We were living a dream!

Guest: 2 couples from MN. (Suburban Minneapolis, MN, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 02/08/12

We pinched ourselves every day to make sure this wasn't a dream! The facilities were in excellent condition. The real thing is even more beautiful than the listing photos. We had no surprises. We especially liked the speaker system because we could connect our ipod and listen to good music inside and outside the house. Lister and caretaker are courteous and attentive. I would recommend this place to anyone who desires a quiet, private and relaxing vacation. Take advantage of all excursions: you are very close to the best snorkeling!

Owner response:Judy, It's alwats good to hear that our guests had a good stay at 18 Degrees North. We think we've set it up so that most folks will have a good time and fond memories, but it's nice to get such comments. We hope to see you again. Kind Regards, Bob & Tracey

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Great Time in Paradise

Guest: Blue Jay Fans (Centralia, MO USA)
Date of Stay: 01/07/12 Review Submitted: 01/22/12

Randy, I and another couple were really pleased the way we found property. It was everything it was described in the listing. The house was very beautiful with all the local artwork on the walls. The rooms were very spacious and the air conditioning worked great. Ernesto was the greatest. He took very good care of us. Giving great ideas for us to do. He took us fishing, lobster spearing, snorkeling, cave tubing, Maya ruins and swimming and snorkeling in shark alley. His family was beautiful also. We enjoyed seeing the kids get on their school boat everyday. Really different than seeing our kids getting on the big yellow bus in our area. We had Samantha (Ernesto's wife) fix our catch of the day (lobster and fish), was very good. We highly recommend anyone to come here if you just want some good rest and relaxation this is the place to come. You could walk down the beach to a very nice restaurant call Portafina and had a wonderful meal and drinks. You can also have Ernesto take a boat trip into town to enjoy the local food and drinks. Fido's is also a great place to eat in town. You set on the beach so you can watch the boats and people come and go. In all, the people are very friendly. I almost forgot to commit on the most important fixtures at the house. That would be Risa, Rojo & Betsy. They are the dogs that live at the house. They were great guard dogs to have around when you were on the dock or they were great to take with you as you walk down the beach. They bark at anyone who walks by or rides by on a bike. Funny they only barked at the locals. :) We thank you Bob and Tracy for letting us stay at your house. Also thanks for the FULL MOON. Made for some great pictures. Randy, Tori, Jeff and Renee Go Blue Jays !!!!

Owner response:Randy, Tori, et al, We just got back from a week at 18 Degrees North and noticed that the dogs looked a bit plump. Were you feeding them lobster? Thanks for the kind words. We are so glad you had some good R & R. Come on back as soon as you can and bring the growing clan. Kind Regards, Bob & Tracey Owners, 18 Degrees North

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Amazing!

Guest: Dianna Cusick (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 12/25/11

Our family of five (parents and three young adults) just came back from a week at 18 Degrees North, Our trip was nothing short of amazing. The property is BEAUTIFUL and the view will take your breath away. Ernesto was a wonderful guide. He took us spear fishing (so cool) and we speared fish and lobster and Samantha cooked it all for us for dinner! He also took us snorkeling and to the Mayan ruins and cave tubing. The dogs, Betsy, Rojo and Brisa were our poolside companions (they are so sweet), and they are very protective of 18 Degrees North which made us feel very safe. We loved this experience and would highly recommend it!

Owner response:Dianna and family, We were happy to have you as our guests. It is always good to hear that our visitors take advantage of our staff and the adventures that they bring to a stay at 18 Degrees North. We are heading down for a week away from the "Cold North" in 10 days. Hope to have you back as our "guestas" (as Ernesto would say it) in the near future. Kind Regards, Bob & Tracey Owners, 18 Degrees North

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Not Quite What We Expected

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/23/11 Review Submitted: 09/13/11

We stayed at 18 Degrees North for 4 days in August 2011. For the price and compared to other rentals we've taken, we expected a place in great condition. Sadly this was not the case. First, the water situation was a disaster. The well water was badly treated by the caretaker and all taking a shower smelled as if we were bathing in sea water it was so salty, due to a terrible mix of the chlorine to treat - we think. The elevated levels of chlorine also ruined our laundry which we did the first day - 4 t-shirts, a dress, and one dress shirt were permanently stained with bleach stains. The kitchen was pretty gross, with grease on the counters and the range, many of the appliances and knives with rust stains. All the bathroom faucets are corroded from the salt air and need to be replaced. The pool area when we arrived was relatively clean, but the chairs were kind of strewn around, as if the caretakers hadn't bothered to put anything in order after the last renters. The cable in one room didn't work. On the plus side, the house is overall comfortable and has some nice local art. It is quite a ride, at least 15 minutes, by boat from the town and inaccessible by road - though having the caretaker there for the one trip into town a day is very useful. Do not rent a house this far from town without that service as the public taxi service is unreliable, as our friends who were staying at another house near us found out trying to get to the airport. The most disappointing thing about our stay however was that the caretaker, who we hired for day trips on his boat, was never willing to give us up front pricing and ended up charging us 3 or 4 times more than what we felt was fair. It's a long story but we learned our lesson, we should have insisted on pre-pricing quote rather than going with the laissez fair Belizean lifestyle. I recommend you do the same, and if Ernesto keeps avoiding it, then hire a boat from town (that will likely be nicer anyway). The owners responded to our complaints, but offered no remedy or reimbursement - saying only that they would fix the problems for future renters. Note the property is for sale, so take this into account if booking a trip far in advance. All in all, while the location is lovely and Belize is a terrific place to visit - we would not recommend staying here. There are lots of other options.

Owner response: Well, eventually a poor review was bound to happen. We have addressed the cleaning and water issue with our staff and those are unlikely to recur. Since this visit in August the islands drought has ended and our 44,000 gallon cistern is again full of rainwater. We have only had to switch over to our back-up well source a few times in our 6 years and this visit was one of them. All of Ernesto's trip rates are and have been posted in a book that is presented to all guests when they arrive. Within that listing is a request that you pay as you go after each event. We are now going to post them on the hacinda walls as well. Every September and October we schedule major projects at 18 Degrees North. This year they include refurbishing our 25' skiff, with fiberglass repair, new hardware and a new paint job. The hacienda has had some cement and stucco repairs, along with new A/C units,TV satellite receivers, energy efficient windows and a host of kitchen and bathroom appliances and fixtures replaced. Living 100' from the Caribbean salt air takes it's toll and we schedule this work to be done during the two slowest months. We cannot solve the issues pertaining to other peoples bad experiences at a totally different property, but we will continue to invest our time and resources to keep 18 Degrees North the 5 Star destination that the vast majority of our guests have experienced. A final note to our future guests - "You have our permission to move the lounge chairs wherever you want around the pool." Kind Regards, Bob & Tracey Owners, 18 Degrees North

Recommended for:

Paradise!!!

Guest: Danielle (Angleton, Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/05/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

I am just about to leave after an amazing week at 18 degrees north. I hate to go. Ernesto is so knowledgable of the islands and the perfect spots to swim with manatee, pet a shark, spear fish for lobster, and every other aspect of island life. Any and everything we wanted to do, Ernesto was able to accomodate. Samantha is a great cook and super friendly lady. I don't know how we managed to fit in all we did this week and still have time to just lay by the pool or stroll on the beach. We never felt rushed or tied to a schedule. I highly recommend staying here and taking advantage of the private guided tours. You just can't beat it. It was so nice experiencing everything the island has to offer without being part of a crowd. Absolutely THE BEST!!!!!

Owner response:Dear Danielle, It's great to hear that you had a great time at 18 Degrees North. It sounds like Ernesto and Samantha wove their magic spell, once again. Hope to have you back again. Kind Regards, Bob & Tracey Owners, 18 Degrees North

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Each day better than the last

Guest: Jim (Leawood, KS USA)
Date of Stay: 02/12/11 Review Submitted: 02/19/11

Saturday, February 19, 2011 It was hard to believe (or "Unbelizable" as they say), that each day could get better than the last, for the four of us. Errnesto, the resident caretaker, has a favorite saying, "It's all good! That is a wonderful way to get into each day, as well as the moment. He really is a great caretaker, friend, and guide. From the simple pleasures of catching fish outside our door and cooking it the natve way, to going out and swimming with the nurse sharks (and rays and yellow tail and grouper and snook and turtles ... ) it was a blast. He kept us safe and happy. There is so much to do on this caye and the southern Caye Caulker. In fact, we found the smaller island a "best in category" shopping experience, and had a wonderful lobster lunch at the bar just by the cut on Caye Culker. Our trip to the mainland was the only disapointment, as the caves were closed. The back alley boat channels actually were the memorable moments for photography; watching the working crews on the last day of lobster season. Speaking of best in category, Betsy and her companion Ro, became our pets and guardians for the time here. You will see. We escaped a cold midwestern winter and loved our time here. As I write this on the morning of our last day, a melancholy moment improves by the desire to come back and the memories taken along.

Owner response:Thanks Jim, Glad your group had a great stay. Hope to see you again in the years ahead. So far this month we have booked 3 "return guests."..... Ernesto and the reef seem to bring many back. We're heading down in 10 days and are starting to gather our swim wear and shorts. Goodbye Mid-west Winter.....Helllooo Belize! Bob & Tracey Owners, 18 Degrees North

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

BEST Vacation EVER!!

