Again I would like to thank who helped us before we left on our trip. Overall, with one exception (see below) we had an excellent trip and really enjoyed the people we met.

By far the highlight was the day we spent with Patrick Warrior (jahpeople53@hotmail.com). His knowledge, commitment, and personality all contributed to our day with him being simply the best. From what I understand he does everything from Jungle Survival to easy family day trips. Our recommendation is to spend as much time as you can with him. Each day will be its own adventure!

Another highlight was Papi's Diner in San Pedro. A small restaurant, frequented mainly by locals, very basic, and excellent local food. By far much better than many of the more expensive and well known restaurants we tried in town. Incredible Conch Chevice! We fell in love with the place and kept coming back.

On a less positive note, our worst experience was with E'ktun. Although the location is as beautiful as previous postings suggested we were very disturbed and disappointed by the unethical behavior of the owner, Phyllis.
Although initially charming, we were disappointed in many ways. For example, the tours we booked with her were far from what her website suggested. The tours were not with a professional guide, although the rate was comparable to tours with a guide, and we never had a full day, although we were charged as though we did.
We were also hit by “Extra Charges” on our departure day that took us completely by surprise. In other words, although Ektun is priced as a high-end establishment, be prepared to find unexpected items potentially totaling hundreds of dollars on your exit. Be careful to ask the cost of everything and make sure you explicitly hear what you are and are not getting for your money.
We were also disappointed by the “colonial” way she treats her local employees.

Last but not least we also wanted to share with you that Barb (whose name and number we found on this board) was an excellent source of information. She also managed to find us great air-fare.

All for now, wish we could go back tomorrow... Our best to everybody!

Call me stupid..but in never heard of Ektun??? C

Mainland.....stupid lol, you set yourself up for that one, sorry !

I did a cave trip with Patrick and he was a really good guide. Bravo Zulu to Patrick!

I'm very sorry to see this family has taken this route, when I had already blessed them and let go of it the day they left.... being stiffed for US$300.... but I can't really sit by and allow such statements to be made without offering the truth of the matter. While claiming to be accomplished travelers, I can see in their wake, waves of tourism professionals vowing to leave the tourism industry forever.

The only charges that this party had on their tab at departure were for drinks, which are NEVER paid in advance, and for a transfer and tours which had NOT been decided upon and paid when they made their reservation. Absolutely nothing else, no "hidden costs" unless you call tax and service charge "hidden costs." Despite the fact that the website has not been updated in almost 2 years, this party was aware that some prices had increased slightly (for example by $2.50 per person on a local transfer), and it still clearly states that quoted prices "do not include beverages other than juice served with meals".... this party had $56 worth of additional margaritas, which could in no way have been misconstrued as "included" or "on the house." The website also clearly states in the transfer section "quotes for optional side trips are available upon request" ..... though evidently this family expected us to pick them up and use my slave Remo and LandRover the entire day, touring around to different attractions in the area, for the same price as a half-hour transfer from Windy Hills. Our policy also clearly states that we give no refunds for unused tours or services and that we are not liable for the late arrivals of any transportation or any schedule change or delay.... I expressly requested that they not duplicate tours booked with us while they were at Windy Hills, yet they went to a butterfly farm one day with Patrick, so did not want to do it again on our tour as been pre-arranged.... another day they went to Che Chem Hah, and the 4-year old was not able to go to the cave so father and son stayed back while the others went, obviously expecting not to get charged for anything, the whole day.... Anyone who has spent any time here (or has traveled in a developing country) knows that it is impossible to operate without occasional delays... in fact, one of my half-hour delays was due to trying to connect to the Internet and send an email to the husband's father in Israel to inquire about his mother's operation... which I also got blamed for (thank you BTL)! In addition, this was during not only the holidays, but a long, rainy period which made everything ten times more difficult. Border crossings were time consuming, shopping for provisions was a daily necessity, and everyone's resources, both inner and outer, were stretched to the breaking point. It didn't help that the 4-year old was not up to the rigorous schedule the parents had designed, and even though we tried to have dinner early every day of their stay, could not compromise the food quality for other guests to accommodate them. The child was not able to stay awake for a single evening meal. They allowed no time for naps, and I don't know how the poor child survived. Interesting that they didn't mention our willingness to TRY to have dinner early, or to keep his purge medication refrigerated and warm up milk for him every morning and evening. And no mention that I let the lodge laundry lapse in order to do their personal laundry (at no extra charge!!) ... or that while shopping in Guatemala, listening to the poor kids wishing they had some pocket money to spend, I hired them on the spot to help wash the canoe when we got back, and paid them in advance so they could buy something.with their own money (and of course the canoe never got washed, but who cares?). Also in Guatemala, I took them to the place most likely to find something of real value to take back, and as luck would have it, the wife then later found something in the market similar, but not nearly so nice for $5 less... and threw an absolute fit.... practically accused me of taking them to that shop so I could get "kick-backs," so I offered to buy everything from her at the price she paid, so she could buy the cheap stuff, but she declined....

