We rented this unit through the internet site VRBO.com. Individual owners post their places for rent on this site. We started to rent through one individual owner then got passed on to another owner who was head of the Condo Corp and rents under his company name, Red Hammock (units can be rented by individual owners and/or property management). The experience was the worst one we have every gone through. We rented unit #1 at Caribe Island (privately owned condos), also know by the locals as the Pepto Bismol building because it is painted light pink.

Renting procedure - When we called the first owner, Mark, informed us that there were no 1 bdrm units remaining for the dates we wanted but that they would provide us with a 2 bdrm unit for a slight cost increase. We agreed and he emailed the contract. Upon review we noticed a number of things, the price they quoted us was higher, the taxes were wrong and they were charging a damage fee that would not be returned. So we called and they explained that the taxes are higher than we thought (12%, yet still different from what they put on the contract), the damage fee was common practice. More importantly the dates were WRONG with the arrival and departure times. They had us arriving in January 2011 instead of December 22nd/2010. By the time we noticed their mistake 3 weeks later, they did acknowledge it being their mistake but the 2 bdrm unit was no longer available, however, they had a 1 bdrm unit that had just joined the rental pool. Although it was on the first floor, it had just been completely renovated, with all new furniture. We were told the price would be higher than the original 1 bdrm price. Well by this point in time there was not much left on the island that did not cost an arm and a leg so we felt we had no choice and accepted. This whole process seemed unprofessional and unpleasant.

Location- we originally looked at this location because it was just outside the limits of the busier downtown San Pedro and we were looking for a quite relaxing location. It was advertised on the internet as a 25 min walk to downtown. In truth, it is about an hour walk to downtown and we had to spend over $360 US to rent a golf cart for 10 days to get downtown to shop for groceries or go to dinner. One night we found ourselves in our unit gasping for breath, eyes burning and watering trying to figure out where the smoke was coming from. Turns out that the island dump is on the south end of the island and if you have an offshore breeze it blows the smoke from the burning garbage over/through this location. They burn everything that goes in the garbage and there is no recycling program so the smoke is dangerously toxic.

The Unit - they gave us at check in, we commented that, there has been some kind of mistake as the unit (#1) has never been renovated and the furniture is as old as the unit. The counters are tiled and dirty, the bed is so old, uncomfortable and dirty. The sheets are old and thin, no extra blanket or mattress cover. We discovered the toilet leaked dirty water almost every time we flushed and got worse as we stayed, the hot water tank was so small it did not provide enough water to shower or even do the dishes. Right outside the bedroom window was the "outside maintenance area" and the maintenance guy would show up every morning at 7am, turn on his radio and gather his tools for the mornings chores. The building next door had been purchased by another unit owner and was under complete full gut renovation, literally 5 ft from our bedroom unit. Every day was hammering, electric circular saws, construction, workers yelling over tools. We could not take an afternoon nap, watch TV, as you couldn't hear it over the noise. We were exhausted and there was absolutely nothing relaxing about this vacation and we are paying peak vacation rates. Everyone we talk to pointed the finger at someone else and nothing is done to stop construction because property management and Red Hammock claims they did not know about the construction that would be underway during the peak Christmas holiday time.

Cockroaches and ants - Giant cockroaches in the unit and trails of ants in the bedroom and living room going up walls. When we complain about this we are told it is because of the renovation next door and all the pests are scurrying. Great we are the closest unit to the construction and yet nothing is done.

So, completely dishonest rental practices from Red Hammock, a completely disgusting dirty unit, on-going construction and noise, plus worth mentioning is the street dog fights every morning at 5am. They would bark non-stop for hours. This is without question the worst vacation location experience we have ever had.

Also upon arrival we had a woman come to our door that was also renting through Red Hammock and she was furious as RH was moving her to another location in the middle of her stay due to double booking her unit.

I am generally an easy going person and let things slide but this has prompted me to write my first trip advisor review. Thumbs down to Red Hammock, our quiet relaxing vacation ended with us both sick from a lack of sleep and my wife could not dive due to the lack of sleep she developed a head cold and nasal congestion. She had to sit on the boat while I dove (and I just got my license for the sole purpose of being able to dive with her).

