Accommodations
Price Categories
Price categories are for two people sharing a room, including breakfast:
$ = under US$40
$$ = US$40–70
$$$ = over US$70
Guatemala
Accommodations in Guatemala range from luxury colonial hotels to backpackers’ hostels. There are plenty of budget hotels to choose from and an increasing number of boutique places. Pensiones or hospedajes have very basic rooms, and these guesthouses are usually run by local families.
Room rates are at their highest and harder to find during Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter Sunday), Christmas to New Year, and July and August.
Belize
Belize offers a brilliant choice of accommodation ranging from comfortable budget hotels to luxurious beach resorts, country cottages to jungle lodges.
There are a few large internationally owned chain hotels and plenty of small private lodges, hotels, and guesthouses. Travelers with special interests are well catered for – there are remote dive resorts on the outer cayes, lodges catering for the eco-tourist and the bird-watcher, and jungle health resorts for those in need of serious pampering. Styles and atmospheres differ wildly: the environment makes a difference, as does the personality of the owners. Many of these places have American and European owners, who make their marks on the feel of the places.
For accommodation in lodges and on some cayes, it is difficult to give price guides as they usually offer deals which include diving or fishing trips, or rainforest treks. The packages are mostly quite expensive, but very convenient and usually worthwhile. There is also a compulsory government hotel tax of 9 percent added to prices, and most hotels add a service charge of 5–10 percent.
Hotel prices vary greatly depending on the season. The price categories are high-season rates, usually charged between November 15 and May 15 (but may vary between hotels). Prices may drop dramatically in the low season.
The Yucatán
The Yucatán can cater for pretty much all tastes: options run from glittering beach palaces to small town hotels with whirring roof fans. For extra graciousness, there are elegant hotels in restored colonial haciendas, and there’s a growing number of charming, individually run small hotels and B&Bs, especially in Mérida and Campeche. As alternatives to big resorts, the coasts and islands offer a seductive variety of romantic palm-roofed cabins by the beach – from basic to luxury-standard – and some of the most enjoyable places to stay are in the most apparently remote locations.
Hotel prices are higher overall – often a lot higher – in Cancún, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and the Riviera Maya than in the rest of the Yucatán, and have soared recently in Tulum. Hotel rates, especially in resort areas, rise about 10 or 15 percent in the peak season, with additional price hikes for Christmas, New Year, and Easter.
Guatemala
Guatemala City
Hotel Chalet Suizo
7 Av 14-34, Zona 1
Tel: 2251 8191
A very well-run and maintained budget hotel, with 47 rooms and a small cafe that serves good local food. It’s secure and conveniently located for all of Zona 1’s sights. $
Hotel Colonial
7a Av 14-19, Zona 1
Tel: 2232 6722
Spanish-style hotel with dark, colonial furniture. There are three classes of rooms, most of which have cable TV and a private bathroom. $
Dos Lunas
21 Calle 10-92, Zona 13
Tel: 2261 4248
Excellent, inexpensive guesthouse run by a fluent English-speaking Guatemalteca and her Dutch husband. Spotless accommodations are accompanied by free airport transfers, internet access and breakfast. Evening meals are also offered. $
La Inmaculada Hotel
14 Calle 7-88, Zona 10
Tel: 2314 5100
New boutique hotel with fine location near the Zona Viva, and 13 modish rooms that boast style and gadgets galore. There’s fast wi-fi, fine service, a restaurant, and a lovely garden. $$$
Otelito
12 Calle 4-51, Zona 10
Tel: 2339 1811
Hip, minimalist hotel with 12 spacious rooms. There’s a trendy lounge bar and several clubs nearby so it’s ideal for hitting the town, though noise can be an issue on weekend nights. $$$
Hotel Posada Belén
13 Calle A 10-30, Zona 1
Tel: 2253 4530
A very pleasant and atmospheric hotel in a converted colonial mansion, with rooms situated around a central courtyard. The owners take good care of guests and offer tours around the city. $$
Hotel Spring
8 Av 12-65, Zona 1
Tel: 2230 2858
Popular budget hotel in the center of town, with a variety of well-priced rooms. Boasts a pretty courtyard and a cafe. $
Villa Toscana
16 C 8-20, Zona 13
Tel: 2261 2854
Classy B&B with elegant rooms, located close to the airport. All rooms have cable TV, while the suite has a private terrace. Free wi-fi, and a generous breakfast is included. $$
Hotel Westin Camino Real
14 Calle 0-20, Zona 14
Tel: 2333 3000
Long established as the most prestigious five-star hotel in the capital, it is located in the Zona Viva, has over 400 rooms, swimming pools, a nightclub, and full international facilities. $$$
Antigua
Hotel Aurora
4 Calle Oriente 16
Tel: 7832 0217
Pleasant if slightly old-fashioned hotel, where all the spacious rooms are set around a grassy courtyard and fountain. The location is very central. $$
Casa Santo Domingo
3 Calle Oriente 28
Tel: 7820 1220/2
Breathtakingly stylish, luxurious hotel, in a converted monastery with large grounds. Full facilities including a huge pool, and several museums on site. There’s a great atmosphere in the evening when hundreds of candles illuminate the grounds. $$$
Hotel Cirilo
Calle de los Duelos
Tel: 7832 6650
Very stylish new boutique hotel, built around the ruins of a colonial chapel, with huge rooms, a lap pool, lounge, cafe-restaurant, and attentive service. It’s a 15-minute walk from the center. $$$
Hostal El Montañes
Calle del Hermano Pedro 19 B
