3BR Luxury Villa in Corozal

The Space

Kukulkan is a distinctive luxury villa set on a private 50-acre reserve. Designed by Brendan O’Donoghue, a leading designer of Belize’s finest hotels, it was built as the owner’s dream home in 2006 after two years of construction.

The villa is crafted from solid hardwood and elevated on steel beams above the magnificent Macal River Valley. Although surrounded by jungle, Kukulkan offers modern comforts, including floor-to-ceiling windows, efficient air conditioning in every bedroom, and expansive outdoor decks.

Sliding doors from the two master suites and great room open onto the decks, where guests can enjoy meals, barbecues, sunrise views, and frequent sightings of toucans and other birds approximately 20 feet above the ground.

The villa reopened on January 1, 2023, following a major renovation. The work included:

• Sanding and refinishing all solid hardwood floors
• Repainting all walls
• Rebuilding and redesigning a 2,000-square-foot wooden deck
• Adding access to the unique fan-shaped, glass-tiled pool

Hosts and Housekeeping

Isai will be your host and can be contacted before and during your stay to help arrange services and activities. The owner sponsored Isai through school, and he is now an accountant at Francis Ford Coppola hotels in Belize.

Isai’s sister, Esther, and her husband, George, live in their own house on the Kukulkan property. They keep the villa clean and are available full time to assist with anything you may need.

Isai, Esther, and George are all from the village of San Antonio and are of Mayan heritage.

Internet

Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is available throughout the villa and on the outdoor decks. Internet service is generally dependable unless there is a severe storm or a power outage in town.

Air Conditioning and Fans

Each of the villa’s three bedrooms has an efficient, remote-controlled air-conditioning unit. Modern fans are also installed throughout the house.

Many nights are pleasantly cool, so guests may prefer to open the fully screened windows, set the fans to low, and enjoy the fresh air and nighttime sounds. The birds can be especially loud at dawn.

Privacy curtains are provided on all bedroom windows. The two main bedrooms are naturally private, although toucans may occasionally be able to see inside.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Each bedroom has its own distinctive marble bathroom with a large walk-in shower.

The larger master bedroom also includes an additional shower on the deck.

Views and Decks

The villa’s newly rebuilt, 2,000-square-foot elevated decks and large windows overlook the surrounding jungle valley. On the valley-facing side, the villa stands approximately 15 to 20 feet above the ground and features full-length sliding glass windows with spectacular views.

Stargazing

The elevated deck provides exceptional views of the night sky. Guests can lie on the large bath towels or chaise lounges and look directly upward at the stars.

Private Pool

The very private swimming pool is not visible to staff working outside. It is fully tiled with glass and sits at the same elevated level as the decks, offering magnificent views.

The pool can be accessed from:

• The main deck
• The guest bedroom deck
• The hallway

Kayaking and Hiking

Several kayaks are available, along with nearly one mile of riverfront. George will be happy to help bring the kayaks down to the river.

Kukulkan also has miles of private, maintained trails throughout the 50-acre reserve. George can accompany guests on hikes through the property or down to the Macal River.

Mosquitoes are rarely a problem because of the many hills on the reserve.

Wildlife

Keel-billed toucans and aracari toucans frequently visit the trumpet trees beside the villa. Howler monkeys can often be heard in the distance, and occasionally closer and louder, although they remain in the trees.

Kukulkan was designed to feel connected to its natural surroundings.

Dining and Food Services

Esther can prepare a variety of dishes from the villa’s menu at reasonable prices. A full menu is provided after booking. Guests can let the hosts know what they would like so Esther and George can purchase and prepare the necessary ingredients.

George can also arrange an outdoor barbecue. He can grill requested meats or vegetables, or guests may use the wood-fired barbecue themselves.

Esther and George can handle grocery shopping before arrival if guests provide a shopping list. Their services are provided free of charge to guests, although tipping is left to each guest’s discretion.

Available Foods

Esther offers a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, including:

• Escabeche, a traditional Mayan onion soup
• Beef soup
• Chicken soup
• Belizean rice and beans with a choice of meat
• Handmade tamales
• Tacos al pastor
• Empanadas
• Salbutes
• Garnaches
• Burritos
• Quesadillas
• Handmade flour and corn tortillas

Nearby farms can provide homemade Greek or regular yogurt and granola made with milk from their own cows. Ms. Janet of Cool Shade Farm also makes whole-wheat bread.

The hosts can purchase oranges for fresh juice, as well as milk, ice cream, and other supplies. Esther is happy to assist in the kitchen and will clean up the following day.

Desserts

Dessert options include:

• Banana pudding
• Sweet potato pudding
• Bread pudding
• Coconut crust
• Cinnamon rolls
• Banana muffins
• Chocolate chip cookies

Guests should request desserts in advance so the necessary ingredients can be purchased. Pricing is provided beforehand and is very reasonable.

Fresh Juices

Esther and George can prepare fresh:

• Orange juice
• Papaya juice
• Lime juice
• Watermelon juice
• Pineapple juice

The hosts visit the farmers’ market in San Ignacio and can purchase requested items.

Restaurants

Several restaurants are located approximately 10 minutes away in San Ignacio, including San Ignacio Hotel and Guava Limb, as well as restaurants at nearby resorts.

Reservations can be arranged upon request.

Yoga

The large decks overlooking the Macal River Valley provide an ideal setting for individual or group yoga sessions.

Group Accommodation

Kukulkan is well suited to families and small groups of up to 10 people.

Sleeping arrangements include:

• Five beds across three bedrooms
• One double-size futon
• One comfortable couch

Off-Grid Power

Kukulkan operates off the grid with a rooftop solar system and three Tesla Powerwalls. The Powerwalls are housed in a dedicated room beside the garage and provide substantial energy storage.

They are normally charged by the solar arrays and are supported, when necessary, by a 21-kilowatt backup butane generator.

Water System

The villa is fully off-grid for water. Rainwater is collected and pumped by solar power to the property’s water tower.

A gravity-fed system distributes water throughout the villa, including the marble showers. This allows the property to maintain water and power even when services are unavailable in town.

Outdoor Dining

Guests can dine on the main deck, which has outdoor seating for eight. Esther and George can help arrange meals and ensure that everything requested is available at the table.

Transportation and Trips

The hosts can help arrange transportation and activities throughout Belize.

If renting a car, a four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle is recommended because some roads can be rough. The hosts can recommend car rental agencies.

Guests driving themselves can meet George in San Ignacio, where he will lead them to Kukulkan. GPS should not be relied upon entirely in Belize, and the villa can be difficult to find.

Airport and Private Transfers

Guests who prefer not to drive can arrange a reliable pickup from the airport, Belize City, or anywhere else in Belize through a trusted tour guide service used by the owner.

The service knows the villa’s location, and transportation can be booked and paid for in advance. Standard taxis are intended primarily for travel within towns and may not be able to locate the private villa.

Excursions

Guests are encouraged to relax at Kukulkan and enjoy the 50-acre reserve, but licensed tour guides can also be arranged for excursions to:

• Xunantunich
• Caracol
• Pine Ridge Reserve
• Big Rock Falls
• Nearby zip-lining locations
• Tubing on the Macal River

The Cayo region offers many full-day activities. A list of available outings can be provided, either for guests using their own vehicle or with recommended guides who provide pickup and drop-off service.

Guest Access

Guests have access to the entire villa and the full 50-acre reserve.

Additional Information

Upon request, Esther can prepare handmade corn or flour tortillas, as well as traditional local Mayan dishes.