Dumb question....need to figure out how to locate geocaches in Belize

[+onebravegirl]

I am a mom to two girls and we are traveling to the jungles of Belize and spending some time on a couple of cayes. I would like to geocache while I am down there. I have always used my android samsung galaxy to find and locate geocaches. I don't have a hand held gps (should I get one?). I am turning my data and cell plan off to avoid the international charges and I would like to map out the locations prior to getting there in case gps does not work. I can't figure out how to do it. When looking for caches near the location of the hotel where we are staying... I put in the gps coordinates from google maps (for the location in Belize) I get an upstate NY location instead. So that is confusing eh?

 

Basically, I would like to do some planning in advance so that when we get there - if we have technical difficulties- we will still be able to geocache. I don't want to disappoint the kids.

 

How can I go about planning this in advance? Thanks everyone!

Edited December 20, 2012 by onebravegirl

[Pup Patrol]

I am a mom to two girls and we are traveling to the jungles of Belize and spending some time on a couple of cayes. I would like to geocache while I am down there. I have always used my android samsung galaxy to find and locate geocaches. I don't have a hand held gps (should I get one?). I am turning my data and cell plan off to avoid the international charges and I would like to map out the locations prior to getting there in case gps does not work. I can't figure out how to do it. When looking for caches near the location of the hotel where we are staying... I put in the gps coordinates from google maps (for the location in Belize) I get an upstate NY location instead. So that is confusing eh?

 

Basically, I would like to do some planning in advance so that when we get there - if we have technical difficulties- we will still be able to geocache. I don't want to disappoint the kids.

 

How can I go about planning this in advance? Thanks everyone!

 

There's only 3 pages of caches for the whole country:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?country_id=31&as=1&ex=0&cFilter=9a79e6ce-3344-409c-bbe9-496530baf758&children=n

 

You could pick and choose which caches you would want to search out, and create a Notepad file of just those caches.

 

That's what I do when we plan to go caching. I make up a Notepad file that includes the important info for each cache: GC code, coordinates, anything pertinent/useful from the cache description and the decrypted hint.

 

I don't know about caching with a phone, but I assume you must be able to download coordinates to it.

 

 

B.

[+K13]

A quick search at the main search page - link

 

Go to the search by country and select Belize, then click Go.

 

I received a list of 54 caches in Belize, which include some Earth Caches with the word caye in their titles.

[+NanCycle]

I am a mom to two girls and we are traveling to the jungles of Belize and spending some time on a couple of cayes. I would like to geocache while I am down there. I have always used my android samsung galaxy to find and locate geocaches. I don't have a hand held gps (should I get one?). I am turning my data and cell plan off to avoid the international charges and I would like to map out the locations prior to getting there in case gps does not work. I can't figure out how to do it. When looking for caches near the location of the hotel where we are staying... I put in the gps coordinates from google maps (for the location in Belize) I get an upstate NY location instead. So that is confusing eh?

 

Basically, I would like to do some planning in advance so that when we get there - if we have technical difficulties- we will still be able to geocache. I don't want to disappoint the kids.

 

How can I go about planning this in advance? Thanks everyone!

 

Go to the Geocaching home page, then under Play, in the Seek a Cache section, by country select Belize. There are currently 54 caches in the country. Choose Map this Location and you can see where they are.

 

I'd strongly suggest you get a handheld GPSr. Maybe one of your local cachers has a spare they'd be willing to lend to you for the trip.

[+redwoodkestrel]

Depending on which geocaching app you're using you might also be able to store information for geocaches, making their information accessible even when you're offline. I did that in the past (before I got a GPSr) when I knew I'd be geocaching in areas without cell reception- I'd bring them up on phone at home, store their information/location, and then still use my phone to find them without reception.

[Andronicus]

When geocaching in the Jungle, a handheld would be a good idea. Most smartphones do not have a sencitive GPSr. Once you are in tree cover, you will likely have some difficulty.

 

If you really want to use the phone, get an app that will cache the maps data. On my Android, I use NeonGeo. It saves the map 'tiles'. This would allow you to find the cache detials, and view the maps while in wifi coverage, then use that data later when in the jungle. You need to insure that the map caching option is selected. Then make sure to give it a trial run before heading out to the jungle. You really need to insure that all the bugs are worked out before hand.

 

PS, if using your phone in the jungle, I would recomend getting a more sensitive bluetooth GPS 'mouse' ( I use the Qstarz BT-818X). Then use one of the third party bluetooth GPS interface apps so that the geocaching app can use the GPS data from the mouse.

[Andronicus]

You should also consider that some phone GPSrs do not work well when outside of cell phone coverage. Make sure to test this before heading out. Maybe try doing a cache with the phone in airplane mode (but with the GPS on). This is another good reason to use a handheld, or bluetooth GPSr

[+Panther&Pine]

I was there a few years ago and was able to find only one, mainly because a number of the caches aren't well maintained or accessible.

There is at least one earthcache at Blue Hole.

[+NanCycle]

a number of the caches aren't well maintained

 

 

Vacation caches??

[+Panther&Pine]

a number of the caches aren't well maintained

 

 

Vacation caches??

Some looked to be, some just looked like the folks lost interest in the over all game, hurricans did in another one I wanted to go for.