Yellow Belly Backpackers — Hotel in San Ignacio & Santa Elena

If I could give this business a “O” stats, I would. I was initially hesitant about writing a review of Yellow Belly Backpackers because at the end of the day, we still had a terrific day (albeit with a different tour company). However, there were 3-4 hours of stress and no time during those hours to just enjoy the beauty and serenity of Belize that we came for. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through this.

I had reached out to Yellow Belly at beginning of the year to inquire about their Sunset Kayak trip. I reserved and confirmed a spot for two adults for the 2-6 time slot. On March 28, I reached out to ask if everything was still a go and I was assured that it was. On April 10, at 6:42 pm, Yellow Belly reached out to me to ask if it was still a go. I confirmed within the hour. They replied that the rain had caused river levels to raise and there was the potential the trip might be cancelled and we could do it on Saturday. I replied that we were leaving on Saturday so that wasn’t possible. They said they would let me know in the morning. We woke up at 5 am and I kept checking my email hoping to see if the trip was still on. At 9:20 am, I received an email saying that the trip was cancelled due to more rain during the evening/morning.

We live by a river and kayak it often and I thought the “too much rain” was an odd excuse, but I didn't question it too much because I assumed there was something with the Macal that I was unaware of.

At this point I looked up other tours in the area, but all had already left or I couldn’t book for the day of. We did not have our own vehicle so anything we had to do would be limited by the wait time and availability of a taxi. I looked for 2-3 hours with spotty wi-fi causing some stress as we were stuck in an out of town lodge with no vehicle and no tours available. I travel to enjoy the country, not sit at a pool.

We finally hired a taxi to bring us to Cahal Pech which was a nice place to visit but we had just been to Tikal so it was a bit redundant. I talked to some locals about the river level rising and kayaking and canoeing and they all looked at me and said the river levels were great for being on the river.

I then reached out to three other kayak and canoe rental places and each one confirmed that even with the rain, the water levels were perfect. After about an hour and a half trying to find a taxi company and tour time, Crystal Paradise came through in a huge way!

We kayaked the river and met a canoe on the river as well. The water level was perfect and we never once felt unsafe. No other company had any concern about the safety of it - and as safety is always my top priority - I was hesitant at first until I saw the water levels and watched a canoe glide by with no trouble.

So, at the end of the day - we had a fabulous late afternoon and came across a wonderful company (Crystal Paradise) who affirmed our faith in human nature. It wasn’t so much that our tour was cancelled-I’ve had cancelled tours before. It was the fact that it was cancelled at 9:20 am when all other tours had departed or weren’t taking reservations. It was also the fact that the river levels were perfect and there was never a safety issue. Do yourself a favor and don’t go through the stress like I did. If you want reliability and honesty, book with Crystal Paradise or probably anyone else. All of our experiences in Belize (two weeks) have been wonderful and the people we have met have been outstanding except...

I was initially hesitant about writing a review of Yellow Belly Backpackers because at the end of the day, we still had a terrific day (albeit with a different tour company). However, there were 3-4 hours of stress and no time during those hours to just enjoy the beauty and serenity of Belize that we came for. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through this. ||I had reached out to Yellow Belly at beginning of the year to inquire about their Sunset Kayak trip. I reserved and confirmed a spot for two adults for the 2-6 time slot. On March 28, I reached out to ask if everything was still a go and I was assured that it was. On April 10, at 6:42 pm, Yellow Belly reached out to me to ask if it was still a go. I confirmed within the hour. They replied that the rain had caused river levels to raise and there was the potential the trip might be cancelled and we could do it on Saturday. I replied that we were leaving on Saturday so that wasn’t possible. They said they would let me know in the morning. We woke up at 5 am and I kept checking my email hoping to see if the trip was still on. At 9:20 am, I received an email saying that the trip was cancelled due to more rain during the evening/morning. ||At this point I looked up other tours in the area, but all had already left or I couldn’t book for the day of. We did not have our own vehicle so anything we had to do would be limited by the wait time and availability of a taxi. I looked for 2-3 hours with spotty wi-fi causing some stress as we were stuck in an out of town lodge with no vehicle and no tours available. I travel to enjoy the country, not sit at a pool. ||We finally hired a taxi to bring us to Cahal Pech which was a nice place to visit but we had just been to Tikal so it was a bit redundant. I talked to some locals about the river level rising and kayaking and canoeing and they all looked at me and said the river levels were great for being on the river. ||I then reached out to three other kayak and canoe rental places and each one confirmed that even with the rain, the water levels were perfect. After about an hour and a half trying to find a taxi company and tour time, Crystal Paradise came through in a huge way!||We kayaked the river and met a canoe on the river as well. The water level was perfect and we never once felt unsafe. No other company had any concern about the safety of it - and as safety is always my top priority - I was hesitant at first until I saw the water levels and watched a canoe glide by with no trouble. ||So, at the end of the day - we had a fabulous late afternoon and came across a wonderful company (Crystal Paradise) who affirmed our faith in human nature. It wasn’t so much that our tour was cancelled-I’ve had cancelled tours before. It was the fact that it was cancelled at 9:20 am when all other tours had departed or weren’t taking reservations. It was also the fact that the river levels were perfect and there was never a safety issue. Do yourself a favor and don’t go through the stress like I did. If you want reliability and honesty, book with Crystal Paradise or probably anyone else. All of our experiences in Belize (two weeks) have been wonderful and the people we have met have been outstanding except...

I have stayed at other hostels in Cayo but I prefer this one for the following reasons:

1. Price: as cheap or cheaper than other hostels.
2. Facility: large, two story building with tall ceilings and with parking out front. Private and dorm rooms (4, 6, and 8 bed co-ed). Large common dining/activity/social room with a great view of the surrounding area. 5 bathrooms, 4 with showers. Kitchen facilities as well. And it is all very clean and well maintained.
3. They offer most of the same tours as down in Cayo but at better rates.
4. Breakfast is included: scrambled eggs, beans, fresh fruit (banana, papaya, watermelon), homemade granola/cereal/oats, toast with butter and pineapple jam, milk/almond milk/orange juice, tea/coffee. (I can be this precise because every day is the same.) And drinking water is complimentary all day.
5. They offer laundry services at $1 more than in town... $15 for a small load and $20 for a large.
6. It is popular here so there is usually a good crowd of people staying here of all ages and from all over. Of course, if you are not a social being, then this might be considered a negative.
7. The staff is friendly and helpful and understanding.
8. The bus between Belize City and Flores, Guatemala stops right out front.
9. Cahal Pech is right behind the hostel and the town of San Ignacio is a short and easy 15 minute walk away.
10. There are a number of eateries and food stores a short walk away.
11. It's safe here. People leave their laptops, phones, bags laying around and there is never any theft. The clientele and staff are all good people... it is not a party atmosphere... quiet and chill, but still social and friendly.

I have been here for almost two weeks and am here...