Beach photos - 1st day
October 3, 2005
Our arrival at the hotel and you can see how rough the water was due to the tropical storm passing through. We ended up in the middle of a couple tropical storms that trip as it was the horrible hurricane year of Katrina and Wilma.
Docks to the south of our hotel
Docks to the north of our hotel
Mata Rocks dock
View from our beach
The Only Place to Stay in Ambergris Caye
OMG! I can't believe I had not written a review about Mata Rocks yet! For those who know me, Belize is my favorite yearly destination and the only place I will stay is Mata Rocks. I've been fortunate to become friends with the owners, Liz and Terry, over the past couple of years. Both of them, as well as the rest of the staff, take excellent care of their guests, especially repeat customers! Although I could exchange my timeshare and stay somewhere else for basically nothing, I'd rather pay and stay with them each year.
I found them by accident my first trip down there when searching online for smaller, less hectic resorts, that still offered beachfront access. They are located south of the main part of San Pedro but it is still accessible by both beach and street walking (beach much faster) or cabs of course.
They only have 18 rooms I believe - 6 suites and 12 regular rooms. All rooms feature a mini fridge, cable TV, and new last year in 07 - wi-fi access! The junior suites feature a kitchenette which is nice. All rooms have a view and some have double beds.
Although no onsite dining, there is the restaurant next door at Banana Beach which has fabulous food, most especially their fresh ceviche! Mata Rocks has free continental breakfast and usually what we do is hit the grocery store a few blocks down and bring in lunch meats, etc for afternoon and then go into town for dinner.
Squirrel's Nest is the beach bar which is one of the best places to hang out - there is a TV and the sporting events are always on if available. Sherlynn and and Criselda are the two bartenders who you need to make best friends with - they will treat you right and take care of all your needs!
One of the elements I love most about Mata Rocks is that I always feel safe here - many people worry about resorts in other countries but Terry and Liz go to great lengths to employ and retain valuable employees. I've seen many of the same people all 3 years I've stayed with them and trust me, they recognize you year after year which is a nice feeling.
There is a freshwater pool onsite and obvious beach access. All tours can be booked through the bar or front office and they pick you up at the dock right at the hotel. Golf cart rentals are available across the street or next door through Banana Beach. Free use of bicycles for hotel guests as well. And if you want to get married there - they can arrange that...attended a wedding there two years ago and it was amazing!
Transportation from Belize City airport is a breeze. When you make reservations, let Liz know if you want her to handle your arrangements to the Caye. She always books our flights on Tropic Air and includes them in our total. In addition, they offer free taxi service back and forth to San Pedro airstrip.
Make sure to check rates when booking - they have special deals always going. One of the best is usually stay 6 nights and get the 7th free. They have other options like honeymoon and diving packages as well.
One of the things I've been told by other Belize travelers is the people who stay at Mata Rocks tend to be a unique and fun group...you get to know the other guests and sometimes form friendships like I did, which is what brings me back each year!
I found them by accident my first trip down there when searching online for smaller, less hectic resorts, that still offered beachfront access. They are located south of the main part of San Pedro but it is still accessible by both beach and street walking (beach much faster) or cabs of course.
They only have 18 rooms I believe - 6 suites and 12 regular rooms. All rooms feature a mini fridge, cable TV, and new last year in 07 - wi-fi access! The junior suites feature a kitchenette which is nice. All rooms have a view and some have double beds.
Although no onsite dining, there is the restaurant next door at Banana Beach which has fabulous food, most especially their fresh ceviche! Mata Rocks has free continental breakfast and usually what we do is hit the grocery store a few blocks down and bring in lunch meats, etc for afternoon and then go into town for dinner.
Squirrel's Nest is the beach bar which is one of the best places to hang out - there is a TV and the sporting events are always on if available. Sherlynn and and Criselda are the two bartenders who you need to make best friends with - they will treat you right and take care of all your needs!
One of the elements I love most about Mata Rocks is that I always feel safe here - many people worry about resorts in other countries but Terry and Liz go to great lengths to employ and retain valuable employees. I've seen many of the same people all 3 years I've stayed with them and trust me, they recognize you year after year which is a nice feeling.
There is a freshwater pool onsite and obvious beach access. All tours can be booked through the bar or front office and they pick you up at the dock right at the hotel. Golf cart rentals are available across the street or next door through Banana Beach. Free use of bicycles for hotel guests as well. And if you want to get married there - they can arrange that...attended a wedding there two years ago and it was amazing!
Transportation from Belize City airport is a breeze. When you make reservations, let Liz know if you want her to handle your arrangements to the Caye. She always books our flights on Tropic Air and includes them in our total. In addition, they offer free taxi service back and forth to San Pedro airstrip.
Make sure to check rates when booking - they have special deals always going. One of the best is usually stay 6 nights and get the 7th free. They have other options like honeymoon and diving packages as well.
One of the things I've been told by other Belize travelers is the people who stay at Mata Rocks tend to be a unique and fun group...you get to know the other guests and sometimes form friendships like I did, which is what brings me back each year!
View of Mata Rocks 2007 with a s...
Mata Rocks pool
The only way to be in Belize...w...
With Terry, Liz, and Tyson -2007
Squirrel's Nest...Beach Bar!
Dennis and Tyrell's wedding - 2006
Oceanfront Jr Suite
My room! Jr oceanview suite
Regular oceanview room
Moon off the beach - 2007
Quick Hop to the Caye
Upon arrival in Belize City, you have two options for transportation if you final destination involves the Cayes. There are water taxis that run from the mainland over to Ambergris but I've been told it can take 1 1/2 hours sometimes. There are two airlines, Tropic Air and Mayan, both of which offer flights to Caye Caulker and the San Pedro airstrip in Ambergris.
I've only flown Tropic so I cannot speak about Mayan but Tropic Air's service is great, they offer flights hourly and it's only a 15 minute trip! RT airfare for 1 adult is currently $109. Obviously, the water taxi service cost less but is more time consuming. For me, I am there and anxious to start vacation - I do not want to take the ferry service back and forth.
Ask your hotel when booking a room as some are willing and able to set up your transportation to and from the Caye.
One cool tip is you can hold out for the co pilot's seat on Tropic, but I've learned you have to be pretty darn tall to see over the controls! :-)
I've only flown Tropic so I cannot speak about Mayan but Tropic Air's service is great, they offer flights hourly and it's only a 15 minute trip! RT airfare for 1 adult is currently $109. Obviously, the water taxi service cost less but is more time consuming. For me, I am there and anxious to start vacation - I do not want to take the ferry service back and forth.
Ask your hotel when booking a room as some are willing and able to set up your transportation to and from the Caye.
One cool tip is you can hold out for the co pilot's seat on Tropic, but I've learned you have to be pretty darn tall to see over the controls! :-)
