Parham Plaza Hotel

We had a really comfortable two-night stay and will come back. Our room had tons of space for us and our two teenage boys, with a futon, king bed, and bunk beds. The AC kept it comfortable, and there was a mini kitchen and a nice shower. The grounds were relaxing, and the staff were super friendly and accommodating.

The social atmosphere made this such a welcoming place to come back to after a day of scuba diving. There are hammocks and seating spots around the property, and the free rum punch at about 7 each evening brings guests together to chat. Hector, the day manager, was especially friendly, with useful San Pedro tips and good company. I’ve never stayed in a more welcoming hostel, and I’m already looking forward to returning, especially once the third floor and tree house are nearly finished. I was traveling solo in Belize and worried about meeting people, so choosing this hostel turned out to be the best decision of my trip. The six-bed room was basic but good for $15 a night. Some nights it was full, others there were only three of us. The showers had hot water and there was plenty of luggage storage. Bring a lock or rent one for the lockers, which only fit valuables and smaller items, not a whole backpack. I rented a towel, too. The location was very convenient, close to the water taxi and town center.

The room was very nice, and the WiFi worked well. Staff were helpful, and it’s centrally located. We had a ground-floor room beside the office, though, and the walls are thin enough that conversations just outside came through clearly. That happened a lot whenever new guests checked in. There’s a pleasant lounge and a small public kitchenette on the third floor, but we didn’t get to use the kitchen. The whole city has a strong gasoline smell from the golf carts, and even up on the third floor you can’t get away from it. Still, it was a decent stay and I’d return.

For $80 US a night, we got a private room with four beds, a fridge, and our own bathroom with a shower. That was amazing value, and the location is hard to beat: the ferry is across the street and the airport is a seven-minute walk away. There’s a big rooftop patio with hammocks and couches, plus a cozy little tree house with bean bags and a nice breeze. My buddies liked hanging out there at the end of the day to upload snaps and photos. WiFi was great in the common areas, slower but still usable in the room. The cleaning lady came daily, and staff did my laundry for $15 Belize. It’s a hostel in Belize, not a five-star place in NYC, and it was exactly what we needed. Hostel La Vista baby!