moderately priced jungle lodge

Old Jun 1st, 2003, 04:28 PM
  #1  
kb2
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
moderately priced jungle lodge

We were planning on staying at Roaring River lodge, per recommendations from this site, but a friend who just got back from Belize said that lodges near Belmopan aren't really in the jungle, aren't at a high elevation and will be very hot. Is this true? Should we be looking at jungle lodges near San Ignacio instead? Any thoughts/suggestions?
kb2 is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2003, 02:25 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,268
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can't answer your specific questions, but I have been doing similar research regarding moderatly priced lodges. You might want to look into the Camp at Chaa Creek for $50/night pp with meals; we briefly considered this option for our planned trip in July but then opted to splurge and go for Ek'Tun.

Two helpful sites I found for information are belizenet.com (forums section) and belizefirst.com.

Jackie is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2003, 01:09 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This time of year, it's going to be hot just about anywhere in Belize. San Ignacio and Belmopan, less than 25 miles apart, have the same climate and more or less the same elevation.

Perhaps your friend is thinking of the Mountain Pine Ridge, which is at a higher elevation. It is cooler and somewhat less humid there. But the Mountain Pine Ridge does not look like the "jungle" you are probably expecting -- much of it looks something like the low mountains in north Alabama, complete with red clay, though with orchids and more exotic wildlife. Quite a few of the pines have been killed by the Southern Pine Beetle (the same beetle that hit pines in the U.S. South). There are only four lodges in the Pine Ridge; the Pine Ridge Lodge is the cheapest of the four, followed by Five Sisters, Hidden Valley and Blancaneaux, the priciest.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com
LanSluder is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2003, 01:43 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry to hear about the pine beetle. I guess that little bugger is everywhere. We really enjoyed our time up on the Pine Ridge. We had a mayan guide who drove us to Caracol and Rio Frio, and the waterfall where we saw our first King Vultures flying around. He took us further away also where we saw several other ruins and had lunch at a great restaurant.
Suzie2 is offline  
Old Jun 4th, 2003, 11:03 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I should clarify my own comment: Not all of this region is pine -- though that's what Belizeans mean when they use the term ridge -- not a mountain ridge but an area with a certain kind of tree, in this case Mountain Pine. But there are also areas of broadleaf bush, and as you get closer to Caracol you are in REAL jungle.

--Lan Sluder
LanSluder is offline  
Old Jun 5th, 2003, 03:38 PM
  #6  
kb2
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A follow up question to my original posting: If the climate and elevation are similar, are there other differences between the two areas (near Belmopan and San Ignacio)? Roaring River has great prices for their lodging and tours but since we may only get to Belize once, we would love to hear from someone who has actually stayed there. We are also wondering if the jungle camp at Chaa Creek is worth the extra money it costs. Any other suggestions for affordable, pretty and friendly jungle lodges?
kb2 is offline  
Old Jun 6th, 2003, 11:14 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You might want to take a look at Crystal Paradise Resort, on the Macal River. They have thatched roof casitas for 125.00 for two with bkft and dinner included. I much prefer this area of Cayo, lots more to do and cooler at night in the early morning hrs.
KatieValk is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2003, 07:29 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just came back from Belize a few days ago and stayed at the Roaring River Lodge. I cannot say enough good things about this place!
The hosts Wim and Chantal are extremely gracious. They picked me up from the bus station. The first drink (Belikin beer-local for Belizians) is on the house and breakfast is included. I stayed in the bunkhouse for $10 a night and it included all of this! Their place is VERY remote. If you are looking to get away from it all and just enjoy the outdoors, this is the place for you. The pool was being worked on at the time and the river is running low right now, so there is no tubing on the river right now. But that could change if it rains. The property is very well manicured and maintained, flowers everywhere. Outside restaurant, and outside bar. The owners are from Belgium and I can't say enough about this place. This was one of the biggest bargains of my trip!!! You will not be disappointed! Tell them Robin from Buffalo says hello!!
blondehonie1 is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2003, 05:43 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just remember who recommended Roaring River Lodge!

--Lan Sluder
LanSluder is offline  
Old Jun 19th, 2003, 09:03 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, a guidebook recommended it to me.. and I am recommending it on to someone else...Lan, any other comments or suggestions?!
blondehonie1 is offline  
Old Jun 20th, 2003, 06:15 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Actually, I recommended it to you here on this site (go back to your original message titled Single Girl Traveling/Cheap Sleeps and see my reply there.

--Lan Sluder
LanSluder is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alisa23
Mexico & Central America
33
Dec 17th, 2013 08:57 AM
steph270
Mexico & Central America
16
Jul 20th, 2013 07:06 PM
DOCROX
Mexico & Central America
5
Oct 19th, 2009 09:03 PM
MyDogKyle
Mexico & Central America
6
Dec 5th, 2007 09:24 PM
cobbs1
Mexico & Central America
4
Jul 31st, 2007 12:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -