Crystal Paradise Resort

Ronnel took us to a number of Mayan sites, and he was wonderful: knowledgeable, friendly, and always looking out for our comfort and safety. The whole visit was such a lovely experience. We stayed six nights at Crystal Paradise. The cabin was spotless, the food was varied and delicious, and the staff were friendly and keen to help. There were beautiful birds around, and the staff often put out fruit scraps for them. Sitting on the comfortable wooden swing and watching them was so peaceful. We also loved hearing the howler monkeys singing at night.

For birders, it's a useful base, and they run several local tours. There's a feeder near the shared deck and dining area, and it was usually kept tidy. The village is about a 10-minute drive from St. Ignaco, while most activities, including the ATM cave and cave tubing, are about an hour away. Tikal in Guatemala takes around three hours. You'll need a car or rides to get around, though there's a local bus or taxi to St. Ignaco. The family runs the place, and seven of their ten grown children help out. They were generally helpful, but sometimes asked for payment when services had already been prepaid, and I had to ask more than once for help booking trips. Alba was good at organizing things and went over the next day's plan and logistics at dinner the evening before. The kitchen staff were especially friendly and helpful. The room was basic, a little dim, but clean, with air conditioning. The bed was decent and the bathroom had an okay hot shower. At night I heard the road, mechanical sounds, insects, and birds, so light sleepers may want earplugs. Meals were simple and decent. I stayed four nights and would come back.

Alba took care of planning and booking our activities, and was thoughtful about what we needed, especially with the early starts. She also arranged rides to and from the airport. On the way, our driver gave us a fun introduction to the country by taking us to a restaurant and the zoo. Shoutout to Nick! The food was delicious every time, and being so close to the jungle meant we could relax among all kinds of wildlife, including some really unique birds. We had an incredible stay and couldn't recommend the place more.

The place had a really relaxed feel, and the food was great. Our guides and drivers were all excellent, with real enthusiasm for the plants and birds. The weather didn't always cooperate with our plans, but Alba worked tirelessly to come up with alternatives, and everything was organized with care. We just wrapped up a fantastic few days here and hope to return.