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Planning a vacation, need input.

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Waverz, Nov 28, 2010.

  1. Nov 28, 2010 #1
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    A few years ago the wife and I were going to finally go on a honeymoon and to say the least, things came up and we didn't even make it out of town.  After a discussion this weekend we decided we would finally start planning a vacation and actually go through with it.  We are planning on December 2012 as I will be nearly done with school.  I think we have decided on Belize as it seems to have some of the best diving and coolest attractions.
    We are thinking a 7 day trip is long enough and have decided we want to do the following:
    Scuba Diving: neither of us have done it but are planning on getting certified here in advance
    Snorkeling: again both of use will be first timers but sounds simple enough
    Fishing:  From the sounds if it Belize has some pretty good fishing and I would love to go for a day or two.
    Cave Tubing:  This looks a damn nice way to catch the view and just chill
    Zip Lines:  The wife is all about it, being I am a fat bastard I have my doubts
    Para Sailing: again, the wife is all about it, something about it makes me uneasy
    Of course we also want to check out the Mayan ruins for a bit, try some awesome food as well as get just one to to chillax.
    The hard part is trying to find a package that includes all of this.  I have found some packages that include fishing and diving but it seems like that's all they pretty much do the entire time.  I would be happy with just a couple days of diving and a couple days of fishing and then spend the rest of the time doing the other stuff.
    Perhpas I need to find a travel agent??  It seems to me getting all of this planned and scheduled at not pay an arm and leg is going to be the challenging part.
    What do you guys think?  This will be our first trip, maybe I am trying to do too much???  It seems doable, I just want to make sure I do everything I can while I am there as it will probably be our last vacation like this for several years.
     
  2. Nov 28, 2010 #2
    matt1971 Waterloo

    matt1971 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Much of the reef is in shallow water, so snorkeling is easier than diving in some areas, unless you are daring enough to dive the Blue Hole. Shark and Ray Alley is nice if you want to get up close to some nurse sharks. The coral and fish diversity is amazing.
    An all day trip to the lamanai Mayan ruins which including a long (and very fast!)boat ride through mangroves, a bus ride, free lunch, and all the rum punch you can handle was about $300 for 2 people. It was well worth it. Snorkeling trips were $75 to $100 each for several hours with gear and a guide if I remember right.
    I'd say if you are looking for more of an adventure, choose Ambergris Caye in Belize. If you don't have it all planned out before you get there, that is just part of the adventure. It is really easy to plan on the fly once you get there. My wife and I didn't want the all inclusive touristy Cancun destination.
    We tried to use Short's travel, then ended up booking ourselves online.
     
  3. Nov 28, 2010 #3
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    Thanks for the info Matt. That was very helpful.
     
  4. Dec 2, 2011 #4
    ruggerkc North Liberty , IA

    ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Air fare is $291 united.com
     
  5. Dec 2, 2011 #5
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Definitly plan ahead,
    I we were in Belize a few years ago.  We did the zip line & cave tubing at the same place in the same day.  The cave tubing was awesome!!!!
    The zip line was ok.  You went from station to station in the trees.  There were no long zips, usually about 20 - 30 yards at a time, so you didnt pick up much speed on each leg.
    I didnt snorkel or dive there.  I have snorkeled a ton of times though & it is great.  I want to dive but havent yet.  Check out a resort on the beach near a reef & you can snorkel from your own hotel room.  Spend the little bit of extra money & buy your own mask & snorkel & get used to them before you go.  Nothing worse then trying to get the rental mask adjusted when you should be under water.
    We havent parasailed yet, but it is on our list of things to do.  
    We did a four wheeler excursion on the mayan ruins.  It was alot of fun.  It was follow the leader, but they took you from site to site, then you got out, checked out the ruins, got a history lesson, and onto the next one.
    Wherever you go, buy a fodors tour book, and then get onto their website.  They have a ton of usefull travel info as well as peoples travel reports of where they went & how they liked it.
    Hope this helps
    Craig
     
  6. Dec 2, 2011 #6
    ruggerkc North Liberty , IA

    ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    I brouhgt up a year old. Hope thats ok, we are planning on going if any one has any more input.
     

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