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Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area.

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Complete privacy with one way visibility windows for you to enjoy all the views!
This 24.000 BTU air conditioner keeps this spacious villa cool night and day.
Enjoy a panoramic view right from your windows!
Gorgeous local hardwoods from cabinets and doors to the high ceiling.
Listen to music or watch movies comfortably propped up in your king size bed!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 12450 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room
  • Gym
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
San Ignacio, BELIZE
  • Place, Macal River
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, San Ignacio Market
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Ignacio (CYD-Town Airstrip)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area.

Villa CAYO is to the jungle what Condos are to the beach. These air-conditioned, fully equipped, luxury boutique villas provide comfortable, affordable accommodations on a private 12 acre estate focused on ecotourism. Located just 1 ½ mile from the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena with auto rentals, taxis and bus service easily available making this a perfect vacation destination.
The villas are nestled on a terrace overlooking the Village of Cristo Rey Village and the Maya mountains. From the observation deck of the main villa you can see Spanish Lookout and the surrounding countryside. While on the roof veranda you could also be greeted by some of the 225 birds known to occupy the jungle canopy in the Cayo district. Particularly friendly you could be greeted by the Aricaris checking to see if you might have a papaya to share with them. At night the local kinkajou or coatamundi could be in the trees eating the seeds and nuts.
Waking up to the jungle mist and the sounds of the chacalaca and parrots can be one of the greatest jungle experiences.
The BBQ area is located on a hillside terrace under tall Salam trees that offer food to many of the birds and wildlife of our area. There is a conversation and observation deck available for all of our guests to use.
The villas kitchens are fully equipped to allow cooking for special diets or to avoid the high cost of resort dining or local restaurants. There are baking sheets for roasted vegetables, crock pots for slow cooking and a BBQ area for grilling.
This excellent location is close to most of the Maya sites, zip lines, caves and cave tubing. The friendly owners can help you arrange your adventure tours. They will strive to make your eco-adventures a safe and relaxed experience without any hidden charges.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
We have no essential tasks for our departing guests as we have a gold standard housekeeping staff. We make it so EZY! Thank you for staying with us.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No glass near the pool

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

San Ignacio

Located in San Ignacio, this villa is in a rural area. Ajaw Chocolate & Crafts and Bol's Cave Museum are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and Macal River. San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture and García Sisters' Place are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Villas in San IgnacioOpens in a new window
Map
San Ignacio, BELIZE

What's nearby

  • Macal River - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • San Ignacio Market - 6 min drive - 3.9 km
  • San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture - 6 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins - 7 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Xunantunich Mayan Ruins - 24 min drive - 17.7 km

Getting around

  • San Ignacio (CYD-Town Airstrip) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Hive - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ko-Ox Han-Nah - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Hode's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Coffee De Los Mayas - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Burnz - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area.?

As of 3 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area. on 28 Apr 2026 start from £169, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area.?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Luxury, affordable close to town and all of the attractions in the CAYO area. located?

Situated in a rural location, this villa is within 2 miles (3 km) of Macal River, San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture and Monkey Falls. San Ignacio Market and Ajaw Chocolate & Crafts are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gregory

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The property was very clean and perfect for a party of two. The surrounding area was beautiful and the views were amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robbie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Beautiful home that had exactly what we needed. Great view and perfect location to get to all the sites we wanted to see. Luis greeted us on arrival and got us all set up. Met Virginia who showed some of the unique flowers by our villa. When we come back to Belize we will be staying here again. Thank you for sharing Rob and Jennifer
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Larry M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

We thoroughly enjoyed our 4-night stay at Villa Cayo in San Ignacio. It’s hard to beat the hill-top views and waking up to the sounds of the jungle! Virginia was a wonderful host and set up all of our tours. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, and made our stay really enjoyable. We definitely recommend the ATM cave tour and the Tikal tour. If you are able, don’t miss these two gems! We stayed in Villa 4, a quiet setting with amazing views. We Villa Cayo a 5-star review.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeni-Rae S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Honeymoon

We booked villa cayo for our honeymoon and it did not disappoint! This villa is stocked with everything you need. It is close to town, but you will need a car or a ride. We loved that it was out of the way into the jungle. It was a great central home base for our adventures. We saw iguanas, a toucan and many other creatures during our stay. We’d highly reccomend booking with Ken and Virginia.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Raquel A.

