Kimkim Trip Reviews for Belize

All guides and drivers very friendly, and willing to take their time with us. Also if the tour went on beyond the planned time.
all 3 maya site visits (Tikal, Xunantunich, Caracol) were fantastic, we could spent so much time here.
Unfortunately the option to extend the visit to Tikal to 2 days came a bit too late, but would have been a good choice.

Hotel was from a price point overrated, also many some points not up to standard, deteriorating. Also the spa debacle was a bad experience. Even afterwards none of the staff at front desk or resort management came to us to review and discuss this …
Food and staff (except at front desk) were very friendly and customer oriented.

Last day was a bit disappointing, as we went for a very long drive to jaguar reserve, and this was just a walk in the forest, no animal seems. This became a wasted day to be honest, and we should have gone somewhere else.

In general people In Guatemala and Belize were very friendly, great hospitality, never felt a situation that we came in an uncomfortable situation. Also complement to the guides and drivers, but we felt taken care of and safe.

Hotel Review

Ka'ana Resort Boutique

San Ignacio

Too expensive for what is being offered. Very friendly staff, although front desk experience related to spa treatment was very rude and not professional at all. Food was good, nice special dinner menu/buffet and 3 days On many aspects the resort lacks maintenance, like entrance from road is very poor, room had many small issues, etc etc.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff very friendly, except issues with front desk staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

E

Activity Reviews

Discover Xunantunich

Belize

Fantastic

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tikal Maya Ruin

Belize

Amazing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thank you!

Belize

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The

Enjoy Barton Creek

Belize

Very good experience also the swimming

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bit an old van

¡Welcome to Belize!

Belize

All good

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Caracol

Belize

Amazing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a better van this time

Waterfall swimming and Jungle trekking

Belize

The

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jaguar Preserve

Belize

Disappointing, long drive and not much to see. No jaguars in the facility, museum was of poor quality

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The team did an amazing job proposing itineraries based on our interests, timeframes and budget. The trip was incredibly! The guides were very friendly and knowledgable. The accommodations were wonderful.

Matt was helpful and knowledgable. We followed his recommendations and were glad we did! There was one misalignment with what the itinerary said we were getting and what was actually provided - the snorkling day said the following:

"Today we will eat breakfast and then we will go ahead to the Ragamuffin office (Tour operator for snorkeling). They will be in charge to lead you for the rest of the day. The tour will start at the dock, where you will be able to see sharks on the shore that get fed by fish, in the meantime, you will be waiting for your boat to start the adventure on the beach. We will go for 1 hour deep into the beach to try at first our gear for snorkeling and then we will deeper into the coral reef to see the wonders Belize has to offer in tourism. The guides on board will take care of you and will make you pass a great time on the beach with snacks, lunch, and some alcoholic drinks or without. This will be a full-day tour."

However, the tour was a half day group tour with a total of 11 participants and lunch and drinks were not included.

Hotel Reviews

Mayan Mountain Lodge

San Ignacio

The hotel was clean and the property was gorgeous. We enjoyed having our own bungalow. However, the bed was small and the interior was a bit underwhelming.

Authenticity & Character

Property is gorgeous.

Location

A short walk to town, but not in town. Perfect.

Staff

Friendly and very helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Small bed, but loved having our own bungalow.

Tikal Inn

The room was large, with two double beds. The restaurant had a well developed menu and the location - in the national park - was awesome.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Inside the park - wonderful.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Isla Resort

Cayo District, Belize

The room was large, with 2 beds. Clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the heart of Caye Caulker.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) caves day tour

Belize

We love this activity. It was physically demanding and really worth the work!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from San Ignacio to Tikal National Park

Belize

The transfer included a tour if Yaxhá Maya Ruins, which worked really well. The day was well designed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunrise Tour of Tikal National Park

Belize

We really appreciated visiting Tikal at 4:00 am. There was almost no one in the park. The sunrise on the day we were there didn't amount to much, but it didn't matter. We were at the site for 5.5 h - all of this was fascinating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour Yaxhá Maya Ruins

Belize

The boat and tour of Yaxhá Maya Ruins was interesting, providing a enriching undersyanding of Mayan civilization.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cave tubing tour

Belize

The tubing was relaxing. Passing through the cave system in an inner tube was enjoyable. The cave portion of the tour was surreal.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkelling day tour at Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker

We enjoyed the snorkelling. The trip include coral reefs, nurse sharks, sting rays and tarpons. We thought the half day was an appropriate amount of time to spend doing the activity. However, our itinerary said the tour would be a private full day event, including snacks, lunch, and some alcoholic drinks or without. This. was not the case. There were 11 participants, which was crowded and congested at times.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We worked with Alex to plan our trip which included tours out of San Ignacio and time in Caye Caulker. When our trip was delayed by a day, Alex was able to move our reservations to accommodate so that we didn't miss out on any of our planned tours. The drivers and tour guides that we had were all great. They arrived on time and were very knowledgeable on the information related to the tours.

We had been planning a vacation in the region for months. Once we met Alex at Old Town Outfitters, our planning became so much easier. He took the time to get to know us and what we were interested in. He patiently altered our itinerary to accommodate septuagenarians who enjoy culture and nature but are not as fit and able as we once were.