These people started working with an agent who occasionally books us after they contacted me, and she tried to assist with their other arrangements and finally gave up....this is what she had to say about them (before they arrived) "So, they can figure out what to do. I have to get past this one. It has totally exhausted me and has affected my attitude and enthusiasm."

They have called me a liar, unethical, "colonial" (whatever that means), accused me of purposely having dinner late to make people drink more, and made me think things about people that I've never wanted to think. At this point I can calmly and concisely say that I'm glad they won't be returning to Ek' Tun, and hope that none of their families or friends ever come here, and anyone else out there who is like this can also take this as a loud and clear signal to stay away.

If anyone has any doubts about this, and you'd like to see what 99.99% of the people who come to Ek' Tun think about it, please check out http://www.ektunbelize.com/guestlog.htm

And while I'm at it, politics, religion, sex (not necessarily in that order), as well as many other "taboo topics" are discussed freely and frequently around the dinner table, so if you don't have an open mind, think twice about coming to Ek' Tun.

In Lak'ech

'Methinks they protest to much?'

I have heard nothing but good things about Ek Tun, and I have no doubt that Phyllis is telling the truth about the whining "Questions," who did not even have the decency to identify him or herself despite the fact that s/he did not simply complain of unsatisfactory hotel experiences (which is one of the purposes of this board) but also made vicious personal attacks on Phyllis ("unethical.") Perhaps I am old fashioned but if you are going to accuse someone of serious misconduct (like fraud), you ought not do so anonymously. It's cowardly and tacky.

The (nameless) "Questions" reminds me of a woman who, with her husband and adult children, booked one of our condos for a week last year. She dragged husband and children (reluctantly) away after a couple of hours because she said it was in a "bad neighborhood" with "seedy" people hanging about (I guess her idea of an idea Belizean vacation was one with no Belizeans in view!) and went to a resort far from town (presumably to avoid coming in contact with local people).

Phyllis, there are some people who should not travel outside of the white glove circuit...the kind of people who think the world revolves around them and must blame (often nastily) others for their own poor judgment (like taking a 4 year old child on adventure excursions and blaming the host when the poor kid can't keep up or stay awake for adult dinner hour.)

We know your place is gorgeous and you are a most caring hostess.

I have sent many of my clients to Ek' Tun for the "jungle" portion of their trip, and without exception, they've all loved the place. In fact, for a number of them, it was their favorite part of their trip (except the time they spent with me down here in Placencia, of course).

Phyllis may be the most honest and ethical person I know, so I simply cannot believe the allegations made by the unnamed guests who started this thread.

Ek' Tun is a well-managed and beautiful spot, and I wholeheartedly recommend Ek' Tun to my clients who are looking for a beautiful, quiet and secluded interlude off the beaten track.

Mary

That's odd, most everyone I talked to said they couldn't wait to come back. In fact, I just got home on the 7th and I return for the 6th time (in 3 years) in late February. I met some people from New York and they are trying to get back by March, May at the latest.