Guest: TippyJo (Batavia, IL)
Date of Stay: 11/19/10 Review Submitted: 12/03/10

John & Pat Shepard (Batavia, IL) This place DID live up to all the great (5 star) reviews! If you are looking for the perfect quiet getaway, this is your place! With no neighbors on either side of the house, you have plenty of privacy and quiet. The view is quite spectacular! Upon arrival, Esnesto (caretaker) picked us up and brought us to a store to do a little shopping. We arrived at the dock during a downpour and Betsy (the "house" dog) was there to greet us. Betsy was our companion for the next 11 days! She walked with us, kept us company and alerted us of any passer-bys. More than Betsy getting attached to us, we fell in love with her! Ernesto was very accommodating with everything we needed. He suggested activities and took us on some wonderful excursions. Must try Zip-lining and Cave Tubing! The snorkeling was outstanding especially since the reef is so close. Having Ernesto as your guide, allows you to just relax as he takes care of everything! You MUST have Samantha cook (at least a few) meals. Wonderful island food - fresh with Ernesto's daily catch. Samantha's a charm! We are hoping to see Samantha open a restaurant...soon! Wait until you meet "little" Ernesto and Crystal. They are great kids. We got to send little Ernesto off every morning on the school "boat" while we had coffee on the dock. Then we would spend the rest of the morning just relaxing in the hammocks. The dock holds plenty of entertainment...fish, stingray...even saw porpoises! Sunrises and sunsets are quite amazing! This will definitely be on our "let's do this trip again" agenda!

Owner response:So good to hear that you had a great time. We're heading down next week to ply Ernesto, Samantha and the kids with Christmas gifts.....a few goodies for Betsy also! We realize that they are the right team to have watching over our guests at 18 Degrees North. You can put together a great property, but it's not just the stucco and glass that people remember. That's why we have so many repeat "Guestas".....I know you recognize that word. Hope to seee you back at 18 degrees North in the near future. Best Holiday Wishes, Bob & Tracey Owners, 18 Degrees North

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

18 Degree North

Guest: mpoke (Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/24/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

Beautiful property in a great setting. The home is everything you would want in a beach house including a pool that overlooks the ocean. The caretaker is attentive to your needs without being intrusive and is available for fishing and snorkel trips. The house offers ultimate privacy. A resort is nearby for scuba and a restaurant. You can walk the fairly secluded beach in either direction for several miles.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers.

Perfect with two bonuses

Guest: Jack and Marg (Leverett, Massachusetts, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/22/10

My wife and I were looking for a quiet beach home with a pool at which to celebrate our 40th anniversary and my 60th birthday. This home and its beautiful pool were perfect. There is undisturbed jungle on both sides of the house and little foot traffic passing on the beach. The kitchen is great - the whole house has an airy feeling. The patio around the pool offers lots of choices for sun or shade. We plugged our Ipod into the stereo system and we were set to relax! We shopped for the first three days when we landed in San Pedro (there is an excellent wine store - wine de vine) and only went shopping again once. Don't miss the papaya. Bonus number one was the variety of birds that flew into our view while sitting by the pool. We soon became intrigued with identifying them (there is a book, "Birds of Belize", at the house) and taking pictures (bring a long lens). They provided hours of enjoyment. Bonus number two was Ernesto. He met us at the airport, escorted us by mini-van to shop, and took us by boat to the house. He took us snorkeling and fished for my birthday dinner, cooked by his wife Samantha. He noticed that we were captivated by the variety of bird life and offered to take us to see more. We spent most of a day with him going around the cay into the national park, viewing some of the most spectacular aggregations of birds we have ever seen. Ernesto capped it off by fixing lunch on the boat while we snorkeled. He is easy to be with, a prudent master at piloting his boat in inches of water and on the open ocean, and has years of accumulated knowledge to draw on when you ask a question. We have had great success staying at VRBO homes with pools in Portugal, France, and Italy. This home and its surroundings take the cake so far!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

A Fabulous Vacation Rental

Guest: Carys L (Kimberton, PA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

18' North was a fabulous vacation rental. The property was very well maintained with quality construction & amenities. The photos definitely captured the beautiful location & layout of the home. I was pleasantly surprised by the very spacious & airy bathrooms. We enjoyed the privacy of our own home/pool, but it was also nice to take advantage of the bar, pool, restaurant, dive shop, etc. 1/3 mile down the beach at Costa Maya Reef Resort. Ernesto, the on-site caretaker, also made for a fabulous captain & guide. He accompanied us on 2 fabulous excursions to the mainland: one to Altun Ha & Marumba Jungle Spa & Lounge; & one to cave tubing, ziplining, & the Belize Rainforest Zoo. He also was available to answer any random questions we had & to offer shopping tips, eg, the best place to purchase a hammock. The owners, Bob & Tracy, were also very responsive prior to our vacation in answering questions, offering advice, & facilitating the contract with babysitters. I travelled to Belize with my husband & 2 sons, ages 7 & 3. We all had a fantastic time!!

Owner response:Our guests have been nothing but the absolute best. We are so happy to be able to provide a vacation home for all to enjoy. Communication with our guests prior to their holiday allows us to help make their stay special. Our guests treat our home like their own and have made 18 Degrees a success for future guests and our family. Thanks for being part of the 18 Degrees North family.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.