Tel: 7832 8804
A fine, welcoming B&B that has high comfort levels, and a classy lounge with a piano and TV/DVD player. There’s internet access in the lobby as well as a secluded garden. $$
Mesón Panza Verde
5 Av Sur 19
Tel: 7832 2925
Immaculate small hotel with a selection of beautiful rooms, and a lap pool. Has one of the finest restaurants in Antigua. $$$
Posada del Angel
4a Av Sur 24a
Tel: 7832 5303
Luxurious hotel with three suites and four rooms, all exquisitely decorated. Enjoy the lap pool and dine in the chapel-like dining room. $$$
Posada Juma Ocag
Av Alameda Santa Lucía Norte 13
Tel: 7832 3109
Excellent budget choice with beautifully presented, though small, rooms all decorated with Guatemalan textiles and with private bathrooms. There’s wi-fi, laundry service, and friendly family owners. $
Posada La Merced
7 Av Norte 43a
Tel: 7832 3197
Bright, cheery rooms with spotless private bathrooms. Children are made very welcome (there’s a playroom) and service is excellent. It’s close to La Merced church. $$
Hotel Posada San Pedro
7 Av Norte 29
Tel: 7832 0718
Nicely restored old colonial residence. The spacious rooms with private bathrooms look out onto a beautiful garden patio. $$
Posada San Sebastián
3 Av Norte 4
Tel: 7832 2621
Rooms are decorated with imagination and taste, and richly filled with Guatemalan antiques. Just off the main plaza. Has a bar and roof terrace. $$
La Tatuana
7 Av Sur 3
Tel: 7832 1223
Small, comfortable hotel that represents good value, with attractive, bright bedrooms that all have a private bath. $
Western Highlands
Chichicastenango
Hospedaje Girón
6 Calle 4–52
Tel: 7756 1156
Clean, basic, but reasonably priced rooms in a location convenient for the market. $
Mayan Inn
Av Hincapie 11–01, Zona 13
Tel: 2470 4753
One of Guatemala’s most famous hotels, with very comfortable and traditional rooms that include antique furnishings. There is also a tropical garden patio. $$$
Posada El Arco
4 C 4–36
Tel: 7756 1255
Welcoming B&B with seven spacious, attractive rooms and a beautiful garden. Breakfast is good and the English-speaking owner makes his own jams and peanut butter. $
Hotel Santo Tomás
7 Av 5–32
Tel: 7756 1061
Luxury hotel with full modern amenities, including a heated swimming pool. Rooms are set around two colonial-style courtyards. $$$
Huehuetenango
Hotel Mary
2 C 3–52
Tel: 7764 1618
Small, old-fashioned, but clean rooms all with TV and shower. Nothing fancy, but secure and situated a couple of blocks north of the plaza. $
Hotel Zaculeu
5 Av 1–14
Tel: 7764 1086
The best hotel in town, this place has a choice of rooms in the original, historic part of the hotel or in a modern block at the rear. $$
Jaibalito
La Casa del Mundo
Lago de Atitlán
Tel: 5218 5332
Offers tremendous views over Lake Atitlán and very comfortable rooms. There are kayaks for rent and a hot tub by the shore. $$
Panajachel
Hospedaje Villa Lupita
Callejón El Tino
Tel: 7762 1201
Superb family-run guesthouse with pleasant budget rooms, some with private bath. $
Hotel Atitlán
Atitlán
Tel: 7762 1441
Tasteful luxury hotel by the lakeside, though it’s a 20-minute walk from the center of town. Rooms have volcano views. Has a pool. $$$
Hotel Dos Mundos
Calle Santander 4–72, Zona 2
Tel: 7762 2078
Offers attractive bungalows, a pool, and a good Italian restaurant. It’s set just off the main drag. $$
Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo
Calle Santander
Tel: 7762 2326
www.hotelposadadedonrodrigo.com
Colonial-style hotel in a good position close to the lakeside. Book a room in the new wing for the best value and views. Has an outdoor pool. $$$
Quezaltenango
Casa Mañen
9 Av 4–11, Zona 1
Tel: 7765 0786
Very tasteful and well-run, American-owned B&B. Some rooms have fireplaces, all have a lot of character, and the breakfast is magnificent. $$
Pensión Bonifaz
4 Calle, 10–50, Zona 1
Tel: 7761 4241
Email: bonifaz@quetzalnet.com
The city’s best-known hotel, old-fashioned but classy, and just off the plaza. There’s a smart restaurant and a small pool. $$$
San Marcos La Laguna
Posada del Bosque Encantado
100m/yds inland from San Marcos dock
Tel: 5208 5334
Fine new place with four huge adobe cottages that face a pretty garden and offer excellent value. Includes a sauna and a cafe too. $
San Pedro La Laguna
Hotelito El Amanacer Sak’cari
7a Av 2–12, Zona 2
Tel: 7712 1113
Offers clean rooms that vary in size. Relax on the veranda in a hammock. $
Hotel Nahual Maya
Lakeside
Tel: 7721 8158
Colonial-style place with two floors of attractive rooms; all have plenty of natural light and private bathrooms. There’s safe car parking. $
Santa Cruz La Laguna
La Iguana Perdida
Next to Arca de Noé
Tel: 5706 4117
Great budget hotel, with atmosphere and character. Rooms range from dorms to luxury rooms with private bathroom and balcony. Saturday night barbecues are very popular. Also home to ATI Divers, who offer a range of PADI courses, and guided dives to certified divers. $
Santiago Atitlán
Hotel & Restaurant Bambú
Carretera San Lucas Toliman
Tel: 7721 7332
Set in beautiful grounds. The restaurant has views of the lake and volcanoes. Has a private beach and pier. $$$
Posada de Santiago
On the lakeside, 1km (0.6 miles) south of town
Tel: 7721 7366
Lovely lakeside location and plenty of character here, with the accommodation in stone lodges, all with fireplaces. Has a great restaurant serving Spanish specialties and fine wines. $$
Pacific Coast
Las Lisas
Isleta de Gaia
Tel: 7885 0044 (no address)
Beautiful, luxurious beach hotel with stylish bamboo-and-thatch cabins and an empty beach on your doorstep. Serves fine European-style food. $$$
Monterrico
Café del Sol
Tel: 5810 0821 (no address)
Swiss-owned place with 13 spacious rooms, all with private bathroom and shower. The beachside restaurant serves delicious dishes. $$
