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On-line Guest Book Thank you for visiting Caves Branch Adventure Co. and Jungle Lodge. We hope
you had a wonderful time and a great adventure. We're sorry but our on-line guest book entry program is temporarily not working. However, if you would like to email our office with your comments, we would be glad to manually add your comments below. Guest Comments and Testimonials... Thank you to all the staff at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge for making our
stay so enjoyable! As we sit here on a cold rainy day, it's hard to believe
that just last week we were basking in the warmth of Belize and your
hospitality. We can not say enough about what a good time our entire family
had with you. The excursions were excellent, the staff the friendliest we
have ever encountered, the food delicious and the setting unsurpassed. From
now on, no trip to Belize would be complete without a stay with you. A
special thanks to Walter, Gusto, Ching, Abel, Oscar, Rudy, Sam James and
Alvin... hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone! You all made our whole
family feel welcome which we appreciate very much. Hmmm, maybe Kendal and I
will conquer our fear of heights and attempt the Black Hole Drop next time
... hope to see you all again soon! Dear Ian -- our family visited Caves Branch last July, and of course, enjoyed ourselves immensely. Not only are the grounds beautiful and the adventures fantastic, the people who were our guides were the highlight of our trip. When we were there, you told us about the new venture you were
hoping to start, in which you would bring at-risk kids to your lodge to teach them new skills, and hopefully challenge them to improve their attitudes toward school and work. Gary and I were so impressed with your commitment to the youth of Belize, that we gave you a contribution toward your
program, eliciting your promise in return to keep us posted with the development of the plans. I just visited your website, and saw the press release concerning the new BAD CATS program. Congratulations! I hope that it is successful, and that the kids that come into the program can embrace the
possibilities that it offers them. After touring around Belize for the better part of a month in November I can honestly
say that our Caves Branch stay is at the top of our most memorable experiences in Belize list.
The Black Hole Drop, complete with the 90º heat and 90% humidity was incredible; and our
guides Vida, Pablo and Marjello were exceptional. Two hours uphill -- both directions,
imagine that! Closing down the Bar at 9:00 p.m. that night with our new found pals,
Dave & Michelle felt like a real accomplishment. The River of Caves was also excellent;
thanks Carlos (a.k.a. Rico Sauvé). Our accommodations (Jungle Bungalow) and the food were
first rate. From the kitchen to the guide staff it's evident that Caves Branch staffers
really enjoy what they do. My only regret is that our last ditch attempt to hurt ourselves
doing the Waterfall Hike was thwarted by high waters... a reason for us to return! Thank you
Ian and Team for one of the best damn things we've ever done! What an excellent family adventure! Without really knowing
what to expect, Steve and I and our 6-year old twin girls Sara and Becca
embarked on what would become a truly memorable and wonderfully educational
6-day visit to Caves Branch. Each of our four adventures - cave tubing with
Carlos, the ceremonial cave tour with Vida, Tikal with Abel, and the Baboon
Sanctuary/Belize Zoo with Niko - allowed us to experience the awe-inspiring
nature and culture of Belize. There's no going back to Disneyland after
Caves Branch! We returned to Caves Branch at the end of the day (exhausted
but always thrilled) to Pedro's smile, icy cold Belikins and those wonderful
nachos and fresh salsa. Alfie's meals were always delicious and those cave
picnics were extraordinary! The nightly symphony of jungle sounds were
exciting...the kids loved the howl of the monkeys! In the profound words of
our amazing 6-year old adventurers... "wow". Thanks to Ian, Lynwen and
his wonderful team for taking such good care of us! Our Caves Branch experience will never be forgotten! We
adventured all week with caving and tubing and the black whole drop. On
January 1, 2004 we married at Caves Branch! It was Spectacular! Everyone at
the lodge made sure that it was very special event. I highly recommend it
for any couple planning a destination wedding. The expeditions we went on
previously were mind blowing. We never worried because of the teams with us
were so professional. Safety was not an issue. Our wedding was so beautiful
and all because of the effort put in by Caves Branch Team! Thank You
everyone for making our wedding one of a kind! Thank You Pedro for taking
care of us, especially with the day we had to get the license. Panic!
Almost.. LOL Everyone at CB for all the special touches with decorations and
the overnight tour. I won't give that away. Each honeymooner should be
surprised. Fabulous! Our guides, the best. Luis who took us through TIKAL,
THANK-YOU. You made it very special! Tyler and Dawn Ma! We want to thank everyone at Caves Branch for making our recent vacation
one of the best we’ve ever had. From the exciting and challenging
adventures, to the beautiful grounds and accommodations and of course, the
wonderful food!…we have come home with uncountable memories that we will
cherish forever. Thank you all. Caves Branch will always come highly
recommended by us! Ultimately, it's the people that make Caves Branch so
special. We would have thought that in the middle of the jungle, the people
would stand out more than the wildlife. We loved EVERYTHING at Caves Branch,
from your waterfall cave adventure, to your natural alarm clocks (the Howler
monkeys). This was also some of the most spectacular food we've ever tasted
with the service also being unmatched anywhere else. What can we say? WE
LOVED IT!! I am at a loss for words. This place is amazing. Every
single person I have met at Caves Branch has made me feel welcome, made me
feel like a friend and has made me want to come back. I'm trying to think of
ways to come here and work, I don't want to leave! Thank you for giving me
the perfect vacation. I will be back next year. Thank you Pedro, Carlos,
Marvin, Omar, Jaimie, Sue, Oscar and Alfie... you guys are incredible. We were recently at Caves Branch, but had to leave quickly
our last morning and didn't have much of a chance to write in your guest
book. But we wanted to make sure the staff at Caves Branch knew what a
spectacular time the McMillan family had. It was nearly a perfect three
days. The trip to the Mayan ceremonial cave was fascinating and just the
correct degree of intensity for our two sons - Aidan, 11, and Kincaid, 8.
The cave tubing was as fun as advertised. But what really made the stay was
the feel of the lodge. The grounds are beautiful, the housing is fun and
atmospheric - particularly the kerosene lanterns - and the staff is friendly
and more than accommodating. Our guides, Esperanza and Carlos, were
knowledgeable, fun and friendly. By the way, loved the white tablecloths for
lunch, made a cave elegant. The other staff members were nothing but
friendly. We felt like we were leaving old friends after a few days. Your
chef, whose meals alone would have made the trip worthwhile, took time to
play several games of chess with our younger son. The atmosphere carried
over to the other guests - a fun, friendly and diverse assortment of people
who were more than willing to share good conversation over a few Belikins.
