Tuff e Nuff Tours operates water and land based tours out of Ambergris Caye.  They offer tours to all 5 major Mayan archaeological sites in Belize, as well as the ATM cave.  They offer many other land-based tours, including cave tubing, zip lining, and visits to the Belize Zoo.  On the island, they offer sailing, fishing, snorkeling, and diving tours. Tuff e Nuff’s water-based tours are conveniently based off the dock at Coco Beach Resort, where we were staying.  We booked ahead of time directly through the company but could have also booked through the resort’s concierge and charged it …

At our last dinner in Belize, we each picked one of our favorite memories from the trip – not necessarily a favorite activity or place, but a moment that stuck out to us.  For me, it was the moment we stepped off the dock at Coco Beach and were given a tour of the property.  I wish I could freeze that moment in time – the boys’ faces lit up like Christmas morning.  Every thing he pointed out got a bigger reaction than the thing before.  Just when I thought their faces couldn’t get any brighter, he would point something …

I challenge you to research Tikal and not come across the name Roxy Ortiz.  Every google search about Tikal guides brings up her name.  Every TripAdvisor forum post about Tikal guides mentions her name.  Every guide book has her name at the top of the list for Tikal guides.  She is synonymous with Tikal. We were wavering about whether or not to make the trip to Tikal at all, and then whether to do it as a day trip or an overnight.  The idea of an overnight trip was appealing for several reasons, but the logistics of a day trip …

There are three hotels inside Tikal National Park – Jaguar Inn, Tikal Inn, and Jungle Lodge.  Jaguar Inn is the lowest priced and offers both bungalow rooms and tents.  This is the only place to legally camp in the park.  They have their tents set up on stone platforms under a roof so you have good protection from the elements.  The tents include mattress, sheets, access to shared bathrooms and showers, and use of the hotel amenities.  For budget travelers and those who enjoy camping, Jaguar Inn is a unique option. Tikal Inn is the middle of the road option …

Black Rock Lodge is a beautiful eco-lodge located deep in the jungle of the Cayo District of Belize.  The lodge is about 30 minutes from San Ignacio, but the majority of that trip is spent on their long, bumpy 7 mile dirt driveway.  Driving to the lodge is an adventure that is probably best left to the experts.  While you can rent a 4×4 and drive to Black Rock Lodge, the road is bumpy, narrow, and teetering on the edge of a cliff in many places.  We were more than happy to let their expert guides handle the drive there …