Alex worked well with an agency in Belize to plan the first part of our adventure and then connected us to able, trusted guides and drivers in Guatemala who were knowledgeable and kind. He also helped us stay within budget. I could go on and on, but I must say we are exceedingly happy with our experience and the people who made it possible.

Food, jungles, beaches, volcanoes, colonial towns, and rich cultural and archeological sites, this trip was once in a lifetime , though I’d love to do it again. The people of Guatemala are kind and friendly. And speaking of kind and friendly, capable and well versed, our guide and friend, Jerry Rodas was so good to us, and we now think of him as a treasured family member.

Our driver Cameron with Bass Transportation was fantastic & has become a good friend to us. We plan on keeping in touch with him. Umaya Resorts in Placenia: the room was great. The main restaurant’s food wasn’t that good. Service there wasn’t the best. However the pizza restaurant was fantastic. There is a Bistro about a ten minutes walk away that had excellent food. Our fishing tour with Pinky was a lot of fun. Pinky & the boat driver were professional, friendly & brought humor & entertainment to the day. Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins & Spice Farm Tour With Ian was a great tour. We enjoyed all of it. Ian is very knowledgeable. In San Ignacio the Falling Trees Lodge was quaint but very clean. Their restaurant had fantastic food & service. Lamanai tour & boat ride with Brenda our guide was the best tour we had. Brenda had grown up in Lamanai so was very knowledgable. She served the best tour lunch with fresh corn empanadas made by a group of ladies from the Lamanai town. Our next tour at Xunantunich Maya Ruins Tour with Daryl was also fantastic. Cave Tubing was our next adventure. Cameron drove us there & waited while we did the cave. It is a very easy tour with very little rapids, but we still enjoyed it. We then took the ferry to San Pedro. Ramon’s Village was our best room overlooking the ocean. We spent a lot of time sitting on the balcony watching the ocean. The Hol Chan/Shark Alley with our guide Guimerro from Ramon’s was excellent. This was the best tour. Unfortunately on the Manatee Swim/Coral Garden we didn’t find any manatees & the Coral Garden didn’t have many fish at it to see. Returning back to BelizeCity & seeing the zoo. The zoo was okay but I could of skipped it. The Best Western Bitlmore: our room was okay but it was located near the pool & open court yard. From 9 to about 10:30 there was children screaming & adults talking very loudly. I was about to call the front desk to complain when someone opened up their door & told them to be quiet. A room away from all this would be better. The food we had at their Bistro was terrible & the service was not good at all. We went to the Cafe in the morning & it was much better there. Overall we had a fantastic trip full of good memories.

Hotel Reviews

Umaya Resort & Adventures

Placencia

Food wasn’t that great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

On the ocean & lagoon.

Staff

Restaurant service was slow. Servers mixed up orders.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleaning staff kept room clean & tidy

Falling Leaves Lodge

San Ignacio

Very quaint but clean rooms. Love the garden area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to ruins

Staff

Friendly, helpful & gave great service

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramon's Village Resort

San Pedro

Loved the location & grounds of the resort.

Authenticity & Character

Rooms were like huts on the outside.

Location

Right on the ocean

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Best Western Bitlmore Plaza

Belize City

Noisy in evening. Our room was near the pool & open courtyard. I would ask for a room away from this.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to airport.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City with Cave Tubing Tour en Route

Belize

Cave tubing is very easy with not a lot of rapids. Good for any age.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley - from Ramon's Village

Belize

Best snorkelling trip on San Pedro from Ramon’s Village.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ramon’s dive staff are fantastic.

Transport

Lamanai Tour

Belize

Favorite of all our Mayan Ruins tours. The boat ride there adds to the adventure. Best lunch we had on all our tours.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Brenda was amazing.

Transport

Xunantunich Maya Ruins Tour (no horses)

Belize

Tour is not very long but still interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local Area Boat Tour with Optional Activities

Placencia

Tour guides were fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins & Spice Farm Tour

Placencia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zoo in Belize

Belize

It more like an animal rescue then a zoo as it is in a natural setting of the forest. Animals are hard to find in the enclosures.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Bass Transport took us there.

Caye Caulker Manatee Experience from Ramon's Village

San Pedro

We didn’t see any manatees, which they can’t guarantee for you to see. Coral garden wasn’t that great to snorkel at. Hardly any fish there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our Belize trip with Lesbifriends Travel was beyond amazing! From start to finish, everything was perfectly curated, thanks to our knowledgeable travel expert, Caterina.

The itinerary struck the perfect balance of culture, history, beach vibes, and relaxation. We explored ancient Mayan ruins, learned about Belizean history and culture, and soaked up the sun on pristine beaches. We loved cooking and drumming with the Garifuna people and be welcomed into their lovely community; we truly enjoyed this cultural immersion. The trip also included plenty of downtime, which allowed us to truly unwind and enjoy the serene beauty of the destination.

Our guide, Rene was also another highlight. He was very knowledgeable, patient, funny, and a joy to be around. He also did double time as our driver and kept our group safe.

Rene’s expertise and warm personality made every activity more engaging, and Caterina ensured every detail of the trip was seamless. Their teamwork brought everything together, creating an experience we’ll never forget.