The property was stunning, very high end. Beautiful view! Five Star Rating!

The rooms were very nicely decorated and furnished. Everything you need in a kitchen, they had it! Very clean! Waking up to the birds every morning was a real treat. Excellent service, daily (clean sheets, fresh towels) and the rooms are beautifuly and tastefully decorated. Above and beyond what we had expected. Virginia and Ken are a pleasure to talk with. Virginia showed us around the town when we first arrived, If we ever stay in the San Ignacio area again, there is no where else we would stay but here!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Gareth M.

Perfect jungle hideaway

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this delightful mini-villa a few minutes outside San Ignacio. The owners are friendly and helpful, even making dinner reservations for us. The kitchen is well-appointed with everything necessary provided. The king-size bed is quite comfortable, and the shower is excellent. The carefully-filtered water is a much-appreciated feature. Getting to the villa the first time requires a bit of faith (as does getting most anywhere in Belize), but once you arrive you'll appreciate the serenity as well as the stunning view from the mountainside. We found this to be an ideal location for exploring Mayan ruins and would definitely recommend it to anyone considering a visit to western Belize. When we return, we'll gladly stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2016
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian M.

perfect mountain retreat in Belize

We were undecided on staying on the coast or in the mountains for our trip to Belize. All of the glowing reviews for this rental persuaded us to give this one a try and stay in the mountains. This place was everything everyone said it would be. The unit itself was charming and the location was fantastic. We rented a car and the short drive into town for our meals was convenient. I would recommend Crave and Guava Limb for dinner and Ko-ox Han Nah and Pop's for breakfast. Virginia and Ken were both very sociable and helpful, giving us recommendations and nice conversation. There are many activities near here to keep you busy. I would recommend the Iguana Sanctuary in the San Ignacio Hotel, the night hike at the Chaa Creek resort, the botanical gardens at Duplooy's (the guide is worth it) the Belize zoo, massage at the magic touch in the Venus hotel. If you are really adventurous a drive to Guatemala for the Tikal Ruins (make sure you exchange enough money into Guatemalan currency and read info about crossing the border before you leave) and the ATM cave tour. The ATM was physically challenging but worth it.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea G.

Outstanding in every way!

This place is truly the best vacation rental I have ever stayed in! Pictures don't even do this place justice. It is amazing! To summarize our experience: we stayed in villa#4 (there are a total of 2 right now), a brand-new beautifully appointed villa on a hill top just outside of town. The grounds are immaculate and decorated with the most amazing exotic plants and trees.The interior is superb with high end appliances and beautiful wood finishes along with an awesome stained concrete flooring. The kitchen is equipped with every possible detail and there is also a BBQ grill outside which is constantly kept ready to go complete with charcoal, lighter fluid and BBQ lighter. Nothing here is cheap or worn- no scratched up non-stick pans or the likes of it. The A.C. also works flawlessly and there is a purified water source in the apartment so no need to go out and purchase drinking water. As if all that wasn't enough,the owners Virginia and Kenneth go out of their way to help out and will arrange activities for you if needed. Add that to the stunning views through the thoughtfully one-way tinted panoramic windows and it truly felt like paradise. And one last thing: you will enjoy a housekeeper who will wash all your dishes, clean up with great attention to detail and even decorate with a fresh flower from the garden. I wished every vacation condo was maintained like this!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Best

Our hosts, Ken and Virginia, are the best. They have a lovely, private Villa, a 5-minute drive from San Ignacio. The guest homes are beautiful with plenty of windows to watch the sunset, parrots and toucans on the property. We stayed in 4 locations while in Belize, and this was my favorite. When we visit Belize again, we plan to stay here. It is a great location for the nearby Mayan ruins, coffee chocolate tours and Pine Ridge activities such as the Butterfly farm, Big Rock Falls, and cave tubing, Most Pine Ridge activities are a 30–45-minute drive. It is an hour and 40-minute drive to the international airport.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Liesl

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This property was gorgeous and SO quiet. My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon and it really felt like a home away from home. We loved that there was a full kitchen and eating utensils, so we could cook some meals and save some money that way. It was also surprisingly fun to visit the San Ignacio supermarkets, since we had no idea what we were looking for and decided to try some things we had never seen before. The property owners messaged me on Viator before we arrived which was really nice. The only advice I would offer is to be prepared if you’re arriving in Belize on Christmas Day because everything is supposed to be closed. We lucked out and one or two restaurants were open, but that was something we hadn’t thought about. The owners of the property put some local fruit in our fridge, too, to make sure we were okay for food until things opened up again, which was really thoughtful! Anyway, the view was beautiful and we will definitely be recommending the place to my parents, who are thinking of visiting Belize later on.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wendell M.

