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We are thinking of a summer vacation on the Caribbean coast of Belize.
Would it be too hot or would the sea breezes make it relatively
comfortable. Should we go to one of the Cayes or the southern coast?
What resorts/hotels would you recommend, price not being that much of an
objective.

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Bob Smith wrote:
>
> We are thinking of a summer vacation on the Caribbean coast of Belize.
> Would it be too hot or would the sea breezes make it relatively
> comfortable. Should we go to one of the Cayes or the southern coast?
> What resorts/hotels would you recommend, price not being that much of an
> objective.

Got to the Cayes, San Pedro is pretty good. Less flies, mosquitos and a
lot cooler out on the islands but it will be hot during the summer, even
at night.

For a luxury stay with AC, whirlpool tubs and just on the edge of town,
try Banyan Bay <http://book.banyanbay.com/>

I stay at smaller, cheaper places most of the time, but my first trip
was to Banyan Bay and it was superb.

Also call Bob for a day out on the Winnie Estelle,
<http://www.ambergriscaye.com/winnieestelle/> it is a relaxing time with
some great snorkeling and when you get to Caye Caulker try the hot sauce
on the bar at the Sand Pit, it contains peppers from my own hybrids.


If you want to go inland, just take one of the boat trips from the Caye.
There are some great restaurants on Ambergis, but most of them are north
of the "ferry", but worth the walk/ride/golfcart and a lot nicer than
the water taxis, especially at night.

JJ

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Bob Smith wrote:
>
> We are thinking of a summer vacation on the Caribbean coast of Belize.
> Would it be too hot or would the sea breezes make it relatively
> comfortable. Should we go to one of the Cayes or the southern coast?
> What resorts/hotels would you recommend, price not being that much of an
> objective.

Got to the Cayes, San Pedro is pretty good. Less flies, mosquitos and a
lot cooler out on the islands but it will be hot during the summer, even
at night.

For a luxury stay with AC, whirlpool tubs and just on the edge of town,
try Banyan Bay <http://book.banyanbay.com/>

I stay at smaller, cheaper places most of the time, but my first trip
was to Banyan Bay and it was superb.

Also call Bob for a day out on the Winnie Estelle,
<http://www.ambergriscaye.com/winnieestelle/> it is a relaxing time with
some great snorkeling and when you get to Caye Caulker try the hot sauce
on the bar at the Sand Pit, it contains peppers from my own hybrids.


If you want to go inland, just take one of the boat trips from the Caye.
There are some great restaurants on Ambergis, but most of them are north
of the "ferry", but worth the walk/ride/golfcart and a lot nicer than
the water taxis, especially at night.

JJ

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"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
news:423FD4F1.A6F7543A@dcnet2000.com...
>
> Got to the Cayes, San Pedro is pretty good. Less flies, mosquitos and a
> lot cooler out on the islands but it will be hot during the summer, even
> at night.

True.

> For a luxury stay with AC, whirlpool tubs and just on the edge of town,
> try Banyan Bay <http://book.banyanbay.com/>

Do you think they need two bedrooms?

> I stay at smaller, cheaper places most of the time, but my first trip
> was to Banyan Bay and it was superb.

The place is very nice but there are better values, particularly when one
doesn't need two bedrooms.

>
> Also call Bob for a day out on the Winnie Estelle,
> <http://www.ambergriscaye.com/winnieestelle/> it is a relaxing time with
> some great snorkeling and when you get to Caye Caulker try the hot sauce
> on the bar at the Sand Pit, it contains peppers from my own hybrids.
>
>
> If you want to go inland, just take one of the boat trips from the Caye.
> There are some great restaurants on Ambergis, but most of them are north
> of the "ferry", but worth the walk/ride/golfcart and a lot nicer than
> the water taxis, especially at night.

I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of th
ferry. There's only a handful and they aren't significantly better than any
number in town. They just cost more and are more difficult to get to.

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"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
news:423FD4F1.A6F7543A@dcnet2000.com...
>
> Got to the Cayes, San Pedro is pretty good. Less flies, mosquitos and a
> lot cooler out on the islands but it will be hot during the summer, even
> at night.

True.

> For a luxury stay with AC, whirlpool tubs and just on the edge of town,
> try Banyan Bay <http://book.banyanbay.com/>

Do you think they need two bedrooms?

> I stay at smaller, cheaper places most of the time, but my first trip
> was to Banyan Bay and it was superb.

The place is very nice but there are better values, particularly when one
doesn't need two bedrooms.

>
> Also call Bob for a day out on the Winnie Estelle,
> <http://www.ambergriscaye.com/winnieestelle/> it is a relaxing time with
> some great snorkeling and when you get to Caye Caulker try the hot sauce
> on the bar at the Sand Pit, it contains peppers from my own hybrids.
>
>
> If you want to go inland, just take one of the boat trips from the Caye.
> There are some great restaurants on Ambergis, but most of them are north
> of the "ferry", but worth the walk/ride/golfcart and a lot nicer than
> the water taxis, especially at night.

I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of th
ferry. There's only a handful and they aren't significantly better than any
number in town. They just cost more and are more difficult to get to.

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chilly wrote:
>
> "Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
> news:423FD4F1.A6F7543A@dcnet2000.com...
> >
> > Got to the Cayes, San Pedro is pretty good. Less flies, mosquitos and a
> > lot cooler out on the islands but it will be hot during the summer, even
> > at night.
>
> True.
> The place is very nice but there are better values, particularly when one
> doesn't need two bedrooms.

> I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of th
> ferry. There's only a handful and they aren't significantly better than any
> number in town. They just cost more and are more difficult to get to.

Sometimes I like two bedrooms even when there is only two of us, but the
Banyan Bay is outside town, has great facilities and interesting
conversation in the palapa bar with med students from all over the world
going to the college next door. The original query mentioned that price
was not a problem.
We usually stay at the Seven Seas which is much smaller and cheaper, but
allows us access to the quieter part of the island and where the locals
shop. It was fun to have fish thrown from the second story by a grumpy
old woman.

As for the restaurants, I have eaten in just about every one and do know
a little about food as I occasionally write about it for a living. Most
of the restaurants are overpriced, but the two best I have found were
Sweet Basil's and the Rendezvous, both north of the cut. Most of the
rest of the time the meals were disappointing, except for the Jade
Garden, but even then it is best just to stick with seafood, their idea
of veal scaloppini leaves a lot to be desired.

JJ

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"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
news:42405DC1.B38BA352@dcnet2000.com...
>
>
> > I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of
th
> > ferry. There's only a handful and they aren't significantly better than
any
> > number in town. They just cost more and are more difficult to get to.
>
> Sometimes I like two bedrooms even when there is only two of us, but the
> Banyan Bay is outside town, has great facilities and interesting
> conversation in the palapa bar with med students from all over the world
> going to the college next door. The original query mentioned that price
> was not a problem.

Then Victoria House is the place to stay.

> We usually stay at the Seven Seas which is much smaller and cheaper, but
> allows us access to the quieter part of the island and where the locals
> shop. It was fun to have fish thrown from the second story by a grumpy
> old woman.

That end of town is my preference.

> As for the restaurants, I have eaten in just about every one and do know
> a little about food as I occasionally write about it for a living. Most
> of the restaurants are overpriced,

Did you try Cocina Carumba, El Patio, or JamBel's Jerk? Many other places
are very over-rated, to my mind. I actually like some of the more local
flavor places, like Papi's and Ambergris Delight. My favorite though is
JamBel's.

>but the two best I have found were
> Sweet Basil's and the Rendezvous, both north of the cut.

I'll give you those two. :^)

>Most of the
> rest of the time the meals were disappointing, except for the Jade
> Garden, but even then it is best just to stick with seafood, their idea
> of veal scaloppini leaves a lot to be desired.