If you’re looking for a trip that blends adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration, this Belize trip is it!

Activity Reviews

Belize City Tour

Belize

The Belize City Tour was the perfect way to kick off our adventure. Our guide Rene shared fascinating insights about the city’s history, architecture, and culture, making the streets come alive with stories. We visited historical landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods, and even got a glimpse of the bustling local life. It was the ideal introduction to Belize, setting the tone for the rest of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Xunantunich

Belize

Exploring the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich was a true highlight. The trek to the top of El Castillo rewarded us with panoramic views of Belize and neighboring Guatemala, a sight that took our breath away. Rene’s storytelling brought the site to life, weaving tales of Mayan civilization and its rich history. This experience was not only awe-inspiring but also deeply educational, leaving us with a profound respect for Belize’s ancient roots.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maya Cacao Belizean Experience

Belize

Who knew chocolate-making could be so much fun? The Maya Cacao Belizean Experience was a sensory delight from start to finish. We learned about cacao’s historical significance, roasted cacao beans, and ground them by hand to create our own chocolate. The taste was heavenly, and the experience gave us a deep appreciation for the hard work behind every bar of chocolate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Early Morning Yoga Class

San Ignacio

Starting the day with an early morning yoga class amidst Belize’s natural beauty was incredibly rejuvenating. Surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of nature, the session was both grounding and energizing. The instructor guided us through poses that were accessible for all levels, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and at peace. It was the perfect way to connect with ourselves before diving into the day’s adventures.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San Ignacio Market

San Ignacio

The San Ignacio Market was a feast for the senses! The vibrant stalls overflowed with fresh fruits, vegetables, and local spices, while vendors greeted us with warm smiles and stories about their products. We sampled tropical fruits and discovered unique handmade crafts. The market offered a genuine taste of Belizean life and culture, and it was an absolute joy to explore.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Garifuna Drumming Class

Hopkins Village

The Garifuna Drumming Class was an unforgettable cultural immersion. Our Garifuna instructors were not only talented musicians but also incredible storytellers, sharing the history and significance of drumming in their culture. We learned basic rhythms, danced, and even joined in a group performance. The energy was contagious, and by the end of the session, everyone was smiling, laughing, and feeling deeply connected to the Garifuna spirit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kalipuna Island Farm to Table Cooking Class

Hopkins Village

The Kalipuna Island Farm to Table Cooking Class was a foodie’s dream. We harvested fresh ingredients straight from the farm and worked together to prepare an authentic Belizean meal. The chef guided us step by step, sharing cooking techniques and local traditions. The best part was enjoying the delicious meal we had created, surrounded by the stunning views of the island. It was an intimate and enriching experience that showcased Belize’s culinary and agricultural heritage beautifully.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Just returned from an exciting 9 day mother/daughter trip to Belize! This is the second tour that I've booked through kimkim in the past two years, and again, it proved to be a wise choice and an east platform to use. Our local expert, Alex Coronado, with Old Town Outfitters based in Guatemala, was very personable and fun to work with. He listened to my suggestions and concerns, and made appropriate changes to the itinerary as needed. He was then very approachable and helpful while we were en route, making restaurant suggestions along the way.

One of my biggest concerns in advance with this trip was that the ground transportation go smoothly. Alex booked our transfers through the Belize Airport Shuttle Service (BASS), which proved to be wonderful! Lilia, a local BASS representative, met us at the airport upon arrival with a friendly, reassuring face and a big hug. She introduced us to our first driver and went over the itinerary. She then kept in touch with me through Whatsapp to make sure all the pick-up times went smoothly. We loved all of our drivers!

Most of our tours while inland at San Ignacio were booked through MayaWalk tours. They were wonderful to work with, and we thoroughly enjoyed all of our drivers and guides. Our first guide, Richard, to Mountain Pine Ridge was particularly knowledgeable about local flora and animals. Our second tour was a day-trip to the Tikal ruins in Guatemala, which I highly recommend to anyone considering a Belize trip. It's an enticing glimpse into the beauty of Guatemala. On the second part of our trip, out on the island of Caye Caulker, we used Black Hawk Tours for a full-day snorkeling excursion. Those guys were an absolute blast, and managed to find not one, but an entire group of 4 manatees for us!

Finally, the hotels were lovely and exactly matched to our preferences. The Falling Leaves Lodge, our favorite, in San Ignacio, had lovely jungle grounds, and a very warm, welcoming staff. We ate most of our meals at their restaurant, the Obsidian, and enjoyed happy hour cocktails each day from their bar. They have a brand new, absolutely lovely, pool, which we had all to ourselves most evenings.

I will continue to recommend friends and family to the kimkim model, and will also consider another trip to Guatemala through Old Town Outfitters!

Hotel Reviews

Villa Boscardi Belize City

belice

Nice B&B for the final night in the country. Lovely, clean room, and a wonderful breakfast the following morning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Short drive from the water taxi and the airport. Also within walking distance of a great little restaurant called Smokeez, which one of our BASS drivers recommended.

