Caye Caulker of Bannister Island?

If you're looking to vacation independently in Belize (instead of on some kind of cruise ship), Caye Caulker is a much better destination than Bannister Island.

Bannister Island mostly caters to short term visitors on cruise ships and doesn't have as much of a local Belize feel.

Caye Caulker has access to all the activities you might want to do and has great local restaurants with fresh caught sea food.  It feels a world away from the mainland and taking a ferry from Belize City is a great part of the adventure.

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Tropic Air Adding Flights Between San Pedro/Belmopan/ Placencia

Tropic Air is adding flights.

In November, Tropic Air will increase the number of flights between San Pedro / Belmopan / Placencia.
More details here:
http://ambergristoday.com/content/stories/2011/october/11/tropic-air-announces-more-convenient-flights-belmopan

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Caye Caulker Map

When it comes to the islands of Belize, Caye Caulker is my favorite.  It has a local feel and is a great value compared to some of the more upscale and exclusive neighboring islands.  Its easy to get there straight from Belize City via a ferry that leaves throughout the day.  It is a destination that suits all budgets from cheap bungalows to exclusive hotels, and its a great place to base out of for fishing and exploring the coral reef.  It has a great night life and restaurants.  Its a tiny island and the roads are just hard packed white sand.  The only vehicles are a few golf carts and beach bikes.

Be sure to check out the bar at the end of the split where you can swim in the current as the tide moves in and out.

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Ferry from Placencia to Puerto Cortes, Honduras

A few years back I was able to take a ferry that left from the dock at the end of Placencia to Puerto Cortes, Honduras.  At the time I believe that it only left once a week.  I think that service stopped for a while.  If anyone has any current info on ferries from Placencia, Belize to either Roatan/Honduran Bay Islands or Puerto Cortes in Honduras please let me know.

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Xunantunich

If you're looking for an adventurous trek out to some Mayan ruins, Xunantunich is one of the best sites in Belize.  Getting there is half the fun, its best to drive yourself and it feels like you are truly venturing out into the Mayan jungle.

Here's an excerpt from a recent San Diego Reader article:

"If you’re driving, the turnoff to the park entrance is easy to pass by, as the highway is separated by the Mopan River that runs parallel to it. No bridge exists; the waterway must be navigated by a ferry that’s only large enough to transport one vehicle at a time. The water may be deep, but it’s not wide, and I must say I used all of my self control not to dive in and swim Indiana Jones–style to the other side."

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2011/nov/16/travel-xunantunich-ruins-belize/

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Beers of Belize

1. Belikin. This is the main beer in Belize. Its a surprisingly good and refreshing lager. If a place sells beer then it sells Belikin. 4.8% ABV

2. Belikin Premium. Like the name implies this is a slightly more expensive lager. Its mos

tly find in resort areas. 4.8% ABV

3. Belikin Stout. Comes in an identical bottle as standard Belikin; its identifiable by the blue bottle cap. Its a good stout and I actually prefer it to the lager. 6.5% ABV

4. Belikin Lighthouse Lager. Like the name implies, this is an even lighter version of Belikin. In my opinion its an inferior beer. It is a less common beer. 4.2% ABV

5. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This beer is actually brewed in Belize rather than Ireland. Foreign Extra can be found in Africa and the Caribbean. Its comparable to Belikin Stout but is a little more expensive and has a little more alcohol. It has the highest alcohol content of the beers of Belize. 7.5% ABV

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Belmopan

The Lonely Planet travel guide describes Belmopan with this:

Travelers arriving in Belize's capital are faced with the most basic of all existential questions. What am I doing here? Thankfully the town provides a ready answer: changing buses.

There really isn't too much to see in Belmopan unless you have an interest in administrative capitals. If you do find yourself there for a day it can be interesting to make a few friends by having a lunch of fish and rice and Marie Sharp's hot sauce on the picnic tables near the government offices with Belizean officials on lunch break.

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