Once again, thank you and we're saving our pennies for a return trip. Thanks for the most spectacular vacation of our lives. Caves Branch
certainly lived up to our expectations and more. To to all the staff and
a special thanks to our guides, Mario, Augustine, and Nicco for providing
us with an educational and adventure filled four days. We highly
recommend Caves Branch to anyone who is willing to take and spend his or
her vacation in the beautiful rainforest environment which Ian has
developed. Kern and I look forward to coming back next year. Thanks for the best time ever! I had a blast. Your staff is
courteous and professional. Liz and I always felt we were in good
hands during our stay. The rustic effect is just what your website
described. Please continue to be awesome!! We have been to Belize many times, and consider several days
at Caves Branch both a highlight and a requisite part of every trip. I call
it "the garden of Eden without the temptation". Ian has made available to us
all an incredible jungle habitat, amazing cave expeditions, river trips,
mountain biking, egad... never a dull moment. All of this while providing
the most beautiful grounds. The lodges are very nice and comfortable, roomy,
breezy, and bring the life of the jungle right into your room. wonderful
sounds at night, the fragrances of the jungle, quiet contemplation before t
he fantastic buffet meals in the evening... The staff is marvelous. Abel, Carlos, Walter, Vita all just
kick. Vita got my 70+ year old papa thru the caves without a hitch. Dad was
so grateful to him for taking a little more time to make sure he was ok. The
food is wonderful, great buffets, really good. and I'm a chef of 25
years, a picky old goat when it comes to food. Caves branch will flat out
feed you the good stuff. mmmmmmm I'm getting hungry thinking about it. Wish
I was there today... Just go there. Trust me, I've been all over Belize, being
the chief Nerd of AmbergrisCaye.com. just go. We had the experience of a lifetime at Caves Branch because
it was everything it was promised to be. The responsiveness and personal
attention provided by the staff started even before we got there...with
prompt Email replies to our questions and an open willingness to configure
out adventures as we wanted them. It got even better when we arrived and
were greeted warmly and professionally by Ignacio, who showed us around the
beautiful REAL JUNGLE surroundings. The adventures themselves were
fantastic, enhanced by absolutely terrific guides such as Pablo and
Esperanza. It didn't matter that we barely slept a wink as the rain poured
on our hammocks in the middle of the jungle during the "jungle overnight."
Arnold's charm and Pablo's fireside cooking were more than worth it. Of
course, the food was fantastic and the spiders, poisonous snakes, and howler
monkeys added authenticity to an experience that we will never forget. I
initially would have preferred to vacation on a beach drinking banana
daiquiris, but I am grateful that my wife nudged me to take advantage of
this true adventure. Ian, you have an absolutely wonderful staff that you
"work WITH" and we thank all of you for the great time. Abell, your birding
expertise and willingness to get up so early (sorry I didn't make it) added
the icing to Leigh's cake. You, Pablo and the rest of your family should
feel very proud of the goodness that you possess within you. Take care and
remember that you now have friends in Maryland. Wow! We can't say enough about our stay at Caves Branch. It was
fantastic. The accommodations were wonderful. The cabanas are what we like
to call luxurious rustic! The kerosene lanterns as well as the sounds of the
jungle echoing into our cabana added to the appeal and coziness of the
resort. We participated in the river cave expedition and the black hole
drop. Both expeditions were incredible. Our guides were personable and
knowledgeable. The food was also fantastic. Thanks for an incredible time.
We will definitely be back. This was one of the best vacations I have ever had in my life. I have some wonderful memories that I will cherish. The staff were very kind and helpful. It was a growth experience which included facing new and exciting challenges, such as the Black Hole Drop, River Kayaking, River of Caves tubing trip, etc. I will never forget the hospitality of Ian and his staff. I will remember the helpfulness of Abel, Ignacio, Augustine. Maya set up a great trip for me at San Pedro where I scuba dived the "Blue Hole". I made friends with many of the other guests. Some day I will beat Sue again in Scrabble. I hope I was as good a guest at Caves Branch as they were my hosts. I tell all my friends about the wonderful adventures I had at Caves Branch and the fine people who worked there. Howard Kayman <hikphd@aol.com> Lebanon, Ohio, USA - Sunday, January 11, 2004, 07:35 PST
Many thanks to those at Caves Branch which made our vacation (and my 40th)
spectacular!! Taylor still talks about the Black hole drop and would like to
return to attempt the other expeditions that you offer. Your guides were
wonderful with all of us and we felt very secure and at ease with the expertise
offered to us. After Caves Branch we ran into other people who had attempted
similar expeditions and were astounded of some of the safety issues they
accounted. At no point did we feel insecure and we always felt we were in the
best hands with your staff. Thanks again and we would love to return back.
We are now back in reality and think about our
incredible time at Caves Branch daily! We can not recommend this place highly
enough. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. Most folks go for the tubing and
the Black Hole Drop which were incredible, but you most try the Waterfall Hike.
Still Caves Branch is more than the expeditions you will take. We loved chatting
with our guides and the guests at the lodge. We did not expect to meet so many
interesting and fun people. We spent the second half of our vacation in San
Pedro and ended up wishing we had never left Caves Branch. Our best to Ian, Lynwen, Pedro, Abell, Carlos, Niko, Vida, and Pablo!
An experience of a life time, is the best
way that I can find to describe it. Danielle and I were completely fulfilled by
our stay at Caves Branch, and I can't imagine going anywhere else the next time
we visit Belize. Thank you Ian for creating such a magical place, and thank you
to all of the staff who made our stay so enjoyable. A special thanks to Abell
who helped us pick just the right things for us to do. We trusted you with our
safety and I have never been so comfortable. THANK YOU CAVES BRANCH! Meadow and
Danielle Many Thanx to all at Caves Branch..........I have traveled
all of Mexico, Costa-Rica and the islands. My one week in Belize was no where
near Long enough. But Ian you must of had a dream and it has becoming a reality.
All of you from the early morning cooks to the nightly torch lighter are doing a
fantastic job !!!! Keep up the good work and they will come....I did the black
hole drop and Highly recommend that too all. But you did bottle the jungle for
all to see without destroying it, that was a good thing....I will be back again
next vacation, so see you all soon Jim Johnston Allentown, Pa USA
Celia and I just got off of the plane last
night from spending a week in Belize and all we could talk about on our trip
back was the time we spent at Caves Branch and the people that we met. Abel,
Augustine, Vida, Carlos and Vida made all of our tours memorable and we can't
thank Ian enough for the hospitality!! We hope to see you again soon, the next
time we will bring the kids with us!!
Wow! What a fantastic experience! Thanks to
everyone at Cave's Branch! This was by far the highlight of my trip to Belize! I
hope to see you all again!
I wanted to let you know what an
incredible experience I had at Caves Branch. I was there last August with the
Phipps' and the Kirkpatrick's. I miss the people and the atmosphere. I want to
sit with Pablo again and tell dirty jokes. Thank you for giving all of us such a
wonderful experience. I am sure we will be back.
I stayed at Sibun lodge and had an amazing
experience. Thanks to my guides Carlos, Vida, Pablo, and Walter I was able to
visit the Mayan ruins, go on a jungle hike, and visit the caves nearby. I will
never forget the time I spent there. thanks everyone!!
I went on my trip to Belize with Essex
high school. It was amazing. We stayed at Sibun student lodge. I would like to
thank all our tour guides! Carlos, Pablo, Walter, Vida you guys are great. Hope
to come and see everyone again real soon. I well never forget my great
experience in Belize. Miss every one and the warm weather very much.
My Essex High school stayed at Caves
Branch at it was amazing I stayed at Sibun Lodge. It was so beautiful. I was
very lucky go on expeditions with such knowledgeable tour guides.
We are still talking about our wonderful
trip to Belize in Jan. We would like to thank the Caves Branch neighbor that
brought us to Caves Branch from Belmopan. Perry repelled down the black hole
drop on his birthday and is showing everyone the video clip. Also a hello to all
the staff that made our short stay so memorable. We know we have met some
special people. We just finished reading about the effort of Caves Branch in the
aftermath of the hurricane Iris. Best wishes to you all and we will be back
again some day. Beautiful web site too!
Such a mind blowing experience! The
hiking, the tubing and Bruce's soups were all treasures. Walter, Kirin,
Augustine, Elsa and the whole staff were far too kind. Thanks for an adventure I
won't soon forget.
