debber

I'll be in Western Belize in mid-August and have narrowed my choices down to these two. Five Sisters is slightly more expensive, but sounds a bit more interesting to me. Any thoughts?

lauralue9

This is so funny because I have been online requesting information for a New Year's trip to Belize from those very locaitions. We are considering a jungle trip (3 nights) to Black Rock or Five Sisters and a few others and a beach trip (7 nights) to Beaches & Dreams or Blue Tang Inn. Please let me know which you choose and why? Thanks

LanSluder

I've been to both.

Both are in the same general area, but the particular settings are quite different.

Black Rock has a beautiful setting in a remote area above the Macal River. It has suffered of late due to the incident there about a year and a half ago, when the manager and assistant manager were murdered and a guest raped. I've been reluctant to recommend it since, but I'm told they finally have good management in place and that people who have stayed there recently have enjoyed it.

Five Sisters is in the Mountain Pine Ridge. This is not a broadleaf jungle area but more like the southern Appalachians, with pines (many killed by the Southern Pine Beetle) and even red clay. Five Sisters is set above waterfalls for which it is named (actually, these are more like cascades than waterfalls.) Beautiful grounds (despite the loss of pines), good restaurant. The owner, a Belizean, is trying to sell. Five Sisters is just down the road from Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge.

The accommodations are somewhat similar -- mostly nice but not deluxe cabanas.

It's hard to recommend one over the other, as they are similar in price and appeal to the same type of traveler. I personally think Black Rock has a much more dramatic setting, but the incident there is still a cloud in my view. Fvie Sisters probably has better food, and in some ways it is the more "romantic" of the two.

--Lan Sluder <Adapter Kit: Belize, San Pedro Cool, Fodor's Belize & Guatemala, Belize First Guide to Mainland Belize, etc.>

debber

Thanks, LanSluder. Is there another lodge in the vicinity and in the same price range that you would recommend? I am looking for a double cabana with private bath and hopefully a good view.

debber

and incidentally, LanSluder, do you have any more details about the murder/rape? was it random or somehow connected to the place? it's not necessarily a deal-breaker for me (I live in NY after all) but I'm not thrilled about the idea either.

LanSluder

Yeah, it allegedly stemmed from a situation with the local manager, an American expat, and a young girl from Guatemala. I'm not going to go into it any more than that, but it was a situation that should never have happened and shouldn't have been allowed to go on.

--Lan Sluder

LanSluder

You might also look at:

Pook's Hill -- beautiful setting, pleasant thatch cabanas, authentic lodge atmosphere with kerosene lamps and water heated with cohune nuts, in the "real jungle" off the Western Highway south of Belmopan. There's a Maya ruin being excavated on the lodge grounds. Nice owners, one from South Africa originally. Around US$125 double.

For a real value, look at Roaring River Lodge, also south of Belmopan off mile 50 of the Western Highway. No views as at Five Sisters and Black Rock, but attractive setting with a lot of birds. Pool (currently being repaired) and swimming in Roaring Creek. Run by a young couple from Belgium. US$40 double off-season, $50 in-season, breakfast included.

Also in Cayo of course there's duPlooy's (some units moderate) and the safari camp at Chaa Creek (US$100 double including meals).

--Lan Sluder