Belize - ATM Cave Questions/Itinerary Help

[sunshinedaydreams]

H and I are going to Belize in early September for our anniversary.  I know it's rainy season, but it's cheap and one of the only times we're free to travel, so hopefully it's not too bad.

We are planning to do the ATM cave tour, but I'm a little nervous.  I'm not a strong swimmer and I'm also pretty short (5'2").  I've been reading a lot on TA and other sites about wading through "waist-deep" and "neck-deep" water in the cave.  I was fine with waist-deep, but when I started reading neck-deep, it really started to freak me out.  About how deep would you say the water is?  How much swimming is there vs. wading?  I think what really freaked me out is someone posting on TA about wading through neck-deep water and having to line your head up just right or you won't be able to get between the rocks.  Anyone remember this part of the cave and have any more details on this section?


Next question - We're in San Ignacio for 3 nights, then have an unbooked night (will have a rental 4x4 vehicle), then 4 nights in Ambergis Caye and one more unbooked night (no rental car).  Where would you spend the unbooked nights?  I'm wondering if it's worth it to go from San Ignacio to Tikal for an overnight, or to head somewhere else like Orange Walk or Hopkins for that first unbooked night.  The last night, we are torn between staying in Belize City or maybe Caulker Caye and flying back to BZE early the next morning (our flight home leaves BZE at noon).  I've read that Belize City is rough and not much to see there.  Any suggestions?

Any other activities/sites we can't miss?

[littlepam]

I don't know how to swim and I survived the ATM. There are life preservers available at the little area before you enter the cave but it's first come, first serve. Although the area where you'd have to swim across aren't that far.

[SJ]

We LOVED the ATM cave. The only swimming I remember doing at all is at the entrance to get into the cave. You could absolutely doggy paddle as there aren't strong currents or anything like that. We were there in June a few years ago.

We stayed near Tikal (at Coppola's La Lancha resort- loved), near ATM cave (at Pook's Hill), and then on the beach at Placencia.

[sunshinedaydreams]

Thank you both. This makes me feel better. I was just freaked over the neck-deep water and lining your head up with rocks bit, but neither of you even mentioned that part, so I'm feeling like it's not as traumatic as the reviewer who wrote that must have thought.

SJ, La Lancha looks amazing! I can't imagine this close to time to travel they'll have rooms, but maybe I'll try. Do you think Tikal is worth the overnight trip? Or are there other ruins in Belize that are just as good? We'll have a rental car, which we probably won't be able to cross the border with, so I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it to figure out something to do with the car and go to Tikal or if we should just stay in Belize and do something else. Decisions, decisions...

[judyramone]

Hey there! - my H and I stayed in San Ignacio for 3 days as well, in 2011. We did a day trip to Tikal from S.A., it was a full day and was terrific. We would definitely do it again, it was wonderful and totally worth it, but I don't have any good info about staying overnight, although that sounds really cool, and I understand that you can stay in and around the park. We'd consider the overnight as well if we went back.

If you're looking for local Mayan ruins to visit, I loved Cahal Pech, right there in San Ignacio. It's not highly advertised, because you can walk there, so no pricey tour packages. But it's gorgeous and when H and I went there (on a rainy day, no other tours running) we had the place ourselves. It was definitely a highlight of our stay in S.A. We felt lucky for the rainy day that landed us there! We really loved our time in San Ignacio - hit up Pop's for awesome Belizean Breakfast and Serendib for amazing Sri Lankan food. Where are y'all staying in S.A?

We spent almost 2 weeks in Belize, total - I think if we had an extra day or 2 in our itinerary, we'd have tried to spend some time in Placencia. We spent a week at Glover's Reef and the 3 days in San Ignacio, as well as one day in Belize City. Belize City is fine, and I'm glad we saw it, so I don't think its a waste, but I think I'd spend my time elsewhere.

Have a wonderful time!