I saw your special on the weather channel
last weekend and realized that I stayed at your place while it was just being
built about 10 years ago. My boyfriend and I were in our VW and staying on the
side of the road when you told us how dangerous it was and took us in for the
night. So glad to hear of all your success, the place looks beautiful, I'd love
to see it again... and Thank you.
I watched your special or show on the
weather channel 02/9/03 about your caving experiences on your web site of the
cave branch area , if that's what it's called. I have always been fascinated
with caverns and was impressed with your presentation and the caves shown. NICE
JOB. Sincerely , Terry Householder
I have been so neglectful in contacting
you. We did the all-inclusive honeymoon adventure back in March of 2002 at Caves
Branch. We had the most wonderful time of our lives at Caves Branch. The people
were wonderful, the food was delicious and the adventures were absolutely
breathtaking. We will go back to Caves Branch one day, and hopefully soon!
Thanks so very much for priceless memories. I had the greatest time of my life at Caves Branch. I was
part of the group that went with Christine Fossin from DePere High School in
December 2002. We stayed at the new Caves Branch for students. I just wanted to
say thanks for everything. Thanks to Walter and Pablo. They were awesome, we had
such a great time with them. I did the waterfall cave hike. That was a blast.
Thanks Carlos, Julio, and Elmer. I will never forget this trip and I wish to
come back as soon as I can. I miss it so much. Hope to see you all again.
Thanks.
Well, it took me over a month to add to
your guest book, when I know I should have done it when we returned from Belize.
My husband and I spent part of our honeymoon at caves branch, and did the
honeymoon adventure, and that it was! Black Hole drop and the cave expedition
were absolutely wonderful. The overnight honeymooner area in the cave was very
unique, and a must for those with a taste for adventure. All of the staff was
extremely accommodating, and very friendly. We truly enjoyed our experiences
there and would recommend it o all! Thanks Ian and everyone! Anne & George
So here we are sitting back home in
Massachusetts and wishing we never left. (we have only been home for one day!)
We had a wonderful and exciting stay with Monti and his whole staff at Caves
Branch. We had a couple of issues with some lost money between Bosti and Belz
and his staff were nothing but helpful and accommodating to our situation. We
eagerly ran up the path to Caves Branch and almost immediately jumped off the
rope swing into the turquoise blue river. Pedro was extremely helpful with all
of our issues and questions throughout our stay. We met some wonderful people
from all over the world and was well educated on Belize and its surrounding
areas. We especially loved MARIO who was our guide on the Black Hole Drop and
Cave Tubing. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is extremely interesting to
talk with. He knows everything about the jungle, caves, animals and everything
in between. I have never met a more fascinating person. Thank you again Mario
for your great company and wonderful knowledge. Chris felt an instant friendship
with you and will be looking forward to seeing you on our next visit. We will be
sure to see all of you again (hopefully with more money next time!!) Thank You
again for everything and making our stay so great. Definitely a once in a life
time, unique experience. Highly recommended.
As the weather turns cold and snowy here in
Minnesota, I remember the fun and adventures I had at Caves Branch! I want to
say hi to all the great people there, especially Able who made all the trips
memorable! Hope everyone there is doing great and I hope to return again someday
soon!
I just returned from my trip to Caves
Branch and it was one of the most spectacular adventures I've ever had. My
boyfriend and I started out on The black hole drop overnight expedition with
Carlos and Vida, wow, what an experience!!! The actual drop was amazing, but the
real adventure layed within the cave the next day...skulls, bones, mudslides,
waterfalls, It was soooo cool! I am also still craving the special tea that
Carlos made for us in the cave, it was better than anything we have at home. The
next day we went with Mario on the the river cave expedition. I loved the Mayan
stories and I was blown away by the amount of artifacts that were left in the
cave...I felt like Indiana Jones. The actual tubing through the cave was also
amazing, especially when all of the lights were shut off! I also loved the meals
and talking with so many people from across the globe. Finally, the rope swing
was excellent and the outdoor showers were quite an experience! Thank you so
much Ian, Lynwyn, Pedro, Carlos, Vida, Mario, Abel, and everyone else for making
our vacation so remarkable, I will recommend you to everyone I know! ---Julia
I was one of the people from Placencia
who took refuge at Cave's Branch during Hurricane Iris in October, 2001. Ian
gave us shelter, food and moral support during that horrible time as we huddled
in the dining area listening to reports of the destruction of our Village. The
care and support we received from Ian, Sue and everyone at Cave's Branch was
truly touching, and all of us Placencians now hold a special place in our heart
for Cave's Branch. Thanks for everything guys! (Especially that last hot shower.
Didn't get another one until December 2001, so my last one at Cave's Branch
before we took off for Placencia to pick up the pieces of our lives and
businesses is one I'll never forget :)
I stayed at the new Caves Branch for
students at Sibun in December '01 with Christine Fossens group. It was a great
time. Our guides, Walter and Mario, were awesome. Everyone loved them! Everyone
had a great time on the trip and we are always talking about how we miss it so
much. We can't wait to come back! Walter was my favorite!! I'm writing him a
letter soon!
A girlfriend and I spent a couple of
nights at Caves Branch about 2 years ago. We did the "Black Hole Drop". It was a
lot of fun and not as frightening as you'd expect. The staff at Caves branch is
wonderful. Ian is a really interesting guy and you can tell he loves his
business. He even has nice enough to drop us off at the airport in Belize City
because he had a few errands to run (and his wife was coming back to Belize).
Most of all I remember the fellow adventurous people at the lodge. If you go to
Ian's, be sure to try the oranges and make sure he breaks out a bottle of rum
over coffee at night!
Great time! Welcoming, knowledgeable
staff. We enjoyed both the caving and the jungle. If you have a sense of
adventure, this is the place! Strange animals; Mayan mysteries; beautiful cave
formations; interesting people; hummingbirds, butterflies, and flowers galore;
the best swimming hole ever; incredible jungle sounds. Unless you're totally
into plastic, you've got to find something to like here. Our thanks to everyone.
We completely enjoyed our stay.
Wow! Cave's Branch is really incredible!
We had a great time and will be back as soon as we can save up money for another
trip to Belize (and the nerve to do the Black Hole Drop!). We enjoyed cave
tubing with Mario and especially the Mayan ceremonial cave excursion with
Augustine! One of my favorite things about Caves Branch is dinner. I really
enjoyed eating dinner with all the guests and talking about what they've done
and where they're going over a Belikin. It's a great family style set up, so
it's impossible not to meet some really great people. (Hi to Megan, Chris, Matt
and Tammy!) -Jennifer and Julio Austin, TX
So here we are sitting back home in
Massachusetts and wishing we never left. (we have only been home for one day!)
We had a wonderful and exciting stay with Ian and his whole staff at Caves
Branch. We had a couple of issues with some lost money between Boston and
Belize, and Ian and his staff were nothing but helpful and accommodating to our
situation. We eagerly ran up the path to Caves Branch and almost immediately
jumped off the rope swing into the turquoise blue river. Pedro was extremely
helpful with all of our issues and questions throughout our stay. We met some
wonderful people from all over the world and was well educated on Belize and its
surrounding areas. We especially loved MARIO who was our guide on the Black Hole
Drop and Cave Tubing. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is extremely
interesting to talk with. He knows everything about the jungle, caves, animals
and everything in between. I have never met a more fascinating person. Thank you
again Mario for your great company and wonderful knowledge. Chris felt an
instant friendship with you and will be looking forward to seeing you on our
next visit. We will be sure to see all of you again (hopefully with more money
next time!!) Thank You again for everything and making our stay so great.
