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.