Crystal Paradise Resort

Local hosts make this a genuine travel lodging experience. Their lodge is comfortable and basically focused on being a relaxed and restful launching point to many outdoor adventures from birding to caving, hiking and cultural activities. Alba’s selection of guides and activity arrangements were excellent and catered to our needs- no big buses. Carolita took care in accommodating my gluten free diet while sticking with her specialties of Belizean dishes. Friendly conversations, hot showers, comfortable beds and an honestly bar made this a perfect stay for us in the San Ignacio area.

Wonderful family owned resort. We loved it here. Food was excellent, authentic Belizian meal. The service was personalized. Alba was on top of all our tours and did not miss a thing. Abi was our guide for Caracol and was knowledgeable. Birds here are amazing with all sorts of birds coming to eat in the feeders all day long. This is a must if you are looking to stay at a family owned resort.

Fully enjoyed our 3 nights stay at this amazing place. They go out of their way to make sure to meet our need. Booking Day trip was easy and they would coordinate drop-off and pick-un if needed outside the resort. Good spot for ATM cave or if planning to go to Tikal.

The staff at Crystal Paradise worked very hard to ensure our stay with them went smoothly and our needs were all met. They can manage special dietary needs gracefully which was important to us. Our room was nicely prepared and tended to daily, and any outings we chose were arranged for us seamlessly by Alba so we could just relax and truly enjoy our time in Belize. The guides provided for us were all very personable and knowledgeable and our special interest in birding was accommodated. We would definitely like to return and can recommend Crystal Paradise for other travelers.

My wife and I cannot say enough about our time at Crystal Paradise. The full experience from booking ahead to our drop off in Placenica was seamless. When booking we scheduled transfers, tours, meals, and lodging. They took care of everything and that made the trip so enjoyable. We were greeted at the airport with a smile and an informative drive to the resort. The following morning they had us on the Caracol Mayan Ruins Tour. Eric was our driver and guide. He was a wealth of knowledge and had answers for every one of our questions. Our next day we were up early for the ATM Cave Tour. They took us to town to meet our guide, Ian, and we were on our way. They were adamant that we go early and we cannot stress enough how great this was. That cave system has a few pinch points that can cause quite the traffic jamb. Being the second group in, we didn't hit any of that. We sure saw it on the way out though so pleas listen to them on this. Don't overthink what you take on this trip. All you need is fast drying clothing, socks, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. You don't take anything else with you in the cave so it'll alleviate some stress for yourself. Our last day we were driven to San Ignacio for a day of exploring and tasting the local fare on our own. Then we had a transfer down to Placencia where we stopped at a delicious tamale stand. The meals were all different all exquisite. I can be a bit picky from time to time but I finished everything. The staff were wonderful from start to finish. If you have the opportunity to take a trip to Cristo Rey and stay at Crystal Paradise, DON'T PASS IT UP!! The only other recommendation I can make is maybe ear plugs and a sleeping mask if you have a tough time sleeping with some light and noises. The rooms are beautiful and have screened in ceilings under the palapa roofs. You hear the nature all around so plan accordingly. This place is a must!!!

We were lucky enough to stay at Crystal Paradise with the Tut family. Words cannot express how hospitable and kind the family was towards us. Staying at Crystal Paradise Resort was like staying with family. The whole family was very welcoming and we ended up celebrating grandpa, the patriarch of the family's birthday with them. It was wonderful getting to eat delicious meals outside (covered, outdoor dining area), watching the variety of birds feast on fresh fruit on the patio (toucans, hummingbirds, you name it) and soaking in the sunrise and sunset. Hands down some of the best food we ate in Belize was here! Definitely be sure to add on the meals here! Carolita's cooking does not disappoint. I got injured on a tour (not through Crystal Paradise) and we didn't discover the extent of the injury until returning to Crystal Paradise. Alba came to our rescue! In quick fashion, she called up a local doctor, drove us to the hospital, assisted us throughout the whole process of going in for stitches, picking up antibiotics, and driving us back. So grateful for her! Also, shout out to Luz, who took us on a super fun, informative and enjoyable tour of Barton Creek Cave. Not only did we learn a ton but we got to enjoy a quick swim and a pit stop at a great local fruit/veg store and bakery on the way home. A perfect afternoon!