Entrance to Villa
Welcome to Riverside Villa, a newly constructed villa in a very secluded and serene setting on the banks of Privassion Creek. This creek flows through the largely undeveloped Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in the Cayo District of western Belize. It is a charming and romantic get away for adventuresome couples, honeymooners or any one seeking a quiet retreat . It is a truly unusual location on the banks of a gorgeous river where the Mountain Pine Ridge and the jungle meet. The villa is privately owned but managed by the friendly and capable staff of the adjacent Five Sister's Lodge who can help visitors plan any of the many activities in the area. A full kitchen is provided but guests can also take all meals at the lodge's lovely restaurant over looking beautiful Five Sister's Falls or even have meals delivered from the lodge to enjoy inthe privacy of the villa.
Riverside Villa consists of two log and thatch cabañas connected by an open air deck. The cheerful sleeping cabana which holds the bedroom and bathroom is warmly furnished with a bamboo bed and Mayan fabrics and wall hangings. The full bath contains a fancifully tiled bathtub and beautiful hardwood furnishings. A screened in porch at one end of the bedroom has a hammock as well as two chairs. It is nestled into the trees and overlooks the garden with the river just beyond.
Exterior of Riverside Villa
Bedroom furnished with queen sized bamboo bed and mayan weavings
The larger cabaña contains a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, writing desk and a small library. It is surrounded on four sides with fully screened porches arranged into relaxed and comfortable living spaces. Hammocks and seating areas are situated to take advantage of the tropical gardens as well as the entrancing views of the river. All furnishings are locally made by Belizean craftsman. Colorful Mayan rugs, fabrics and wall hangings complete the cozy ambiance of the interior.
For those who prefer to dine outdoors, a beautiful picnic table faces the water with the pines and ferns across the creek. It is an especially lovely spot under the full moon. The smaller “river deck” is an intimate spot to enjoy morning coffee or to watch the sun slip behind the pines in the evening. Nighttime brings a soothing chorus of tree frogs from the surrounding jungle, a perfect ending to the day.
Morning sun on the river in front of the villa
Handcrafted picnic table, bench and chairs for dinners overlooking the river
There are many activities nearby for those who wish an active vacation. The lodge can arrange for horseback visits to the jungle as well as canoeing trips into the caves of Barton creek or along the peaceful Macal River. The Mayan ruins of Caracol and Xunantunich are common day trips from the Pine Ridge as is the somewhat longer trip over the Guatemalan border to the famous ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. There is also a lovely nature trail which takes guests from the steps of the villa through lush broadleaf jungle and on to a private waterfall on Little Vaqueros Creek. A steeper trail to nearby Big Rock falls rewards hikers with a stunning waterfall in a gorgeous natural setting.
Those looking for a relaxing vacation will find Riverside to be a very peaceful haven. The decks and gardens provide a lovely spot to enjoy the view and watch the birds and butterflies. A palapa at the waters edge has two comfortable hammocks that are perfect for enjoying a book on a lazy afternoon. The fast flowing section of the creek in front of the villa has numerous small swimming holes and a large slow moving pool is just a minute's walk down stream. The base of Five Sister's Waterfall is a short walk up stream. This beautiful waterfall has a lovely white sand beach, excellent swimming, a shaded gazebo and a thatched palapa furnished with hammocks.
The river deck
The majority of visitors to the interior of Belize come to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings as well as the abundance of bird and animal life. Riverside Villa was created to take advantage of the surroundings while protecting the environment. Water is gravity fed to the villa from a pure spring high above in the hills (providing abundant pressure) and then passed through a state of the art water filtration system. Electricity is provided by the hydro powered generator at Five Sister's Lodge and the eco-friendly septic system is designed to avoid polluting the pristine river.
Screened porch with a view of gardens and the river
Garden areas as seen from back porch
The location of Riverside is one of it's best features. It is accessed by a 4 wheel drive driveway (and most rental cars in Belize are 4 wheel drive) and a short trail to the villa. Luggage transfer is provided by the lodge for guests who do not have a rental car. Guests should be prepared with a light jacket or sweater in the evenings as the riverside location brings cooler temperatures in the evenings than in surrounding areas. Visits to Riverside Villa are intended to be a natural retreat. There are an abundance of screened in porch areas and open decks where guests can enjoy the view of the river as well as the birds and butterflies flitting through the gardens. The secluded and beautiful setting, the amenities of the villa, the proximity to the charming Five Sister's Lodge and the many activities in the area will provide adventurous travelers with an unforgettable visit to Belize.
Travel to Five Sister's Lodge can be arranged in a number of ways. Five Sister's Lodge can meet your flight and provide van service directly to the lodge. Guests can rent a car at the airport and drive out to the Pine Ridge which is about 2.5 to 3 hours drive.
| Additional Photos of Riverside Villa, Belize Click on images to enlarge in a new window |
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Contact Information |
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Five Sisters Lodge & Tours |
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Rates
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2 night minimum |
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