Belize or Costa Rica?

[tvphotog]

Travelling end of January 2012 for two week. From the standpoint of photo ops, which would you recommend and why? I want to shoot landscapes, birds and animals in the tropical forest, beaches if I can.

Also, must have internet and cell phone reception everywhere.

[nWmR12]

I've been to both places but its been a very long time since I've been to belize (10yrs or so) and I was a quite young. Costa Rica I went to a couple years ago that was about my 6th time there... From what I remember of Belize is that its quite similar to CR but on a smaller scale and perhaps not quite as diverse (from what I remember).

I would choose CR for a number of reasons it has a vast wild life especially birds, animals among other things. You can go to a lot of places in CR to get pics of animals and birds just have to kind of pick what type of birds and animals you want to see as this kind of determines where you go. I have been to both peninsulas the southern is a bit more touristy from what I can recall but the Osa has all the monkey species of CR. The last trip I went to the cloud forest main goal was to get pictures of quetzals (I got quite a few pics of this beautiful bird) and of course lots of humming birds. I just wished I had a camera when I was younger to get pictures off all the birds and wild life.

Not sure if you want to use your own computer but there are a fair amount of internet cafes around depending on where you go. I am not sure about cell phone reception down there but from being other places down there at least in the fairly populated areas you get cell coverage other places well your mileage my very a lot. I would think belize would be better in the area since its smaller of a country but don't know. You will probably have to do some research on that.

I hope that helps.

[DMax82]

I worked in Belize for four summers during college. One thing to consider is the stunning Mayan ruins, most of which are in jungle settings and have wildlife around. Lamanai is a two hour boat ride up a clam river, and the pyramids overlook a large lagoon. Lots of beautiful flowers too. The country is great, and very easy to travel around.

[RPCrowe]

This website might or might not be of interest to you.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...1055.html#page

A partial quote...

"CRIME: Organized crime above the street gang level is primarly connected to drug trafficking or trafficking in persons. The incidence of crime, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, shooting, stabbing, murder, and rape, remains high. Although Americans are not specifically targeted because of their nationality, in recent years the Embassy has noted an increase in crimes against tourists at resorts and on the roads and river ways. The incidence of crimes such as theft, burglary, purse-snatching, and pick-pocketing increases around the winter holidays and during spring break. Several victims who resisted when confronted by criminals have received serious injuries, including gunshot wounds. Although the majority of reported incidents occur in Belize City, crime may occur anywhere including tourist destinations such as San Pedro Town (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, and Placencia. "

[tvphotog]

Appreciate all the above. Thanks.