Head directly to Tobacco Caye and the Tobacco Caye Lodge. You will not regret it.

We went to Belize exclusively to dive. I would certainly suggest it if you have the funds. We went to Ambergris Caye, which is known for great diving. The only downside is that it is a little expensive on this caye. You will be looking at about $65 / day for diving if you have your own equipment. If you can afford it I would recommend it.

We spent time on the Belize River and eventually ended up in Altun Ha, site of some beautiful Mayan ruins. Here’s a link to some other ruins in the country: http://www.belizeit.com/mayaruin.htm. I highly recommend seeing one of the sites on your trip.

I agree with bcurren; I went to Ambergris Caye also, and solely for the diving. We stayed at Exotic Caye Resort which is quiet, has a nice little private beach, and is close enough to town to walk. Diving and accomodations are a bit pricy but you can find very good deals at the local restaurants. If you dive and you’re going to be in Belize, you really should try to go, it’s worth it!

Caye Caulker – ok, it’s been 12 years since I’ve been there but it was quiet, laid-back and rather cheap! A backpacker’s heaven!

I discovered Belize on a bping trip, and I stayed for 6 weeks! I found that there are expensive places not realistic for travelers (Ambergris Caye, San Pedro) and inexpensive AMAZING spots. Here are my suggestions.

Caye Caulker is by far my favorite place in Belize, it is unspoiled by the resorts and is the friendliest place in the world. My friend Tage owns a dive shop and restaurant called “Hicaco Tours” and will totally help you find a place to stay innexpensively on the island. (http://www.hicacotour.com/) Tell him angie sent you. You are looking at between $10-$25 a night, depending on where you stay.

To get to caye Caulker you take a water taxi from Belize City which is about $17 bucks each way. In Belize city you can catch a bus to San Ignacio, which is in the rainforest. One the ride there you will pass the Zoo, which is worth a stop. The bus will pick you up right outside. There is also a jaguar sancuary that is the only one in the world. In san ignacio you will find a lot of hostels and backpackers. Every restaraunt can book you tours, so shop the prices. You can take tours to Mayan Ruins, there is a horsebackriding company (rough riders) and a tubing tour (which seems expensive – around $75/day) but is like nothing you will ever do again…save up and DO this tour – you tube through an underground cavern through the middle of the rainforest…SO cool!

Don’t miss the San Ignacio country club – it is at the top of the hill, it is a beautiful setting and they have the best food in the country – the owner owns all the cattle farms in the country, so the steaks are out of this world and VERY affordable to take a little break from the local food. Do NOT miss the “fry jacks”, they are to DIE for – order them anywhere, you will thank me!

Placencia is amazing also, but it is very far south (again, you can get a bus) the bus ride is worth it down the hummingbird hwy, I met a lot of cool people on the ride, but the snorkeling was about like Caye Caulker. The locals were cool, if you want to save money go down to the end of the one road in and out and you will find local tour guides that will take you out snorkeling for next to nothing – our guy caught us lobsters and cooked them for us that night. Laughing bird Caye is amazing, that is where he took us. Unless you need to head south – it is a long trip for similar stuff.

I would hit Caye Caulker (for sure!) for the ocean, San Ignacio for the rainforest, and Placencia if you are headed south. That is a total Belize experience!

I only spent time out in the Cayes so…

Tobacco Caye is great for diving and off the beach snorkeling (the island is on the reef). Other than that there’s not much going on besides chillin’...which is all some are looking for. Access is via Dangriga, don’t spend any more time there than you need to. It’s pretty lame.

Caye Caulker was my favorite. Plenty of people to meet, fewer families than San Pedro, great diving and snorkeling, generally a younger more independent set of folks.

Don’t forget Belize City. Most people just fly in and out but theres some great culture to be had there that you won’t find out in the Cayes. I spent three hours exploring the downtown area around the watertaxi port. There was plenty to see, little restaurants and cafes to sample, markets to wander…I could have hung out there longer.