Johnny’s Place
Beachfront
Tel: 7762 0015
Located on Turtle Beach, Johnny’s has a variety of lodging options, from family-sized bungalows to very simple rooms. There’s volleyball every afternoon and a cafe. $
Hotel Pez de Oro
Beachfront
Tel: 5204 5249
Highly atmospheric little hotel with lovely thatched bungalows, all with their own terrace or balcony. Rooms have bright interiors and bedcovers. $$
Paredón
Paredón Surf House
Beachfront
Tel: 4994 1842
Fine new place with well-finished thatched bungalows with hip outdoor bathrooms and a dorm for backpackers. Includes a pool, restaurant and bar, and surf lessons are available. $$
The East
Cobán
Casa d’Acuña
4 Calle 3–17
Tel: 7951 0449
Superb budget hotel with small neat rooms, a sumptuous restaurant, and a travel agency. $
Hotel la Posada
1 Calle 4–12
Tel: 7952 1495
The finest hotel in Cobán, whose rooms have real period charm, though expect some traffic noise. There’s a fine restaurant and cafe. $$$
Lívingston
Villa Caribe
Off Calle Principal
Tel: 7947 0072
The most luxurious hotel in Lívingston, on the main street just up from the jetty. Pleasant rooms with cable TV, balcony, and minibars – though no air con. $$$
Puerto Barrios
Hotel del Norte
Corner of 7 Calle and 1 Av
Tel: 7948 2116
Amazing, all-wooden, colonial period piece, right on the Bahía de Amatique, though the restaurant is mediocre. Not all rooms have a bathroom. $$
Río Dulce
Casa Perico
NE of bridge
Tel: 5930 5666
Swiss-owned jungle hostel set on a lakeside inlet. Cabins are built on stilts and connected by boardwalks, and there’s a large restaurant with an outside deck. $
Catamaran Island Hotel
On a tiny private island
Tel: 7930 5494
Comprises 36 bungalows with beautiful views of Río Dulce. Has tennis courts and swimming pool, and the restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes. $$$
Hacienda Tijax
Near bridge
Tel: 7930 5505
Working teak and rubber farm with very pleasant accommodation and a pool. There’s an excellent range of activities on offer here, from ziplining to hiking. $$
Petén
Flores
Hotel la Casona de la Isla
Calle 30 de Junio
Tel: 7926 0593
Comfortable, well-run lakeside hotel with attractive rooms, good service, and tasty snacks available at the restaurant/bar. Lakeside terrace, pool, and jacuzzi. $$
Mirador del Lago
Calle 15 de Septiembre
Tel: 7926 3276
Excellent budget hotel where all rooms have hot-water bathrooms and fans. Cafe-restaurant and lakefront terrace. $
El Remate
La Casa de Don David
Lakeside
Tel: 7928 8469
A very efficiently managed hotel, with spotless rooms (some with air conditioning), hearty meals, and excellent travel information available from the American-Guatemalan owners. $$
La Lancha
Tel: 7928 8331 (no address)
Stylish boutique-style hotel, with rooms perched on the cliffs above Lago de Petén Itzá. Pricey, but offers gourmet cuisine and a pool. Tours and activities available. $$$
Tikal
There are three hotels right by the wonderful ruins of Tikal. All of them are somewhat overpriced (and electricity is erratic) but have the obvious advantage of allowing you to get into the site early before tour groups arrive, and when the wildlife is at its most active.
Jaguar Inn
Tel: 7926 0002
Thirteen reasonable rooms with fans; camping is also available. There’s wi-fi and a restaurant. $$
Jungle Lodge
Tel: 7861 0446
Hotel with 34 comfortable bungalows and a pool – the best of the bunch here. There’s also a dormitory. $$
Tikal Inn
Tel: 7926 1917
A complex of 17 simple thatched rooms and cabins, all with private bathrooms. Tours can be arranged. $$
Belize
Belize City
Chateau Caribbean
6 Marine Parade, Northside
Tel: 223 0800
A large, old colonial mansion right on the waterfront with its own seafood restaurant, which has great sea views and decor. $$
D’Nest Inn
475 Cedar St, Belama
3 miles (5km) north of the city center, on the way to the airport
Tel: 223 5416
Individually decorated a/c rooms with four-poster beds, handmade quilts, and immaculate private bathrooms, in a quiet residential area run by a very friendly, helpful couple. A canal teeming with fish runs alongside the luxuriant gardens. Full breakfast included and free wi-fi. $$
Great House Inn
13 Cork St
Tel: 223 3400
An elegant colonial-style mansion, this fine hotel has lots of charm and character, with polished hardwood floors and period furniture. Has wi-fi. $$$
Hotel Mopan
55 Regent St
Tel: 227 7351
This is a decent downtown option; the rooms all have private bath, cable TV, fan, and a/c. It’s at the quiet end of Regent Street, one block from the sea. Friendly service, wireless internet, good-value breakfasts (not included in rates), and sea views from the roof terrace. $$
Radisson Fort George
2 Marine Parade (on the north side)
Tel: 223 3333
One of the finest hotels in Belize City, with a reputation for comfort and service. Offers three classes of rooms, including some fabulous colonial options, all with TV, fridge, and minibar; some with great views. Boasts all the facilities expected of a luxury hotel, with a large dock for yachts. $$$
Sea Breeze Guest House
18 Gabourel Lane
Tel: 203 0043
Email: info@seabreeze-belize.com
A great budget choice with a secure location in Fort George, and very well-presented rooms, with either shared or private bathroom. It’s family-owned and fine value. $
Villa Boscardi
6043 Manatee Drive
3 miles (5km) north of the city center, on the way to the airport
Tel: 223 1691/602 8954
A wonderful B&B with seven modern, spacious rooms, all with bathrooms and a/c in a quiet, comfortable house with wi-fi. Full breakfast included in price. No smoking. $
Northern Districts
Belize District
Birds Eye View Lodge
Crooked Tree Village
Tel: 203 2040
Two-story waterfront hotel that is a favorite with bird-watchers owing to its great lakeside location. Rooms have an en-suite bathroom and some have several beds. Highly recommended. $$
