The description and reviews are all extremely accurate, ranging from magic to off the beaten path and rugged. It was about an hour and a half to drive from the airport with the second half of the drive down a pretty rocky road that'll someday get paved. Once we pulled into the house area every moment of our first day got better and better. From seeing our airy room with great views, walking out to the lagoon shore, to meeting the happy pack of blueheeler mix dogs and eating a delicious and nourishing homecooked meal.
When we needed help, it was offered without us really even needing to ask. On day two we had a great time at the Belize zoo, then drove around getting carried away with spending more money than budgeted on restaurants, snacks, and gasoline. I brought up that I had burned through more money than planned and without question, Jason became our guide to all the wonderful free things to do without driving very far. We had great trips swimming in unbelievably beautiful salt and fresh water hideaways, meeting people, eating cashews and mangoes fresh off the tree, learning about new plants and animals, and chatting away about anything that came to mind. When I was feeling more introverted it was also easy to slip away into the cabana and read a book listening to the waves and the breeze. I was curious about political events going on and Jason was very knowledgable and shared freely about the local and international dynamics at play. When we got the inevitable sunburn (we're as pale as they come) and bugbites, Myrtle surprised us with homemade medicinal salves and oils that helped so much.
This trip was booked as a getaway from the pretty hectic lifestyle I live as a single mom doing physical work every day. My daughter and I got everything we needed and more being hosted by Jason, Myrtle and all the family and villagers that make up the totality of the place. We planned our vacation spot by the airbnb description and made the other logistics work around that (rented a car to travel into and out of the village, etc.) If you're not the resort style of traveler and you're looking to mix things up, get there!