Meet Phil the owner of my favorite spot in Belize, San Miguel Campground.
We drove up to check the place out during our catastrophe as we waited for the van radiator to arrive. All I could think as I parked our rented 4 Runner was how I wished I had GANNET2 to park here. Later we did.
Phil invited us to wander round and check out the river with its splendid swimming hole and even Rusty enjoyed the rocky shallow pools. He is a dog what doesn’t swim.
Phil’s family owns 80,000 acres of forest along Pine Mountain Ridge and they sent him off to Gainesville to learn forestry management.
While in Florida he learned the nuances of organized camping an activity he had enjoyed all his life in Belize.
This was a place I knew I wanted to come back to aboard GANNET2 and spend a few days decompressing after making our repairs. The approach road is an easily traveled three quarter of a mile sandy track but the main road this far is entirely paved.
I knew it would be easy to come back.
This vast pine wood has only five campsites each equipped with a water faucet, a tiki hut and hammock a fire ring with firewood and rustic seats and total silence.
Some people drive this steep road to go swimming but we walked the half mile and enjoyed some epic swims.
At the bottom of the waterfall is a huge deep pool of cool green water. Perfect for a ninety degree day.
Whatever else he learned in the US it’s clear OSHA safety standards were not on the list. No handrails and manage your own life, Belize style. Oh and don’t fall.
Our first visit we were alone and our blood pressure immediately started to drop. Phil said he loves camping and he has explored all these woods over the years.
The other cool thing about the campground is that ten minutes drive brings you to Blancaneaux Lodge, a Francis Ford Coppola property perched in the forest. We paid a visit to pick up pizza after Caracol.
A very nice resort above the Privassion River. A huge generator provides all mod cons and the pizza, Italian sausage and onion for us, was excellent. Mandy and Rob waiting for their pepperoni…
I had a glass of Coppola Chardonnay as we waited to take the pizzas back to the campground.
After our van life colleagues left Layne and I came for dinner. Cocktails, appetizer main course dessert and a bottle of wine was served promptly and efficiently and made for a great meal out in the wilderness. $200 US including a generous tip. For $600 a night it would be a great place to stay. And it has its own airstrip!
We did not want to get locked out of the campground so we left a note as no one was around.
In the event we were back at nine…
I’d stay here over a resort bed in Key West if I were looking for a real getaway. A lovely evening to end Belize on.
