With our one excursion out of the way, we fell back into our relaxing routine, until our last full day, when we felt we should get a taste for the island's dive-appeal. So we signed up for a snorkeling expedition to the Hol Chan Marine Park, east of Ambergris Cay. The highlight for novices like us was the chance to swim with the sharks, literally. At Shark Alley we could paddle alongside nurse sharks, named as such because they have no teeth. We could also swim with stingrays, giant moray eels and dozens of brightly colored tropical fish that danced gracefully along the coral reef.
Some charters fly direct from Chicago to Belize City.
Transport from San Pedro's airport to the hotel is usually included in room fees. WHEN TO GO High season is mid-December to April. Weather is hot and humid but comfortably offset by tropical sea breezes. July through November marks hurricane season, and while Belize is prone to hurricanes, it escaped the recent destruction of Hurricane Mitch. No restaurant on premises, but within walking distance of dozens.