Black Orchid Resort
Burrell Boom Village
Tel: 225 9158
Very comfortable and well-furnished a/c rooms set in spacious gardens on the bank of the Belize River. Has a pool. The restaurant serves delicious Belizean and international dishes. $$
Crooked Tree Lodge
Crooked Tree Village
Tel: 623 5035
Fine wood cabins overlooking the Crooked Tree lagoon and a warm welcome from your British/Belizean hosts, who offer tasty meals on a decked restaurant and tours of the region. Camping is also possible. $$
Maruba Resort and Jungle Spa
40.5 Mile Post, Old Northern Highway, Maskall Village
Tel: 225 5555
Offers a range of treatments – massages, mud therapy, and body wraps – as well as tours (walking, ruins, and snorkeling). The accommodations have a jungle chic style. $$$
Corozal
Corozal Bay Inn
Almond Drive, Corozal Bay
Tel: 422 2691
Waterfront inn with large, thatched cabañas on private beach. Poolside lounge, internet access, bar, and nightclub. $$
Serenity Sands
3 miles (2km) north of Corozal Town
Tel: 669 2394
Remote B&B in a stunning beachside location, the perfect place to escape from it all. There are just four rooms, all with Caribbean views and a/c. It’s run on an environmentally friendly ethos, and guests get free bike and kayak use and a great breakfast. Book well ahead. $$
Rainforest Resorts
Chan Chich Lodge
Tel: 223 4419
Luxurious jungle resort in the far west of Orange district, within the plaza of a Classic Maya ruin. Twelve beautiful cabañas surrounded by pristine forest. Excellent resident wildlife guides. Delightful Mexican-tiled swimming pool and jacuzzi. The hardy could visit here by road, but most travel by air on the charter flights that depart three days a week. $$$
Programme for Belize – Rio Bravo Research Station
PFB Office, PO Box 749
1 Eyre Street, Belize City
Tel: 227 5616
True eco-tourism. Originally a research center and now a lodge that welcomes tourists and educational and special-interest groups. Accommodation is in two locations and offers very comfortable, well-designed dormitories or more luxurious cabañas with private bathrooms and hot and cold water. There are well-organized trails into the forest, and it’s particularly rewarding for birders. There’s no access by public transport, but if you contact PFB, they will make travel arrangements for you. $–$$
The South
Belmopan and surrounds
Caves Branch Jungle Lodge
Mile 41.5 Hummingbird Hwy, PO Box 356, Belmopan
Tel: 673 3454
A rustic retreat situated in an area of superb forest just off the Hummingbird Highway with a pool and hot tub. Ideally situated for visiting the Blue Hole caves. The company that runs the resort also organizes adventure treks and caving expeditions. $–$$$
Pooks Hill Jungle Lodge
Near Teakettle
Tel: 820 2017
Set in pristine rainforest in a remote village 8km (5 miles) from the village of Teakettle on main Western Highway, 9km (5.5 miles) to the west of Belmopan. Lovely rustic thatched cabañas with electricity and private bathrooms. Warm and friendly atmosphere with good home-cooking. Has an on-going iguana-breeding program, and horseback riding and river-tubing trips are available to guests. $$$
San Ignacio and surrounds
Many people who come to this region stay not in the San Ignacio township but in the lodges scattered in the surrounding countryside. Most of the hotels in San Ignacio are budget, with one upmarket exception:
Cahal Pech Resort
Cahal Pech Hill
Tel: 824 3740
Enjoying a sublime hilltop location a 15-minute walk from town, this large resort hotel has dreamy views of the Maya mountains from all its rooms and cabins. There’s a wonderful pool and a good restaurant. $$
Martha’s Guest House
10 West Street, San Ignacio
Tel: 804 3647
A deservedly popular hotel, run by a friendly Belizean family, with comfortable, well-furnished rooms (most with a balcony), and beautiful private bathrooms. Also has spacious apartments nearby at Martha’s Inn, and an excellent restaurant. $–$$
Forest Lodges
Blancaneaux Lodge
Mountain Pine Ridge
Tel: 824 3878
US tel: 1-800 746 3743
Nestled in the heart of Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, this is an incredible lodge. Rooms have private bathrooms and spacious luxury villas are decorated with Guatemalan artifacts. Has a stable of horses you can hire to explore the countryside. $$$
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Macal River
Tel: 824 2037
Probably the most luxurious place in the San Ignacio region. Spectacular location on the banks of the Macal River. Thatched-roof and stucco cottages. The bungalows are decorated with Maya tapestries and hardwood furniture, and there are several luxury suites which have a/c. Includes a spa and restaurant serving organic food. $$$
Maya Mountain Lodge
Cristo Rey Road, San Ignacio
Tel: 824 2164
Nestled in the foothills of the Mountain Pine Ridge about a mile (1.6km) from San Ignacio. Attractive thatched cottages with private bathrooms, family suites, and simple rooms available. Owners are very keen on eco-tourism and wildlife, and have a fine library and some well-marked nature trails. Tours including horseback riding and canoeing are offered. $$
Mt Pleasant Hidden Valley Inn
Mountain Pine Ridge, Belmopan
Tel: 822 3320
One of the more luxurious choices in the Mountain Pine Ridge area, with 12 stylish bungalows that have fireplaces for chilly nights. $$$
Stann Creek District
Jaguar Reef Lodge
Tel: 533 7040
On the beach south of Hopkins village. Fourteen beautifully designed and authentic large thatch-roofed cabañas, some with a/c. It’s the closest luxury lodge to Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, and the restaurant serves delicious food in a superb setting. Activities including sea kayaking, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and cycling. $$$
