Caution: Jaguar Paw Hotel in Belize

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bythebodhitree
bythebodhitree

I wanted to let the Thorn Tree community know to be cautious when reserving at Jaguar Paw Hotel (near Tikal). I have filed a claim of fraud against Jaguar Paw, as they debited money from my account which now after 3 months they have never credited back. I have made 5 attempts via the telephone to get them to refund my money. During each attempt I was blown off, told repeatedly that "the money HAS been refunded" (completely incorrect according to my bank statement!), or that they "knew nothing" about the transaction. After exhausting all other possibilties I called my bank and filed a claim, and am now in the process of collecting what they owe me.

When I was in Belize I called and reserved two nights at Jaguar Paw. No more than a half hour later (after some discussion with my travel partner) I called Jaguar Paw again and asked them to cancel my reservation completely (we had decided to take another route). The people I talked to on the phone told me this would be no problem...they did not notify me they had already charged my card nearly $200, which after my cancellation, they never refunded me.

Needless to say...either they are a very disorganized operation or someone just didn't think I would miss that $200 from my account! A word of caution --- if you wish to reserve there, ask them specifically when/how much they will charge your credit card. Also --- ask for email confirmation and/or a reservation or cancellation number.

Safe travels, everyone!
Namaste.

Catharina

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osullivan
osullivan

With a debit card, they already have your money. You have just learned the number one lesson why to use a credit card and not a debit card. Good luck. MIke

you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows

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lansluder
lansluder

Just to clarify, Jaguar Paw Lodge is off Mile 37 of the Western Highway in Belize, to the east of Belmopan. It is 2 1/2 hours or so by road from Tikal, definitely not near Tikal. I'm sure mistakes and misunderstandings do happen, but Jaguar Paw has been operating in Belize since the mid-1990s and has a pretty good reputation.

--Lan Sluder

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schmuck
schmuck

DUH!
I have re-read your post, it is somewhat not clear, Credit card or debit card? I believe you could not guarantee any reservation without that card being "swiped" if it were a Debit Card.
You used something to guarantee your reservation, then you called back at a different time and cancelled that reservation, in normal instances , the world over, you are now liable to pay for that guarantee. Your tale of woe about someone not having yet processed your guarantee, is just that, a tale,
And now you warn about fraud? I wish you not to create any more false energies for other countries to which you visit.
Please stay home.
You are very loose with accusations for your own inexperience / ineptitude!
At 24 years old, you made a reservation guaranteeing it with plastic. At that instant you made a guarantee, the hotel was, as of that instant entitled to the money from your guarantee. A second call may or may not { and obviously did not} release you from your guarantee. Now you accuse people of fraud?? Those are very loose words from you with criminal connotations. You could receive some very bad Karma with a hollow accusatory attitude like that and making these accusations on a Public forum. If I were the offended Hotel, I would sue your ass off. The American way you know.

Edited by: schmuck

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dollyd
dollyd

I loved the Jaguar Paw and found Sy and Donna Young to be VERY hospitable folks. They just don't seem to be the type to rip people off. If you had them hold a room, it's your fault for not making sure you wouldn't be charged if you cancelled. I broke a leg once and had to pay $600 to a hotel in New Orleans because I had booked the room. There was no way for me to prove they had rented it after I cancelled. Life lessons are sometimes learned the hard way. Don't blame the hotel!! It's a great spot, maybe you should have gone!

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