RUN, don’t walk if you need a true getaway with opportunities for hiking, bird watching or exploring Mayan ruins! My mind blew as we canoed through a cave used by Mayans for worship. Food (including daily veg options) is AWESOME & bar/drinks super. Ask Feddy to “make something interesting”! One of the best places I’ve been in years!
First of all, I loved, Loved, LOVED everything about Gaia, the staff, the grounds, the views EVERYTHING!! When I began booking the trip it was meant to be a solo trip but my aunt decided to join me. We were both looking for a place to disconnect, get away from it all, and that is exactly what Gaia delivered. Driving to Gaia I was questioning my decision because you turn off a main road for a dirt road with nothing in sight, then appears a perfectly manicured lawn and my breathing returned to normal, Lol… I choose right!! Beautiful were our first thoughts and it just kept getting better!!! From the moment we arrived we were greeted with cool beverages and towels with eucalyptus - so needed after our journey to get there, lol (that’s a story in and of itself ). Check in was easy and our room was gorgeous, tucked away with views of the forest and beautiful variety of birdsong which I love :)) The food was amazing from breakfast to dinner, everything is made and sourced locally. Just being able to sit in such beauty while dining is a treat by itself, the views! However, with all the wonderfulness in the aforementioned is nothing in comparison to the absolutely incredible staff they have!! I learned so much about their culture, the very diverse culture of the Belizean people. I loved the conversations I had no matter how brief or long, everyone from our tour guides, servers, bartender, housekeeping, groundskeepers, front desk and management staff - all stellar! Thank you to our servers Daren, Freddy, Lucy, Shawn and to Azel mixing it up at the bar!! Major, major thank you to Nigel (GM) and Loreni for ensuring that we made it to Guatemala safely, my aunt and I had no plan as for transfer from Belize into Guatemala, Lol. We thought we’d wing it, OMG, thank the heavens Nigel followed up on that as we we’re checking out, he assured us he find us transport and he did, called our Gaia driver while en-route with confirmed transfer :)) thank you sooo much, I will be back and I highly recommend Gaia next time you need a get away!!…
Having stayed for many nights, we have enjoyed the reaction every one has when they first step on the mahogany patio behind the reception and see the view: Wow! It's then followed by a moment of speechlessness. The site is very well maintained, with dozens of bougainvilleas, hibiscuses, various species of palm trees, all perches for the beautiful birds. The "simple" nature trail is in itself a nice walk in the jungle. For more adventurous, the Actun Tunichil Muknal is a must. It's incredible to see thousand years old artefacts so close, all located in a stunning cave. Our hut was spacious, simple and functional. No A/C, no telephone, no TV. No need. Only the truest of luxury, serenity. Tomasita, Lucy, Juan Carlos, Sam, Albert, Javier, Chris, Freddy, Greg, Kobi, Hector, Nigel, and the many more who ensured we had a wonderful time, please accept our most sincere thanks. You made us feel very special. François et Virginie…
Our stay at Gaia was, put simply, even better than we hoped it would be. From the time we landed until we sadly returned to the airport, the experience was excellent. Giselle, our driver from Belize City to Gaia, was warm and welcoming and provided us a wealth of background on the country as it was our first time in Belize. The staff (all, but particular kudos to Freddy, Javier, and Kobe) at Gaia were super helpful and professional - fantastic service from arrival to departure. The guided tour of Barton Creek Cave (with Eziel) was fascinating and one of the biggest highlights of the trip. Our other tour of the Caracol Mayan archeological site (with Calbert - a total pro as well) was unlike anything we've seen or explored on a trip with the degree of access we had to the grounds with a very knowledgeable guide. The hotel facilities and the rooms were gorgeous and very well kept.…
This was the second ecolodge we stayed at in Cayo District during our trip. Very glad we experienced the Mountain Pine Ridge versus the area near San Ignacio -- it's a totally different view and vibe. Our waterfall view suite was spacious and well-appointed, with toiletries, robes, slippers, fresh water, bug spray, a safe, and a flashlight (although it didn't work). We had a lovely view of the Five Sisters Waterfall, a toucan nest 50 feet from our balcony, and a hummingbird flyway right through our balcony area! Wi-fi is feeble in the rooms but excellent in the main building. Plenty of outlets. Meals were good, especially the free continental breakfast and the pasta with aribiata sauce. The area by the waterfall is just lovely. Be sure to alot some time to just relaxing there. Wish we had had an extra day to just chill there. The tram operates from 8-5:00, so those who are out of shape need not worry. We booked the Caracol/Rio Frio Cave/On Rio Pools through Gaia and were very happy with Rudy, our guide, and the itinerary. The chicken curry salad and prosecco are top notch to order for lunch! We also booked a driver through Gaia to take us to Belize International Airport with a stop at the Belize Zoo. Highly recommend it! The lodge is quite remote, so don't expect to walk to any spots. …
Words can not describe how amazing our visit was. The entire staff was incredible and the accommodations and the lodge were equally as incredible. Also the drive from BZE is only a little over 2 hours now since a new road has been completed a few years ago. I honestly have no negative feedback about Gaia and I am already planning my next visit.