Manatee Inn
Placencia Village
Tel: 523 4083
One of the best budget places in southern Belize, this family-run place has spacious, airy rooms all with fans, wi-fi, and private bathrooms that have hot showers. In a quiet location just off the beach. $
Maya Breeze Inn
Maya Beach Way, Placencia
Tel: 523 8012
Toll-free in US: 1-888 458-8581
Beautifully furnished wooden cabins and suites on a pristine beach, and comfortable hotel rooms. All rooms have a/c, private tiled bathrooms, fridge, and balcony or deck; the suites have a full kitchen. $$
Seaspray Hotel
Placencia Village
Tel: 523 3148
A range of modern, comfortable rooms and a cabin right on the beach, owned and operated by a friendly local family who can arrange tours. All have private bathrooms and some have a kitchenette. $–$$
Turtle Inn
Placencia
Tel: 523 3244
www.coppolaresorts.com/turtleinn
North of Placencia village and well established on probably the best beach on the peninsula. The gorgeous thatched cabañas are impeccably finished with every mod con (except TVs) and define the concept rustic chic. $$$
Toledo District
Coral House Inn
151 Main Street, Punta Gorda
Tel: 722 287
A very friendly B&B at the southern end of town, with four comfortable, beautifully decorated rooms. Relax in the pool or a hammock on the upstairs veranda. Free pickup from the airport, complimentary bicycles, wi-fi, and great local advice. $$
Hickatee Cottages
1 mile (1.6km) south of centre, Punta Gorda
Tel: 662 4475
Beautifully designed eco-retreat using solar energy. The cottages are simple yet elegant, with polished wood floors, and there’s a plunge pool where you can cool off. It’s run by a hospitable British couple who have good links with the local community. Explore the jungle trails with their outstanding birdlife. $$
The Lodge at Big Falls
Big Falls Village
Tel: 671 7172
Comfortable, spacious, thatched screened cabañas, with powerful ceiling fans, large bathrooms, and a deck with hammocks, set in landscaped grounds on the banks of the Río Grande. Trails lead though the lodge’s 29 acres (12 hectares), and 300 species of birds have been recorded. Has a pool and kayaks available for river trips. $$$
Nature’s Way Guest House
64 Front St, Punta Gorda
Tel: 702 2119
Rambling house in the town, near the sea and very popular with budget travelers. Good rooms and clean, comfortable dorm accommodation, though only two have private bathrooms. The owner can arrange trips to Maya villages and bikes are available for hire. Good breakfasts; other meals by arrangement. $
Sun Creek Lodge
Southern Highway, 14 miles (23km) from Punta Gorda
Tel: 604 2124
Beautiful thatched, hardwood cabañas, most with shared bathrooms, and a villa with a private bathroom, set in flower-filled gardens. The owner knows the country very well and runs a range of superb tours. Also offers jeep rental and wireless internet access. Breakfast included; other meals by arrangement. $–$$
The Cayes
Ambergris Caye
Ak’Bol
1 mile (0.6km) north of San Pedro Town
Tel: 226 2073
Fine new yoga-geared retreat with gorgeous little cabañas that have great attention to detail – or opt for the economy “barracks”. There are daily yoga classes and healthy grub is served. $–$$
Capricorn Resort
5km (3 miles) north of San Pedro
Tel: 226 2809
Comfortable, secluded, well-furnished wood cabins on a gorgeous beach, perfect for honeymooners. The restaurant is one of the best on the island, and rates include breakfast and a water-taxi ride from town on arrival and departure. $$$
Caribbean Villas
San Pedro (south of the airport on the beach)
Tel: 226 2715
Friendly owners offer a very personalized service. They meet you from the airstrip in their golf buggy and give you a quick tour of San Pedro. Accommodation is in spacious suites with cooking facilities and represents excellent value: all suites have a/c and verandas with sea views. There’s an observation tower for birdwatchers. $$–$$$
Caye Casa
Tel: 226 2880
A boutique hotel on the beach, this lovely place has a tranquil location on the north side of San Pedro, and bright, tropical-inspired decor. Rates are very reasonable given the location (many rooms have stunning sea views) and quality. $$–$$$
Changes in Latitudes
36 Coconut Drive, 1km (0.6 miles) south of San Pedro
Tel: 226 2986
Toll-free in US: 1-800 631 9834
www.ambergriscaye.com/latitudes/
Small, friendly B&B set in relaxing gardens half a block from the sea. Brightly decorated rooms with a/c and private bathroom. A delicious cooked breakfast is included, and guests can use the kitchen to cook their own meals. Owners provide helpful information on tours and can arrange the best ones for you. $$
El Pescador
On the beach
Tel: 226 2398
Vast colonial-style lodge with commodious guest rooms. Also offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom private villas. Fishing and diving are extremely popular here. $$$
Mata Chica
5 Miles North, San Pedro
Tel: 220 5010
Sitting on the beach, a boat ride out of town, this is one of the most beautiful resorts on the island. Well worth a trip for dinner if you can’t stay. Ask for one of the larger cabañas in the second row in from the beach but still with a sea view. $$$
Ruby’s
Tel: 226 2063
Email: rubys@btl.net
Close to the airport in San Pedro, on the seafront. Small, family-run hotel with clean, comfortable rooms and great views from upstairs decks. $
Sunbreeze Hotel
South end of Barrier Reef
Tel: 226 2191
Large, comfortable a/c rooms arranged around a sandy courtyard and pool right on the beach; some rooms have a jacuzzi. Friendly, welcoming staff, good restaurant, art gallery, and gift shop. $$
Caye Caulker
There are few luxurious hotels on Caye Caulker, and this is part of the attraction for many visitors. There are, however, many relaxing places to stay.