Staff

Very friendly host for breakfast.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Falling Leaves Lodge

San Ignacio

Loved the small hotel charm, and cute cabanas. Very warm and welcoming staff, particularly the guys running the bar. We loved the food at their restaurant, the Obsidian, and ate most of our meals there. The grounds were lovely and peaceful, especially early in the morning when the birds were waking up. The brand new pool was a delight, and we got to enjoy it by ourselves most evenings.

Authenticity & Character

Very charming. Loved the small size. Staff were very friendly.

Location

Good views, and nice proximity to the Cahal Pech ruins.

Staff

Because of their small size, it was easy for them to get to know people. One of the groundkeepers noticed me bird-watching, for example, and gave me a local map of excellent bird watching sites.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very nice, clean, and comfortably cool room. Loved the large stone shower.

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Mountain Pine Ridge - full day

Belize

Loved our guide, Richard. He stopped at a small road-side bakery on the way and we got freshly made plantain chips. He then told us stories about the Mayan gods en route, and provided excellent tidbits about local flora and animals all day. Lunch that day was one of our favorite meals.

Quality of Experience

Food

We had beans/rice with jerk chicken. The chicken was some of the best we had the whole trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved Richard. Very knowledgeable guide, and fun to spend the day with.

Transport

Explore Tikal National Park

San Ignacio

Wonderful glimpse into Guatemala. The border crossing was easy and fun. The ruins are spectacular. We saw lots of wildlife and beautiful trees as a bonus. Lunch en route was very good.

Quality of Experience

Very knowledgeable guide. There was another family with us on this tour, so it was fun to be part of a group.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Long drive, but a very comfortable and cool van.

Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City with Cave Tubing Tour en Route

Belize

Very nice way to break up the drive back to the coast from inland. The cave and the river that ran through it were a wonderful relief from the heat. The water was crystal clear and very inviting to swim in.

Quality of Experience

Easily manageable as an addition to the drive back to the coast.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juan was fabulous. We had him all to ourselves, so really got the VIP treatment.

Transport

Good timing. He managed to get us to the water taxi with plenty of time to catch an earlier boat.

Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef

Caye Caulker

The guys at Black Hawk were very fun and very skilled at finding wildlife in the ocean for us to see. We were very fortunate to get to see a group of 4 manatees.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All of the Black Hawk guys were very funny and personable. Our boat driver, John, was very good at finding wildlife.

Transport

Catherina is amazing. From the preliminary agenda until we were on the plane she was on top of everything. When changes were required she made them, was solicitous of our comfort and in every way fabulous. JJ and Renee were equally impressive and did everything to make our trip enjoyable. Renee returned the room key that I forgot in Belize, JJ helped me through a bit of stomach upset. All of the birding guides were extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend that folks our age split birding and ruin watching into two days. It was 104 degrees the day we did it and we cooked. The reef in Belize is still beautiful, but showing signs of bleaching, more's the pity. All in all, it was one of our best trips. Kudos to Columbus travel.

Hotel Reviews

Mystic River Resort

San Ignacio

Sited in the jungle with balconies looking down on the river, Mystic River Resort is beautiful. For bird watchers like ourselves, there are over 250 species of birds on the property. The first morning a summer tanager dropped down to the railing when I walked out to claim her share of the banana bread (which hotel staff had brought to our door along with delicious coffee). The rooms are large and comfortable with both a fan and a fireplace. (A little too warm while we were there for the latter.) A very nice outdoor dining room with both hummingbird and platform feeders providing great interest especially in the morning. The staff are pleasant and solicitous of your well being. A thoroughly pleasant stay.

Authenticity & Character

Lovely cabins, decor throughout well done and consistent.

Location

Sited in untouched jungle, birds, birds, birds!

Staff

Way above average in friendliness and helpfulness.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and comfortable/

Hotel Atitlán

Panajachel

Very different from Mystic River. Sculptured gardens and lots of flowers. Beautiful! Many birds, but not as many as Mystic River. Very comfortable room. Lovely restaurant with excellent choices and food.

Authenticity & Character

Very well done with a great deal of period pieces

Location

Right on Lake Atitlan with boat travel to various cool experiences.

Staff

Very helpful and efficient

Cleanliness & Comfort

Like most Latin hotel very clean, good shower, very comfortable

Azure Del Mar

Placencia

Again a huge switch, since this hotel is literally on the beach. What appears to be a very simplistic hotel turns out to be a very cozy stay with the wind off the Gulf blowing through the room day and night. There was no need of fan or air conditioning although a conditioner was provided. Palapa style office, dining room and cabins. Very intriguing! Thoroughly enjoyed our stay there

Authenticity & Character

Palapa says it all.

Location

Right on the beach, what more could you ask?

Staff

Extraordinarily helpful, efficient and thoughtful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean throughout. Very comfortable the way the cabins are sited!

Activity Review

Welcome to Guatemala

Guatemala

Went off without a hitch. We were met by JJ as we came out of baggage claim, the car was loaded and we were on our way.

Quality of Experience

JJ is friendly, helpful, personable and efficient.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See above

Transport

Nice wheels.

We had a great time with Tomas and Michael in Belize. The tour guide in Guatemala gave us a good suggestion to do the tour at 4 am instead of later in the day bcoz the temperature was very high ( 101) and that helped us a lot!
Overall a great experience!

