Hi!

These forums are so helpful; thanks for all the great information!

I'll be traveling to Belize for 8 days as a solo traveler, beginning this Saturday the 16th. My primary interests are swimming and snorkling; experiencing the local culture, including the Garifuna culture; and (hopefully) seeing some birds. Accordingly, I'm currently planning to spend 4 or 5 days on Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, 2 or 3 days in Hopkins, and my final night in Belize City (so that I can see some of the Commonwealth Day festivities before my afternoon flight home).

I know there's a hostel (Pedro's) on Ambergris and another (Tina's) on Caye Caulker, either of which would probably be great for a solo traveler. But I'd be thrilled about any other suggestions you could offer me.

Thanks so much!
Dan

If you go out to Tobacco Caye, You can snorkel/swim right from the shore. Its like heaven. You can get there from Dangriga, but we got there directly from Hopkins.

Forget about Ambergris and Belize City. Spend your time on Caye Caulker, in Hopkins and a couple of nights on Tobacco Caye as Bert suggested. You can get out to Tobacco if you are in Dangriga early because the boats leave generally around 9AM. You can inquire at the Riverside Restaurant. If you are staying in Hopkins you can get a bus early enough to get there in time. If you go to Caye Caulker last you can wake up there on your last day and be in Belize City in plenty of time to see the festivities then make your flight in the afternoon. This will save you from a night spent in the city. Have Fun!

Dan,

Sounds like a good plan, except not enough time!

I wouldn't say 'forget about Ambergris'. Ambergris & Caye Caulker are quite different, and any good guide book will describe the differences. Only you will know which one you prefer, and there's only one way to ascertain that - visit them both.

There's a Garifuna museum in Dangriga.

If you stay in Belize City, here are a few suggestions for accommodation:
Three Sisters Guesthouse,
Freddie's Guesthouse,
Bayview Guesthouse, http://www.belize-guesthouse-hotel.com/.

How are you getting around?

Thanks for the great suggestions!

Greg, that's a really great idea about going to Hopkins first and then Caye Caulker last and saving the night in Belize City. I had been thinking of doing it the other way around at first, but your suggestion makes much more sense.

Also, thanks everyone for the Tobacco Caye suggestion. It sounds great!

In terms of how I'm getting around, MisterB, it will all be by public transport; I will not be renting a car. I'll probably catch a bus from Belize City to Dandriga and then the bus from Dandriga to Hopkins Jct (my understanding is that there's a hike of several miles from the road to Hopkins, but that perhaps it's possible to get a ride?) I see there are also regular flights between Belize City and Dandriga, so I guess I'll see how I feel when I arrive and what time it is when I clear passport control and make a decision accordingly. I'll expect I'll fly between Dandriga and Belize-Municipal and then catch a water taxi to Caye Caulker, although I suppose flying is an option too. Again, I'll have to play it by ear. And of course, I welcome all suggestions.

Thanks!

I asked about transportation because it's a long bus ride on old school buses to get to Dangriga. On the bright side, it is a very scenic trip from Belmopan down to Dangriga.

So, you might consider bussing one way and flying the other way. Can also be great to fly one way to the islands and water taxi the other way.

I have taken a bus to Hopkins from Dangriga, but that was years ago and there have been some changes to the bus system here. There probably still is a bus from Dangriga. Ask at the terminal in Dangriga or any locals.

Don't know if you've found this site already; it has a lot of up to date information about getting around Belize:
http://belizebus.wordpress.com/

There used to be a bus from Dangriga to Hopkins around noon and again around 4PM. This may still be the case. I suppose you can get a bus south when your plane arrives in Belize and get as far as you are able before you get tired. Or you can fly to Dangriga. You have more options to the cutoff but you can't always depend on a ride to Hopkins and it is a long walk. Anyhow, you can fly when time is a factor and bus it when you have more time then money.

Hi, there is a bus that departs Dangriga and goes right to Hopkins at 10:30 and again at 5:30. You do not catch this bus at the normal bus station, you catch it at the riverside. From the public bus station, walk North towards the river. You will see a chinese grocery on the left hand corner called Price Is Right. Go left down that road and you should see the bus parked along the river. There is a good bar called Bleacher right there to sit and wait if you need to. Other wise you will be at the Hopkins Junction waiting for a ride into Hopkins.
Good luck.....

Or, if you go to Tobacco Caye firtst, you can ask the boat drive to bring you to Hopkins instead, paying an extra 10US though.
Tony

Thanks for the info, Tony!

Is there a boat that goes from Hopkins to Tobacco Caye, or would I have to go through Dangriga? Thanks.