Crystal Paradise Resort

This is a jungle lodge with thatched cabana roofs. Each cabana has 2 rooms, so it's like you have your own little hut. The room I stayed in had 1 double bed and 1 single, includes a private restroom with shower (no bath).

Bring flashlight, bug repellent (I used Avon's Skin So Soft - not a single bite!).
Please realize that this is considered a jungle lodge, so there will be a few bugs in your room and bathroom. Surprisingly, I never saw bugs in the dining hall. No A/C in the rooms, but the fans are sufficient.

The Tut family owns this lodge and they are very interactive with their guests. The father, Victor, is hilarious and loves to tell stories. His son, Jeronie, helps you check-in, settle your bill, arrange tours. The mother is a great cook!

The other guests are very friendly and the dining palapa area is very conducive to meeting the other guests. I learned a lot about the tours from the other guests. They offer free games, many guests were playing cards at the tables.

They have a stocked bar (wine, beer, liquor, soft drinks) and refrigerator in the dining area, you keep track of what you drink and they will charge you at the end.

Unique Quality: The thatched cabanas are in great condition and the scenery is beautiful. They have horses on-site and you will wake up to the sounds of nature. The room rate includes full breakfast and dinner, served in their large dining hall palapa. It's something like an outdoor hut, with nice wooden tables. Food is homemade served family style and it's the best food I've had in my entire 3 weeks in Belize. The first night I arrived they served a wonderful soup with vegetables in it, cucumber salad, spaghetti with the meat and sauce on the side. The second night they served chicken, tasty zuchini squash (I've never liked it before), cucumber & tomato salad, white rice with fresh vegetables in it (carrots, etc), they served dessert too (lemon cake). Breakfast was eggs, fresh fruit (e.g. watermelon), squash and zucchini, orange juice.

Directions: From BZ City: Follow Western Hwy SW for 70 mi. In Santa Elena (before San Ignacio) make left to Cristo Rey Village. After first mi. road stops being paved. Follow road abt 7 mi. Resort on right.