Hotel Reviews

Jaguar Inn Tikal

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Issue with water supply and fan in the summer heat

Black Rock Lodge

San Ignacio

Best experience ever! The staff is fantastic and the hotel is so close to nature- great way to disconnect!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The location is beautiful but the 6/7 mile long road going to the lodge can be improved.

Staff

Best experience ever- everyone was super nice!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramon's Village Resort

San Pedro

Paradise!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jaguar Creek Lodge

Cayo District, Belize

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff is good but they can help with lugging the bags to the rooms especially if the room is far away from the reception. No one offered to help us

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) caves day tour

San Ignacio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He could have planned for the tubes to be at the cave and not for us to carry it along the way. We saw other guides doing that and even offering to take family pics - he didn’t even ask

Transport

Cacao Farm & Chocolate Making Tour

San Ignacio

Very enriching experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Tikal National Park

San Ignacio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He charged us extra money for the 4 am tour

Transport

Canopy Tour in Tikal National Park

Guatemala

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Awesome staff

Transport

Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley - from Ramon's Village

Belize

Dream come true!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Best staff - so helpful and made me and my daughter so comfortable

Transport

My 19yo daughter and I had a great time on our trip to Belize. Chris listened to everything I wanted and planned a perfect itinerary. We enjoyed horseback riding to the Maya site Xunantunich. Our guides Jose and Carla were knowledgeable and accommodating. Jose helped me get to the top of the pyramid as I’m afraid of heights. I’m so glad I did it—the view was amazing! We also enjoyed cave tubing en route from San Ignacio to San Pedro. It was beautiful and we saw a family of howler monkeys right above us along the riverside. Last, we snorkeled with nurse sharks and rays in Hol Chan. Our guide Carlos showed us a number of cool sea creatures like eels and an arrowhead crab. Our accommodations at Falling Leaves Lodge and Ramon’s Village were comfortable and clean. Thanks to Chris we were able to enjoy an upgrade to an ocean view room at Ramon’s which we appreciated. Last, our driver between sites, Derek, was always prompt and made getting around feel easy and safe.

Hotel Reviews

Falling Leaves Lodge

San Ignacio

Pool and poolside snack bar was under construction but will add a lot to the experience.

Authenticity & Character

The gardens were beautiful . Room was small but comfortable and clean. Shower hot.

Location

Proximity to Cahal Pech Maya site; being at the top of the hill limited dining and activity options

Staff

Paula and Kevin were great. Pointed out plants and a toucan in the garden. Some restaurant staff were not always welcoming

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramon's Village Resort

San Pedro

Authenticity & Character

A little touristy in character but still beautiful and comfortable. The clean beach and chaise lounges were appreciated.

Location

Right on the beautiful turquoise water.

Staff

Friendly and lots of good suggestions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bedding and pillows could use replacing.

Activity Reviews

Horse Backriding Tour of the Xunantunich Maya Ruins

Belize

Guides Jose and Carla were great. Horses were well behaved. Site was amazing. Jose helped me with the climb—so kind.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley - from Ramon's Village

Belize

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City with Cave Tubing Tour en Route

Belize

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A bit more spendy than I expected but lots due to traveling solo. Some of the excursions were cancelled due to weather, no one’s fault. One excursion actually encompassed what a second excursion was so cancelled that…no interest in doing it twice. The hotels were great. There was some confusion about day trip stuff or taxi not being paid so I was reimbursed after the trip. The jaguar did not last as long as indicated. I was back in 3 hours and the cooking class was only about an hour. Nothing about the Carifuna culture or drumming/dancing like I thought.

Hotel Reviews

Jan's Hotel

Caye Caulker

Great location. Super nice staff.

Authenticity & Character

Local operated

Location

Beachfront. Walkable

Staff

Everyone was super helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mata Rocks Resort

San Pedro

Great views

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beachfront

Staff

Super helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Lodge at Jaguar Reef

Hopkins

Absolutely gorgeous!

Authenticity & Character

Decor was lovely

Location

Staff

Very attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless

Activity Reviews

Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley - from Caye Caulker

Belize

Very nice. Also included Manitee and coral reef.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgeable

Transport

Blue Hole Snorkeling Day Tour

Belize

This was canceled twice due to weather. Sounded great though. Only rated it to continue this survey.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Caye Caulker Manatee Experience from Ramon's Village

San Pedro

It was a repeat itinerary of what I already did so I canceled it. Don’t think I was reimbursed for that one but unsure.

