Seattle to Belize December 14, 2024
What a fun family trip!
Off on an early morning flight nonstop to Belize! It was
just 6 hours until we touch down. Going through customs was a long slow
process. Pretty sure we were the last plane behind everyone! It took us about
90 minutes which was a bummer given we were hoping to hit the road as quickly
as possible. Grabbed our car from Crystal car rental (would recommend). It wasn’t
a special car but the price was right and they were nice. Hit the road for a
two hour drive to San Ignacio. The road was very dark with giant speed bumps but
we made it to Cahal Pech Hotel. It sat on top of a hill and had a nice view of
the area. We had a nice bungalow with two bedrooms which is always nice after
being together of a plane. Feels good to stretch out. We had a nice dinner at
the hotel. I love an open air restaurant.
December 15, 2024
San Ignacio
Up early and grabbed a quick bite at our hotel before we met our guide for a cave and mayan tour to Xunanturnich. We met at a ferry where we drove on, it held two cars. We crossed a river where the guy used a hand crank to get us across. Andy was the only one allowed to be in the car. Assuming that was for safety reasons in case the crossing didn’t go as planned.
Drove up a hill a mile or so to Xunanturnich.
There was only one other family there. Kids and I don’t love the early hours,
but do love having the place to ourselves and it not being too hot yet. This is
one of the few Mayan ruins left where they let you climb it. We all went up
(even though I wasn’t loving the height and safety aspect of it). Beautiful
view from the top. We could see Peru just a mile away. Made it back down with
lots of help from Andy holding my hand. 
Back to the ferry where Hudson got the honor of cranking the ferry back to the other side.
Our guide was in the car with us which made for a very cozy
trip. Stopped for lunch at a local place where we had our first meal of stewed
chicken. Tasty and will definitely have more on this trip.
A good 90 minutes down the road we made it to the cave tubing place. First we had to hike in and cross a number of suspension bridges. Again, testing my abilities and willingness to risk my life. It was beautiful and very special to share with the family.
Made it to the caves where we grab
our tubes and hard hats and make our way into the water. You could see daylight
and the caves were more open then not. A fun time and a great day!
December 16, 2024
San Ignacio to Placencia
We had breakfast at a very local place. Our first time
trying fry jacks. Super good, but what's not to like about fried dough. 
Then we
went to the chocolate making class. It was interesting, but wouldn’t say it is
a must do. A quick walk around the farmer’s market and hit the road.
A three hour drive ahead of us. We stopped at the Blue Hole. It was OK, but again, not a must do. Stopped at Marie Sharps Hot Sauce Factory. They take you on a tour of them making the hot sauce and bottling area. Then finish in the store where you taste 20 different sauces. It was really fun!
Made it to Placencia! Staying at a cool place, local vibes and right on the beach…Belizian Nirvana.
A hammock on our porch and palm trees right outside our door. The boardwalk is just a block away. The boardwalk runs through the middle of the town and completely away from cars. I loved walking it. Fun to see the little shops and restaurants as you wander.
Our hotel neighbor showed us this little house on the backside
of another house. You would never know it was there unless you were shown. She
makes meat pies in the morning. We put in our order for the next day. After
seeing the conditions of the place I really felt like I was living life on the
edge again but going to keep my fingers crossed. 
Out to dinner that night at a place that was so good, again off
the beaten track and down a dark road. On our way home we had some of the best
gelato ever!
December 18, 2024
An early morning where we grabbed some local fry jacks and a
total shack that was hopping with locals. I think they were $2.00 and packed
with eggs, cheese and meat. Jumped on our boat that we hired for the day with
Rudy’s Adventure Tours. Rudy’s boys were our crew for the day. Made our way out
to the reef after about an hour. The boys fished along the way and caught some
beautiful barracuda and the kids dove down and grabbed their very own conch.
After a day of snorkeling we stopped at a private island where they prepared our fish they caught and there was a lobster pen where you can pick a lobster and they cook it fresh. It was a great lunch with an unbelievable view. The brothers joined us too.
Along the boardwalk there is a guy who does conch shell art
and also sells the shells. It is special to have a shell that you caught
yourself so we checked in with him and he agreed to clean them for us. He soaks
them in acid to clean any extra critters. They turned out beautifully!