De Real Macaw Guest House
Front Street
Tel: 226 0459
A range of comfortable, good-value rooms and thatched cabañas on the seafront, plus two-bedroom apartments with all amenities at the back of the island. Very helpful owner. $–$$
Maxhapan Cabins
55 Pueblo Nuevo
Tel: 226 0118
Email: maxhapan04@hotmail.com
Not on the beach, but with a beachside feel. A/c rooms with sitting area, fridge, and hammocks on the verandas. Terrific place to relax in privacy. $
Sea Dreams Hotel
Rear side of island
Tel: 226 0602
This family-run boutique hotel has a wonderfully relaxed feel, good local information, and classy accommodation with hand-carved wooden sinks and apartments that make the most of the sea views. $$
St George’s Caye
Pleasure Island Resort
North Park Street
Tel: 209 4020 or 610 4700
Lovely accommodation in colorful wooden cabañas on the seafront, with a/c and private bathrooms. Good fishing, diving, and snorkeling packages available. $$–$$$
St George’s Lodge
Tel: 220 4444
Highly rated resort with quality diving instructors and equipment. Comfortable accommodation in thatched cabañas on stilts over the sea. Packages are available. $$$
South Water Caye
Blue Marlin Lodge
Tel: 522 2243
In the US: 1-800 798 1558
Luxury dive resort. Accommodation is in the main building, or in dome-like cabañas with a/c. Diving certificate courses available, plus snorkeling and windsurfing. $$$
Tobacco Caye
Tobacco Key Lodge
East side of island
Tel: 520 5033
This attractive little place is a great deal, where the neat rooms all have private bathrooms and porches. Rates include full board, and your hosts are great cooks, serving up delicious seafood. Kayaks are free for guests to use. $$
Turneffe Islands
Blackbird Caye Resort
81 W Canal St, Belize City
Tel: 223 2772
US Tel: 1-800 326 1724
Eco-tourism resort popular with divers and conservationists. Dolphins often swim in the protected lagoons, there are nature trails on the island, and day excursions to the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye can be arranged. Accommodation is in simple thatched cabañas. Five nights or weekly packages available. $$$
The Yucatán
Mérida
Casa del Balam
Calle 60, 488, by Calle 57
Tel: 999 924 2150 US tel: 1-800 624 8451
Right in the center of Mérida, this place has plenty of character with a lovely patio garden, antiques fittings, pool, and restaurant. Breakfast included. $$
Cascadas de Mérida
Calle 57, 593C, by Calle 74A
Tel: 999 923 8484
Delightful B&B in an all-new house with pool and very original fittings built by owner Chucho Basto and his wife Ellyne when they returned from living in the USA. Breakfasts are very generous. $$
Hotel Dolores Alba
Calle 63, 464 by 52 and 49
Tel: 999 928 5650
One of Mérida’s most popular traditional hotels, four blocks from the Plaza Mayor. Newer rooms around the pool are good value; rooms in the older building are less attractive but cheaper. $
Hotel El Conquistador
Paseo de Montejo 458
Tel: 999 940 6400
Modern hotel on the Paseo de Montejo, with a fine restaurant and a rooftop pool. Check the website for special rates. $$
Julamis
Calle 53 by Calle 54
Tel: 999 924 1818
Offering excellent value, this classy artist-owned boutique hotel successfully combines period charm (including original floor tiles and antique furniture) with cutting-edge design. Has a rooftop plunge pool, and breakfast is included. $–$$
Hotel Marionetas
Calle 49, 516 by 62 and 64
Tel: 999 928 3377
A very charming B&B-style small hotel with eight pretty, spacious rooms. Breakfast is served on an attractive terrace by the pool, and owners Sofi and Daniel are very welcoming. $$
Hotel Medio Mundo
Calle 55, 533 by 64 and 66
Tel: 999 924 5472
A beautiful small hotel with 12 rooms decorated in sumptuous colors and set around tropical-blue patios. Has a pool at the rear. Breakfast at the cafe-bar is not included in the room rate. $$
Hacienda Petac
Tel: 999 911 2600
US tel: 1-800 225 4255
Ultra-luxurious accommodation on an 32-hectare (80-acre) estate outside Mérida. Bookings accepted only for the entire five-bedroom hacienda, which is available for rent by private parties. $$$
Hacienda Santa Cruz
Calle 86 s/n
Tel: 999 254 0541
Classy B&B in a restored hacienda owned by a French expat. Located 20 minutes outside Mérida and includes a gourmet restaurant. $$$
Hacienda Santa Rosa
Carretera Mérida–Campeche (Highway 180) Km 129
Tel: 999 910 0174
Beautifully restored hacienda off the road towards Campeche, with gracious rooms, a stunning pool, and a bar in a former chapel. $$$
Hacienda Temozón
Temozón Sur, off Highway 261 Mérida–Uxmal road Km182
Tel: 999 923 8152
One of the first haciendas to be restored as a hotel, with beautiful rooms, a spa, stunning pool, and a gorgeous restaurant on a lofty-ceilinged terrace. $$$
Hotel Trinidad
Calle 62, 464, by Calle 55
Tel: 999 923 2033