Definitely a once in a life time, unique experience. Highly recommended. To celebrate our 25th anniversary, my husband and I saved up our pennies
and then treated ourselves to Belize: a week of sailing and snorkeling followed
by five days of jungle adventures. If we had it to do over again, we'd cut the
sailing and snorkeling in half, skip the "luxury" lodge altogether, and spend
most of our time at Ian's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge! It was definitely the
highlight of our trip. The people couldn't have been friendlier, more helpful,
more knowledgeable, more thoughtful or more competent (especially Lynwyn -- Ian,
you'd better treat her well, because my husband says if I ever leave him, he's
going to steal her from you!) The adventures couldn't have been more exciting,
fascinating, dramatic or unique (we did the cave tubing exploration and survived
the heart-clutching Black Hole Drop). The food was exceptional (I'm still
craving those home-made tortillas). And our cabana, which charmed us with
hibiscus flowers on our pillows and the inviting glow of kerosene lanterns, was
straight out of a jungle fantasy. We even enjoyed walking through the jungle
along winding tiki-torch-lit pathways to find the bathrooms and those sensuous
jungle showers -- glad we didn't get the cabanas with en-suite bathrooms! At
night, safe from bugs in our airy, screened cabana, we listened to the jungle
symphony (Honey! It sounds just like one of those nature cassettes!), complete
with an incredibly romantic jungle storm. We will never forget it, and I'm sure
we'll be coming back -- we've already begun saving pennies for a return visit! DEADLY, SNAKES, HUGE SPIDERS, POISONOUS TREES, LIZARDS IN YOUR CABANA,
TOADS AT THE DINNER TABLE (and in the showers!), FIRE ANTS, EXTREMELY LOUD
AT 3 IN THE MORNING HOWLER MONKEYS, BONES, TEETH, SKULLS, BLEEDING STONES,
EXTREME HEAT, 90% HUMIDITY..........GOD DID I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!. Caves Branch
is definitely not a resort, it's not a comfy hotel, nor is it a rustic group of
cabanas spread out in the jungle. "Caves Branch" is an experience, different for
every guest, luxury for some, roughing it for others and a little slice of
Paradise if your like me. Thank you Ian for your foresight not only with the
development of such an amazing lodge and amenities, but in the hiring of such a
wonderful staff. Abel, Carlos, Walter, Augustine thank you for your expertise
and your friendship. Esparenza and Kelly - well I don't think I will ever forget
being in the middle of the jungle with just the two of you!!! (yes guys you
should be jealous). Not to mention being in Kelly's capable hands later in the
evening! Barnaby stay cool, Pedro I still don't believe anything you say. Ian
you even had a resident "Taffy" there - it felt like home. Truly an experience
that has changed my Heart and Soul for ever, thank you everyone there, you are
the essence of Caves Branch, the Experience. We spent my 48th birthday at Caves Branch and it was an unforgettable
experience. The staff and hosts were exceptional and catered to our every need.
The Black Hole Drop was a life enriching experience and something that my
husband and I will treasure for a lifetime. The wildlife and flora along with
all the sounds of the night and early morning were "HEAVEN". Only Heaven could
excel. The cuisine and atmosphere are indescribable. We own a small bed and
breakfast in North Carolina and were quite at home at Caves Branch. You will
have no regrets if you stay with Ian and Lynwen. Enjoy you little time in
paradise. Rita Deviney Wisteria Bed and Breakfast 1900 Gold Hill Road Concord,
NC 28025 Telephone: 704-792-1897 email: wisteria@carolina.rr.com Just a few comments since my visit in December '01... My local paper ran a
great Belize article (probably syndicated column) back in January, with several
references to Ian and Caves Branch and all the wonderful folks and the
adventures. Also, a few weeks back, I was flipping channels, and the Weather
Channel - Atmospheres show was running a whole episode on Caves Branch. It was
great seeing Ian and Abel and Esperanza, and the shots of the River Cave Tubing,
and Black Hole Drop. Great exposure for a great bunch of people and a great
time! Hope this doesn't mean I won't be able to get a room the next time! Take
care. Brian I really hate to say this ...... and only because it will attract more
people to this great place. I had been looking for a very relaxing place to get
away from all the hustle and bustle of my daily life and a place where I could
be active as well. Well, I found it and a whole lot more than I had expected. I
could not have picked a better place to spend my vacation. I loved the beautiful
tropical setting of Ian's lodge and its location right in the jungle. My
relaxation started the first morning when I was looking out of my cabana, seeing
these beautiful tropical surroundings, watching the hummingbirds feeding and
listening to all the birdsongs. Nothing could beat this. That alone is worth
going back to Ian's lodge. That first morning my suspicions were confirmed - I
had picked the right place for my vacation. Ian's staff is exceptional.
Everybody is genuinely friendly, very attentive and helpful, and that includes
everybody from housekeeping, guides, kitchen and of course also Sue and Blanca.
I met some very interesting people during my stay and we had a lot of laughs.
The trips are great fun and very educational at the same time. I could do the
Black Hole Drop over and over. The guides are really outstanding, extremely well
trained, very safety conscious and have a great sense of humor. I would do
anything with them. Thank you Abel, Marcus, Esperanza, Mario, Carlos, Morhelio
and Elmer. Esperanza, the waterfall cave trip with you was a special experience
for me. I hope to be able to repeat this. I had a great time with all of you.
Also, thank you Bernabe and Pedro. You treat your guests like friends. And Ian,
you can stop worrying now. It is very difficult to be bored at your lodge. There
is only one thing left for me to do and that is to come back, see all of you
again and have another outstanding vacation. I’m back home and I’m not happy. Can I come back now? Experience of a life
time. My compliments to a wonderful staff that is not only very knowledgeable.
Abel, Esperanza, Marcos, and Pedro. How about a game of Hearts, Pedro? Howler monkeys at 3 am, Mayan pottery hidden in remote limestone caves,
deliciously soft and warm homemade tortillas. Caves Branch is an extraordinarily
unique experience! The adventures aren't just limited to its thrilling tours,
but even sleeping, eating, and showering are more exciting than usual.
Thoughtful touches like hot plates of food if you are late, flowers on your bed,
and bottomless bottled water are examples of the endless hospitality. We loved
learning about Mayan culture, local wildlife, and the environment from
knowledgeable, passionate guides - as well as experiencing the thrill of a
lifetime repelling 280 feet down into a sink hole. Thanks to all staff for
making us feel so very welcome in the jungles of Belize - especially to Ian,
Sue, and the boys (Marcos, Pedro, Bernabe, and Carlos). Vivan los murcielagos!
:) We'll be back! Love, Val and Moe There were five brothers/nephews in our group and we had a fantastic time!
