If you're like me, you tend to enjoy your vacations, but often "wish just a few little things had been different." Well, I've just come back from a stay at Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge and I wouldn't change one single thing.,

Having read the reviews here on TripAdvisor, I was pretty sure Macaw Bank would suit my desires for a genuine jungle connection with all the comforts of home, and I was right. I planned an especially long stay, eleven days, because I like to experience a new place in detail rather than jump from place to place for a fleeting visit.

Ron and Al were worried that I wouldn't find enough to do, but I was entranced with the incredible wild jungle that comes right to the doorsteps of the cabanas: the screened but glass-less windows invite the nightly cricket and frog night-music, then the jubilant morning birdsongs tumble right into your bedroom at sunrise ~ total immersion!

Wandering around the beautifully kept grounds during the daytime with my camera and binoculars was rewarding, too. Every day I spotted new birds (77 in all, and I'm not an "avid birder") including a skulking gray-necked woodrail, a ferruginous pygmy owl, both brown and green jays, masked tityras, 3 kinds of woodcreepers, collared aricaris and keel-billed toucans eating cecropia fruits, parrots and parakeets, and lots of other birds totally new to me. It was a FEAST of birds!

Mere steps from my Macaw Cabana, a well-groomed but mysterious and beckoning trail led directly into the jungle, mysterious with hanging lianas, passionflowers, leafcutter ants carrying their bits of leaves, shrieking parrots flashing by overhead, and the gutteral clicking call of toucans in the distance. I'm pretty sure I saw ocelot tracks in the trail.

In the other direction, a broad path led to a little beach on the beautiful Macal River, where I went almost daily to sit on the rustic bench and enjoy the roosting egrets, king vultures, and clacking kingfishers diving for tiny fish right in front of me. Huge orange iguanas sunned in the trees near the river, and I photographed many remarkably tame butterflies feeding on the trailside flowers. And the mushrooms ~ brilliant red ones, and a Veiled Lady with its netted white skirt, to mention just a couple!

I had a chance to follow Tallulah, the resident coati mundi, as she prospected in the jungle for good things to eat. What a delightful, loving little creature she is!

Every morning when I appeared in the restaurant, Ron, Al, or one of the two Mayan lads, Henri or Angel, would appear like magic with a cup of coffee for me, and, shortly later, whatever breakfast I desired. Prepared from scratch by Ron and Al, the meals were, without fail, delicious and nicely presented, and since I was unaccompanied, one of them, at my invitation, sometimes joined me for good conversation. I immensely enjoyed our evening chats over Belikan beers or delicious mixed drinks, and they made sure my Christmas, New Year's Eve and my 68th birthday, all of which I celebrated there, were memorable events.

I did do one outside trip, to visit the Caracol Mayan ruin. Ron orchestrated my trip faultlessly, having the boys drive me out to the highway to meet the Pacz tour van. The ruins were marvelous, and I'll never forget them, but they didn't hold a candle to my delightful experiences just wandering the trails, sketching and journaling, birdwatching, eating the fine food, and chatting with Ron and Al at Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge.

I returned home with my sketchbook full of drawings, and with 750 photos in my camera. My experience is chronicled on my blog here: http://naturejournaling.blogspot.com/2012/01/nature-journaling-in-belize-2.html if you'd like more details. I hope to go back to Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge again and again.

Macaw Jungle Lodge was an amazing experience. From the day we drove up until the day we left I felt totally at home. The accomodations were very comfortable albeit a little chilly. Ron told us to bring warm pajamas but I didn't listen. But it was made nice and warm by the extra blankets that were provided. At night you were lulled to sleep by the crickets and night life and in the morning, gently awakened by a cacophony of birds singing. Breakfast was made to order and delicious. In the evening talking to Ron and Al was like being with my family. They were warm and friendly and made me laugh. Dinner was as good or better than what you would find in most restaurants. The highlight for me was their pet coatimundi Tallulah. I was really missing my Schnauzer and Tallulah more than made up for it. She is energetic, bright and surprisingly affectionate. The staff also was very accomodating and really wanted to please you. I will definitely be back and Ron and Al I just want to say, I miss you!!! Thanks for a great time.