Don't stay anywhere else!

Villa Cayo is absolutely THE best place to stay in San Ignacio! Virginia greeted us as we drove in and we all proceeded to the villa. She told us where things were located in the villa, gave us recommendations for restaurants, and recommended Chen's Supermarket for groceries. The views from this villa are spectacular! We saw Toucans and a Hummingbird out of our large windows that showcase the view. Very close to Cehal Pech mayan ruins, downtown, and the Market. Virginia and Ken lives in the house located up the hill and is accessible by a phone in the villa if you need anything. We will definitely stay here again! We are already planning our Belize visit for next year in May!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Patrick S.

Absolutely fanastic!

Ken and Virginia have created a wonderful environment for a terrific vacation. My wife and I stayed in the bungalow pictured for 7 days. The unit is wonderfully appointed and perfectly perched high above San Ignacio with a million dollar view. With maid service daily, a great kitchen and a BBQ, you have everything you need when you come back from a day of incredible adventures! We picked this unit on the strength of perfect ratings. It is completely warranted. You will NOT be disappointed. Thank you for a wonderful way to spent out 35th wedding anniversary! We hope to come back some day. Many thanks! Patrick Schooley
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Christopher H.

Wonderful Hosts at Picturesque Location

First off, the hosts because they were beyond exceptional. Virginia and Ken were looking out for us from the time we booked, to a week before we arrived and through three days we stayed there. We were going to get guided trips and try and take a bus in, but thankfully, Virginia encouraged us both to rent a car and we are so glad we did (this was my wife's first time out of the US and my first time driving central). Virginia was kind enough to set us up with a great guide for the ATM tour the first day; when we got back, we had enough to visit Cahal Pech. The second and real reason we got the car, was to go to Tikhal - that was an excusion so plan for 4 hours of tour once you arrive. The morning we checked out, we rushed down to Rio on Pools for a quick dip and came home. While we were not travelling, we were encouraged to visit the downtown of San Ignacio - it wasn't on our radar but the people are extremely friendly and the town has a lot of character. We had no idea all San Ignacio had to offer. Ken and Virginia were able to provide us with a lot of good information, but we only really communicated through mediums (not in person), so rest assured to those honeymooners, you will fully have your privacy. Secondly, the accommodations were incredible. A luxurious private room/efficiency with a fully equipped kitchen, fridge, strong ac, no shortage of channels with a picturesque panoramic view. The room was cleaned everyday so we left the maid a few American dollars. It was just really nice to come home after our adventures to fully air tight, cool, comfortable room - great style too. You could honestly spend your entire vacation in the room and cook your own food if you wanted. We had a hard time balancing exploring the restaurants/town or whether we would just dine in; typically it depended on how tired we were at the end of the day. The view overlooks the luscious forests/jungle that grow near the river and the sunsets are incredible; admittedly, we had a hard time catching the sunset, there were just so many things to take in while we were in San Ignacio. I highly recommend Villa Cayo. If you have any questions, just send them a message; between providing us travel recommendations, directions, restaurant recommendations, and hosting at an incredible place, it's going to be hard to beat the added comfort. It's almost like you are getting a personal tour, that you end up taking on your own.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jeff H.

Best place we stayed in Belize

Beautiful, secluded yet close to town. Clean spacious Villa with tasteful modern design. I honestly wouldn't change anything. Ken and Virginia were extremely helpful. Virginia arranged trips to Tikal and ATM Caves for me through a local guide service and Ken gave me a ride to the store and to show me around a bit. My wife and I would recommend Villa Cayo to anyone staying in the district and we will stay here again when in Belize. Thanks for all your help and information Ken and Virginia!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea F.