We only had two days but took Ian's recommendations for the best activities in
that short period. Ian suggested the Black Hole Drop and it was every bit the
thrill he said it would be. Still, his other choice and our favorite was the
Waterfall Caves Adventure. Four miles through a cave navigating an underground
creek with waterfalls was perfect for our group. The staff (Marcos, Carlos and
Abel to name a few) were excellent guides and very friendly. Our group is
already planning to return next year for a longer stay. This was our best
adventure trip yet and we've done quite a few. We were just at Caves Branch as part of a month long Internet expedition
for kids. We had a most excellent adventure! All the staff from the
groundskeepers, housekeepers, cooks, and guides were all very friendly and
personable. All our guides were knowledgeable, helpful and safety conscious. The
Caves Branch combination of nature, history, culture, caves and adventure
provided an excellent experience for us and our online student explorers. We
were sorry it had to end, but look forward to returning. (You can see the Caves
Branch visit online at: http://www.theoceanadventure.com/JSIE/JS16.html My husband and I spent a week at Caves Branch for our honeymoon. We had an
amazing time! We did the "Honeymoon Package" and all I can say is "Wow". Our
guides were terrific and very knowledgeable, always focusing on safety. The area
is incredibly beautiful and it was a real treat to explore it with the folks at
Caves Branch. We were very comfortable in our accommodations and the food was
terrific. Last but not least were the great people we met -both guests of Caves
Branch and the folks who work there. If I had three hands, I'd give it three
thumbs up! Well it has been two years since my stay at Cave Branch and my thoughts
frequently turn to the wonderful hospitality I experienced there. It is time to
return. Hello Everyone at Caves Branch. I won't go on and on about what a
wonderful time my son, Colin, and I had there in August since every wonderful
thing other people have said applies to our adventure there. However, I do want
to add that not only does one find some of the friendliest staff there to help
and enjoy, one also finds some of the most friendly visitors. There weren't many
of us at any given time, and there was no one even close to my son's age, 11,
but everyone was always so much fun. And that's what a vacation is all about,
the adventures you have and the people you meet. And, when you have your kid
along, it's especially important that the people can make it special for him
even when he's the only kid around. The days were such adventures, the beauty of
the jungle, and the nights of scrabble and cards after dinner just topped it all
off. Thanks. Janis and I just got home last night, and I could hardly wait to express
my satisfaction with the Caves Branch experience. 4 days went by so fast, I
could do it all over again (but I'll have to let my clothes dry first!). Ian and
the staff are top-notch, the adventures were awesome and well within our
abilities, and the food and accommodations were wonderful. This is a place not
to be missed. Our stay at Caves Branch was so wonderful -words can hardly describe how
beautiful and peaceful it is. I have never seen such a beautiful place! Being in
the jungle - totally surrounded by nature was an experience that I will never
forget. Our cabana was so charming and cozy -I felt totally isolated from the
outside world. Almost every night we could hear the howler monkeys and the
sounds of the jungle. It was amazing!!!! The staff was great - Barnaby is the
most gracious host, and our guides, Carlos, Pablo & Abel are the BEST! We love
you guys! You made our adventures safe and fun, but mostly you made us feel like
friends. The Honeymoon Cave was very romantic. All the caves were beautiful. We
saw many bones and lots of pottery that have survived hundreds of years. We did
most of the day trips and our favorite was Waterfalls! Black Hole drop was
exhilarating and Lost World was lots of fun. After the River Float we got to
hold a baby howler monkey! That was the coolest!!! We had some wonderful
experiences and met some great people. We learned a lot about Mayan culture,
thanks to our guides. We learned a lot about fungi too, thanks to the research
scientists who were lodging at Caves Branch- thanks for the lecture. I can't
wait to come back to Belize. I have definitely found the true meaning of
Paradise. Oh yeah...and Ken lost his wedding ring in the river. If you happen to
come across it ... please email us. Tip of the day...remove your jewelry before
tubing. :-) We just returned from our honeymoon trip...it was INCREDIBLE. The guides
really know their stuff. The jungle was fascinating and beautiful. Sitting in
the cabanas after dinner, sipping a Belikin, and reading while the gentle rain
sifted through the jungle trees to hit the thatched roof was incredibly tranquil
and wonderful. I am so happy to have stayed there and sad to have left. Thanks for a wonderful stay! I came by on my organized trip with Bruno/IBTM.
The stay at Caves Branch was the best part of the whole trip!!! Eventhough I
could enjoy the hospitality just for 24 hours I felt most welcome. Unfortunately
we could not do the cave tubing as the river was too high on September,20th. So
we ended up doing the Jungle Trek including some hidden Maya ruins. I will never
forget the expertise of the guides and certainly not the splendid lunch! Thanks
again and I hope I'll return someday! Hello All ... Don and I started our Honeymoon at Caves Branch on October
3rd, 2001. I had found out about the Lodge, at a tourism show, here in Toronto.
I was a little sceptical about booking something over the internet -- site
unseen. When we arrived, it was everything that we had imagined, plus some. The
setting was amazing ... the staff are genuine ... and the food was fantastic. It
was truly the best adventure that we have ever set out on. We did the river
expedition and the black hole drop ... both were breath taking and adrenaline
pumping ... both for different reasons !!! We were leaving just as Hurricane
Iris was coming ... hopefully, she has left everything standing. Ian was so
kind. We have to leave San Pedro due to Iris and he offered us a place to stay
at Caves Branch. Hopefully, this will be our only honeymoon, and we can't think
of a place that we would have rather gone to. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Our stay at Caves Branch was wonderful. There are no words to describe the
beauty of Belize and Caves Branch. There is nothing like entering the paradise
you have there. It is a slice of heaven. To wake up to the sounds of the jungle
and watch hummingbirds feed within arms length outside the cabana each morning
was a treat. We were greatly impressed by the friendly guides. Walter, Carlos,
Pablo and all were wonderful. We felt like we were in good hands at all times.
They made the trips even more fun. All were knowledgeable about Mayan history
and showed great respect for the caves. I can only marvel at the generosity of
all staff to help those during hurricane Iris. I have great respect at Ian's
ability to organize the kitchens and relief efforts to those who truly needed
it. After we left Cave's Branch for San Pedro, the guys at Fidos held a
fundraiser to aid in the relief. They told us that Ian and the rescue team had
provided numerous kitchens and shelters. They told us that their money would go
to people like this who were truly helping the victims. I hope all who helped in
the rescue efforts are well and we hope to see you all again next year. I may
never eat so well until then. Caves Branch was hands down the highlight of my stay in Belize. Not only
was the staff friendly, helpful and fun, and the natural beauty of the location
breathtaking, but the food prepared in their kitchen was the best I tasted
anywhere in Belize. Two thumbs way up for Caves Branch! Ian Anderson's Honeymoon package was one of the best experiences of our
lives. A truly unique spot. Words cannot express the sensations that come along
with the adventures offered. The guides made us feel like we were old time
friends. Kudo's to Ian Anderson & his crew. I believe they offer the world's best
Honeymoon package for those looking something other than the "typical
honeymoon". Looking forward to a return trip. Thank Again Isabelle & Andrew I went and did the black hole drop and it was Awesome. It's so cool to be
over two hundred feet off the ground and be held up by a rope. Just looking
around and seeing all of the beautiful scenery from so high off of the ground.
It's scary at first but once you calm down and just enjoy the trek down the
cliff it is awesome. Also where I stayed was so nice. The cabanas are very nice
and surrounded by beautiful wildlife. My friend caught a huge frog. The swimming
hole is so nice after you've been hiking all day. Also the food is REALLY good. Hi everybody! HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! Ian Andersons Caves Branch Camp is a
must for anyone who is planning to go to Belize. Don't let the name fool you
though... its more like paradise than anything else !! It's a happy feel good
place. Originally, I thought a four day package deal would suffice, however in
the end, my friend and I ended up staying an extra day and very well could have
stayed there the whole week. There's such a wide assortment of activities to
choose from. You can be in a cave one day then find yourself in the heart of the
jungle, at a Mayan ruin, at a ranch, a Butterfly farm or in a small town with
the local people the next. The real beauty of it all though is that you don't
really feel like a tourist. Many of these excursions consists of small groups
from the Caves branch as a result the setting is intimate and interactive and
you do NOT have to fight throngs of other tourists. This was the case at least
for the "River of Caves" and the overnight "Blackhole Drop (highly recommended
for the adventurous)". Also, the guides and staff at Ian's are truly
outstanding. Each and every member of Ian's team is personable, knowledgeable,
social and willing to go that extra mile for each visitor. Everywhere else it
seemed as though you were pressured because people wanted something for any
small service...but not here. The staff here are genuine and deserve everything.
