Where is the most ideal place in (1)Placencia, (2) Cayo (with a six-year old CHILD)that offers cabanas, thatch roofs, & mosquito nets for the best deal? Any advice based on experience would be highly appreciated!

Check bananabank.com - they have the accomodations you mentioned - not sure if it's the price you want.

In Cayo try Crystal Paradise and/or Clarissa Falls. In Cayo there are usually no biting-bug problems.

thatched roofs look cool but ain't

Explain Toad....

Yah..Toad, what aren't so great about them?

Here is a partial quote from a reply I wrote concerning building thatch roof as opposed to concrete.

Hope this helps to answer the "why nots?"

Jim

They also do a very good job of keeping the heat in! Not too cool in the summer. I spent a few nights in a loft and it was uncomfortable before about midnite and after 8:00 am. This was right on the beach with the breeze blowing all the time.
We did spend one nite in the cabana at JB's though that was a pleasant experience. Rained a little that nite and the view of the mountians beyond the orange groves was a great view in the morning.
Cheap too, think we only paid $60us for three of us.
Richard :p

in a quiet orchard surrounded garden atmosphere, smith's family farm has a choice of 5 cabins, some with thatch roofs. the one facing the orange grove has thatch roof w/bathroom & fridge indoors & cooking stove & sink on the porch. there's a double bed & roy can add a cot for your kid if you like, tho that makes it a bit tight. it's about 10 minutes walk just outside san ignacio town & is beautiful w/ enclosed private grounds to check out. the owner cooks vegetarian food & has 2 kids & charged $20/night last summer. i stayed there a week & dug it. totally the bargain of my trip.

cheers---
gogo

You might also look at Pook's Hill, just a little beyond Belmopan -- turn at Teakettle, Mile 58. Very pleasant thatch cabanas with a Maya ruin on site. It has a great jungle atmosphere and it's not far from the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. Run by a very nice family.

--Lan Sluder