As a reminder, our plans set us at the beach first and the jungle last. The night we return from the jungle we will be spending a night in Belize City to offset some of the hotel costs. We chose Belcove for this night due to the convenience to the water taxi. Another reminder, the water taxi is located on the north side of the river at the Maritime Museum located at the foot of the Belize Swing Bridge in Belize City which is a short walk from Belcove.

Originally, our plans were to take the water taxi from Belize City to San Pedro. After looking into it more, that seems to be a 90- 120 minute boat ride, each way. The transportation to Ambergris Caye and back from Ambergris Caye and taking a taxi to the BZE airport (we will be leaving from the keys to the airport) will cost combined, around $75 USD. Between Courtney and I, that is $37.50 USD each.

However, if we are willing to pay $20 more dollars each, we can choose to fly either in or out of Ambergris Caye from the municipal airport (TZE) to the San Pedro Airport (SPR) via Maya Air. The cost of that flight is $35 and is only a 20 minute flight. Sometimes, Maya Air offers a 25% cash discount. However, we’d need to figure out how we get from the airstrip to Cocotal Inn and Cabanas with our luggage on hand. If we choose to stay 4 nights there, Cocotal will pick us up and drop us off at the air strip or water taxi. Also, it could be really nice to fly into the Cayes and get some great photos from above. The flights also run a tad later than the water taxi (flights run until 5:30 and the water taxi stops around 3ish) which could give us a chance to skip out on staying in Belize City the night between our switches from the jungle lodge to the Ambergris Caye.

Also, we will be renting a car to take with us to the jungle. That way, we can keep the scuba gear and unnecessary stuff in the car during our stay and not need to worry about it entirely. We need to figure out when and where we will return the car (is there a drop off in Belize City or do we need to take it back to the airport?)

In regards to the rentals, there are a few places in Belize that rent cars. All rental places require that the renter must be 25 years of age. I’m just going to assume the obvious that Courtney will be signing off on the car rental, thanks hunny!

• Belize Car Rental offers a Suzuki Jimmy at only $45.00 USD.
• Crystal Auto Rental’s cheapest is a Galant Saturn at $48.34 USD a day and has pickup/drop-off anywhere in Belize City. They also offer two locations, one at the Goldson Intl Airport and also one in Belize City. We will need to pick-up at the airport and drop off in either Belize City or at the Municipal Aitport.
• Budget Car Rental starts at $150 USD a day.
• Belize Car (which, after a 10 minute wait,  compares rates of all vehicle rental places in Belize) gives the cheapest rental
• Avis.com has the Toyota Land Cruiser for $88.00 USD but that allows us to pick it up at the Philip S.W. Goldson Intl Airport and to drop it off at the Municipal Airport in Belize City.

The maps below show the locations we will be visiting in Belize and the locations we will be driving too. I mapquested the two jungle locations we are deciding over, and one is located very far away. That will be a discussion point tonight when Courtney and I sit down to put in stone our accomodations.

As you can see, we will be needing a car to help us get around on land for the jungle excursions. I think we will go for the cheapest car and a place that has convenient pick-up/drop-ff locations. We simply need something to carry our luggage and us safely around. If we go with Belize Car Rentals, we will need the car for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and hopfeully we can drop it off Friday night (if they allow us to). That puts us at $135.00 USD or $67.50 a person.

More to come on this planning post as time nears. Check Back.