Banana Bank Lodge

We had our own bungalow, which was cool, and seeing the free-roaming horses and the animals on site was a surprise. There was even a gorgeous Jaguar. At night, though, the windows only have screens, no glass, so you hear Belize’s nighttime sounds and the birds early in the morning. We ended up turning a white noise app way up. It was also cool while we were there, so we went to registration and they found us extra blankets. Definitely an interesting stay.

The jungle setting was beautiful, and the animals on site, including tropical birds and a Jaguar, were a fun surprise. The owners were very nice, and the pool has a cool spiral shape. Still, there are a lot of things to know before booking. The cabana is open air, so jungle sounds carry through all night. We heard howler monkeys right outside the window, which was cool but also a bit terrifying. Horses and dogs roam loose on the property, and one dog slept just outside our door every night. The palapa roof also gave the room a moldy smell. Our shower only had cold water during the stay, though apparently that was fixed on our last day. There’s no kitchenette or refrigeration, and outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, as the sign at the entrance says. With kids, that was a bummer. Cafe food is only available at certain times and has to be requested ahead, so it doesn’t work like a regular restaurant. Drinking water is only available at the cafe, meaning we had to fill our bottles there and carry them back. The long, rutted dirt driveway takes almost 10 minutes after turning off the paved road. Just some things to consider.

I was shocked to check into the hotel and find exotic animals in cages. To me, this is foreigners coming in, capturing Belize’s wild animals, and keeping them. The saddest jaguar I’ve ever seen. The owners wife paints scenes of local people and sells them to tourists as local art, which also felt like cultural appropriation. The rooms are exposed to the elements behind flimsy screens, so it feels like sleeping outside. I didn’t find them comfortable or safe, and the lighting was very poor. I wouldn’t stay here because it supports illegal wildlife ownership, which is no longer legal in Belize.

Such a beautiful place. I loved my time here, and the pool was nice. The horses looked well cared for.