Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Adventure Co

The guided tours made the stay especially memorable. We visited two ancient ruin sites, and our guide knew so much and added thoughtful touches that made the experience unforgettable. The tours come in several varieties, with guides giving lots of help to make everything go smoothly. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary, and the team went above and beyond to make it feel special. At the lodge, we stayed in a beautiful treehouse that made us feel like we were right in the jungle. The place itself is incredible. Every meal brought a different breakfast or dinner buffet, with lots of choices and fantastic food. Staff at reception, in the dining room, and on the cleaning team were all exceptionally kind and helpful. They welcomed us morning and night. I’d highly recommend Ian Anderson Cave’s Branch to anyone looking for a unique, adventurous stay.

Traveling with our kids, who are 9 and 12, worked out great. They loved it too, and I learned a lot about the local environment, ancient civilizations, and even cheese making. We’re already hoping we can return. We stayed in a treetop river view room and loved falling asleep to jungle sounds and passing rain showers. The grounds, food, staff, and adventures were all wonderful. I especially liked the easy rhythm of each day, choosing what to do the next day in the evening. We were there about a month ago, and I still wish we were back.

The food was the main disappointment during our five days at Caves Branch. There were hardly any culturally appropriate dishes, and fish was available only twice. Excursion lunches were the same each time, basic vegetables and either salami or chicken with a tortilla. I wish we’d had the option of eating in nearby communities. Belize has a rich food history, but I didn’t see that reflected at this resort. The rooms matched their descriptions, and both the staff and the excursions were excellent.

The jungle setting, our room, and the resort were beautiful. Local flowers decorated the room and initially gave it a romantic touch. The staff were very friendly, the food was good, and the adventures were great. I can see this being a good choice for a family trip. I came away disappointed because this wasn’t the secluded, romantic honeymoon I thought I was booking. Katy Perry and Rihanna drowned out the jungle sounds, and there were lots of screaming kids. Small children had taken over the pool and hot tub, and I tripped over kids twice at the dinner buffet, seriously. The place felt more like a wooded theme park than the romantic jungle getaway we’d been sold. If I did it again, I’d probably choose somewhere nearby that caters more to couples or small groups. The staff and accommodations themselves were amazing.