Trip Report, Glover's Atoll Resort 2/12

Hi everyone,

This is my first post to the forum, although I have been reading regularly for the better part of a year as part of preparations for our (Greggo's and my) recent trip to Belize.

I've traveled in India, around the US, parts of Canada, and visited the Caribbean region and Yucatan briefly, but this was my first trip to Belize and Central America. I see travel as an opportunity to learn and grow, to expand my personal comfort zone and in short, to really feel alive on the Earth. I am grateful to have had the opportunity, and plan to be doing more traveling going forward.

Greg's done a great job detailing many aspects of the trip, and I will add a few additional observations:

My understanding from what I have heard and seen personally is that Belize (and perhaps CA?) has been very busy with many people visiting this winter. We had anticipated having plenty of choices for accommodations on Caye Caulker when we first arrived. In fact, availability was limited and there were plenty of no vacancy signs. It took some effort to find a place to stay for that night, and the next day's walk around enabled us to find a place closer to where we wanted to be for our 7:30 water taxi departure the following day. So in retrospect, it would have been good to have a reservation for that first night in advance.

Since we planned to return to Caye Caulker after the week on Glover's, we made advance reservations for our return, and this worked out well.

We also came to the conclusion that it is a good idea to reserve space at Glover's departure point on Sittee River in advance. Given the number of people traveling to the the atoll, it was not a given that there would be space to stay for the night. It is convenient to be right there in the morning regardless of the departure time, and as Greg mentions, we were able to have dinner the previous night. Breakfast was available in the morning.

Glover's is an amazing place to be, and given its location well out to sea, it offers unique opportunities in terms of snorkeling, exploring the reef, and just spending time on a beautiful small island. If you are willing to rough it a bit, as Greg says, it can be an amazing experience. Without exception, the staff were helpful and pleasant to deal with. If you can accept any perceived inconveniences as part of the flow of the journey, and are open to new possibilities, you will not be disappointed.

Thanks to all of you for the sharing of your experiences and wisdom on this forum!

Happy journeys,
Joan

Nice to have your perspective too, Joan - welcome to the forum! There used to be an awesome budget to midrange place to stay a block away from the Glover's Dock called Toucan Sittee; we loved our stays there before and after our 1st week on Glover's in 2003. With it gone (changed hands and more expensive) in 2009 we opted to stay in Hopkins Village before our 2nd Glover's visit and it was wonderful - friendly place, interesting culture, great swimming beach, fantastic Garifuna drumming at the Lebeha Center, and only about 10 minutes from Sittee. We stayed at the Hopkins Inn which was pretty much perfect for us and the owners drove us to Sittee in the morning. We'll do that again next time we're heading to Sittee -just another option to consider. Thanks for posting!

Edited by: hopefulist

Hi Joan, Welcome the the forum and thanks for posting! Yes, I concur that it was really busy this year. I can't believe the changes in Hopkins from a very sleepy village to the main service infrastructure for the whole Sittee Point development. I can't say I like the changes where the citizens of Hopkins are basically there to service the wealthy folks on the point. There is way too much traffic and dust on the main road. Then there is the larger drug element and less of a village feel. Anyway, first night reservations would have been appropriate Stacy, the new owners of Toucan Sittee have abandoned the place and it is in bankruptcy. The bush is overgrowing the buildings. It used to be a nice reasonable place as Toucan Sittee. At least there are still mangroves along most of Sittee River, for now.

Edited by: Greggo

We 1st visited Hopkins in 2003 and then again in 2009 and were surprised by how little it had changed during those years. We visit in the summer months, though, when it's still quiet and friendly and has a very sleepy, relaxed atmosphere. At least in 2009 - maybe it's changed that much in the intervening years, but I think traveling during low season has its advantages.

hi there everyone... is it possible to leave the island during the week? i'm only in belize for one week, and we were hoping to come in on the boat on sunday and leave maybe tuesday or wednesday.

thanks.

Click on the 'Getting There' tab on the website - you'll see they offer mid week charters for $350 US for up to 6 people. I don't think it makes sense to head to Sittee River Village and clear out to Glover's and back for only 1 or 2 full days there. Just my 2 cents worth (4 cents BZ).

Hi, As I may have said, when they have a full house in the high season they often make a special trip back on Wednesdays to pick up more ice and various supplies to satisfy the needs of all the people. They were taking people back mid week I think for the same price on one of the smaller boats. I am not sure how often this happens so you would have to ask Becky. She is pretty busy and would probably stick to the usual one week package. Just my 4 centsBZ. Greg And as I have said, Becky was accomodating and nice to us. I am not sure why? Maybe because of the nice email that I sent to her sister that she was finally able to find or maybe my patience during all of the chaos. Just something for you to consider when dealing with her.

Edited by: Greggo