Luxurious and relaxing

Ken and Virginia's villas are luxurious, private, and very reasonably priced. Villa Cayo is situated just outside of Santa Elena, about a 5 minute drive from town. The hilltop view is incredible and provides excellent sunset and stargazing opportunities. Our villa featured an incredibly comfortable bed, air conditioning (!!!), and fully equipped kitchen. We cooked at least one meal for ourselves every day while we were here, including grilling. Your stay features daily maid service with fabulous attention to detail. Ken and Virginia are very gracious hosts; Virginia took us around town to show us the best restaurants and sights to check out. They were warm and accommodating but also made sure we had privacy. We were thrilled with our stay at Villa Cayo and will surely be back the next time we are in Cayo.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

BEATA E.

Good location, very clean, wonderful owners, stunning views.

Everything went well as expected. Virginia and Ken e mailed me the directions with some extra tips for the road. The villa was immaculate, morning and evening views of the valley were beautiful. I was very happy that I have decided to stay in that cozy little villa
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

Perfect!!

The Villa exceeded our expectations as did the owners! The unit is beautiful, view is unbeatable and the location was idea- photos do not do it justice. Virginia provided a quick tour of town to help us get orientated as well as made great recommendations for food, tour companies and taxi drivers. We highly recommend this property. Thank you for a wonderful 25th Anniversary trip, it could not have been better!! - Kim and Mike
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

rene h.

Incredible and Amazing

Virginia and Ken are incredible and turly the best hosts we have ever encountered. Virginia communicated with us several times before we ever touched down in Belize, helping with what's important to bring (BUG SPRAY and lots of it) very detailed directions to the property, suggestions on local tours and companies to go with. Once we made our way up their steep & rocky driveway we were greeted right away by Virginia. She quickly took us to our villa and upon arrival I must say I had never seen anything so beautiful, simply breath taking. Virginia again, is amazing. she took us on a tour of the tiny town just a few miles from the property showing us all the best places to shop and the layout of the town. We rented a suv (as suggested) and we found the mini tour very helpful since there are NO street signs and most roads are one way. We were so impressed with everything we decided to go to every place Virginia and Ken had listed in the information/ guide book. Our personal favorite that everyone should check out is Craves resturant. Chef Alejandro is the owner and good friends to Ken and Virinia. Make sure you make a reservation, and you can eat at the chef's table in the kitchen. It was one of the more expensive places we ate at, but the experiance and food was the best we've ever had. The unit is turn key and has daily turn down service, both are impeccable. The one thing we didn't acount for was laundry which isn't an opption here, but once again Virginia suggested a laundry service at Martha's which turned out to be great! We took 6 tours in 7 days Virginia gave us directions to get to each one which again is helpful because there are NO street signs. One tour you must take is the ATM cave tour, a bit physical but a chance of a life time. Ken and Virginia are amazing people and the best of the best at what the know and do. Super Hosts!!!! Thank You a million times.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Robin P.

Luxury in the jungle!

My boyfriend and I were traveling through Central America and we didn't book our accommodations until a few days prior to our arrival, so I feel so incredibly lucky that we came across this place. Virginia and Ken were amazing hosts and made our stay memorable. On the first day we arrived Virginia drove us into town and took us to the market to get food. She made great restaurant recommendations (Crave - the menu changes daily and the food is delicious) and was kind to book a private tour to Tikal (at a much more favorable rate than paying for some other tours). Our room was cleaned everyday (including dishes) and their hospitality is unmatched. You don't find this level of hospitality anywhere. Seriously, they are an incredible couple. We only stayed their for three nights before we headed to San Pedro, but if we could do it all over again we would have skipped San Pedro and stayed in San Ignacio. If we're ever back in the area we will stay here without hesitation and will recommend Villa de Cayo to all our friends and family. Thank you Virginia and Ken! xoxo
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jason U.

