I’m torn about writing a review for this compound, as I know there were guests having a comfortable, rejuvenating experience there. And Nathalie is a friendly, accommodating host who feels passionately about her place. It just didn’t work for me. I was in cabana #3 and there were big red ants, a scorpion, and a territorial gecko who wanted me outta there. There is earth instead of grass on the property in December, which stains everything red and causes a real mess when it rains. In #3, water also drains into the kitchen from the front door when it rains. Some of the cottages near the community kitchen got WiFi, but this cabana is a little too far away. Nathalie has bikes for rent and fresh water for sale though, which was convenient.
Sidebar: Sarteneja is not the serene fishing village I had imagined — and in my opinion, not worth the 3 1/2-hour bus ride from Belize City. The sea is churned up and the beach is muddy. There’s no actual village center where people gather, and no grocery store with fresh fruit, milk or cheese. (Dry goods only.) There were only two restaurants open during peak travel season; Crabby’s had one menu item available daily — take it or leave it — though the food was tasty.