From Sarasota best to cross the
Gulf Stream as quickly as possible and utilize the counter currents near the coast of Cuba before re-crossing the
Gulf Stream in the
Yucatan Channel.
Isla Mujeres is a great stop, easy entry, good anchorage except in strong Northerlies, good
marinas, and great. great
food, but there's also Milagro, Puerto Isla Mujeres, and Oscar's inside the Laguna if your
draft allows.
Nothing but expensive
marinas on the
Cancun side.
Puerto Morelos forces you into another expensive marina, no moorings or anchorage. Good settled weather anchorage off Cozumel, but its rolly in a Norther.
Puerto Aventuras is like sailing into Disneyworld, all plastic.
Banco Chinchorro is great if you can get permission, the laws/rules for anchoring/visiting constantly change.
The two Mexican bays before Belize are worth visiting if you like solitude. Lots and lots of solitude.
Xcalak was a quaint little place, but is no longer a port of entry, has a somewhat tricky entrance, and is at the literally end of the road.
San Pedro/Ambergris Caye is great if you're a 20something and like to party from 2200 to 0500, otherwise skip, it. If you draw 6' you'll bump in the wake of the passing dive
boats.
English Caye channel is wide, lit, and good in any weather. The
cruise ships and all ship traffic from/to Belize City use it.
Belize City is a great stop if you enjoy officialdom or if you want to catch all the nuances of cinder block and roofing tin construction.
Cucumber Beach Marina has a shallow entrance, maybe 5', a restaurant, a small, very small store, lots of noseeums, but it is a Port of Entry.
You can
head South with good winds and no obstacles, choosing to venture to the
offshore cayes or staying inshore. Stops can be any of the
offshore islets/cayes or inshore at Sapodilla
Lagoon.
Placencia is a good stop and there is official entry and exit at Big Creek.
You can break the trip to
Guatemala with an overnight at New Haven, nothing there except a sheltered anchorage.
Entry into Guatemala can be accomplished at Livingston or at
Bahia Amatique Resort which lies North of Puerto Barrios. I prefer Amatique, tell Esvin Chacon, the harbor master that Dan sent you.
Heading South in May, maybe we'll cross paths.