Crystal Paradise Resort

Miss Carolita and her whole family and team at Crystal Paradise made me feel like family. I stayed for five nights and it was a pleasure. They all went out of their way to make sure I had everything I need, Carolita even went above and beyond when I ran out of some personal toiletries. The transfer to and from Belize City was very affordable compared to other services, and they are happy to make any stops you need, including waiting for you to visit the zoo. The optional breakfast (US$12) and dinner (US$21) was very tasty, served family style, with generous portions. They are more than happy to cater to any dietary restrictions. The local bus stops right outside the gates and gets you into or out of San Ignacio in about 15 minutes, for BZ$2.50. Bird watching is phenomenal, several serious birders staying there were gushing about the rare birds spotted there. I saw keel billed motmots and toucanettes at their feeders on multiple occasions. The river can be accessed from the property by a short walk, but it is all uphill on the way back.

We didn’t know that the kitchen was open only for breakfast. Also our bedroom was not made as it appeared on the website. Breakfast was great and the service very nice as well.

My slightly ambulatory, handicapped husband and I stayed at Crystal Paradise for a week. I had sent them a list of activities we wanted to do, and they sent me a proposed itinerary, all-inclusive, including driver, guides, entrance fees, an overnight trip to Tikal, and transportation from the airport and to our next adventure. This was very convenient and relaxing. Because birds are more my interest, while my husband prefers Mayan Ruins, we did not have the same guide daily, as birders often do. The owners of Crystal Paradise are a large family, and several brothers and a nephew were our primary guides. Every guide and driver was great. Knowledgeable, polite, helpful, etc. On a rainy day, he suggested car birding with an eventual walk down. to Laguna Aguacate. I saw 65 species of birds on that half-day trip. The rooms are comfortable, with air conditioning and fans. The food was great, esp their homemade tortillas, both corn and wheat. Other than one packed lunch, we stopped at restaurants for lunch, The best was a small place where we ate the prepared food of the day: tamalitos--sweet corn, not stuffed--and stewed chicken. The bird deck was remarkable: at least 7 different tanagers, motmots, Euphonia, daily toucans, and even a gorgeous red-legged honeycreeper. Most importantly, the people were very hospitable and kind. We arrived a day late due to a plane issue, neither our fault nor theirs. After a brief discussion, he reduced the cost by half for that day. (We had squeezed 2 activities into one day My husband walks 50-100 yards max and uses a portable travel wheelchair. They lent us their mother's walker to use at the resort. They arranged special permission to drive up to the main plazas of Mayan sites so that my husband could see them well. Re Accessibility: There's a cement walkway from the rooms/cabins to the main lodge and dining room. However, there are several sets of 2-3 stairs along the way. It would be difficult for anyone completely unable to walk. One could swim in the river but I did not. My only critique was That I recommend more lunches at holes in the wall with a plate del dia.