Garifuna Cultural Immersion and Culinary Tour

Hopkins Village

I just helped cook a dish which was good and fun but that was it. Only lasted about an hour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary

Hopkins Village

Really nice but just a quick trip. Only 3 hours. Not what I expected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We spent two wonderful weeks in San Pedro, San Ignacio and Guatemala with one other couple. Our vacation was arranged by Eduardo. Eduardo took care of everything for us. During our vacation he kept in touch with me to make sure all was going well. He genuinely wanted to make sure we had a good trip. One thing I greatly appreciated was that for most of our tours Eduardo planned them for just the four of us. We were very lucky to NOT be part of the big groups. Being this was our first time to Belize we were really unsure of where to go and what to expect. Our transportation was all pre-arranged which took a ton of stress off of me. Our first driver, (Cameron) was waiting for us at the airport and took us to the water taxi to get us to San Pedro. He was full of conversation and pointed so many things out on our way. He was wonderful. We started our vacation in Belize on San Pedro. We stayed at Tres Cocos Resort. This is a very clean resort. The staff, be it office or grounds, they were all so nice and went out of their way to help us. We went night snorkeling and also did a whole day snorkel with Inland and Sea Adventure (Eric and Maya). We had a really good time going to Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley, and Caye Caulker for lunch. We were able to see manta rays, sea turtles, mannatees, and lots of different fish. The water was a little rough which made for the water being murky and having to deal with alot of human "trash". The tour company was wonderful. They made sure that we all had a really good time and of course safety was number one. The main transportation to get around San Pedro is a golf cart. Do know that the roads are full of pot holes and very rough. We ate at a couple different restaurants that in my opinion are worth mentioning: 1. for dinner Caramba 2. for breakfast Tres Cocos Waffles and Smokehouse. One thing to be prepared for while on the island: Things are very expensive. For example a pound of butter was $21.95 BZE. After spending 5 days on San Pedro we headed inland. Our next destination was San Ignacio. On our way there we again had Cameron as our driver. We learned so much from him. We made a stop to do a river tubing tour. Our guide for this tour was Victor. He was always talking and sharing his knowledge. I do wish that he had slowed down a little as my husband and I were a tad slower on the walk to the river and we missed out on most of his conversation. We also felt that we were rushed during the tubing part of the tour. Not sure we would do this again, but perhaps the kayaking instead. While in San Ignacio we stayed at the "Falling Leaves Lodge". I can't say enough good about this lodge. I absolutely loved it. ALL of the staff were so friendly and helpful. We ate breakfast there every morning, delish... One of the chefs is Mo. He personally came out of the kitchen at every meal to make sure that we had enjoyed everything. Paula (the manager) is the most wonderful person. She went out of her way to make our stay memorable. She really should be proud of her staff. The grounds are well kept and it is a very beautiful layout. The pool was not finished when we were there (December 2023), but it was being worked on between rainy days. We definitely will be staying with them on our next trip. On a side note there is a ruins that is just a walk from Falling Leaves Lodge: Cahal Pech. This is a self guided tour, but definitely worth it. A most interesting tour was the Cacao Farm and Chocolate making. If you want to know where chocolate really comes from and not a "Willy Wonka tour" this tour is for you. Adrian took us to the small farm where the cacao trees grow and then his family demonstrated how the Mayans make chocolate back in town at their shop. One tour that you do not want to miss is the ATM cave tour! There are many different comments on this tour about it being hard, and what you can bring with on the tour. I am 58 years old, not in the best shape: I did it!! You do have to cross 3 "river spots", but there is a big ol' rope to hang on to. There is a bit of swimming, but most of it is "walking" through the water. There is climbing on and through rocks (water shoes are a must). There is one spot where you have to climb up rocks, but there are so many helping hands in the groups to help, everyone makes it up and also down. Our driver, Hugh, stayed with the van and had a most delicious lunch waiting for us. Now as to what you can bring on this tour: Nothing, no wet bag, water, camera or anything. The guide carries it all in their bag. The one thing that you will need is an old pair of socks that you can throw away. You can bring a change of clothes as you will get wet. But that is left in the van. After you get to the top of the one climbing spot you may NOT wear shoes, that is where the socks come into play. Our guide here was Gonzo. Talk about a great guide, he is the best! Our next couple days were spent in Guatemala, heading to Tikal Lodge. Our driver to the border was again Hugh. As always he is so pleasant and full of knowledge as he is a retired tour guide. He made sure we got into Guatemala without trouble and found our connecting ride and guide. At the border on both sides there are many currency exchangers waiting to make sure you have Guatemalen money. Do make sure you get small bills not just large ones as the small shops aren't always able to make change. On our way to Tikal Lodge we stopped for lunch. Please know that Spanish is the main language in Guatemala so ordering lunch was a bit of a challenge since we don't speak Spanish. After lunch we headed to Yaxha Maya Ruins. This is an out of the way ruins. But boy is it worth seeing. Our guide, Oliver, was hoping that we would be able to see the sunset here, but due to the incoming rain, we missed out on that. This is one place that we got to see the howler monkeys and various birds. One suggestion I have is to leave earlier than 10 a.m. from San Ignacio if you are heading to Guatemala to do this tour. The travel time is a bit long due to ALL the "potholes" and rough road. We stayed at Jungle Lodge Tikal while in Guatemala. This was a clean lodge But... be prepared for no hot water, they shut the lights and electricity off at 11 p.m. (as they are basically off grid) in the rooms, the only internet is at the lodge not in your room, the restaurant is fair (it seemed that they were out of things on the menu and usually things we wanted to order) and again they only speak Spanish which makes things difficult. The staff wasn't overly friendly either. We were scheduled to have a free day in Flores on our own. Had it not been for our guide, Oliver, offering his services for the day it would not have been such a fun day. Again, we don't speak Spanish and it would have been a struggle without him. His helpfulness with the language barrier was most appreciated. He also took us places that we never would have known about, such as a wood carving school where the students are able to sell their projects and get the money, the animal sanctuary (Arca's) and another off the beaten path ruins. Our main reason for going to Guatemala was the sunrise tour at Tikal National Park. The nice thing about staying at Jungle Lodge Tikal is for the sunrise tour you're right there to start the walk to the temple. So with that in mind we would over look some of the down sides and stay here again so that we are right there for the sunrise tour. One thing to bring is a flashlight or even better a head lamp so your hands are free. One thing we wished is that we had allowed a couple days for Tikal, as our guide told us that about 2-3 days is what you need to see it all. We really didn't get to see much of Tikal because we didn't realize it was such a huge ruins. After getting back to Belize the next day we did a horse riding tour of Xunantunich Maya Ruins. This was alot of fun with our guides, Elio and Miguel. You get to see a bit of different scenery off the beaten path . One thing to remember this is a half day tour so there is no lunch provided. We ended our vacation with a Cooking Class in San Ignacio at Marie Sharp's Tourist Center. This was a blast! We were taken to the market by William (our instructor). He shared alot of information about San Ignacio while at the market. We all pitched in and helped prepare our lunch which was very tasty chicken, rice, bread pudding and other tasty things. This was a hands on cooking class. One thing to remember about Belize and Guatemala even though you go during the "dry season" this does not mean it won't rain. We found this out on many days. Our vacation was incredible! Alot of the credit goes to Eduardo for planning things out so well. We can't wait to start planning our next visit to Belize and Guatemala.

