A riverfront eco-retreat with a private beach, seasonal island, paddleboards, and screened lounges. Alma del Rio is a 4BR villa in Cristo Rey, near San Ignacio, sleeping up to 11 guests.
The Space
Alma del Rio is an award-winning riverfront eco-retreat on the Macal River near San Ignacio, Belize. The property includes two homes—Casa Sophia and La Alma—located 40 feet apart. Renting the entire property provides additional privacy, space, and time by the river.
The retreat is situated just 10 minutes from San Ignacio along Pine Ridge Road. Both homes are thoughtfully crafted and nestled in nature, offering a comfortable setting for connection and slow living.
Features and Amenities
- Screened river lounges
- Fast Wi-Fi suitable for remote work
- Daily opportunities to observe colorful birds and wildlife
- Private river beach
- Seasonal secluded island
- Complimentary paddleboards
- Inflatable kayak
- Picnic equipment
- Towels
- Water shoes
- Cooler
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Spacious dining area
- Hot and cold showers
- Board games
- Food forest and herb garden
- Tropical fruit
- Coffee and tea
- Handmade soaps
- On-site massage services
- Traditional Maya cooking classes
- Children and pets welcome
Follow the path to the private river beach and seasonal secluded island, or relax by the water while enjoying the surrounding wildlife and fruit trees.
Eco-Friendly Design
The homes are designed with sustainability in mind and include:
- Solar hot water
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Biodegradable products
- Minimal plastic use
- Passive cooling and natural river breezes
There is no air conditioning, but the river breezes and passive cooling help keep the rooms comfortable.
Nature and Surroundings
This is a true jungle environment. Guests may encounter insects or small creatures, hear geckos clicking at night, and occasionally notice traffic during rush hours on Pine Ridge Road. These sounds are part of the natural soundtrack of Belize.
Location
Alma del Rio is close to:
- ATM Cave
- Caracol Ruins
- Mountain Pine Ridge
- Barton Creek Cave
- San Ignacio Market
- Jungle adventures
With its riverfront setting, wellness experiences, and connection to local culture, Alma del Rio offers a nature-focused escape near San Ignacio where comfort and the natural environment come together.
Guest reviews
5.0
· 31 reviews
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Accuracy
5.0
Communication
5.0
Location
5.0
Check-in
5.0
Value
What guests are saying
5
Bekah
3 weeks ago
We had an incredible time! We didn’t get to stay long enough we will definitely be back. The screen porch area was my absolute favorite. We took a group of nine of us. My little family of three stayed in the Sophia. We loved it. The shower and all the Eco amenities made my heart happy!
5
Tye
4 weeks ago
The houses are located in a perfect location that is close enough to San Ignacio to make it extremely convenient but far enough away for it to be quite and peaceful. The host is amazing, and made the trip perfect!
5
Beth
2 months ago
Staying at Alma's was like living in a jungle paradise. The 5 of us loved exploring the grounds of the property in between our tours and adventures. The 2 houses on the property were perfect. Our adult children slept in one of the houses and a few steps away my husband and I stayed in the other house. Fresh fruit on the property was a highlight...fresh off the tree star fruit and mangos were delicious! We highly recommend Alma's and would definitely stay here again!
5
Lynnette
5 months ago
Alma del Rio exceeded our expectations. Our group consisted of 4 couples with varying experiences of travel abroad....and every single one of us loved this property. The host, Hadas, was very responsive to questions and all of her recommendations were excellent. She put in extra effort to meet our requests. The amount of detail that she put into furnishing the houses is incredible! Gorgeous furniture and thoughtful supplies for our every need. Her daughter Alma crafted unique ornaments for purchase; really a priceless souvenir. Air conditioning in each bedroom was a lifesaver. Abundant clean drinking water. Fresh fruit in the garden. Stunning views of the river. We had massages on the porch, don't miss this experience! To set your expectations accordingly...there are no amenities within walking distance. The property is tucked away and feels private, but there is a major road close by and you can hear the traffic. The bedrooms are not as private as we hoped. Stay here!
5
Lisa
9 months ago
Our only regret was not staying longer! We absolutely loved our stay. We loved all the excursions she helped us with! We loved the bird expert and the home cooked meal. Everything was just perfect and we would highly recommend this place, this host, this stay. It was a little slice of heaven! Thank you!!
5
Hailey
10 months ago
This home was truly unique and felt like being immersed in the jungle. We had everything we needed and loved the incredible wildlife experience - watching birds and monkeys right from the property, with plenty of toucan sightings, was unforgettable. And we loved gathering at the outdoor kitchen! A couple things future guests may want to know: the home is near a main highway, so you can hear road traffic early in the morning and later at night. Also, while it technically sleeps the number listed, it’s best suited for families or groups who are very comfortable sharing space, as there are open walls, sliding doors, and the bathroom is not fully sealed off. That said, it was a wonderful stay and a special experience we’ll remember for a long time.
5
Wassilissa
1 year ago
What beautiful eco houses in the jungle. So much attention to detail in the construction of the homes. The kids stayed in Sophia, and we were in La Alma. The screened off living room was an absolute joy. We got up to watch the birds, and chill, and ended up spending lots of time there. The rain was lovely on the metal roof. And it was great to see the Howler monkeys down by the river. Hadas and Alma were great, too. Good intro, mostly left us to ourselves, and stayed available, if needed. Perfect for us. There is a road nearby, but the privacy was very nice, and it was quiet most of the time. The rooms (including the bathroom) are not super isolated, but if you’re all friendly, its not a problem. The kitchen is well stocked and easy to cook meals, though restaurants are nearby as well. Overall, we loved the property, and definitely recommend it!
5
Alexis
1 year ago
Loved every part of the stay. The property and homes themselves are beautiful and thoughtfully put together and all of the amenities made it feel comfortable and homey. The screened in porches were perfect to relax and unwind for a bit. They also offer add-ons like a home chef, massages, tour/activity bookings etc. It is a one stop shop!
5
Lacey
1 year ago
We had the best time at La Alma cottages! Hadas had everything we needed, (I cannot express this enough) our stay didn't feel like a house but a home! Hadas was more than a host but a trust worthy guide and a friend. Thank you Hadas for the amazing stay. We can't wait to come back!
5
Amy
1 year ago
Alma’s property is absolutely beautiful - the plantings, the river, the birds and monkeys! Both houses are so well done - beautiful and comfortable. The lounge rooms with the views of the jungle and river were so relaxing. We highly recommend having Dora cook you a meal. And birding with Andy is also recommended. All around great experience.
Location
Location shown is approximate (within 1km radius)
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