It seems to me that some people just aren't ever happy no matter where they go, there's always something. Tell me this. Were you expecting Cancun? If so, you didn't do your research and you've no one to blame but yourself.

Seashell - Some people are just never happy and find happiness in bitc**ng and demeaning people. Gives them a false felling of self worth. I'll get off my soapbox now as I have more important things to think about like what's for Dinner. Got any stewed chicken??

I worked with these people briefly - just did their air and hooked them up with Patrick. I did hear from them after they returned and they actaully loved Belize for the most part. I was a bit surprised to hear about the complaints about Ek Tun because I know it usually gets good reviews. I know they have been going through some changes at Ek Tun and the weather was unusually rainy that week so that was what I attributed many of the complaints to. I personally have not been to Ek Tun and do not know Phyllis so cannot say much in that regard, but all my dealings with the clients showed them to be well travelled, intelligent, gracious & open to new experiences. They liked Xanadu & Windy Hill just fine from what I gathered. And they loved Patrick Warrior - but who doesn't!!!

Just offering a little defense here - they didn't seem like whiners at all...

My thought is, it is terribly hard to travel or vacation with a four year old, anywhere, even DisneyWorld.

I,ve heared nothing but good reports from Ek' Tun, but that's me.

There must be two of these places called Ek'Tun, because there is nothing in "Questions" description of the place that is anything like the absolutely outstanding facility described in the very next post by "Kimbehinddoornumber3" I don't know Phyllis and have never been to her place, but she can't be anything close to as wonderful as described by everyone else, and be anything like she was portrayed to be in this post. Soooo, from that, I must conclude that everyone else is wrong, and Questions is right, or........?

its sounds like there was some kind of a giant communications/expectations error that seems like it should most fairly be attributed to the real people of questionable character. Since they don't have the courage to post their true names, but apparaently have no qualms about unsubstantiated character assassination, perhaps they should change their message board name to "Questionable." Sounds like nothing more than sour grapes from a bad vine attributable to "questionable" roots.

Phyllis is awesome, Ek'Tun is a great place, as I said in the other forum. You go girl. FYI there are other posts on this topic in the "Other Parts of Belize" Section.

I am staying there with my wife in March, and I based the decision primarily on the size of her operation and the jungle resort qualities that Ek'Tun offers.

An operation that is this size has no choice but to offer uncompromised service and quality. Even from an unbiased viewpoint, I would have to believe that the person posting the negative feedback had made a decision to try out Belize after years of caribe island vacations at the Four Seasons. My guess is this is where we will find them from here on out.

My name is Peter Tonti and I work as the Business Manager for a property that is not far from Ek'tun
and have known Phylis for over 5 years.

Whatever can be said of Phylis I don't know of anyone that knows her who would describe her as ever being "unthethical".

"Idealistic" maybe.

I know from experience that bad weather creates bad attitudes and I personally have had to deal with people while working in Placencia that gave me the impression that the resort that I worked for was responsible for their bad luck.

People on vacation feel cheated they have to spend their time in such conditions and sometimes remember the facts of their stay differently that what actually occurred.

Unfortunately one is limited as to what to do during these occassional extended bad weather periods.

Phylis, it is just part of the business sometimes.

Keep smiling.

this party had $56 worth of additional margaritas

This is lunch for us one day !!!!!! hehe..phily is fiesty im looking her place up ...only if she tells me how the fishing is there in march...and of course we expect a free day of fishing and her watching our children all day and of course paying them for the honor.....and one last thing...you can't talk to your employees like a colonal...LOL whatever that means!!!!!......................PS. maybe 10 free tanks for the week and warm milk inbetween dives....Don't worry about our laundry we never change !!! )

Opps one last thing and i swear i will drop the subject....WE EXPECT SUNNY SKY'S AND 85.7 DEGREES EVERYDAY!!!!!!