Central America - Best served with cerveza and a Slice of Lime: May 2012

After six days in Caye Caulker relishing the Caribbean water we depart the island paradise in pursuit of a new destination. After a brief water taxi from Cake Caulker we arrive in Belize City (bus depot), which will then take Amy and I to San Ignacio for a nights rest, then onto Flores, Guatemala.

When arriving in Flores you notice how dense the island is when crossing the bridge, with many colonial red-roofed buildings supported by narrow cobblestone streets. After good reports we head to Los Amigos Hostel for a night, as we would be heading to Tikal the next day. Similar to many other travellers our main reason for visiting Flores was to visit Guatemala's largest Mayan ruins, Tikal.

The following afternoon we book a shuttle to the Tikal ruins which are a few hours from Flores and costs 120q for a return ticket. Rather than doing a day trip we decided to book an overnight stay at the Jaguar Inn, as there were 6 of us and so we could see the sunrise the following morning.

After our two hour shuttle we arrive in Tikal, where our driver informs us that the pass is available for today (as there was only two hours left until it closed) and the following day. Hearing this we race off the bus and drop our bags in the hotel and make our way to the Tikal ruins just nearby. After a short walk and a few stairs we were fortunate enough to arrive at the top of temple IV to a beautiful rainbow directly over the ruins, such an amazing, amazing view.

The following morning we awake in the early hours as we heard that Tikal was best viewed at this time. We make our way through the ruins in darkness accompanied by a security guard (who I will mention shortly) back to temple IV as it was the highest lookout to see the sunrise. We reach the top as the sun is about to rise to complete silence, followed by the jungle coming alive with howling monkeys that call out with a horrible dog-dying-slowly sound and birds screeching at first light.

Basically to do the sunrise tour on your own will cost 150q to enter the ruins, 100q for the sunrise pass, 50q to bribe security at the gate (to let you through early) and 100q each for accommodation. All in all defiantly worth it.

So when visiting Flores, Make sure you visit the:

Mayan Tikal ruins; and

Flores lake for a swim

Until next time

Adios

After two nights in Tulum we decided that it was time to move on to Caye Caulker, Belize.

We left Tulum at 8am the following day by shuttle, which would take us via Chetumal for a few hours as a stop over at Pakkals Hostel (very nice & clean) and then onto the port to depart for Caye Caulker. As we had no intention on seeing Belize city there was no need on doing a land boarder cross, so we left Mexico in very bumpy Water Taxi via San Pedro to immigrate and then off to a sunny Caye Caulker. After a three-hour journey through various islands we finally reach Caye Caulker.

As Belize is a part of the Commonwealth, its great that everyone speaks English, so we make our way to our accommodation at Maras Place. Maras place was $50 u.s dollars per night for a private room, which could fit five of us in a perfect location fitted with a hot shower and a clean room ever day. As per usual when you first arrive in a new town, you want to taste some foods & soak up the culture. In my first few hours there I would come to learn that Caye Caulker uses the motto “GO SLOW” which is very evident when ordering a drink, buying food or trying to get pretty much anything done, but I guess that’s what makes it so unique.

We had booked in for six nights at Maras place with the intention of doing the Ragamuffin tour through the San Blas Islands for three days after, so we had plenty of time up our sleeve. Caye caulker is such beautiful places with wonderful people, so ill leave some information of must do places:

Lazy Lizard - So a hurricane ripped through the split damaging the canal back in the early 60’s and from talking to the locals not a lot was done to repair it. Instead a retaining wall went up, a rough 2 story rustic building a few park benches thrown into the shallows which make for an amazing place to drink.  The water is really warm, the views are amazing and if the island is dead, its probably because everyone is at the Lazy Lizard.  Drinks are cheap. Beers by the bucket for $1.5 u.s and the famous glowing green lazy lizard drink is a must. Try your luck at downing 3, as the 4th is free!

Chicken drop – head to Bambooze restaurant to watch the famous chicken drop, basically you place a bet on a number from 0-100, then they introduce a chicken to the pen, shake it up and down about one minute and drop the chicken it into the pen. What ever number the chicken poo’s on wins all the money

Terry’s Chicken – you can find terry on the beach across the road from maras place, you can ask him to arrange a sunset dinner for $12 u.s which includes chicken, many salads, potato and a cake. As it was my birthday there were about 20 people who sat down for dinner and watch the sun set…. Had such a great time

Wakeboarding off the back of a jet ski – after plenty of relaxing we decided to release some energy and hire a jet ski for an hour and do some wakeboarding. It was $150 u.s, yet was worth having a little splurge as we had kept to our budget so far

Bakery – For a small meat Pie for 50 cents each.

Pizza Caulker - Cheap drinks and great tasting pizza.

Overall, great trip, and Caye caulker was a great place to chill for a few days too. Just what we needed after our strenuous and hectic schedule…. Next stop in Belize is a San Ignacio, then onto Flores.