You are right, Leah-Ann. I think we disagree on most things. I can't say that I'm sorry. It is these differences that make us direct opposites, and keep the "spunkiness" in our communications.
I wish you had had a better experience there. It really was a great time. And, I don't mean to suggest that you weren't in the right company to have a good time there. I was just saying that my impression could have been slanted, since I was there with someone I love.

I gotta say Sun&Sand, for someone I generally disagree with most of the time, you are one of the most good natured people I've ever encountered!

Viva la difference!!!!!

This is what Sharon Matola, founder of Belize Zoo, said about Maruba on another forum.

Posted by Sharon Matola (Member # 17109) on 02-15-2007, 11:29 AM:

It is unfortunate that the Maruba Lodge continues to exploit Belizean wildlife for the sole purpose of their own financial gain.

Maruba openly admits and boasts (http.//www.mojohd.com/shows/threesheets/photos/) that they place live snakes and scorpions into bottles of rum.

These animals die and become "wildlife curios" aimed to be sold to the guests at the Maruba "eco lodge".

This practice violates the Wildlife Protection Act of 1981 which clearly states that it is "illegal to collect and sell species of wildlife"

Furthermore, Maruba employees are known to pay nearby villagers for the collecting of snakes - any species of snake, for their illegal tourist-targeted rum enterprise.

The ecological role which snakes and Maruba's other "viper rum victims", scorpions, play in the Belizean environment matters zero to Maruba Lodge.

What does matter to Maruba is that they undertake a perverse activityand create their own illegal tourist side-show, purely to try and attract some extra tourist dollars.

This issue has been brought to the attention of officials at the Forest Department within the Ministry of Natural Resources. To their credit, Wildlife Officers acted in proper manner and brought the actions of Maruba Lodge to appropriate legal reprimand.

When The Belize Zoo inquired as to what the final outcome was, it was indicated that a high-ranking government official dismissed the charges against the Maruba Lodge. Justice prevailing? Hardly. Political favour?

The Maruba Lodge cointinues to disregard the laws of Belize. They show no respect for the efforts being made by many here, aimed at conserving, not degrading this nation's natural resources.

BE PROACTIVE ABOUT THIS ISSUE

1. Urge anyone you know who is considering a visit to Belize to AVOID The Maruba Lodge due to their continued irresponsible behaviour.

2. Express your concern and opposition to the selling of "Viper Rum" directly to Maruba Lodge: maruba@btl.net.

There should be a concerted and unified effort in Belize to preserve this country's unique natural resources - a HUGE Thumbs down to The Maruba Lodge for their low class performance.

http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=000197

Well, that settles it. I had no idea that these things were going on, and I will never set foot there again, at least, until these things stop. This is very irresponsible on their part, and for a place that is so beautiful to totally disregard the laws and the environment in order to gain from it, disgusts me. So, that being said, we won't go back, until convinced that this stuff has ended.

This is old news. Dates back to before chirst. The serpants represent healing. Maruba has generations of medical doctors. Viper could mass market but we don't believe in wasting. We won't get personal.

However, you are't denying it. What gives?

The topic isn't viper rum. The topic is Maruba Receives Top Boutique Resort Award

Belize City, Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - Susse Ellis, president of The Spa Experience has notified Belize’s most unique and innovative resort, Maruba, located two miles outside Maskall Village on the Old Northern Highway that it has been selected as the "Best Boutique Spa (25 Rooms or Fewer)" in their 2007 Spa Finder Readers' Choice Awards.


Costa Maya contestants at Maruba

Ms. Ellis wrote, “Based on thousands of votes submitted by discerning spa-goers around the world, your award represents a true honor and achievement for your spa. With a surge in international voting and nearly twice as many votes overall this year versus a year ago, this year's awards are an especially meaningful validation of the Maruba Resort Jungle Spa spa experience.”

The award presentation ceremonies will take place during an invitation-only gala at New York's Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station on November 1st, 2007 from 6 - 8 pm, as part of The Spa Experience 2007, a public sampling of 60+ elite spas from around the globe.

The Readers’ Choice Awards over the five years of their existence has steadily grown in both popularity and prestige. Reader response and spa participation have made the Readers’ Choice the industry's premier award program. It is the spa world's answer to the Academy Awards.

Ms. Ellis concluded her notification letter by writing, “… let me extend our warmest congratulations from Pete, myself and everyone here at Spa Finder for your well-deserved award. The most experienced, sophisticated spa-goers in the world have named your spa one of the very favorites - and we couldn't agree more.”

With topnotch, classy resorts like Maruba, Belize is becoming a striking destination in the tourism industry internationally.


See for yourself what all the talk is about. For more info on Maruba Resort Jungle Spa, visit our website, http://www.maruba-spa.com or come and visit the resort at 40 1/2 Miles Old Northern Highway, Maskall Village, Belize.

i did not stay there - we had lunch there on the altun ha trip this past feb. i thought the place looked very pretty.

the rest, we disliked very much.

we'd been walking and driving for hours, and didnt even hardly get on the grounds when we were hit up for treatments. personally, that is NOT what i go to bz for. we declined in lieu of a swim and lunch.

leahAnn - we're with you - the ceviche was tiny and terrible, and we ordered a $20 fish combo, and got a plate of rubbery fried jack sticks with fries. we actually SENT OUR FOOD BACK!! we had NEVER done that ANYWHERE. very over-priced and just terrible! we ended up with stew chicken & rice, which was just okay.

then we were offered viper rum (lighter fluid!!), which we tried, not knowing the facts until afterward.

we ended up chatting with the owner's husband, who was proud to tell us of their plans to build more high priced condos on north AC.

i love belize, and i love jungle lodges. but i will never stay at maruba.

when one signs up for altun ha, you MUST stop at Maruba. i suppose they have a deal with the tour companies. you also must stop in Bomba and look at wood carvings (which encourages cutting of mahogany trees). i think it would be a better idea to supply the people of Bomba with chickens/fish, and let them bbq them up with rice for the tourists. this could fund that tiny village better than wood carvings. any leftover food could help feed the poor villagers. this would be a more authentic experience. all we wanted to do was see the ruins, not fund those already more well off than ourselves and the locals. just a thought.

as always, just my opinion.

Leah-Ann, I think Sun & Sand is a real politician. She has a way with words

Aw, shucks, you guys. I appreciate the kudos, but certainly don't deserve them. Just don't feel passionate enough about some things to allow my BP to elevate.
I do feel passionate about the environment, animals, and individual rights. These things I will fight for, and will boycott establishments who fail to do right by these issues. I am sure my measley efforts will go unoticed by most, but I feel better doing it, so will continue. I still haven't heard a denial from Maruba, and therefore, won't go back until I'm satisfied that they are as environmentally concious as they want us to believe. I'm reading fluff, but not getting any closer to the truth.