Well, ya, the Jade Garden is more geared to Chinese dishes.

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"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
news:42405DC1.B38BA352@dcnet2000.com...
>
>
> > I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of
th
> > ferry. There's only a handful and they aren't significantly better than
any
> > number in town. They just cost more and are more difficult to get to.
>
> Sometimes I like two bedrooms even when there is only two of us, but the
> Banyan Bay is outside town, has great facilities and interesting
> conversation in the palapa bar with med students from all over the world
> going to the college next door. The original query mentioned that price
> was not a problem.

Then Victoria House is the place to stay.

> We usually stay at the Seven Seas which is much smaller and cheaper, but
> allows us access to the quieter part of the island and where the locals
> shop. It was fun to have fish thrown from the second story by a grumpy
> old woman.

That end of town is my preference.

> As for the restaurants, I have eaten in just about every one and do know
> a little about food as I occasionally write about it for a living. Most
> of the restaurants are overpriced,

Did you try Cocina Carumba, El Patio, or JamBel's Jerk? Many other places
are very over-rated, to my mind. I actually like some of the more local
flavor places, like Papi's and Ambergris Delight. My favorite though is
JamBel's.

>but the two best I have found were
> Sweet Basil's and the Rendezvous, both north of the cut.

I'll give you those two. :^)

>Most of the
> rest of the time the meals were disappointing, except for the Jade
> Garden, but even then it is best just to stick with seafood, their idea
> of veal scaloppini leaves a lot to be desired.

Well, ya, the Jade Garden is more geared to Chinese dishes.

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chilly wrote:

>
> > As for the restaurants, I have eaten in just about every one and do know
> > a little about food as I occasionally write about it for a living. Most
> > of the restaurants are overpriced,
>
> Did you try Cocina Carumba, El Patio, or JamBel's Jerk? Many other places
> are very over-rated, to my mind. I actually like some of the more local
> flavor places, like Papi's and Ambergris Delight. My favorite though is
> JamBel's.
>
> >but the two best I have found were
> > Sweet Basil's and the Rendezvous, both north of the cut.
>
> I'll give you those two. :^)

When it comes to local style food, it is just easier to make it myself
and definitely better quality :-) I was not impressed with Jambel's Jerk
Pit, but I travel and eat a lot of food from BBQ and grills and belong
to a winning BBQ team here in Texas. I have never eaten at, nor do I
remember seeing Carumba or Ambergris Delight, but Papi's was OK and El
Patio managed to ruin both conch and snapper by over cooking.

For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the restaurant between
Banyan Bay and Victoria House, but that was an overpriced disaster,
although the buffet is not bad.

I actually have a significant number of San Pedro housewives who follow
me around trying to get recipes, all because I catered two parties on
the island. It is funny to watch their eyes glaze over by the time I
reach the fifth ingredient in making black beans :-)

Apart from the taco guy coming by at breakfast and the occasional meal
in a decent restaurant, most of the food I eat while in San Pedro, we
cook ourselves. With the bbq outside, a bunch of friendly people, fish
caught that day, coconuts from the tree outside and the cool evening
breeze chasing up the beach, what else is necessary?

JJ

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Bob Smith wrote:
>
> We are thinking of a summer vacation on the Caribbean coast of Belize.
> Would it be too hot or would the sea breezes make it relatively
> comfortable. Should we go to one of the Cayes or the southern coast?
> What resorts/hotels would you recommend, price not being that much of an
> objective.

Try this for info
<http://www.belizefirst.com/amcay/hotels.html>

JJ

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"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
news:4241A942.FB722603@dcnet2000.com...
>
> When it comes to local style food, it is just easier to make it myself
> and definitely better quality :-)

I don't doubt that for a second.

> I was not impressed with Jambel's Jerk
> Pit, but I travel and eat a lot of food from BBQ and grills and belong
> to a winning BBQ team here in Texas.

