Originally Posted by
iahphx
I have heard that there aren't many beaches on the cayes and that it's useful to stay at a hotel that has a pier so that you can swim from there. With kids, that seems potentially useful. Also, I think I heard that there is more beach on Ambergris than Caulker. That might influence my decision. I've also heard that it's pretty each to get from one to another, so maybe we can do both.
As far as dining goes, we'd love to get simple seafood. If you've ever been to Barbados, where you eat the Friday night outdoor fish fry on the south shore, that's kind of what I'd have in mind. I suspect either island could accomodate this, and the costs would be comparable.
Having recently been to Costa Rica, my hunch is that I could miss the rainforest on this trip and be happy staying exclusively on the cayes. That said, I wouldn't mind a night at a rainforest lodge, but it sounds like it might not be worth the trouble or expense in arranging it.
Re: the beaches
Both have similar beaches w/neither being the type of beaches you'd be used to if you went to the east coast or some resorts in the caribbean. They aren't wide on Ambergris or Caulker. But, still no problem laying aournd and reading on them. All beaches are open to everyone on Ambergris. That is, even the nice beach that Ramone's Resort takes care of is open to anyone. We did that for a day- just laid around on the beach and snorkeled at their pier (I recommend snorkleing there if youdon' feel like getting on a boat to take you snorkeling).
Yes, there can be simple seafood to be had on either caye. I can't wait to get myself some ceviche again when I'm there.
Again, I'd stay on the cayes if you're there for only a week. If you really have a hankering for a jungle trip, you can do a day trip from the keys.