There's to many to mention personally, but I want you to know that you are all
great and if you're in Canada that I can return the hospitality. To sum it all
in two words.... "GOOD TIMES!!" P.S. be sure to enquire about "train wrecks"
also, I forgot my sandals...but I'll be back. Guaranteed! Thanks Ian for the great holiday my son Aaron and I had last year. I am
sorry that this has taken my so long to write. My son was so impressed with
Caves Branch that he and 2 friends were down on July 4-20. They enjoyed every
part of your expeditions. The employees were so friendly and kind, and the
accommodations are excellent. The 3 boys can hardly wait to get back next year.
Thanks again for my great holiday, my son and his 2 friends. Caves Branch is a beautiful place to stay. The adventures are so amazing
and are full of things to do. There are different adventures for different kinds
of people. The jungle survival camp that I went on was very difficult but in the
end it was all worth it. It is a total different world living in the jungle!
Caves Branch is a great place to stay and I recommend it to anyone who is the
outdoors kind of person. It was one amazing vacation that I will never forget!! Caves Branch was a great experience for my entire group. It was a great
mix of "outward bound" for adults and a comfortable spot where you could feel as
much a part of the rain forest as possible without pitching a tent in the
jungle. The balance of providing clean comfortable facilities and not ruining
the genuine feeling of seeing nature all around you is a fine line that I think
Caves Branch has succeeded in walking. I was very impressed with the expertise
of the guides and their attention to detail. The effort that has been made to
formally train the guides in wilderness rescue and safety was impressive. I felt
very confident in the adventures like the black hole drop which made it easy to
relax and really enjoy the experience. I read the comments below that were a
little negative regarding Ian and the cost. Value is a matter of perspective,
but I definitely thought we got a good deal. I would like to add that our group
felt Ian was very genuine and friendly. He was obviously very involved with what
went on at the camp, and well liked by the Belizian folks. It was also clear
that he had a great relationship with his staff and guides. I highly recommend
Caves Branch to the eco-tourist travelling to Belize. I can't wait until my kids
are old enough to get the most out of such a trip so I'll have a good excuse to
come back! Dear Ian, My husband and I had the great privilege of staying at Caves
Branch from June 22 to June 26, 2001--It was the best 4 days I ever had on
holiday! When I was planning our trip, the thing that caught my eye on your
website was that Caves Branch was not for the average traveler. That was just
what I was looking for. I really wanted to be IN the jungle and experience it.
Caves Branch was everything you advertise that it is. We saw, and heard, more
animals than we could have imagined, and the entire staff was more knowledgeable
than I could have ever expected. We chose the 4-night all-inclusive package,
which included 3 full-day tours. The price for both of us, which included
everything (meals, tours, lodging and transfers), was more than economical. All
of the staff at Caves Branch made us feel so at home. Marcus greeted us at the
airport and told us all about Caves Branch and Belize's flora and fauna on the
ride to the lodge. We also had the pleasure of having Mario, Walter, and Marcus
as our guides for our 3 different tours, and many thanks to Barnaby for his
terrific personality and hospitality. I really cannot put into words what a
terrific time we had. Ian, you should be so very proud of the entire staff you
have at Caves Branch. They made the jungle life even more enjoyable than we
could have imagined. On June 26, we were on our way to spend 10 days on
Ambergris Caye--I could have spent the entire trip at Caves Branch! We miss the
terrific staff, the fabulous lodging, and the sounds of the jungle coming to
life in the early morning! We miss being there! Anyone interested in a REAL
jungle experience with great people--Stay at Caves Branch!! It's the best! Renee
and Darren Nemow What a rush. We enjoyed every minute. From the 3 step snake to the
Howler's in our tree, to the Black Hole Drop. What a credit Abel is to this
organization. He is knowledgeable, humorous and always puts safety first. I
would suggest anyone with an adventurous spirit to come here. We can't wait to
come back. Thanks to all!! Dana WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW. Cave's branch thank you!!!! Your stop was definitely
the highlight of our HONEYMOON. We absolutely loved our accommodations and the
food was terrific. We especially like the way that everything at your place was
designed to encourage social interaction with other guests...Even the SHOWERS!
We met some great people traveling through there. The Cabana was great. It felt
very much like the heart of the jungle - especially the all screen walls (like
becoming one with the environment), yet we got the least amount of bug bites
there because of your careful attention to detail. The staff was out of this
world friendly... in fact they cured my cold with a simple rainforest remedy in
one night. Your river tubing adventure was perfect in every way. Your guide was
knowledgeable and fun and the cave formations were spectacular. My husband even
wants to go back and sign up for your 8 day experiences. You are definitely on
the very top of our "must return to" list. Thank you Cave's Branch and staff. My husband, Rich and I spent part of
our honeymoon with you and JUST LOVED IT. We are already setting sites on next
year and a Jungle Survival course with you. We owe a big THANK YOU to Abel,
Mario and Barnaby. They were TERRIFIC. All of the staff is very well trained and
I felt completely secure with them. We did cave tubing and the Black Hole Drop.
The Black Hole is an aggressive climb and on the way up, I started feeling weak.
I am insulin dependant and was having a low blood sugar. It happens sometimes,
so we stopped and I made some adjustments....like eat a roll of lifesavers. In
anycase, Abel checked his first aid kit to be sure he had everything we needed
should anything happen to me. To my surprise, he was fully equipped with a
glucagon kit just in case. Though we never needed to use the kit, it was totally
reassuring that he was prepared "just in case." You never know what's going to
happen in a Jungle and who you might happen to be with. But with the guides from
Cave's Branch, you know you are in excellent hands. The trip was an adventure
and we cannot wait to return to the Jungle and Cave's Branch. We have posted
many pictures on the internet at www.something-simple.com/belize if anyone would
like to check it out. Thanks so much for a thrill of a lifetime! Rich and Cat
Newman Hi, This is Ian. I can't believe all the wonderful guest comments we are
getting since we put up our online guest comment page. My gratitude goes out to
all of you who have come to Caves Branch and enjoyed it as much as we had hoped
you would. Just knowing that we are fulfilling our commitment to you is in
itself .. more than rewarding. Thank you .. all the best in the future to all
our guests and we do hope to have you back with us at Caves Branch sometime in
the future. Until then .. Sincerely, Ian. Last week my wife and I stayed at caves branch resort, my wife and Ian had
been corresponding for months and both she and I were eagerly anticipating our
day in the "jungle". Caves branch turned out to be everything a resort in San
Pedro is not, and more than we both could have dreamt. The rooms were perfect,
flowing out of the jungle, with enough modern conveniences to feel very
comfortable. The staff was very attentive, and the food plentiful and very good.
