Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
or
T
824 2795,
W
rumorsresort.com.
As it's perched right
beside the road, 2.5 miles west of San Ignacio towards the
border, this friendly family-run hotel makes a convenient
and affordable base for local tours; some of its clean,
modern
a/c rooms can accommodate family groups.
US$98
★
First-rate eco-friendly lodge, beautifully located on the
Macal's west bank - with its own riverside beach - that's
also home to the Belize Botanic Gardens (see p.147). Guests
choose between spacious private bungalows with deck,
king-sized and sofa beds, fridge and coffeemaker; Jungle
Lodge rooms, each with queen-sized bed and porch; a
treehouse on stilts; or the seven-room Belize River House, a
good-value option for groups that can be rented out in
three- or four-bedroom combi
nations.
Free use
of bikes
,
canoes and
tubes.
Treehouse
US$202
, rooms
US$232
,
bungalows
US$297
, Belize River House
US$654
Black Rock River Lodge
Black Rock Rd, off Chial Rd
T
834 4038,
W
blackrocklodge.com.
Rainforest eco-
lodge, high above the west bank of the Macal River - 11
miles southwest of San Ignacio, the final six of them on
dirt/gravel roads - with stunning views of jungle-clad
limestone cliffs and the gushing rapids of the upper river.
Each of its thirteen solidly built deluxe
cabañas
has private
bathroom and floor made of smooth river stones; some
have a spacious deck and all are powered by hydro and
solar. Trails lead to waterfalls, hilltops and caves, some of
which contain Maya pottery. Horses, mountain bikes and
canoes available. Excellent meals taken in an exquisite
open
cabaña
above the
river; bre
akfast costs US$
15, dinne
r
US$27. Classic
cabañas
US$142
, riverfront suites
US$279
Trek Stop
San José Succotz, Mile 70, George Price
Hwy
T
823 2265,
W
thetrekstop.com.
A wonderful
budget option, set in a quiet forest clearing near the
highway; shared-bath cabins of varying sizes, with
comfortable beds, nets and porches, plus a campsite, with
rental tents available for US$10. Run by a local family, it
uses composting toilets and solar-heated showers. As part
of the Tropical Wings Nature Center (see p.147), plants here
include Maya medicinal varieties. Great library on Maya
and natural history. The restaurant serves large portions
and has good vegetarian choices, and there's a shared
kitche
n, plus
rental
bikes, kayaks and tubes. Camping
US$8
, cabins
US$26
THE MACAL RIVER
The list below only includes accommodation on the
west
bank
of the Macal River, accessible via the Chial Rd, which
heads south from the George Price Hwy 5 miles west of San
Ignacio. They're listed here from north to south, and the list
does not include the resorts on the river's east bank,
reached via Cristo Rey Rd (see p.125). A taxi from San
Ignacio to any of the lodgings listed here will costs Bz$40-
60. You can also choose to leave your accommodation via
an easy
canoe float
downstream to San Ignacio; your
host will take your luggage ahead while you drift along and
enjoy the scenery.
★
4
BENQUE VIEJO
Maxim's Palace
41 Church Hill St, Benque Viejo
T
823 2360,
E
cayobenque@yahoo.com.
A clean, safe
guesthouse in the middle of town, popular with Belizeans.
Twelve simple rooms with private hot-water bath and
balconies; some have king-siz
ed beds
, others two double
beds. A/c costs US $7.50 extra.
US$30
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Chial Rd
T
824 2037,
W
chaacreek.com.
Beautiful, whitewashed, wood-and-
stucco
cabañas
and wooden “treetop” jacuzzi suites
(sleeping four) in gorgeous grounds high above the Macal,
with a deserved reputation for luxury and ambience. Very
comfortable beds, tiled floors, large bathrooms, screened
windows and spacious wooden decks; rates include
breakfast but not dinner (US$45) in the fine restaurant.
There's also a bar with large deck, and a stunning hilltop
spa. Down by the river, the cheaper
Macal River Camp
offers
comfortable wooden cabins with tarp roofs, beds and
bathrooms but no electricity, for which rates include dinner
and breakfast. All guests have free tours of the
Lodge's
attractions (se
e p.146),
an earl
y-mornin
g bird
walk and
canoes. Cabins
US$133
,
cabañas
US$399
, suites
US$460
★
ARENAL/MOLLEJON HYDRO ROAD
★
Martz Farm
Arenal/Mollejon Hydro Rd
T
663 3849
or
T
614 6462,
W
martzfarm.com.
An ideal budget river
resort for anyone crossing to/from Guatemala, 8 miles
southeast of Benque Viejo via dirt road; the Martínez family
will pick up from the border or San Ignacio. Accommodation
is either in comfortable thatched en-suite cabins, or in
shared-bath options that include a treehouse, three-
bedded garden rooms and a bunkhouse, perched above a
rushing, crystal-clear creek. Rates include breakfast; lunch
and dinner cost US$25 extra. To reach the river you climb
down a gorgeous 90ft waterfall (you can also camp here) to
a remote beach; across the river, the forest beck
ons and
there's gre
at ridin
g on the Martz m
ules. Bu
nkhouse
US$44
,
treehouse
US$71
, rooms or cabins
US$82
duPlooy's
Jungle Lodge Resort
Chial Rd, just
beyond Chaa Creek
T
824 3101,
W
duplooys.com.
