It's $45 for a 2.5 hour tour – guides are great. And you're right – you don't snorkel w/ sharks every day!

Right now I've booked my first 2 nights at Playa Del Carmen, and my last 4 (including new years since hostel accommodation is already mostly booked up). So, i'll be exploring the peninsula during that window. I'll keep Isla Mujeres in mind if my reservation falls through for New Years. Is it worth it to take a day trip out?

I'm not normally a guide person/tend to avoid it for budget reasons as well – will definitely consider making an exception though in light of your comment.

Nance sounds delightful, as does the food. Definitely going to be diving into it whenever/wherever possible.

On the 12-seater – is it pure transport, or do they fly extra low for sightseeing purposes?

Also, the Shark Ray Alley sounds amazing – swimming with Sharks is definitely way up there on my list!

Leave the Cancun airport and skip the city altogether; head directly to a ferry bound for Isla Mujeres, 8 miles offshore. Feel free to check out my post on this quiet, car-free island: http://bit.ly/5Vcwg0

Completely agree about Tulum and Chichen Itza, but my favorite Mexican Mayan site was actually Coba — for sheer mystery. At any Mayan site, spring for the $30-some-odd bucks for a private guide.

At the Belize City Airport, pick up the two greats of Belizean chocolate: Goss and Cotton Tree. Conduct a taste test…or three.

I saw colorful public buses all along our journey, and who doesn't love being driven around? Here's a bus guide/schedule: http://bit.ly/6JVAty My favorite jungly/farm scenery was along the Hummingbird Highway.

Down Placencia way, take a day's guided jungle hike/river tubing/waterfall adventure through the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary with David of Toadal Adventure http://www.toadaladventure.com/our_trips.html

If you can swing it, hop on a 12-seater Tropic Air intra-Belizean plane ride to see miles of thick jungle, silvery-snaking rivers, and blue-green Caribbean gorgeousness peppered with colorful houses along the coast.

Eat fresh Belizean seafood until you fall over at Elvi's Kitchen in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

Listen to Kara of The Vacation Gals and venture out with Extreme Adventures — we had a spectacular time snorkeling in this clean, clear, protected swath of the Caribbean.

Track down Belize's favorite liqueur, Nance. Brown sugar+alcohol+a steeping, indigenous berry = good times.