It lived up to the reviews - the setting is gorgeous, the staff is so friendly, and we had an amazing time at Gaia. We were there for 4 days/4 nights, and that felt like a good amount, but we also would have been happy to stay longer. Coming into the trip, we were concerned about bugs, drinking water, and our room being too hot, and none of them ended up being a problem. We were at Gaia and then Matachica, and drinking the water from both caused us no issues. In terms of the heat, there was plenty of air circulation with fans to cool our room at night. And, presumably because it was the dry season, we had almost no bug bites during our time at Gaia. Bug spray is also provided (though we didn't need it). We did two tours while we were there - the ATM cave and Caracol. We highly recommend both. ATM was a one of a kind experience where you swim into the cave and then wade through water, along with some climbing and crawling, to get to a back area where you can see Mayan artifacts. If you have water shoes, bring them for this trip (though the people at Gaia will also help you dry off your shoes if you use them). Isael was our guide at Caracol, and he was so knowledgeable. We learned a lot, along with getting to see the beautiful views from the top of the main structure at Caracol. Isael also knows a ton about the local birds, and it was interesting to learn about them during our trip as well. He was all-around an awesome guide. The rest of the staff was fantastic as well - Freddy was our server for most meals, and his energy is infectious. Kobi, Hector, and the other front desk staff were super helpful answering our questions. And whatever you do, don't miss the magic show from Chris (security guard). We weren't sure about it, but he blew us away! Coco, Gaia's dog, is also a sweetheart. We don't have any minuses about Gaia, and would happily go back. …
The resort is wonderful! It’s about a 2 1/2 hr drive through Belize country up to the beautiful mountains of Belize. The setting is perfect as we drove up, I couldn’t stop smiling. This trip was for my 70th birthday and just the start of our stay in Belize. Our Hut was perfect, the staff was awesome, thank you Hector & Lucy and everyone else! The waterfall area is perfect for relaxing and swimming while ordering drinks and food to be brought down to us. I wish is could write more but it cuts me off. You can’t go wrong here, it’s amazing!
The property is gorgeous, the little houses are beautifully decorated and most comfortable, and the service is unparalleled. I mean that...everyone, from NIgel (the main man) to his superb staff including Freddy, Lucy, Hector, Kobi, NIgel and everyone else is so kind and genuine. You MUST see Christopher do his magic tricks! The setting is one of a kind and spectacular. Set on a ridge in a pine forest above a river with too many waterfalls to count, the lobby, bar and dining areas offer wonderful views. Take the path down (or the two-person tram like lazy I did) and you come across what I call a pavilion set seamlessly into nature. A massive outcropping with at least ten waterfalls creates a very large pool for swimming and exploring. You can lounge in the sun or the shade (hot sun). There is a sandy beach area, a little bridge, two pagodas with Adirondack chairs, and and three huge hammocks in the shade. Spend an entire day there and explore the river, especially Big Rock. You CANNOT miss a trip to Caracol. I'm not going to try and describe this former 150k person Mayan city. It is a wonder -- exhilarating, powerful, and uncrowded (for now -- they're building a highway to it). Our trip to the cave was amazing too: we found ancient pottery pieces and it was jaw-dropping. The canoe ride through the water caves and the zipline was fantastic too -- don't forget to go the (sort of) bungee jump at the end...Wow! This is in my top 5 favorite place ever visited and Gaia Riverlodge...well, perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. One last detail: the food is impeccable. Everything we ate was delicious and well proportioned. Get the full meal plan with a couple of excursions and you'll be so grateful to created memories at this unique and stunning place. I am.…
The staff were delightful and very friendly. Breakfast was amazing every day. I wish the menu was a bit more extensive for dinners since there aren’t really other options nearby. My only regret is not staying longer!
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