Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STAY WITH THE MAYA
Many of the Maya in Belize live in the South, where villages are rich in tradition and some
inhabitants still speak Maya dialects, such as Mopan, Kekchí and Yucatec. A number of these
villages offer
homestay
or guesthouse programmes (see p.220), where you can stay (often in
rustic lodgings) with the Maya, sample traditional food and drink, listen to music, stories and
myths and even learn how to make chocolate the Maya way.
hotel to US$200-250/Bz$400-500 and up for the
swank resorts. We give prices in US$, but you'll
often see them in both currencies. The hotel tax is
nine percent; it's sometimes included in the price
but if not, this is usually noted in the hotel
brochures/website and/or at the time of check-in.
When in doubt, ask. Note that most hotels and
accommodation have wi-fi, which they offer to
guests for free or a small fee. If a hotel does not
offer wi-fi, we note this in the review.
In our accommodation reviews in this Guide, we
quote prices for the cheapest double room in high
season; we also include prices, where relevant, for
other types of accommodation that a hotel offers (a
hostel-style room with bunk beds, etc.)
Belize Explorer (
W
belizeexplorer.com) is a cooper-
ative marketing group of small, affordable hotels
offering rooms for around US$75/Bz$150 or less;
check the website for updated listings. The Belize
Hotel Association (
W
belizehotels.org) is a local
trade organization that features vetted member
accommodation throughout the country, with
updated information and deals and offers.
Arriving early at your destination gives you time
to look around for the best room in your budget. A
good idea, especially in cheaper places, is to ask to
see the room before you accept it; check that the
light and fan or a/c work, and if you've been told
there's hot water, see just what that means. In
towns, it's sometimes better to get a room at the
back, away from the street noise, although people-
watching from the front balcony can be fascinating;
an upstairs room means you're more likely to
benefit from a breeze.
and soap. You'll often have the option of a private
bathroom, which can be worth paying a little extra
for.
Mid-range hotels
take it up a notch - towels are
flu
er, rooms are larger and you're generally
offered the option of air conditioning (a/c).
Resorts and lodges
One of Belize's greatest accommodation draws is its
resorts - and, more importantly, the resort settings.
Island resorts
usually have spectacular beach or atoll
locations, while the inland
jungle lodges
, often in or
near national parks, feature thatched
cabañas
with
balconies overlooking a forest or river. Many Belizean
resorts also often have an eco-friendly angle.
Another bonus is that many specialist adventure
and nature tours often use the resorts and lodges
as bases, so you have direct access for planning
your adventures around the country. Most of the
higher-end resorts have spa and massage services,
perfect for unwinding after a day spent hiking or
on horseback.
In low season,
rates
can sometimes start from
just US$150 per night for a double room, but in
high season can reach over US$300-400.
Hostels and camping
There are few dormitory-style cheap
hostels
in
Belize, although you will find some in Caye Caulker
and San Ignacio. Formal
camping
facilities are few
and far between - Belize is not camping country.
Specialist camping supplies are scarce or unobtain-
able, so don't expect to find gas canisters or
Coleman fuel, though kerosene is widely available;
in most cases cooking will be done over a wood
fire. You can only camp in forest reserves and
Budget and mid-range hotels
and guesthouses
Accommodation prices may overall be higher than
in neighbouring Guatemala, but the good news is
that nearly every town and village does have at
least one budget option. Most of these are small,
simple hotels and guesthouses that are family-run
and informal. Amenities run the gamut. As a rule, a
basic room will have a bed, light and fan and all but
the most rock-bottom of places will supply a towel
TOP 5 BEACH RESORTS
The Phoenix Resort
See p.102
Xanadu Island Resort
See p.103
Pelican's Pouch Resort
See p.186
Glover's Atoll Resort
See p.186
Maya Beach Hotel
See p.199