I did quite a bit of research before settling on Matachica for our stay on Ambergris Caye. There were a ton of options, and we were looking for something boutique, relatively luxury, small, with easy access to good snorkeling. It ended up being a great choice for us.
Matachica may not be (err...definitely is not) the cheapest place on Ambergris Caye, nor is it for people who really want to be near San Pedro. It's not really near a lot of anything, except fish, which is just how we wanted it.
Matachica may not be (err...definitely is not) the cheapest place on Ambergris Caye, nor is it for people who really want to be near San Pedro. It's not really near a lot of anything, except fish, which is just how we wanted it.
Dock at Matachica
Most days we kayaked out to the reef on our own (it's about a 15 minute paddle, depending on your kayaking skillz...ours were shoddy on day one, but improved), where there is a buoy (did you know that British say buoy as 'boy'? Total confusion when the lovely British couple asks on your return, where's the boy? Uh, what boy? We sorted it out with a chuckle).
The fish and reef right in front of the property is beautful, with tons to see. Every day we went out we saw something new. All equipment is free to use, and they had plenty of equipment for all of their guests, including kayaks, hobie cats, snorkels and fins (we brought our own snorkels, but I did use their fins).
The fish and reef right in front of the property is beautful, with tons to see. Every day we went out we saw something new. All equipment is free to use, and they had plenty of equipment for all of their guests, including kayaks, hobie cats, snorkels and fins (we brought our own snorkels, but I did use their fins).
We Learned How to Kayak Together...Eventually!
We also did two snorkeling trips with them, both of which were great and small, and we were really pleased with our guide. If you want to go in a more intimate group to some of the snorkeling sites, I'd definitely consider staying somewhere that does their own trips and limits the number of people. We really prefer smaller groups, so this worked well for us (8 of us went to Hol Chan, only 4 to Mexico Rocks).
And the ever important question--food! A continental breakfast was included in our rate, and instead of a buffet, they crafted a plate for you from different options, which was really nice. I fell in love with the Fry Jack with beans that was served...delicious. I'd never eat something like that for breakfast at home, of course, but on vacation....why not? A hot Fry Jack doesn't really "continental" to me either, so it was a pleasant surprise.
Lunch and dinner were certainly not cheap, but no food on Ambergris really seems to be "cheap". Coming from DC we are accustomed to high food prices, and we weren't really trying to be cheap. And....we may have opted for lobster and other deliciousness, which didn't help. We tried quite a few things on the menu, and all were good. Some were fantastic, and some were just tasty, but nothing left me pining for something else.
We had a smaller cabana that wasn't beachfront, but it was probably a hundred steps to the beach. The cabanas are all named by fruits (i.e. Pineapple, Lime..we had Banana, and yes it was bright yellow), which is cute....I'm a sucker for things like that. Our cabana was sparkling clean with a large shower, with more than enough hot water (and I can run through a tank of hot-water like no one you've ever met).
As with much of the beach on Ambergris, there isn't much sand, and there is a lot of seaweed in the water right away. Matachica also has a nice dock/pier with chairs, and it's easy to swim under the dock if you just want to cool off.
The one complaint we had is that a few of the bartenders were pretty delinquent in bringing drinks to the pool area--they'd come out and ask you for your order, or you'd go to the bar and order, and it would be 30 minutes at least before your drinks would appear. Some of the bartenders were awesome, bringing ice water with lemon around for everyone, but others really left something to be desired. We tend to not get worked up about stuff like that and just tip accordingly, but if it bothers you, now you know.
Want more reasons to like Matachica (in no particular order)?
1. Enormous mudslides.
2. Great mojitos.
3. Jacuzzi (super if you get cold, like me, snorkeling!)
4. Lots of fluffy clean towels.
5. L'Occitane bath products.
6. Super-easy and well scheduled transfers to/from the airstrip.
7. Scheduled free taxi service to/from San Pedro.
Those mudslides...I'd go back just for those enormous delicious mudslides....well I'd actually go back for lots of reasons, but those just seem particularly appetizing right now....
Where did you stay on Ambergris Caye? Any recommendations for those heading to Belize?
And the ever important question--food! A continental breakfast was included in our rate, and instead of a buffet, they crafted a plate for you from different options, which was really nice. I fell in love with the Fry Jack with beans that was served...delicious. I'd never eat something like that for breakfast at home, of course, but on vacation....why not? A hot Fry Jack doesn't really "continental" to me either, so it was a pleasant surprise.
Lunch and dinner were certainly not cheap, but no food on Ambergris really seems to be "cheap". Coming from DC we are accustomed to high food prices, and we weren't really trying to be cheap. And....we may have opted for lobster and other deliciousness, which didn't help. We tried quite a few things on the menu, and all were good. Some were fantastic, and some were just tasty, but nothing left me pining for something else.
We had a smaller cabana that wasn't beachfront, but it was probably a hundred steps to the beach. The cabanas are all named by fruits (i.e. Pineapple, Lime..we had Banana, and yes it was bright yellow), which is cute....I'm a sucker for things like that. Our cabana was sparkling clean with a large shower, with more than enough hot water (and I can run through a tank of hot-water like no one you've ever met).
As with much of the beach on Ambergris, there isn't much sand, and there is a lot of seaweed in the water right away. Matachica also has a nice dock/pier with chairs, and it's easy to swim under the dock if you just want to cool off.
The one complaint we had is that a few of the bartenders were pretty delinquent in bringing drinks to the pool area--they'd come out and ask you for your order, or you'd go to the bar and order, and it would be 30 minutes at least before your drinks would appear. Some of the bartenders were awesome, bringing ice water with lemon around for everyone, but others really left something to be desired. We tend to not get worked up about stuff like that and just tip accordingly, but if it bothers you, now you know.
Want more reasons to like Matachica (in no particular order)?
1. Enormous mudslides.
2. Great mojitos.
3. Jacuzzi (super if you get cold, like me, snorkeling!)
4. Lots of fluffy clean towels.
5. L'Occitane bath products.
6. Super-easy and well scheduled transfers to/from the airstrip.
7. Scheduled free taxi service to/from San Pedro.
Those mudslides...I'd go back just for those enormous delicious mudslides....well I'd actually go back for lots of reasons, but those just seem particularly appetizing right now....
Where did you stay on Ambergris Caye? Any recommendations for those heading to Belize?
Pool Area