I'm sorry to hear that. However, I mostly eat lobster there and I ask for
it unjerked. I like their porkchops too. They have another location now on
Front Street, but I still like being up on the rooftop at the old location.
Probably makes the food taste better. ;^)

>I have never eaten at, nor do I
> remember seeing Carumba or Ambergris Delight,

Next time.

>but Papi's was OK and El
> Patio managed to ruin both conch and snapper by over cooking.

Yeesh.

>
> For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the restaurant between
> Banyan Bay and Victoria House, but that was an overpriced disaster,
> although the buffet is not bad.

Are you thinking of El Devinos? I swear that the people that love some of
the restaurants in San Pedro, have never eaten anywhre before. The prices
at the "fancier" places and it is all relative, are outrageous for what you
get. Casa Picasso is supposed to be pretty good, but I've not eaten there.
Elvi's is seriously over-rated as is Estelles. I just can't figure out why
people go on and on about those two places. Sure I like to eat brekkie at
Estelles, but that's for the view of the ocean in the morning, no other
reason.

> I actually have a significant number of San Pedro housewives who follow
> me around trying to get recipes, all because I catered two parties on
> the island. It is funny to watch their eyes glaze over by the time I
> reach the fifth ingredient in making black beans :-)

I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.

> Apart from the taco guy coming by at breakfast and the occasional meal
> in a decent restaurant, most of the food I eat while in San Pedro, we
> cook ourselves. With the bbq outside, a bunch of friendly people, fish
> caught that day, coconuts from the tree outside and the cool evening
> breeze chasing up the beach, what else is necessary?

You got that right!! :^) Oh yeah, and Fido's, geez, why would anyone eat
there?

>
> JJ

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"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
news:4241A942.FB722603@dcnet2000.com...
>
> When it comes to local style food, it is just easier to make it myself
> and definitely better quality :-)

I don't doubt that for a second.

> I was not impressed with Jambel's Jerk
> Pit, but I travel and eat a lot of food from BBQ and grills and belong
> to a winning BBQ team here in Texas.

I'm sorry to hear that. However, I mostly eat lobster there and I ask for
it unjerked. I like their porkchops too. They have another location now on
Front Street, but I still like being up on the rooftop at the old location.
Probably makes the food taste better. ;^)

>I have never eaten at, nor do I
> remember seeing Carumba or Ambergris Delight,

Next time.

>but Papi's was OK and El
> Patio managed to ruin both conch and snapper by over cooking.

Yeesh.

>
> For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the restaurant between
> Banyan Bay and Victoria House, but that was an overpriced disaster,
> although the buffet is not bad.

Are you thinking of El Devinos? I swear that the people that love some of
the restaurants in San Pedro, have never eaten anywhre before. The prices
at the "fancier" places and it is all relative, are outrageous for what you
get. Casa Picasso is supposed to be pretty good, but I've not eaten there.
Elvi's is seriously over-rated as is Estelles. I just can't figure out why
people go on and on about those two places. Sure I like to eat brekkie at
Estelles, but that's for the view of the ocean in the morning, no other
reason.

> I actually have a significant number of San Pedro housewives who follow
> me around trying to get recipes, all because I catered two parties on
> the island. It is funny to watch their eyes glaze over by the time I
> reach the fifth ingredient in making black beans :-)

I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.

> Apart from the taco guy coming by at breakfast and the occasional meal
> in a decent restaurant, most of the food I eat while in San Pedro, we
> cook ourselves. With the bbq outside, a bunch of friendly people, fish
> caught that day, coconuts from the tree outside and the cool evening
> breeze chasing up the beach, what else is necessary?

You got that right!! :^) Oh yeah, and Fido's, geez, why would anyone eat
there?

>
> JJ

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chilly wrote:
>
>
> I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.
>

Spoken like a person who has not had my black beans with saffron rice
:-)

JJ

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chilly wrote:
>
>
> I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.
>

Spoken like a person who has not had my black beans with saffron rice
:-)

JJ

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On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:27:31 GMT, "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada>
wrote:

>
>"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
>news:42405DC1.B38BA352@dcnet2000.com...
>>
>>
>> > I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of
>th
>> > ferry.

