I'm traveling to Belize this winter via cruise line. As such, I only have a day in Belize, and am torn between spending my time visiting the Mayan ruins or hitting the beaches/snorkeling/diving.
On some level I feel that the mayan ruins are one of those things I 'should' see, but at the same time, I'm a bit of a beach junkie and I hear snorkeling in Belize just can't be passed up... I'm totally at a loss for what I should do....

Does anyone have any suggestions? Experiences to share?
Thanks.

Sarah

If the ruin you can see is Altun Ha, go snorkeling instead. Whatever, you "should" do what you personally want to do. You sound more interested in snorkeling, but that is just my reading of it.

Where would you be snorkeling and where would you be going to ruins?

Xunantunich is the ruins we'd be visiting. It would be a day long affair.

I think I'm a bit jaded from past experiences in traveling. All those sites people feel you "should" see, have always struck me as dissapointing once you got there. And the simpler things are the things I've enjoyed much more.

However, part of me thinks that perhaps the trip through the jungle to get to the ruins may be reason enough to go out to the ruins.

Perhaps I'll just have to plan a second trip. :)

Sarah

Getting to Xunantunich will involve a long van ride to a small ferry, which will take you over a small jungle river. Then your van will take you up a long hill on a gravel road. There you will stop and hike around the ruins, which are not huge, although they are nice. Some of the Xunantunich tours also advertise jungle hiking, but this would NOT be to get you to the ruins.

Don't get me wrong. The site is better than Altun Ha and I enjoyed it. However, you might be right in suspecting you are better off planning another trip. Then you could see it and some magnificent ones at Caracol, Tikal and other places in the general area.

If your tour option had been Lamanai, THAT would be one worth doing even in your limited situation.

Enjoy the snorkeling, but go back!

You're a wealth of knowledge! :)

I think I may go ahead on this tour simply for the sake of site seeing beyond the beaches.

Out of curiousity what are your opinions on the sites in Cozumel and Costa Maya? Perhaps I can swap my itineraries around a bit if something elsewhere is more worth while!

Sarah

Well, it's up to you, Sarah. If you plan to return to Belize, you could see the rest of it and there is no dilemma.

As for the Riviera Maya, I think it has gotten over built. In Cozumel, unless you pay a lot extra and go out of town, you need a cab to get to an overpriced beach.

Tulum sucks. It is a mediocre Late Classic site with a great view until the hordes of tourists creep in.

Playa del Carmen was decent as recently as 8 or so years ago. However, I don't like being stuck in a lot of traffic. Nor should you.

If you really want to see some major Maya ruins, you would need to get away from this area entirely.

...go for Xunantunich. If you're on a cruise, you'll be seeing a lot of sun and sand at other ports, I imagine. Maybe you'll like your taste of Belize and will want to return - our month last summer barely skimmed the surface but was a wonderful family adventure. HIGHLY recommend Tikal, which is just 2 or 3 miles over the border in Guatemala.

Happy trails...

Happy trails...
hopefulist

Just reread that old most of mine...meant to say Tikal is 2-3 HOURS over the border. My bad

Happy trails...
hopefulist