Gaia Riverlodge

Mariposa Jungle Lodge

"Our family of 5 recently stayed at Mariposa Jungle Lodge for 3 magical nights and this unique stay exceeded all of our expectations. We stayed in the Iguana Cabana, which is a quick walk from the main parking area, and seems surrounded by jungle and all of the beautiful sounds that come with it. Upon arrival to Mariposa, we were greeted by staff and our luggage was taken to our cabana, while we were led to the main lodge and given a much appreciated welcome drink. This is just one of the many small touches that makes Mariposa special; the staff are all so warm, welcoming and friendly, and they truly go out of their way to make your stay unforgettable. Our kids are 14, 11 and 8 and they all felt truly at home in the jungle, thanks to the exceptional service we had a Mariposa. We opted for the breakfast/dinner plan, as our lunches were provided by our guides on the days that we had tours offsite. The chefs at Mariposa crafted delicious, home cooked food for our family that was nourishing, beautifully presented, and so tasty. I loved that our kids got a true taste of Belizian flavors and recipes. We were treated so well by the kitchen and bar crew, whom all seem to really enjoy their work. Our family enjoyed the tranquil pool each day or evening, and we also hiked around the large property. It's such a stunning little piece of paradise. Our first morning, there was a family of howler monkeys in the tree directly above our cabana, so we watched the baby either ride on its mother's back, or practice jumping and swinging (and nearly falling!) in the tree tops. How special is that?! It's definitely something our kids will remember for a very long time. The grounds are gorgeous, and there are several spots that birds and butterflies gather to feed, which was also fun to watch. The Iguana Cabana was a great size for our family of 5 and we loved that it came with filtered water to drink, and a mini fridge as well. The back deck was spacious and a perfect spot for bird watching or listening to the sounds of the jungle. We really can't say enough positive things about this place; we wished we would have stayed an extra day and we hope to one day return!"

Blancaneaux Lodge by Francis Ford Coppola

"I just returned from Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize, and it completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I could feel how special the place is. It’s quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by natural beauty that instantly makes you slow down. The landscaping is magical with gardens, flowing creeks, and lush greenery perfectly in tune with the mountain setting. The design of the property is distinctive and full of character. Everything feels handcrafted and thoughtful, creating a sense of warmth and authenticity. It’s beautiful without trying too hard. The amenities are top-notch. There’s a huge organic garden that supplies most of the produce for the restaurants, and you can actually taste the freshness in every dish. The Garden Spot restaurant is perfect for vegetarian meals, while the Italian restaurant serves some of the best pasta I’ve had anywhere. Marty made each meal extra special and was always at the Jaguar Bar in the evenings to greet guests. The Guatemalan restaurant was another highlight. The horse stables, relaxing spa, pristine pool, and the creek running through the property all add to the feeling of total calm and connection. What really makes Blancaneaux unforgettable is the people. Bernie, the General Manager, is an incredible host… warm, kind, and always around in the best way. Adonis at the front desk took care of everything before I could even ask, and Hector from the garden shared so much about their sustainability efforts. Blancaneaux feels personal and grounded. It’s not about over-the-top luxury but about natural elegance and pure serenity. Truly one of the most special places I’ve ever stayed!"

Pine Ridge Lodge

"We recently visited Belize and decided to venture into the tropical forests and stay at the Pine Ridge Lodge and had an amazing trip which words could never adequately describe but we will try. This is a must place stay to fully experience Belize. The cottages, grounds, dining area, food, staff, fun little animals all made this one of the most amazing trips we have ever had. There are waterfalls, hikes, caves, ruins, and open air markets all very close to the lodge which truly made us feel we were fully immersed in Belize. Neil and his staff were overly accommodating and we loved our trip visiting them."

Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge

"This resort is very special in that it’s on its own private acres of hiking trails and amazing waterfalls. The staff and service was excellent and our room had floor to ceiling windows and a private screened-in patio that overlooked the forest (villa 2). I would definitely go back to spend time away from technology (no TVs) and relax. We took an excellent trip to Tikal that the lodge set up for us through Lion tours. 2 brothers who are deeply immersed in the knowledge of the area and certified for swift water rescue (ex for the ATM tour). The only downsides of the lodge are how far it is from anything if you wanted to set up your own excursions, and the limited food selections/high cost to eat there. That said, the food was excellent (famous chef). A suggestion to the lodge is to offer the tacos/empanadas/tostadas from your lunch menu for dinner, even if it’s as an appetizer. Also to offer to-go breakfast sandwiches and burritos in the morning (a staple for us in the US). Regardless, we appreciate our time there (a special thank you to Kenroy and Kevin for making us feel like family!) and would highly recommend this very unique and special resort. Oh one more thing is we almost took more tours off the property until we realized the amazing onsite property tours they offered that aren’t available to the public. So we instead cancelled our offsite tours and took their private tour to butterfly falls and they set up lunch for us at secret falls. It was an experience I’ll never forget!"

Private forest view cabin w/AC, 2 beds-restaurant and car rental on site.

Cozy 2-bedroom bungalow in the outskirts of San Ignacio with WiFi, AC