Why anyone would go to San Pedro is beyond me. Overrun with tourists
these days, and I see where they're considering paving the (currently
sand) streets. However, if you do go, try Estelle's Dine by the Sea
downtown on the beach. Excellent!

Fido's is fun at night.

You might want to consider Placencia instead or Caye Caulker.

Try www.belizenet.com

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On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:27:31 GMT, "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada>
wrote:

>
>"Jeremy" <jeremy@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
>news:42405DC1.B38BA352@dcnet2000.com...
>>
>>
>> > I'm confused as to why you would say the great restaurants are north of
>th
>> > ferry.

Why anyone would go to San Pedro is beyond me. Overrun with tourists
these days, and I see where they're considering paving the (currently
sand) streets. However, if you do go, try Estelle's Dine by the Sea
downtown on the beach. Excellent!

Fido's is fun at night.

You might want to consider Placencia instead or Caye Caulker.

Try www.belizenet.com

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<wester@laway.net> wrote in message
news:fmv341dcbavuds743fk3q6mk85g85pi7u2@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:27:31 GMT, "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada>
> wrote:
>
> Why anyone would go to San Pedro is beyond me.

Because it's a fun place and it has a certain "je ne sais quoi" that keeps
calling some of us back.

>Overrun with tourists
> these days,

And how much interaction or exposure to the tourist masses depends on where
you stay and what you do while there.

>and I see where they're considering paving the (currently
> sand) streets.

Cobblestones, not pavement.

> However, if you do go, try Estelle's Dine by the Sea
> downtown on the beach. Excellent!

Ick. And here's another one that thinks Estelle's is good. I like the
location, the food just isn't all that.

> Fido's is fun at night.

Yes, it can be very fun but not for dinner.

>
> You might want to consider Placencia instead or Caye Caulker.
>
> Try www.belizenet.com

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<wester@laway.net> wrote in message
news:fmv341dcbavuds743fk3q6mk85g85pi7u2@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:27:31 GMT, "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada>
> wrote:
>
> Why anyone would go to San Pedro is beyond me.

Because it's a fun place and it has a certain "je ne sais quoi" that keeps
calling some of us back.

>Overrun with tourists
> these days,

And how much interaction or exposure to the tourist masses depends on where
you stay and what you do while there.

>and I see where they're considering paving the (currently
> sand) streets.

Cobblestones, not pavement.

> However, if you do go, try Estelle's Dine by the Sea
> downtown on the beach. Excellent!

Ick. And here's another one that thinks Estelle's is good. I like the
location, the food just isn't all that.

> Fido's is fun at night.

Yes, it can be very fun but not for dinner.

>
> You might want to consider Placencia instead or Caye Caulker.
>
> Try www.belizenet.com

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chilly wrote:

> I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.
>

My husband does not like beans & rice either, but he ate it while we
were there. No complaints here, I love beans & rice. Most of the time I
travel without him. I am going back in 38 days, not that I am counting.

Becca

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"Becca" <becca@hal-pc.org> wrote in message
news:3ag8mcF6boq42U1@individual.net...
> chilly wrote:
>
> > I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.
> >
>
> My husband does not like beans & rice either, but he ate it while we
> were there. No complaints here, I love beans & rice. Most of the time I
> travel without him. I am going back in 38 days, not that I am counting.

"Why would anyone go to San Pedro?" ;^)

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"Becca" <becca@hal-pc.org> wrote in message
news:3ag8mcF6boq42U1@individual.net...
> chilly wrote:
>
> > I hate rice and beans. Makes it a bit difficult sometimes.
> >
>
> My husband does not like beans & rice either, but he ate it while we
> were there. No complaints here, I love beans & rice. Most of the time I
> travel without him. I am going back in 38 days, not that I am counting.

"Why would anyone go to San Pedro?" ;^)

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