December 23 All-day island trip
It rained most of the day and it was windy and basically unpleasant.
The trip should have been canceled but the guide did not explain that
we could have postponed the trip until there was a sunny day
The boat trip was about 90 minutes each way and the sea was quite wavy.
There was little sun so the snorkeling was not good.
We did not dress very well for the weather and so we were cold a good part of the day.
The guide did provide us with some interesting facts about the Maya civilization and
he and his wife cooked a chicken lunch on an open fire which provided some heat to warm
us a little,
One reason we decided to vacation in Belize was because we had read that the snorkeling was excellent. However, rainy days are not good for snorkeling,

December 26 we were scheduled to visit the Mayan ruins.
Our guide was 90 minutes late to pick us up and then turned us over to a friend of his who guided us for the day. We first visited a family that harvested and made chocolate.
They talked for an hour about chocolate which was some what interesting and then they
prepared a lunch for us .
We then went to the Mayan ruins which were interesting and we enjoyed walking through the area. However, as our original guide was not with us and our substitute guide had no money we had to pay for all of us to tour the Mayan ruins.
We made a quick stop at the spice farm for cold drinks.

We cancelled the trip to the Zip Line a couple days in advance and I would appreciate a full
refund of $3,500 charged for that day. Also we cancelled in advance the driver who was scheduled to drive us back to Belize City. I trust you will reimburse me for the charge for
that trip. The drive to Placencia with 10 people and the driver and luggage was not very interesting so we all decided to fly back to Belize City

The accommodations at Los Porticos were comfortable.

Hotel Review

Los Porticos Villas

Placencia

Our group consisted of ten people - 7 adults and 3 children We rented two condos. Each had two bedrooms plus pull out couches in the living rooms. We were located on the ocean and there was a swimming pool. We rented a golf cart for the week as it was about a 10 minute ride into the town of Placencia. One condo also provided 2 bikes. We were also able to hire 2 chefs who cooked breakfast for us every morning which was very nice.

Authenticity & Character

It was on the beach and near other hotels where kayaks could be rented

Location

Near the town of Placencia which has several restaurants

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Local Area Boat Tour with Optional Activities

Placencia

Take this trip on a sunny day and the experience should be worth while It rained and was windy with out sun the day we took the trip

Quality of Experience

The guide should have cancelled the trip due yo bad weather

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free day in Placencia

Placencia

Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins & Spice Farm Tour

Placencia

Our guide provided good information about the Mayan ruins at Nim Li Punit. Walking through the area with the guide made the experience more interesting. We stopped at the Spice Farm only briefly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Angel Falls Zipline Day Trip

Belize

Not for people over 50 years old

Belize and Guatemala were new to me and we had one specific week in mind, at fairly short notice. Kimkim found us an amazing local agent, Eduardo, who suggested an itinerary including hotels, activities and transfers, and it was anbsolutely fantastic. The added challenge came when AA cancelled our flight and we had to find another way to make it all work - which Eduardo did with considerable creativity.

Our tour included an amazing jungle hotel, Tikal, Xunantunich on horseback, San Ignacio, cave tubing and Caye Caulker. All in 6 days. I wish we could have stayed longer but sadly we couldn’t.

.would very highly recommend Guatemala, Belize, Eduardo and Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews

Jungle Lodge Tikal

Peten

This is an authentic jungle experience. It’s just amazing. Basic but comfortable rooms, an excellent bar and restaurant, and wildlife all round. A really special place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bear in mind that this is a jungle venue so it isnt going to be the Ritz, but for where it is, it is amazing

The Log Cab Inn Resort

San Ignacio

A very comfortable stay in a family room. The swimming pool makes it work. Handy for San Ignacio which is a shot can ride away. Very friendly and helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Isla Resort

Cayo District, Belize

Disappointed that the restaurant was shut when we were there so there was no opportunity to sit on the hotel’s beach space and order a rum punch. But the rooms were fine.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean but several bits of minor maintenance needed: loose tiles, door not closing easily.

