My stay at the Jaguar Creek Resort along the Hummingbird Highway.
After leaving San Ignacio, I headed for Jaguar Creek in central Belize, just off the Hummingbird Highway. Of all the major highways in Belize, the Hummingbird Highway is by far the prettiest and most exciting. To get to this highway from San Ignacio, you travel east on the Western Highway to Roaring Creek, just before reaching Belmopan. That is where the hummingbird highway starts on the north end. Go south on this highway towards the southern coast of Belize. What makes this highway so special is that is cuts right through the mountains that run through Belize.
About 24 km south via the Hummingbird highway and before you get to the Blue Hole National Park, you will see a sign for Jaguar Creek and Ian Andersons Caves Branch Jungle Lodge on the left. Take this dirt road and bear to the right at the fork in the road (~650 meters), and you will arrive at the Jaguar Creek Resort (~350 meters). You will see the entrance to the Blue Hole National Park on the right (about 200 meters) if you miss the turn off the Hummingbird Highway for Jaguar Creek (turn around and go back to the turn-off).
Stayed at Jaguar Creek on my way from San Ignacio to Hopkins, and wanted to stop and enjoy a cave raft trip (St. Herman’s cave) and see and experience the Blue Hole. Both of these things are part of the Blue Hole National Park, located on the Hummingbird Highway. I arrived on a Sunday early afternoon and was greeted by very nice staff that checked me into one of the Cabanas. The complex consists of a number of 1 bedroom cabanas, along with a couple of dorm type buildings for large groups. I believe they even have some multi-bedroom cabanas, but not sure.
The single bedroom or one room cabanas are located in a line that extends down an elevated walkway above the forest floor, with each unit separated by about 75 feet. There is also a dining area, office, gift shop, and a training building located on the property. The property uses these elevated walkways to reach all the buildings and also leads down to a small creek that you can get wet in or just enjoy the jungle.
It ended up that I was the only person checked in for that night after some large school group had left the same day. The staff asked me what kinds of food I would like for dinner and breakfast the next morning. They also told me what time both would be served. It ended up that they cooked both dinner and breakfast the next morning just for me, and it was delicious. I felt so special.
The staff set me up with the cave raft trip and told me where and what time to meet the guides for the trip.
After the raft trip, I went down the street (2 minutes’ drive) and visited the Blue Hole and took a refreshing dip in the water. More on both the cave raft trip and the blue hole in the next blog.
The cabana itself is very nice and totally screened in, with curtains for privacy. The unit’s bathroom has hot/cold water sink, toilet, and a shower. My unit (last one located furthest from the office) was surrounded by jungle on three sides. Each unit has lights and a single wall plug, which is used to plug a fan into for cooling at night while sleeping. The Queen Size bed has a full mosquito net around it. The unit also has a safe and a hammock located inside so that you can relax and enjoy the jungle without being outside and bothered by bugs.
Electricity is provided by solar panels and supplemented by a diesel generator if required. The pathway from the dining/office area to the cabanas is lighted, but you are advised to bring along a flashlight just in case the electricity goes out.
After dinner, I retired to the cabana and enjoyed a very restful and comfortable night. During the night, I was awakened by the sounds of howler monkeys in the forest and lots of bird songs in the morning.
Again, the next morning, breakfast, including coffee was waiting for me and was great.
I can’t say enough about the great staff and relaxing atmosphere of this place. It is truly a unique experience and something that everyone must do while in Belize. Even though this is not a 5 star Hotel, it is a 5-star experience.
Next up, my Cave Rafting Adventure in St. Herman’s Cave & Dip in the Blue Hole at the National Park.