Riverview Guesthouse Belize

The family made us feel really welcome, and the rooms were cozy and nice. The kitchen had everything needed to make meals. I have no complaints at all about this guesthouse and highly recommend staying here.

We stayed for two days and would recommend the place if you need a stop before going into Guatemala. Getting there is simple, just tell the bus driver where to let you off. The shared kitchen and lounge are spacious and well equipped. There's a large terrace over the Western Highway, which was quiet, with a view of the river. Our room was a good size and clean, though it got hot while we were there. The shower worked well. About a five-minute walk away, a small shack sells fresh fruit and vegetables from a local farmer, and there's also a Chinese-owned supermarket with things like pasta. What really stayed with me was how kind the owners were when we visited in May 2019. My girlfriend rode a horse from hannas stables down to the riverside cottage to be dropped off, then fell when she arrived from heat exhaustion. It was 40°c. The owners rushed out, brought us lots of water, and were so helpful. They talked with us about their lives, showed us their horses, and bought fresh fruit in the evening.

We arrived at night and the place seemed a little hidden, but inside it was beautiful. The rooms are very large, with a shared bathroom and common spaces, including the living room, kitchen, and balcony, shared by four rooms. Since no one else was there, it felt like we had the whole house to ourselves. One of the best places I've stayed in Belize. I really loved it and highly recommend it.

The location worked well for visiting the Mayan sites, with one about a mile away and another about six miles away at the edge of San Ignacio. For an evening meal or snack, Amy's restaurant is only a couple hundred yards away, just before the Chinese grocery. Her fresh tortillas were great. We ordered five empeñadas and got 15. I figured out later that an order means three, and those 15 small empeñadas cost me just $2.50 US. The guest house had just opened in February 2018, and everything felt brand new, modern, and in great shape. The family built it over their own home. I might be a little biased because their family and lifestyle remind me of mine, but they were as welcoming as we found them. Our bedroom was spacious, with a king size bed and more room than my wife and I needed. There was a small clothes rack or closet enclosure, bedside table with a lamp, and full size mirror. In the shared bathroom, the shower was huge and tiled, with hot water. Towels, soap, and shampoo were provided. The kitchen had a large dorm sized fridge, a four burner gas stove with oven, sink, coffee maker, toaster, and rice cooker. We could use the dishes, utensils, skillet, and small roasting pot too. The balcony looked over the highway and gave us a little view of the river. In the sitting area, we could use the hammock, couch, love seat, or chair. We left the screened windows open to catch the steady breeze. I absolutely loved staying here.