Belize or Guatamala?? Anything to tell me?

Question

In Feb me and my husband (we are in our early 20s) are going to Belize and then thinking our backpacking to Guatamala for a month. Anything to know...anything to do or avoid???

Answer 1

If you're going to encounter any crime, it will probably be in Belize City.  So don't spend too much time there--especially at night. San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (pronounced KEY) is a great place to kick back and relax and eat some conch (pronounced CONK).

There's also a number of Maya ruins and ecotourism spots to explore in Belize.

It's an easy bus ride to the Belize/Guatemala border and then another easy bus ride to Tikal or Flores.  A bus ride from Flores to Guatemala City is NOT easy.  I prefer back tracking to the Belize Airport at Ladyville and flying to Guatemala City.  And from Guatemala City, you can head out to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, etc.

Answer 2

Do you speak Spanish?  Do you like Spanish colonial history, Mayan ruins, Indian culture, volcanoes, jungle animals, coffee, and inexpensive handicrafts?  Go to Guatemala.

If you like to speak English, are not put off by little to do and just want to lounge around, Belize is your best bet.  Especially if you are more interested in Caribbean culture.

Both places are poor, and there are many instances of crimes being committed against tourists.  The local police are helpful and can tell you which areas to avoid.

Answer 3

I don't know about Belize. Not been there yet. But I just returned from Guatemala last month.

I enjoyed these places:

Lake Atitlan: very beautiful with volcanoes in the horizon and clouds shrouding the highlands .

Panajachel: nice place and great shopping for crafts.

Tikal National Park: see relics of Mayan History - pyramids.

Also the flora and fauna (wildlife) are nice. We got to see a toucan!