My wife and her friend chose the tubing which they loved and I was fortunate
enough to do the black hole drop. I am originally from Canada, I've seen some
mountains, etc in my life and this was exciting !!!! 300 ft into a sink hole what
are we getting our selves into. 2 people in our group had experience of any type
rappelling, The rappel guides were as well trained and more patient than any
rappel instructors I have been around. They combined this with an intimate
understanding of the jungle and a broad understanding of the mayan civilization.
They were cognizant of the fact that this was a special place to be and treated
everything with respect. Its obvious that I had a wonderful time and was even
luckier to extend my stay at caves branch by an extra 4 days, each adventure at
least as good as the one described. To Ian and staff, we loved it, we loved, and
we are grateful. See you soon Ross and Tazmara Hello, My name is Tina. I attended the Belize Experience Trip in March of
2000 with Mr. Sipes and Mrs. Schmit. I am starting a web page of Belize, and you
have given me wonderful ideas for my web page. Thank you We just returned from 2 days at Caves Branch (which wasn't long enough)
and what an amazing time we had. Staff, guides and food were all top notch. The
river cave expedition should be mandatory for all guests - I'm still in
disbelief. This is a must for all tourists traveling to Belize. Dear Caves Branch staff, I can't believe it has taken me so long (2
months!) to finally write in your guest book! We've made a wonderful picture
album to look at to remind us of the fabulous vacation we had at Caves Branch.
Words that come to mind to describe the experience are simple elegance, utopian,
paradise, serene and unique. This vacation was the best our family has ever had.
My 15 year old daughter begs to return as soon as possible! My husband and I
have been married for 19 years, but after reading about the honeymoon adventure
I'm hoping that maybe you guys can come up with something for a anniversary
celebration!? Reading through the other guest book entries, we "dido" everything!
The food, the staff, the setting, the safety concern, the environmental concern,
etc. All was perfect. If anyone has a similar vacation experience to share,
please contact us! Although, not to worry Caves Branch...we'll definitely be
back and send everyone we know to you, too! Hey Sue, a scrabble rematch for next
time? Love to all, Lisa Timbers Hi Ian, I vacationed in Belize four or five years ago and I do want to
return. I know Jack and Jordan Grant. The river was dry when I was there and we
had to bath at the Blue Hole - it was great. You had Julius then and he didn't
like women and I was desperate to be his friend. All he did was pull my hair and
rip my clothes off of the clothes line. We went caving and I still tell stories
about the day trip to any one who will listen to me. I am going to try and get
my daughter to come with me next time. I just have to get in better shape to
enjoy the adventure. I look forward to seeing you and the Cave Branch camp
again. What time of year is it a little quiet for you? All the best to you and
everyone at Cave Branch. Awesome experience!!! Everyone is real nice there and I learned more than
I have learned in school.... I would go back any day just for the scenery and
the adventures.....I'll be back for the Black Hole Drop!!!!! We loved Caves Branch. We had a tarantula, a wombat like thing, and a bat
in our cabana suite and LOVED every second of it! Hats off to Abel and Walter
for a hysterical trip through the caves. I still cannot believe your place is
real, because it was a dream come true! Ian, your staff ROCKS! I am sending
everyone I know to you! Hello Ian and crew!!! Finally getting around to touching base with you all
after settling back into life here in the states. The rest of our trip through
Belize and back up to Cancun was wonderful. Must say though that Nicole and I
couldn't stop thinking about the tubing trip we took with your outfit. Truly
amazing and absolutely unique! We will be hard pressed to duplicate that kind of
adventure again anytime soon. Unless, of course, we come back to Caves Branch!!
Hope the rest of your season is full of fun. Take care and thanks again for your
incredible hospitality. Just got home from what will forever be the most unique and beautiful
vacations ever!! I will never forget how in awe I was coming down the road lit
by the tiki lights that first night. The accommodations where out of this world.
We had one of the cabana suite with the bathroom w/ hot shower. I loved getting
up and taking a shower with the jungle right at my window... wowowowow!!! The
tubing in the caves is a must for anyone who comes for a stay. Abel was
wonderful, knowledgeable, and very funny!! The food was great and the whole
staff made sure our stay was the best. Can't wait to come back and play 10,000
with Abel... he won so I need a rematch! Ian, you have the most wonderful group
of caring, fun loving, giving people working for you. Our hats off to all of
you!!!!!! Just a quick note to say thank you for an exceptional week in the jungle
of Belize. Your place is just amazingly beautiful and all the trips we did were
exceeding our expectations (River Cave, Black Hole Drop, Lost Maya Ruins and
Night Jungle Trail). My personal favourite will always be the Black Hole Drop.
It's beyond words - it was just WOW !!!!! Although I was a bit scared when I
stepped over the edge (my hubby and Ed, the other guy in our group did a lot of
repelling in the army but there was poor me who never ever did anything like
this before), the guides made me feel absolutely safe. Dangling above the
rainforest canopy 300 ft in the air is unbelievable. Thanks again to our guides
Esperanza, Marcus, Mario, Abel and Walter for making this trip to Belize an
absolute highlight and special thanks to Thelma for all the great food - a
vegetarian paradise, although carnivores must not fret - you are also being
catered for. All the best and hope to see you all again some day. Hello Ian, Just a note to once again thank you for a fantastic four day
stay. The staff were great and the food wonderful. You have such a beautiful
setting and we enjoyed our cabana suite. But of course the trips were the
highlight. Tubing and hiking in the caves was a totally unique and awe inspiring
experience and as for the Black Hole Drop -woooooooooowwwwwwwwww! As others have
said the adrenaline rush was amazing. Our 10yr old has told everyone how he was
the youngest person to do it so far and it is clearly a most significant memory
that will stay with him all his life. All the best for 2001 to you and all of
your great staff. Cheers Peter We had the pleasure of being part Doug & Sue's wedding party (Dec 4/00).
Ian went "above & beyond the call of duty" to make sure this wedding was perfect
for the couple & family. Being in our mid 50's, we like some of the comforts of
home, & we certainly had all that we needed in our cabana (hot showers, toilet &
screens to keep the bugs out, but let the wonderful sounds of the jungle in).
