Pine Ridge Lodge

Simply put, our experience at Pine Ridge Lodge was something special. From the moment of our arrival, we were made to feel like exclusive guests at this family-operated lodge. Our family of three stayed in VIP1, a beautifully decorated jungle bungalow complete with hammock, screened-in porch, a large and luxurious bathroom, and a loft—accessible by stairs—with plenty of space to spread out and feel immersed in the natural landscape — sights and sounds included. The property itself is one of only a handful that rests within the Pine Ridge Reserve. Nested atop the mountain ridge, the weather is noticeably cooler, a welcome relief from the heat and humidity of the mainland or Cayes. Well manicured gardens, a natural steam, and all the wildlife that comes with the property felt like ours to enjoy. Throughout our stay, the staff ensured that every need was met — from fresh water at night to recommendations for our 4 day itinerary. We were us with the best tour operators in the area (we were part of intimate tours of ATM Cave, Caracol and Tikal archeological reserves, and enjoyed nearby “freebies” such as Big Rock Falls and Rio Frío river), The home cooked “traditional Belizean” meals we ate at the lodge itself were the best of our 10 day stay in the country. Within the newly renovated screened in porch, one feels as though they are joining for family dinner. We enjoyed traditional Mayan breakfasts as well as Stew Chicken with Rice and Beans served family style — all made personally by the local staff. An unexpected surprise was the wood fired pizza (baked in a homemade oven and lays claim to be the best in Belize). As native New Yorkers, we can attest that it does indeed hold up. We normally live hectic lives, but the exclusive service and atmosphere here erased the stress of our daily grind and made our trip one we will remember for years to come. Thank you Neil, Marcia, Benoni, and the entire staff for sharing your special place with our family.

We recently visited Belize and decided to venture into the tropical forests and stay at the Pine Ridge Lodge and had an amazing trip which words could never adequately describe but we will try. This is a must place stay to fully experience Belize. The cottages, grounds, dining area, food, staff, fun little animals all made this one of the most amazing trips we have ever had. There are waterfalls, hikes, caves, ruins, and open air markets all very close to the lodge which truly made us feel we were fully immersed in Belize. Neil and his staff were overly accommodating and we loved our trip visiting them.

Our stay at Pine Ridge Lodge was nothing short of spectacular! From the cozy and well-appointed accommodations to the delicious food, every aspect exceeded our expectations. The real stars of our experience, though, were Benino and Marcia, whose exceptional hospitality truly stood out. Benino went above and beyond, dedicating an entire day to personally drive and guide us on unforgettable excursions, including a butterfly garden, a coffee farm, and breathtaking local waterfalls. Their warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care made this the best customer service we experienced during our entire trip to Belize. Pine Ridge Lodge is a hidden gem that delivers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and outstanding service. It’s an easy 10/10, and we’d return in a heartbeat!

5/5. A perfect quiet and peaceful hideaway in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. The general manager Benoni is top notch. He helped plan our trip prior to arrival. He arranged tours to ATM cave (small group of 5) Tikal (private tour) and Caracol (private) at reasonable prices. He also arranged for transport to and from the airport with a stop at the Belize zoo. The cooks were also excellent. We had delicious home cooked food daily. The rooms were very clean and decorated simply but had Mayan aesthetic. The grounds are lovely with a few dogs and chickens, turkey and guinea fowl running around. There is a nearby hike to some waterfalls. The property is being upgraded in 2025 to add a pool and palapas by the river and a full bar and restaurant. WiFi is only available in the lodge now but will also be upgraded to all the rooms. We didn’t have a car but it was fine. If you want to explore the area on your own then rent a car. Really enjoyed our time here as a family.

This Lodge outside San Ignacio and close to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is managed in a very committed way by Neil and his style also affects the staff like Marcia in the service or the drivers George and Nadir. There is a very personal touch to it, where guests are greeted by name, and where one tries to do the best for any personal wishes. The location is ideal for outdoor activities, which can get organized through the accommodation. Thus we visited Caracol on our own with a driver from the Lodge or took together with other guests a tour to Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Maya ruins. Before arrival Neil offered us for our transfer from the airport to the Lodge a stop for free at the very worthwhile Belize Zoo with local animals in very natural surroundings. Our traditionally decorated room was quite basic with no outdoor seating and no WiFi, with no bed lamps and just one socket, so we used it mainly for sleeping and a shower. But one can take a nice walk on the grounds to a small river and waterfall. It can be that sometimes traffic noice is heard from the nearby road, especially with big vehicles used for the works on the road to Caracol. A place to be is the quite big hall (with WiFi), where on one side reception is located and where breakfast and dinner is served. The food was a highlight here, a mixture of Belizean and English specialities, mostly prepared by Neil himself, who cannot deny his background. So besides Garnaches or Fry Jack for breakfast or Bollos and Tamales on Banana Leaf as starters for dinner we also had Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes. My wife and me left this place with very fond memories.

This ecolodge is beautifully maintained, with gardens, walkways, plantings large and small, and patrolled by a flock of guinia fowl. The cottages are cute, they look like they came out of a fairy tale book. My cottage was half a cottage, since I was alone. I loved it, but it had only one electrical outlet, which made charging devices tricky. the owner went out of his way to make me feel welcome. He also cooks many of the meals, which are exquisite and personally brought to you. Yorkshire pudding was part of one meal. Although I was birding and did record a couple dozen species from this property, my guide and I travel each day. The road goes directly to Caracol, although the last half of the trip is rough, with road construction actively underway. There is also a butterfly farm nearby that is worth a few hours, because it has more than butterflies! I highly recommend Pine Ridge Ecolodge!