Quirky hotel with rooms full of bric-a-brac, antiques, art, and plenty of individual charm. Guests can use the palm-shrouded pool at its sister hotel, the Trinidad Galería, a block away. $
Northern Yucatán
Celestún
Eco Paraíso Xixim
Km 9, Camino Viejo a Sisal
Tel: 988 916 2100/2060
Luxury eco-hotel in a beautifully remote setting in the dunes north of Celestún, consisting of cabañas with terraces on the beach. A range of nature tours is provided, and there’s a fine wellness center and blissful pool. $$$
Chichén Itzá
Hacienda Chichén
Off Highway 180,
just east of the ruins
Tel: 999 920 8407
A gracious hacienda next to the ruins that was used as accommodation by the first archeologists exploring the site. The hotel has undergone imaginative refurbishment, combining its colonial style with modern comforts, a fine restaurant, and pool. $$$
Dolores Alba
Highway 180 Km 122, 2km (1.2 miles) east of ruins
Tel: 998 858 1555
Good-value hotel with 40 spacious bungalows set around two swimming pools. Breakfast and free transport to the ruins included. $
Piste
Pirámide Inn
Calle 15 (Highway 180)
Tel: 985 851 0115
Decent, if aging, hotel with a tropical garden and pool and inexpensive rates. Check out the “photo tour” where photos of Maya sites over the last hundred years line the walls. $
Uxmal
Hotel Misión Uxmal
Highway 261, near Uxmal
Tel: 997 976 2022
A spacious, comfortable hotel a little to the north of the ruins, with a pleasant pool and restaurant. $$$
Hacienda Uxmal
Near the ruins
Tel: 998 887 2495 US tel: 1-800 235 4079
Opulent hotel next to the ruins, with verandas with rocking chairs, a pool, and restaurant. $$$
Villas Arqueológicas Uxmal
Next to Uxmal ruins
Tel: 997 974 6020
www.villasarqueologicas.com.mx
Excellent-value hotel by the ruins, with colorful rooms and a pool and restaurant in an exuberant tropical garden. $$
Valladolid and Ek Balam
Casa Hamaca
Calle 49, and Calle 40, Valladolid
Tel: 985 856 5287
A refined B&B with good choice of characterful rooms and suites, many with hand-painted Maya glyphs and murals. There’s a small pool, wi-fi, and health treatments and massages can be arranged. $$
Genesis Retreat
Ek Balam Pueblo, near Valladolid
Tel: 985 852 7980
This eco-hotel in the Mayan village of Ek Balam has cabañas and a natural swimming pool, and runs locally organized tours of the ruins and nearby Maya village. $
Hotel Mesón del Marqués
Calle 39, 203, on the main plaza, Valladolid
Tel: 985 856 2073
Comfortable hotel in a gracious old Yucatecan mansion on the town square. Has a restaurant in a beautiful, plant-filled old patio, and a pool in a garden further back. $$
Hotel Zací
Calle 44, 191, between calles 37 and 39, Valladolid
Tel: 985 856 2167
Decent, clean budget hotel with an airy patio and a small pool. Rooms are either fan-cooled or air-con. $
The Caribbean Coast
Akumal
Qué Onda
Caleta Yalku
Tel: 984 875 9101/2
Seven charming rooms and two suites set around a garden, with a pool and an excellent Italian restaurant. $$
Cancún (downtown)
Colonial Hotel
Tulipanes 22
Tel: 998 884 1535
A decent budget choice, with rooms arranged around an open patio. $
Hotel Kin Mayab
Av Tulum 75, by corner of Av Uxmal
Tel: 998 884 2999
A popular standby for stopovers in Cancún, opposite the bus station, with functional but pretty rooms and a pool. Reserve a room at the rear to avoid street noise. $$
Hotel Plaza Caribe
Corner of Av Tulum and Uxmal
Tel: 988 884 1377
Popular for its convenience, as it’s right by the bus station. Contains a garden with a small pool. $$
Hotel Plaza Kokai
Av Uxmal 26
Tel: 998 193 3175
Good mid-range hotel, with efficient service, a pool, and a popular, lively restaurant. $$
Cancún (hotel strip)
Club Med
Punta Nizuc
Tel: 998 881 8200
Lavish resort tucked away at the extreme southern end of the island, with all Club Med amenities, and designed with a touch of style. $$$
Dreams Cancún Resort and Spa
Blvd Kukulcán Km 9, at Punta Cancún
Tel: 998 848 7000
Sleek 20th-century pyramid in the heart of the Hotel Zone and very much a Cancún landmark. Offers every kind of luxury and facility. $$$
Hotel Imperial Las Perlas
Blvd Kukulcán Km 2.5
Tel: 998 883 0070
A good-value beach hotel, at the north end of Boulevard Kukulcán not far from downtown. Pleasant pool and restaurant. $$
Chetumal
Hotel Los Cocos
Av Héroes 134
Tel: 983 835 0430
Bright, popular hotel in the center of town, with a garden pool and enjoyable restaurant. $$
Hotel Marlon
Av Juárez 87
Tel: 983 832 1065
Attractive hotel with good facilities for this price level, including a pool and restaurant. $
Cozumel
Casa Mexicana
Av Rafael E. Melgar 457, by Calle 5, San Miguel de Cozumel
Tel: 987 872 9090
Stylish hotel on the waterfront with colorful rooms and a swimming pool, and a decent restaurant for breakfast. $$–$$$
Hotel Cozumel
Costera Sur Km 1.7
Tel: 987 872 9020
This big hotel is just 1.5km (1 mile) from downtown, near one of the best diving areas. Assets include a beach club and Cozumel’s largest swimming pool. $$–$$$
Hotel Flamingo