This resort is highly rated for a reason. It is seriously awesome! Ron & Al have an amazing journey/story and it was our pleasure to be in their company and talk, laugh and listen. Oh ya, the lodge is pretty amazing too...

My husband and I had just spent 6 blissful days on Ambergris Caye and decided to explore the jungle before we went home for a totally different experience. We were only there for 2 nights, but wished we would have cut short our trip to the island and spent more time in the jungle. There is so much to see and do...

First of all, the lodge is wonderful: beautiful grounds, cool trails, great food, totally "eco" and sustainable. Everything is built with off the fruit of the land--minimal urban influence, but it sure works, and boy it is pretty cool. Check out the tiles in the dining area. The cabins were extremely comfortable and jungle authentic. Many personal, antique touches, brought over from the mainland mixed with furniture made from a local artist. Antiques Roadshow meets jungle.

Activities: Tube down the river. Hike. Pictures galore. Day trips to Cahal Pech & Xunantunich (Mayan ruins), ATM caves, waterfalls. The highlight of our trip was to Cahal Pech (the smaller of the ruins), but we had a great guide who enlightened us beyond imagination. Do not go to the ruins without hiring a guide (aprox. $30 USA), otherwise you are just walking up a bunch of steps without realizing what you are actually walking on. (They can be found outside the ruins).

But I think the best part for my husband & I was hanging out with the owners, Al & Ron. They are warm, funny, great chefs and will bend-over-backwards to get you anything you want. Ron gave us a tour of the grounds right away, and pointed out many things that we might be interested in. He knows a whole lot about the property, critters, plants, etc. Ron & Al have a pet coatimundi named Tallulah---as him about how they acquired her. She's a trip. Ron & his ADORABLE band of help (local kids who they have pretty much rescued from a life of poverty), make some killer meals, pretty much made to order. Make sure when you are making a reservation to tell him EVERYTHING you don't eat or like. Al is the comic relief of the two, entertaining you while Ron & the staff cook--breakfast, lunch, dinner. The food is slanted toward American tastes, not Belizian, which was fine with us. Before & after dinner, have an extremely entertaining time hanging out with both of them in the bar/dining room drinking wine or Belikin. Both my husband and I fell in love with them...

Final word: This is the jungle. This is not for everyone. While Al & Ron try to give you every mod-con that is possible, Macaw is not a 5 star all-inclusive resort. There are jungle critters. It takes aprox. 45 minutes to get here, and you must have a 4-wheel drive. The shower is not super-strong, and you might have to adjust your comfort level. The weather is unpredictable--it is the jungle!!. However, if you are comfortable with the outdoors, love experiencing something totally different, love meeting great people & laughing in an amazing setting, this lodge is for you. It is not the cheapest, nor is it the most expensive. But it is the most unique, and I truly believe it is because of the owners, Ron & Al. Great for adventure seekers, families and folks looking for something different than your average hotel, yet not completely far-out. We can't wait to come back,

Love Rich & Stacy

I had the pleasure of spending two wonderful nights at Macaw Bank at the end of October, I don't have sufficient supurlatives to describe the wondeful sights and sounds experienced at Macaw Bank,, and for the food, well, as my title says, it was like I had my own personal chef
to prepare the food I liked the way I wanted it cooked.
The cabanas are very comfortable and secluded, which is what you would expect in a jungle setting, I had the pleasure of hearing the rainfall during the night, a great tranquilizer, put me to sleep almost immediately, during the morning the sun came out and provided a beautiful picture with the sun shinning on the water droplets of the many beautiful flowers that surround the dining area. During the evening hours while enjoying the companionship of Ron and Al we had the excitement of a Jaguar passing by the camp and speaking to us, well, roaring anyway, very exciting. and Ron and Al's pet Quatimundi, (spelling) gorgeous animal.
Anybody looking for a truely unique and relaxing jungle experience, I would highly recommend Macaw Bank, you can spend more but you will not get a more realistic experience. I will be going back as soon as I can.