundry and internet to french bakeries that serve pizza (I know, I didn't expect it either). You can get to an ATM here, but take your time. The booths air conditioned. There's a neat little outdoor market, but it stinks of fish so get there early in the day.

Orange Walk is in northern Belize and most people use it as a jumping off point to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. This is a fun day trip as you get to the ruins via a 2 hour boat ride in which you a great chance of seeing crocodiles, various birds and various lizards. The ruins are impressive and there is quite a bit of wild life there. Orange walk is a good place just to hang out for a day or two. Like most other cities in Belize, most of the restaurants serve Chinese food.

First off, you MUST visit Ruby's and get some Salbutes (SAL-BOO-TAYES). They are awesome AND cheap. They are located on the main drag just north of the airport right in a strip mall that is adjacent to the beach. Tell them Jeff sent you and they will have no idea what you are talking about.

"The Shack". As far as I know this place has no name. Tiffany and I were looking for a local place to try out the local food. We asked a couple of people and finally got what we were looking for. From the main part of town, head south towards the airport, hang a right to pass the north end of the airport, go one block and hang a left. There is literally a shack on your right hand side that had 3 generations of women cooking the best belizean food! We asked what they had -- did understand a whole lot, so we said give us one of everything and 2 fantas. The bill came to $15 US.

Orange Walk Town is a must destination for Northern Belize - and you should see Northern Belize. Skip the tourist areas and see the country! This is a great town with a lot to see. Between the Banquitas House of Culture and the shopping along the Corozal Road, there is plenty to do for a day or three. It is also a great stepping off point for Laminai, Corozal, Progresso and other places.
Stay at the St. Christopher on Main Street. Avoid the hotels on Victoria Street (the Corozal Road). Eat breakfast in the square from on of the carts. Dinner on Victoria - try the salbutes or you can always have Chinese!
The locals are friendly and easygoing. Keep you money close and you'll have no problems.

Had a great time here. Try Fido's for seafood and also Mango's down the road. I also love the Johnny Cakes that you can get on the streets.

independence is okay, but the real place to be is accross the bay in placentia. friendly people and relaxing atmosphere. lacking in tourists as well.

Beautiful place to walk and see the sites. Be wary of the beggars. The people are nice though. I went on a cruise and they took us out to tube in a river out side the city in the mountains. The country was just simply beautiful. The "cave tubing" was fun but quite a hike up to the point where you start.

San Pedro is part of Ambergris Caye in Belize. It is also part of a chain of cayes that are not too far off the Atlantic coast of Belize. Cayes (pronounced "keys") are scattered throughout the Cariibbean sea, making it a wonderful journey for those with a sense of adventure and sailing. This is a beautiful island to visit and the people are super nice, mellow and helpful. While tourism mainly take over this tiny caye, you can enjoy wondeful food, music and strolls along the small beach. There is also the opportunity for some of the best diving (day or night) and snorkeling in the entire Western hemisphere. Protected by a natural barrier reef, the island has wonderful sea life that is breathtaking. A true diver's paradise.