Out to dinner after some down time. We got lobster and more
gelato! It was a really fun day.
December 19, 2024
Placencia to San Perdro/Ambergris Cayo
A quick stop at the fry jack shack and on the road back to
Belize City to catch a ferry to San Pedro Island. Dropped the car at Crystal
and they shuttled us over to the ferry. It was hot and majority of people were
locals. It felt like it was around a 90 minute ferry ride. I think most tourists fly which is more money
and faster.
Once there Rock’s Golf Cart Rental met us at the ferry. They had our golf cart ready to go. Traveling light really pays off when you are trying to fit four people and their luggage on a little cart. A quick stop at the convenience store where Rock’s is based out of to complete paperwork and we were off to Tres Cocos for our condo. Everyone drives golf carts here. I couldn’t even imagine trying to have a car. It was a village of carts, shops and restaurants. A very cool island.
We had a nice place on the water with hammocks on each patio, but the bug population was crazy! Had dinner at a great Belizian place with the best pupusas ever! The women sits on the sidewalk as you enter and you can watch her make them. I want to go back to Belize just for those pupusas! We had to finish the night with ice cream which ended being more money than our giant dinner with drinks.
December 20, 2024
San Ignacio
We got to sleep in and have a casual morning! It was really nice. Loaded up in the golf cart and hit the road. Stopped at a place called the Truck Stop. There are a number of different restaurants made out of shipping containers. They also have a pool made out of one and a giant screen tv to watch the games. I really liked the place and would go back for sure.
December 21, 2024
Back to an early morning. We booked a day with Eugene Bull.
He can be found on Facebook and he was great! He picked us up at the pier in
front of our condo. We did a little fishing and caught more. We had amazing snorkeling
where we saw so many beautiful fish, turtles, manta rays, a manatee who was giving
himself a bath along with 15 lobster and
around 8 conch. It was amazing and the kids specialized in hunting the conch
while Andy and Eugen went for the lobsters.
Also, stopped at Shark Ally….really pushing it for me to get in the water here given I’m afraid of fish. Sharks were circling us everywhere along with sting rays. We pulled up to the Lazy Lizard on Caye Caulker. It is a restaurant with a dock, a place to climb up and jump off into the water and a little beach. Can’t beat the vibes at these places. They cooked our lobsters for us along with two sides each for $10 per person. Loved it!
Also, Eugene made us the best ceviche from the conch we caught. It was packed with conch and we loved it, so good! This is one of my favorite days ever with the family and will be hard to beat!
December 22, 2024
Andy found a beautiful hotel on the beach that offers day passes. It was great, we had access to the pool, lounged on the beach in a cabana and could use paddle boards and hobie cat. The guys sailed a ton and Saylor enjoyed a swing in the water. I popped back and forth between the pool and beach. End of the day Hudson took me for a nice sail. A special moment for me. 💕
December 23, 2024
A chill day. We explored the island a bit. Had an amazing
breakfast at Estel’s by the Sea. They have barbeque on Sundays that was tasty
and the best fry jacks that we had on the trip. Went to a couple
bars/restaurants that are built on piers out over the water. Played games and
took it all in.
December 24, 2024
Seattle Bound!
Very early morning and dark outside. Loaded up the golf cart and off to the ferry.
A rough way to end such an amazing trip.
Left the keys in the cart and boarded up the ferry. I would love to come back….soon!
Flew to LA and then off to Seattle. We had an hour lay over
to clear customs and make it to our flight. We were worried but made it no
problem.
LOVED OUR TRIP AND REALLY WANT TO GO BACK!!!
Got home just in time for Christmas!
A few side notes to keep for future trips here:
Lobster Fest could be fun, but HOT
Crab races at Nauti Crab on Tuesday nights
Drink and Drive: can go to drive in on your golf carts.
The Hut is a cool little restaurant on a barge where you can see crocodiles
Moon Bar at Mangata Villas. Adult only, best pizza and can use pool, paddleboards and kayaks, plus drive in movie nights on Fridays.
Ol Tacklebox, delicious and open late.
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