Absolutely amazing

First of all, the pictures do not do it justice. The grounds are beautiful as well as the cabanas. Everything inside appeared to be new. Second, Ken and Virginia are two of the nicest people you'll ever meet. They go above and beyond to make sure your trip goes smooth. Virginia drove us around our first day there and showed us places we probably never would have found. My wife and I came down to get married in Belize and stayed here prior to heading out to Ambergris. Hurrican Earl decided to throw a wrench in our gears and Ken and Virginia did everything they could to help us out. Virginia drove us all over San Ignacio looking for alternate wedding venues just in case. I honestly cannot say enough good things about both the cabanas or the owners. It truly was a pleasure staying with them. Do yourself a favor and book here. You definitely need a vehicle, but the drive from Belize City and even the roads around San Ignacio aren't bad. Their directions are spot on. It's maybe a five minute drive into town from there so it's not bad. There is a great little farm maybe a mile away that has almost everything you'll need. Milk, eggs, butter, etc. If you want to do any tours, it's in a good location as well. I recommend Maya Walk Tours. We had a wonderful time and if we come back through San Ignacio, we wouldn't even think of staying anywhere else. Thank you Ken and Virginia!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Patricia K.

Exquisite and Peaceful Retreat Close to San Ignacio!

Being our first visit to Belize, the pictures and extensive description drew us to the newly built Villa Cayo as our base for exploring San Ignacio and surrounding sites, but the actual visit there created memories that we will cherish forever. The owners, Ken and Virginia, have created a Belizian Oasis by designing Villa Cayo to be perched high on top of a hill with grand vistas, lush vegetation, and nature all around. The casita offered everything we were looking for during our stay, high quality and updated accommodations, extremely comfortable bedding, fully-equipped kitchen, peaceful and private surroundings, beautiful views, reliable internet and TV, and gracious hosts. Being so close to the town of San Ignacio, the casita was perfect for resting our souls from the stress of life and resting our soles from the abundant site seeing that the area has to offer. Upon our arrival, Virginia was kind enough to take us on a brief drive around town, pointing out places we must try. Just down the road was a local farm call Cool "M" Farms; try their fresh eggs, cheese, and jam, etc.; so good! One of the many restaurants that Virginia recommended and that we visited multiple times during our stay was Crave House of Flavors. It's a dining experience like no other where you enter a small restaurant by walking into the kitchen of owner and chef Alejandro Mendez. The name of the restaurant is truly fitting, as we had the opportunity to taste unique and familiar cuisine perfectly prepared at very reasonable prices. The restaurant is small, so it's highly recommended that you text them or pop in during the day to make a dinner reservation, and you may see Alejandro making dinner preparations. If you desire, you can request the "one" table in the kitchen, as you will be specially entertained by his skills as a chef during your spectacular evening at Crave. Oh, and there's an ice cream shop right next door that has great homemade ice cream! Another restaurant we tried several times for breakfast and loved was Pop's. They provide great and simple food at reasonable prices. Wherever we travel we always seek out local bakeries, and one that Virginia told us about is Sweet Tings, and oh was it! Sooo many fresh cakes and pastries to choose from. We're pretty health conscious, but we cheated several times here during our stay! Villa Cayo is truly an exquisite and peaceful retreat you will absolutely love! Thank you Ken and Virginia.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Stunning views and beautiful property!

My husband and I stayed at Villa Cayo for 4 nights on our honeymoon as part of a 17 day Belize trip. The property was incredibly beautiful nestled on top of a private hill with stunning views of the Maya Mountains and neighboring towns. The cabana was perfect- very comfortable bed, beautiful bathroom, full kitchen with pots/pans/tubberware/utensils, coffee maker, BBQ, microwave, etc. After previously traveling 10 days without air conditioning, staying at Villa Cayo felt like a dream come true- the AC was a fantastic part of the experience :) The house amenities were more than enough and the house design was beautiful! The best part of the cabana was the HUGE, one-way windows. From the bed, you could wake up and see the beautiful mountain views and hear the hundreds of birds chirping- just like you'd imagine the jungle to be! The property owners, Virginia and Ken, were very helpful- quick to respond to emails, drove us around town to get acquainted with San Ignacio, answered any/all questions and even gave us a papaya one morning!! My husband and I are fairly adventurous, so we booked three different tours while we were there: Jungle Splash's pontoon boat trip, Maya Mountain ATM cave, and Pacz Tikal trip. All three tours were amazing, and all three tour companies picked us up from Villa Cayo lodge. Mike and I were hesitant to book a lodge outside of the main town, San Ignacio, because we didn't know how we'd get back and forth between the town and the lodge. However, we also wanted the privacy of staying in the mountains. After staying at Villa Cayo, we found it wasn't a problem at all- the privacy and beauty of the property is well worth the 10-minute "commute" out of town. Virginia had a list of a couple reliable taxi drivers, so we were always able to get a ride (the Villa has a phone in the home, so we used that to call tour companies and taxi rides since we didn't have a Belize cellphone). The tour companies picked us up and dropped us off, so that wasn't a problem. Although it was easier to call for a taxi ride during the day, we found a "night guy" to pick us up and drop us off a few times during our stay when we went into town for dinner- he was $15bz rather than the day-rate of $10bz. We gave Virginia his number. All in all, it was a great addition to our honeymoon- we highly recommend this place for your Belizean stay!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Bob R.