The food was good home cooking & the staff were exceptional. We highly recommend
this lodge to anyone, no matter what age, who is interested in a REALLY
interesting holiday. Thanks Ian for a truly memorable wedding. We meet Ian at the adventure tourism show in Vancouver, Canada. To make a
long story short, 39 e-mails later we had customized our wedding to take place
at the Caves Branch. It was all in Ian's hands now! Our group of 11 arrived on
Dec 3 2000, anticipating adventure. We certainly were not let down! We started
on Dec 4th with the whole group going on a jungle walk. The guides Marcos,
Walter, and Martin made Sue a wedding hat out of the jungle fauna - which became
the token "fertility hat"! This was a big hit with the families and a lot of
fun. With our new knowledge of the jungle, we arrived back at camp to get
cleaned up for the wedding. It took place on the beautiful rivers edge with two
ministers -one who performed the ceremony in English, and another one who
performed it in Spanish. It was a wonderful touch. Ian also provided an
excellent musical background as well - a band played romantic Spanish ballads
throughout the night- what a beautiful experience. The next day, (Dec 5th) five
of the wedding party were brave enough to take on the Black Hole drop including
Sue's Mother! What an experience! 300 feet of amazing beauty, wonder, and
adrenaline. Afterwards, the rest of the group headed back to camp - but not Sue
or I. We were guided by Able into the mouth of a enormous cave where we were to
spend our Honeymoon Night. He just told us to walk through the river until we
found what we needed. Excited, Sue and I explored our way into the cave - I
won't tell you what we found (in case you decide to spend the night there
yourselves!) But, I will say we recommend it 1000%. The next morning we hiked
back to camp to do the cave tubing expedition. The crystals we saw were the most
amazing - it was like walking through the pages of a geology magazine or
National Geographic. The entire experience was the wedding of a life-time. We
couldn't imagine in our wildest dreams of a better way to celebrate our love and
new life together. Thanks to all the staff and Ian for making it perfect and
unforgettable. You're all part of our life now! Love you all, Doug & Sue( The
newlyweds) I wanted to let all of the staff at Caves Branch know that I am very
thankful for all of the hard work and dedication they have put into their job to
make it such a spectacular place to visit and remember. It has almost been seven
months since our trip and I think of Caves Branch every day. It is a place that
I will never forget! Abel, Marcos, Pablo, Walter, and Amanda- I hope you are all
doing well and I wish that some day I will be able to visit again. Once again,
thank you all for letting me have such an unforgettable memory. If it is adventure you are looking for, look no further. We had the best
time at Caves Branch, Dec. 2000. My husband and I did the Cave/Tubing Adventure
and the Black Hole Drop. Both are absolutely unforgettable! I especially
recommend the Black Hole Drop if you like a good adrenaline rush. Our guides
were top notch - we felt completely safe the entire time, even dangling from a
rope 300 feet in the air! The food is absolutely delicious and plentiful :) and
the atmosphere is truly unique. As a side note, I notice that Caves Branch is
recommended for adventure seekers only (which is definitely the main draw!) but
the lodges are very comfortable and beautiful, there are hammocks, a
breathtaking river view, and jungle sounds surrounding you - what a great place
to pick up a book and relax for a day. We cannot wait to return - and next time
we are bringing our friends! Thanks Ian for an unforgettable time. This was my first trip to Belize, really my first trip outside of the US.
I'm so glad I included Caves Branch in my plans. I went to 2 other resorts and
everything else just pales in comparison. The guides were amazing, and the trips
were fabulous. I studied Archaeology for 11 years, and all of the trips were
everything I could have hoped for. Thanks again Ian! Thanks to everyone at Caves Brach for making my stay there the highlight
of my trip to Belize. Great guides, great adventures and the best food in the
country. Merry Christmas to all. Alan We came to Caves Branch with only an inkling of the adventure we were
getting into... it blew us away! Gorgeous scenery, breathtaking caves and -
especially close to Lisa's heart - great meals. We had a blast, and are
recommending Caves Branch to everyone we know. For those who want more out of a
vacation than a week on the beach - we can't recommend Caves Branch enough. We
will definitely be back! My wife and I went to Caves Branch last week as part of our honeymoon. I
can't say enough about the lodge and her crew. We did the Black Hole Drop and
the Cave Tubing (Both are a MUST!) and our guides, Abel, Harrison, Marco, Pablo
& Esperanzo (Spelling?) were outstanding. We completely trusted their every move
and their advise and they truly made the experience one to remember. It is
obvious that Ian has surrounded himself with professionals (not just the guides)
who truly care about their guests, their lodge, and the environment around it. I
recommend Caves Branch and her crew without hesitation! We had a great time at Caves Branch this past October, 2000. We were there
just after Hurricane Keith, and although the coastal regions of NE Belize were
still underwater, everything at Caves Branch was lovely. The accommodations were
beautiful, it was awesome to walk the torch-lit paths at night and sleep with
just a screen separating us and the sounds of the nighttime jungle. Very
romantic. The food was great and it was fun to meet and talk with the other
guests as we shared our meals. And the excursions - astounding. We'll not soon
forget the heart-pounding Black Hole Drop and the beautiful cave tubing - what
great stories we have to share with anyone who will listen! Our guides, led by
Marco, were really wonderful, taking their time with us 'older' folks (mid-40s)
on the climb to the Black Hole Drop and reassuring us that we would be safe. And
we absolutely felt secure in their care. Everyone at Caves Branch is very
friendly and accommodating - they obviously enjoy their jobs and it shows. We
definitely recommend this ‘jungle adventure!’ Wow! I saw this in Outside Travel Magazine! I'm hoping for an extreme
honeymoon as this one. What an adventure! Bravo!! I just returned from my second trip to Caves Branch. I love this place! I
have done 'adventure travel' throughout the world, but this is by far my
favorite and the only place I have returned to for more adventure. I cannot say
enough about the staff at Caves Branch. They are all so friendly and wonderful
people to sit around and talk to. All the guides I have had have been wonderful.
They are patient, informative, helpful, and most important FUNNY! I spent my
last 4 days at Caves Branch laughing most of the time. Harrison, I love your
laugh! Abel, you're the best, especially your deviled eggs! Amanda, I'm sorry I
never got to swim in the river with you! The only bad thing about Caves Branch
is that eventually you have to leave! I see there are new trips added so I just
may have to return for a third time next year! I just had the best four day holiday of my life, staying at Ian's jungle
lodge at Caves Branch. Each day was a new adventure including rugged hiking,
repelling (my first time ever) down a sink hole, inner tubing for seven miles in
underground caves and exploring ancient Mayan sacrificial chambers. Our guides
were superb, exuding confidence that made me feel safe at all times. The lodge
staff treated me like a family member, telling us stories and providing
excellent service. Bucket jungle showers were my favorite, where I really felt
like singing but kept it to a minimum just to be kind to other guests! Ian has
done a truly remarkable job of setting up such a neat place in the middle of the
jungle. I look forward to a return trip soon! We had a great time at caves branch. We took the tubing tour and had a
great time. If anyone would like to check out pictures of our trip just check
out our web site, click on Belize, and then on Caves branch. http://djezike.tripod.com/storage/ Ian & all prospective Caves Branch visitors: We went on the millennium
trip and had the most amazing Christmas and New Year's Eve -- way beyond our
expectations. We wanted to start out Y2K with a bang -- and we did! The trip was
challenging in the most positive way. We loved Marcos, our guide -- he is the
perfect combination of kindness, intelligence, and competence -- plus he has an
unmatched love for his heritage. The trip had an unexpected outcome: we are
getting married! Thanks for everything, Ian & staff. We'd do it again in a
heartbeat. Ian, We had a wonderful 4 day adventure at Caves Branch. Each and every
tour we took was great. Thanks for arranging activities for our group 9-50 years
old. It isn't easy to keep that diverse an age group engaged and happy. Great
food, great room, great caves, and of course the best guides in Belize. We spent
3 weeks all together in Belize and worked with a lot of guides. Yours are the
best- hands down! Let us know about new tours and new caves. We will have to
come back. Hey Ian! Just wanted to add to your guest book. For anybody looking for a
great adventure in Belize look no further. We could write a book on the great
times we had last year during two trips to Cave Branch including the week long
millennium trip. Don't miss the underground tubing and the descent into the
black hole. Feel free to e-mail us for recommendations or more details. Go, you
won't regret it!!!! Just got back from Caves Branch. Now I am sitting in front of my computer
at work. Unbelievable, how different my life was last week. I would do it again
in a heartbeat. I miss it- a lot! Allison |
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| Caves Branch Adventure Co. & Jungle Lodge Mile 41 1/2 Hummingbird Hwy., P.O. Box 356. Belmopan, Belize, Central America Jungle Lodge (via Radio Phone): 011-501-822-2800 Fax: 1-888-265-4579 E-Mail: info@cavesbranch.com
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