Calle 6, 81, San Miguel de Cozumel
Tel: 987 872 1264
This small hotel in San Miguel has excellent facilities, including the hip Aqua bar-restaurant, and stylish rooms decorated with original art. $$
Tamarindo
Calle 4, 421 San Miguel de Cozumel
Tel: 987 872 6190
Charming French-owned place that offers a stylish, low-key base in the center of San Miguel with very well-presented rooms, apartments and a suite. Includes a pool and wi-fi. $$
Isla Holbox
Casa Sandra
Calle Igualdad, at the beach
Tel: 984 875 2171
Luxurious opulence in a beachfront mansion east of the village. Includes a fine restaurant, spa, and diving facilities. $$$
Posada Mawimbi
Calle Damero, by the beach on the eastern side of the village
Tel: 984 875 2003
A relaxing cabaña place with seven lovely rooms decorated in beachcomber style. The owners organise some of the island’s best snorkeling and whale- and shark-watching excursions. $$
Isla Mujeres
Cabañas Maria del Mar
Av Carlos Lazo
Tel: 998 887 0179
Choose between air-conditioned rooms in a hotel or mellow bungalows by the beach. Has a relaxed restaurant. $$
Pocná Youth Hostel
Av Matamoros 15
Tel: 998 877 0090
Backpacker favorite with dorm rooms, a cafe, internet, and its own beach access. $
Hotel Secreto
Punta Norte
Tel: 998 877 1039
Very chic boutique hotel with a stunning pool and a superior restaurant in a lush little garden. $$$
Mahahual
Maya Luna
Beach road, Km 4.5
Tel: 983 836 0905
Great new eco-aware place with lovely bungalows, all with roof terraces, and right on the sand. It’s run by a hospitable team, who offer excellent local advice and healthy locally sourced food. $$
Playa del Carmen
Deseo
Av 5, corner of Calle 12
Tel: 984 879 3620
Ultra-hip boutique hotel with minimalist design, and a decadent pool deck that hosts the Deseo lounge bar at night. $$$
Luna Blue
Calle 26, between Av 5 and 10
Tel: 984 873 0990
Very popular American-owned small hotel, with a welcoming feel and a bar in the garden. $$
Hotel Mimi del Mar
On the beach, between calles 2 and 4
Tel: 984 873 3776
Characterful beachfront rooms with balcony, air conditioning or fans, and kitchenettes. $$
Shangri-La Caribe
Calle 38 Norte, off Av 5
Tel: 984 873 0611
Very enticing hotel with palm-roofed but luxury-standard cabañas spread around a garden behind a superb stretch of beach. Mellow and hedonistic. $$$
Puerto Morelos
Rancho Sak-Ol
By the beach on the south side of the town
Tel: 998 871 0181
A very peaceful place with cabaña-style rooms by the beach. $$
Tulum
Las Ranitas
Tulum beach road, Km 3.5
Tel: 984 877 8554
Eco-friendly beachfront rooms with balcony, pool, and restaurant. $$$
Xbalamque
Tulum beach road, Km 10
Tel: 984 131 5132
www. xbalamque.net
A very laid-back eco-retreat that has a boho vibe and less-is-more cabañas located just off a stunning white-sand beach. Perfect for beach bums. $–$$
La Zebra
Tulum beach road, Km 8.5
Tel: 984 115 4726
Stylish version of the beach cabaña hotel, with a tequila bar and restaurant serving excellent seafood. $$–$$$
Xcalak
Hotel Tierra Maya
Beachside
US tel: 1-800 216 1902
Beautifully designed hotel that offers Carribean chic for moderate rates with its sleek rooms, gorgeous grounds, and ocean vistas. All the spacious accommodations have a balcony and modish bathrooms. Good snorkeling and fly-fishing offshore, and there’s a restaurant serving tasty seafood. $$
Campeche and Chiapas
Campeche
Hotel America
Calle 10, 252, by Calle 59
Tel: 981 816 4588
All rooms have either air conditioning or a fan, and are situated around a colonial-style patio. $
Castelmar
Calle 61, 2A and Calle 8
Tel: 981 811 1204
A classy renovated colonial hotel (it dates back to 1800) boasting lots of character, as well as modern comforts including a pool and wi-fi. Breakfast is included. $$
Hacienda Puerta Campeche
Calle 59, 71, corner of Calle 18
Tel: 981 816 7508
A 17th-century town house converted into a luxury hotel, with seductive, traditionally styled rooms. $$$
Champotón
Hotel Géminis
Calle 30, 10
Tel: 982 828 0008
A pleasant oasis in a plain little port town. Rooms have a/c, and there’s a small pool. $
Chiapas
Casa Dr Felipe Flores
Calle JF Flores 36, San Cristóbal de las Casas
Tel: 967 678 3996
Classy and atmospheric B&B in a converted colonial mansion, with excellent service. The lounge rooms are stunning, and there are many books on the Maya to browse. $$
El Paraíso
Calle 5 de Febrero 19, San Cristóbal de las Casas
Tel: 967 678 0085
Offers rooms decorated with traditional textiles around a colonial-style courtyard, and one of San Cristóbal’s best restaurants. $$
Hotel Maya Tulipanes
La Cañada 6, Palenque
Tel: 916 345 0201
Spacious rooms, all with good air conditioning and modern bathrooms, and a pleasant pool. $$
Río Bec
Chicanná Eco Village Resort
Highway 186, Km 144
Tel: 981 811 9192
www.chicannaecovillageresort.com
The most opulent option near the Río Bec ruins and Calakmul, with rooms in bungalows, a pool, and restaurant. $$