Outstanding property in a beautiful location

Like most people, we were somewhat hesitant to book a property without many reviews, but those hesitations immediately disappeared once we arrived. My skills as a writer will not do justice to Villa Cayo and our hosts Ken and Virginia. Set high up on a hill with views extending for miles, the cabana we stayed in was as nice as any five star hotel, with every imaginable amenity, gorgeous woodwork, one-way windows and maybe the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. Outside you could see Toucans and dozens of other birds, willywashers as you come up the driveway, and sometimes hear howler monkeys in the distance. Villa Cayo is not what you would expect to find in the area, and is a great alternative to staying in one of the resorts or hotels. Getting into San Ignacio for dinner was easy. There are several great restaurants (and a French bakery), and to make it even better the prices are about a third of what we would pay at home. Area attractions are close and easy to get to, and Tikal, which is where we went, is really not that difficult to visit either by driving or taking a tour or taxi. Ken and Virginia were the most gracious of hosts, always making you feel welcome and special. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the San Ignacio area, I strongly suggest Villa Cayo (no, I am not being paid to write this), you won't be disappointed. It is a wonderful place. When we were leaving Ken and Virginia were out to see us off and asked if there was anything we could think of to make it better. Almost simultaneously my wife and I both blurted out - No, it's perfect.

About the host

Hosted by Ken and Virginia Krohn

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What can be said about a couple in their 40’s who packed up their life in the US and moved to the beach in Belize? Well, whatever you call them, that was us. We had wanted to live on the beach in the U.S. but honestly, even if we could have afforded
the property, the permit fees, insurances fees, and the cost of building a home would have been too much for our budget.

In our search for affordable beaches, we did look at the beautiful country of Costa Rica but found the Spanish speaking to be a little overwhelming. Our stopover in Belize turned out to be exactly what we were looking for; it was magic! This beautiful country had gorgeous water, warm, friendly English speaking people and affordable
beaches. So, we did it! We bought a tiny lot right on the beach and lived there for almost 20 years. Eventually, the magic did wear off because living on the beach was not a vacation. It seemed everyone wanted to move to paradise and soon the density of homes and the traffic took its toll. With the influx of tourists and hawkers on the beach, our peaceful life was lost. It was time for a new dream. Not wanting to move back to the States, we looked to the beautiful mountains of the Cayo district here in Belize. The gorgeous views, the breeze, the wildlife and birds are breathtaking and the cost is still affordable.

Why they chose this property

We have been in Cayo since 2008 with our two rescue dogs and really like living in such a welcoming area. The outdoor living, the slower pace, and the huge farmers market gives us the ability to live a cheaper and healthier lifestyle, if we choose.

Because Belize is such a small country, the beaches are not far away so, the magic is
back! Now it is a vacation again to drive a short distance to the Caribbean Sea where we can dive, snorkel or fish to our hearts content. We can even fly directly to the beaches from the local airport which has flights connecting to every major area
in Belize.

What makes this property unique

Villa CAYO Belize provides luxurious affordable accommodations in an excellent location for visitors not wanting to stay in a remote, expensive resort. The air conditioned villas have fully equipped kitchens with full size refrigerator and stove, dining area and lounging area with 40" flat panel smart TV with a blue ray DVD player. There is also an outdoor conversation areas with BBQ and seating under the giant Salam Trees overlooking the village of Cristo Rey and the Maya mountains.

Languages:

English

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