Activity Reviews

Explore Tikal National Park

San Ignacio

Amazing event with a great local guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horse Backriding Tour of the Xunantunich Maya Ruins

Belize

Brilliant experience. Wonderful horses even for an old fatty like me!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cave tubing tour

Belize

Just completely awesome. Not remotely scary. Majestic is the word I’d use.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Belize was wonderful. Catherina listened to what we wanted and we had a wonderful time. We stayed in two smaller resorts and the people were incredible and so friendly. We were in the mountains for the first part of the trip and then on the beach, to relax and do some snorkeling. We went to some Mayan ruins and hiked thru the jungle. We saw some incredible birds and fish. We swam with Eagle Rays and sea turtles, so very exciting. All of our guides and the staff at both resorts were fantastic. We had a really great time!

Hotel Reviews

Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort

Dangriga

This is a smaller resort, which we really prefer. It is right on the ocean and we had a lovely "tree house” room. It was air conditioned and a very nice room. The staff were amazing and so accommodating. All our guides were great and we got to see a ton of birds and had some incredible snorkeling adventures. We swam with Eagle Rays and Sea Turtles and lots of beautiful fish. It was so much fun. We had all our meals included in our package. They serve very large portions - they don’t want anyone to go hungry. Fortunately, you can order 1/2 portions. We had an amazing time here and would love to come back some day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Blancaneaux Lodge

This is a more rustic retreat. The rooms are not air conditioned, but they do have very good fans. When we went it was quite humid and hot, but we didn’t mind it too much. We were out doing things during the day and it cooled down a little at night. It was a beautiful setting and we really enjoyed our stay at Blancaneaux Lodge. The staff are so very nice and do everything they can to make your stay wonderful. This is a much smaller retreat which is what we really enjoy. They have their own farm with fresh eggs and produce. The food was very good. There were a number of families here and we really enjoyed connecting with the other guests as well. It was such a lovely place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

This is a lodge, so it is a little more rustic - if you are looking for luxury you might be a little disappointed. It was clean and the bed was comfortable. We really enjoyed it.

Activity Reviews

Barrier Reef Snorkeling

Belize

You really must at least go snorkeling here. The reef is teaming with ocean life and it was so beautiful. Our guides were really great and knowledgeable. We had such a great time snorkeling.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoy Barton Creek

Belize

This was a surprisingly wonderful experience. Our guide was terrific and he canoed us a long way into the cave with all this history. He was very knowledgeable and we were very lucky to be the only ones there at this time. We were told that rarely happens. I don’t know that it would have been very enjoyable if it was crowded - part of what made it so nice was that we were alone and could take our time looking at the artifacts and learn about what was found inside this cave. We really enjoyed this adventure.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Discover Xunantunich

Belize

If you haven’t and even if you have visited a Mayan ruin before this is a must. Our guide was great and very knowledgeable and we climbed all the way to the top. It was worth the climb for the view. It’s really interesting learning about the Mayan culture and seeing the temples and ruins.

Our trip to Belize was incredible. This was our first time in Belize and Catherina and her team did a great job of matching our travel style and preferences to the two resorts we stayed at, Blancaneaux and Hamanasi. It was a great mix of inland and reef adventures and the service was fantastic. All of our guides and drivers were exceptional.

Belize trip 2023

Our guide, Rene’, was very nice, helpful, & knowledgeable. I believe Francis was our guide for ATM cave. He was the same in every way as Rene’. I didn’t care for the ATM cave but my youngest son really enjoyed it. While I wouldn’t have chosen either place we stayed I was pleasantly surprised by both. Table rock was beautiful & the staff & food were amazing. Only thing I would add would be ac. Brisa Oceana was also great & in the perfect place that gave us access to everything the area had to offer

We had a wonderful time. Rubin was a knowledge, kind, well spoken, service oriented guide. We learned and were so enhanced and blessed by the Mayan teaching, history and culture. The lodge was fantastic. Monkeys, sounds of the jungle and the accommodations we loved! Food was good. Also hit some local spots that Rubin recommended. This made our time even better.. Drivers were also excellent! Lenten and Fernando made the travel easy.

Lots of walking in the forest and up and down stairs. All worth it, but you will be tired after 6 hours. Or, you can opt out.
Rubin kept us going but also realizes that some cannot keep this pace.

Servers at the lodge were trying hard, but many don't speak English. Just be prepared if you don't speak Spanish. One lovely server who could speak some English stepped into translate often.

We will definitely use kimkim again. Could not have done it without them. Guidance was priceless and made for no stress at all.

I have nothing but great things to say about Guatemala! Eduardo made the itinerary to fit my needs and interests, and even adjusted it as needed! Luis, my tour guide all week, made my experience one to remember as a solo traveler. He was passionate about his home but also so open to welcoming me to it. I didn’t have nearly enough time to see as much of this beautiful place as I wanted, but I definitely believe Lake Atitlan is a MUST SEE in Guatemala. I hope to be back to see the northern regions!