I just returned from 3 months in Yucatan and will be returning in late November for another 6 months. This time I want to spend much of my time in Belize and Guatamala exploring. I will probably be renting a place near Xcalak, Majuhaul, or Bacalar so I have a somewhere to come home to. I will also have a Jeep. I have no schedule and just like to take off and explore. Where would you go? Doesn't have to be all in one trip.

Thanks,
Steve

I am presuming that you are either driving your own vehicle or have found a company I am unaware of that will let you drive a rental car out of Mexico. However, I would recommend that you not take that approach.

Basing yourself in Mexico makes no sense from a logistics viewpoint. Also every time you drive out of Belize, the land exit tax is nearly $20 and I would not recommend tourists to drive personal vehicles in Guatemala, especially the highlands.

I think you would do better to fly in and out of Belize City and not base yourself anywhere.

Mayaphile,

I will have by own vehicle. I am not sure if I will have plates from the states on it or a Mexican registered vehicle.

I need a home base. I know many people in Mexico that are coming to visit along with people from the states. I also need a place to call home between trips. The price isn't that bad. $400 to $500 a month. Would I be better of renting in Belize? The $20 exit fee isn't to bad as long as you aren't doing it every day. Costs me $10 each way on the ferry from Playa to Cozumel.

Why wouldn't you drive your own vehicle in Guatamala?

How many trips have you made to Belize and Guatamala.

I do appreciate your input. I have been traveling in Mexico for more than 20 years.

Yes, it sure does make sense for you to have a base somewhere. If it is in Mexico, there will be the long commute with high gas prices across Belize to get to anything at all in Guatemala. I don't think you would get anything as cheap to rent in Belize, but if you count wear and tear on your jeep and the cost of driving, it might be cheaper and would certainly be easier on you to rent something in Belize. It's up to you, of course.

For places to stay in Belize, if beach access is important, Hopkins and maybe Placencia would be the likely places. If not, Cayo would be ideal.

I would especially not drive my own vehicle in certain portions of the Guatemala highlands. See http://usembassy.state.gov/guatemala/wwwhcrimee.html and peruse for many instances of personal vehicles being stopped and the people being robbed. I use the more common items on this list as a gauge for what notto do in Guatemala.

In the past decade or so, I have done an annual trip to Maya areas. I began traveling in Mexico beginning in 1981, but have not returned every year. I did not make it at all to Guatemala until 1991, but I have been back to Guatemala every year couple of years since. I have traveled in and around Belize 6-7 times, first in the early 90's and most recently last February, when I came via Chiapas and Flores.

By the way, I like your account of a lobstering day trip to Punta Allen, as shown in the link in your profile. I also listed the link on my hobby website, www.mostlymaya.com.

Mayaphile,

Thanks for the response. Would you mind if I e-mailed you?

Sure, but rather than list my e-mail address, I am sending you a message first.