Following a wonderful week in the mountains of Belize at Blancaneaux Lodge, we spent an equally terrific - although quite different - six nights at Kanantik - the rare combination of a long, private white beach on the Caribbean with jungle out the backdoor. Within the several hundred acres owned by Kanantik, there are two water holes, one just a five minute walk from our casita with a second story viewing blind. The first time there we spent nearly two hours - not knowing the time went by - mesmerized by the animal life below and about us: a huge crocodile, turtles, agouti (the favorite food of jaguars - who supposedly haunt the property but the most anyone has seen is a pawprint), iguanas of all sizes and colors (one as big as a German shepherd) and many gorgeous birds and butterflies - wait till you see your first Blue Morpho - the national butterfly of Belize - Wow! All excursions are included in the price - and each one we took was absolutely great in every respect. The day spent snorkeling on the barrier reef will always be unforgettable for us - the coral and fish and clarity of waters better than anyplace else we have visited. We canoed through mangrove swamps and hiked the jaguar preserve - all with topnotch guides, who were more than knowledgeable, they were unfailingly kind. The owner of Kanantik, Roberto, is very present - and that is a very good thing. His standards are impeccably high - and that reflects onto everything at the resort. I was concerned with brushing my teeth - water from the faucet - since no bottled water was provided - only to find that all the water in Kanantik is filtered - you can drink the water in the shower. The casitas are very comfortable with romantic mosquito netted king beds - even though there are very few mosquitoes. The food is amazingly excellent. There is a set menu for every lunch and dinner but you are made very welcome to order anything you want - at all! If possible, they will do it. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary at Kanantik - I will say most of the other guests were in their 20s and 30s, our kids' ages - but that was no matter. Our actual anniversary was on a Saturday night. Roberto has a real Italian wood-burning pizza oven out on one of the patios and Saturday night is pizza night. He said, would you rather have lobster, or steak? No. Instead we ate under the moonlight on the beach the best pizza we have ever eatten accompanied by a bottle of great French champagne. Nothing could have been better. We highly recommend Kanantik. Every member of the staff is well-trained, personable and as nice as could be. They will take good care of you!! We can't imagine why TripAdvisor gives them 3 stars - they are a five star!!!

Roberto and Kanantik staff,

"Spending our honeymoon at Kanantik was a wonderful place to begin our new life together. The resort was exactly as we hoped for and the week we spent at Kanantik with all the wonderful staff was relaxing and exciting at the same time. We look forward to seeing you all again sometime"

Tim and Jenny, Florida, May 2005

When I travel, I look for good value. Now, this can mean a tent on the ground or a $700 hotel. Kanantik is not cheap, but it is a very good value. Relaxed but cordial service, dining worthy of the resort, plenty of activities to entice you out of your cabana, and romantic cabanas that entice you to stay indoors. This resort has 2 private diveboats, sea kayaks, etc. all at your disposal. The owner, Roberto, is a great character. I WILL go back to Kanantik the next time I'm in Belize. One word of caution: at some times of the year, like on any coastal area, there can be biting flies. Bring DEET (30-50%) just in case. After a few pina coladas though, you probably won't notice anyway. Oh yes, and this is NOT a place for children or teenagers. Leave the kids at home and enjoy this one by yourselves.

--John Tintinalli

Our stay at Kanantik was by far the best vacation we have ever taken. We arrived on Sunday, pale-skinned and tired from our crazy lives in New York City. After 6 glorious days at Kanantik, we departed relaxed, well-rested, and tanned (and very, very sad to leave). On the plane ride home, we kept saying, "if we were still at Kanantik right now, we'd be eating or sitting by the pool or having drinks at the bar."

The resort is spectacular, and the preservation of nature within the grounds is a sight to be seen. The cabana was beautiful and comfortable. We especially appreciated all of the Belizean handiwork that went into the cabana's construction and the furniture. We miss waking up to the birds chirping and sound of the waves crashing on the beach.

The staff was incredibly warm, friendly and knowledgeable. Their willingness to share their experiences in Belize taught us about a special place in the world, and now in our hearts.

We have already recommended Kanantik to some friends and will continue to do so with extreme pleasure. We will be hard-pressed to find another place in the world that will compare to Kanantik and can't wait to visit again."