We felt once they found out about our situation through property management that they would either re-imburse us for our stay as soon as they were notified at the beginning of our stay and we would find an alternative place to stay or give us a large rebate (versus paying peak price for Christmas time) for the major construction taking place a few feet from our unit. This is a total lack of caring or professionalism.

I will never rent here or from you again and will let everyone I can know.

We knew we were in trouble when the manager (in the U.S.) botched our confirmed reservation only days before our arrival. In the end, however, we were glad he forced us to leave a day early for Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where we finished our vacation much more comfortably and economically. We were greeted at the Caribe Island Condos by cockroaches, mosquitos, inadequate hot water, and a poorly equipped kitchen, among other problems.

Went to Belize with the b/f and some friends for 8 days and stayed in the Seaview Suite at Caribe Island and we couldn't have been happier!! We were originally planning on staying at a resort with a restaurant and bar, but we are SO glad we didn't!

A/C in the house, pool and beach at our doorstep, beach volleyball court out the window, and everything was clean to boot! It's a bit far from town, but not more than a 15-20 minute bike ride. Honestly, I wouldn't have changed that at all - we went into town a few times but the "nightclubs" weren't exactly the most happening places... ALTHOUGH - definitely get some street tacos...street meat = amazing.

We got the place at an incredible price and got to do some excursions because of that! Instead of paying for overpriced meals at a resort, we cooked most meals in our fully-equipped kitchen and hung out in what basically turned out to be a private pool. The community is small, but everyone we met was super nice. The property manager, Eric, and his wife, Ana, were SO helpful.

There is a tour company called "Suya Tours" right next door and Carlos is the man - be SURE to check them out. If nothing else, you MUST do the snorkeling/beach bbq trip. Look, I've been snorkeling plenty of times - but THIS was in-friggin-credible. We watched our guide spear-hunt fish and lobster while we snorkeled. Seriously unbelievable.

This is a gorgeous and affordable vacation spot to unplug in a tropical setting, with anything you need just at your fingertips.

Oh - and tell George the taxi cab driver that Andrea and Josh say hello!

This place is awesome if you are looking for a quite stay in Belize. San Pedro was about 3 miles away and pretty loud in the evening so this was perfect for us and our 20th anniversary. The only downfall was getting to town was a chore. We were on a budget and couldn't afford a golf cart or taxi so we rode the complementary bikes. OK in the AM but coming back from town after a few Belikins in 90 degree weather was no fun. It was a little tricky carrying a case of Belikins back and forth from town on a bike (see picture). But the pool sure felt great after that. The bedroom had air and the living room always had a breeze. You couldn't stay there and lock all your doors and windows at night without the air and no breeze. That being said I always felt safe as there were security guards all night long.
We ate in most of the time, the grocery stores are fairly expensive but the fresh fruit and vegetable stands are cheap. We also bought fish from some store on middle street and the boats early in the AM on back street. They had a grill we used at the condo. We brought spices from home as well as 1 liter of wine (allowed per person). All liquor is expensive except rum and beer. Meat and cheese is outrageous. We bought some tortillas at Joe's (small grocery store down the street) and cooked a lot of beans and rice.
We went fishing off the dock every night. There are big tarpon and little snapper, we even ate one 1 night. Of course the locals seemed to catch more that we did most of the time. We went on a flats fly-fishing trip and a snorkeling trip to Malta rocks and tres coconuts. Beautiful. Not much luck fishing because it was a cloudy day and we were spot fishing, couldn't see them coming. Conch shells are everywhere, pretty cool.
Internet didn't work in the room but did work well under the palapa bar. I think they still advertise that the bar is open but it has been closed for years. It would have been convenient for food and drinks but loud when you needed peace and quiet. I'm glad it was closed, personally. There was maid service if you wanted to pay for it, she was very good. Not a real outgoing staff, but they do their job well, the place is clean. I would definitely go back but rent a golf cart for the week.