TINA'S BACKPACKERS HOSTEL SOLD - NOW OPEN - YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE - also known as TINA'S BACKPACKERS

Spend your day with Juni

2012-01-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

Snorkling tour by Juni
Photo's © Stephane Gabbey

A great fishing trip ... a great meal ... a great night at Yuma's House Belize

2012-01-25T10:32:00.003-08:00

Fishing Tour by Harrison aka Caveman
Photos © Stephane Gabbay

The Split - Caye Caulker, Belize

2012-01-24T16:51:00.000-08:00

THE LAUGHS AND CRIES OF AN OLD-FASHIONED HOSTEL OWNER

2012-01-04T07:30:00.001-08:00

My brag and nag report of running Yuma’s House – even though today’s blog will be mostly a nag report.

I often said we have the most amazing guests here; backpacker’s are unique and amazing from January to November. In December we get more vacationers than backpacker’s and things are not so smooth and I’m wondering what happened to good old fashion courtesy while staying in a hostel.

A hostel is a community house; you must come with a sense of community. There should be no need that I tell you the house rules, you should know them by yourselves.

Of course there is a quiet time at Yuma’s House!

We have lots of divers here.

If you are on a rum-tour around the world check into a party hostel. There is a great party hostel on Caye Caulker.

Of course there are no outside guests!

Yuma’s House does not come with a built in bar or nightclub! Check yourself into an-open door hostel, hotel or rent yourself a cabana or house if you can’t afford to join the local nightlife. For $ 12.50 US a night we can’t afford to pay for your friend’s trash removal, toilet paper, water and septic tank usage. We also don’t care for additional crowds screaming on our premises or the safety problems that come with outside guests.

Of course Yuma’s House has a no-drug policy!

Drugs are illegal in the entire country.

I was shocked to read in Nates blog (see below) about the old creep - rent yourself a private room if you are a creep or if you are two 19 year old kids that need to shag.

Come with some respect for your travel community - if you rent a bed in a shared room – bring even more respect. You are sharing a room with four people – of course you can only use the bed you are paying for and any sexual activity belongs into a private room.

If you are not familiar with respecting others - choose a different place.

You are on vacation; you should have the best time of your life, but not while stepping on other traveler’s toes or mine for that matter.

If you are on a tight budget and feel the style at Yuma’s is too tight for you have plenty of options.

Caye Caulker is wonderful with so many different kinds of accommodations to choose from in a wide price range there is the perfect spot for everyone.

Read about Nates and Jessica Caye Caulker Experience and their stay at Yuma’s House. To read their full article please go on their blog link:

http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/blog-675768.html

Caye Caulker: We stayed at Yuma’s right on the beach. Suzanne is great and runs a tight ship. It’s a good place to meet people and there are enough rules enforced to make sure you can get some sleep at night as well. It was 25 BZ for a dorm bed per night.

We completely lucked out when we saw that the place we had booked at was literally right next to the pier we had to walk down.

We walked up to the lady in charge of the hostel we were staying at and introduced ourselves. Right away you could tell she was a nice, but she definitely laid down the law. No outside guests, quiet time at 11pm, no drugs, checkout at 10am, etc. She was adamant about people understanding and obeying the rules but that was cool with us.

With the price of rooms being so expensive here, we opted to stay in a 4 bed dorm room. I wish we could say we slept well, but with a couple of dildos laughing and talking loud right outside of our door, it was just about impossible. Where were these guys from I wonder? Oh yeah, the USA. To any non-Americans reading this, we promise we’re not all like that. Don’t get us wrong, we know that there are certain things you have to deal with when you stay in a dorm. If you don’t want to deal with people not being respectful or not caring if it’s 2 in the morning and you traveled all day and just want to get some sleep, you better reconsider your accommodation. Well, we’ve already learned to take the good with the bad and got as much sleep as we could.

We’d like to say we got to make up for lost sleep in the morning, but that just wouldn’t be the case with a group of people laughing and joking around right outside our door at 7 am.

After lying there for another hour and a half while desperately trying to fall back asleep, we decided it was time to get up and get some breakfast. One of the really nice things about the hostel is that we could use one of TWO kitchens, which meant we were eating egg sandwiches in the morning without having to go to a restaurant.

With food in our stomachs we were ready to head out and do some exploring. It’s hard to describe the vibe on Caye Caulker. It’s a little bit of Garifuna mixed with some expats, tourists, and some loud ass ghetto wannabes thrown into the mix. The island itself really is beautiful and the water was pretty refreshing when we were baking in the sun…that is when the sun came out. Our few days here would see a decent amount of rain, but not TOO bad.

Yuma’s was a great place to meet new friends - but staying in dorms obviously has their ups and downs. Who knows, maybe you have a creepy ass old man in your room who somehow thought it was appropriate to masturbate with everyone in the room. Yeah, no joke. The guy’s bed was the top bunk above Nate. We decided to watch a TV show on the Ipod to relax before bed, so we were both in that bottom bunk. You could feel the whole thing shaking randomly as he looked through his Ipod or phone or whatever. For whatever reason it's just easier to stomach being woken in the middle of the night to the feeling of the entire bunk shaking back and forth by to two 19 year old kids shagging as opposed to the rhythm of a guy…well, you know where we’re going with this. Nasty ass old man. Thank God at least he didn’t start moaning or anything. I swear Nate would have been scarred for life! So gross!

With the holidays coming up, we were going to have to keep moving as the place we were staying at had a ton of reservations coming in for Christmas.

Christmas Potluck Dinner at Yuma's House 2011

2012-01-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

Belize - Tales of wanderlust in Latin America

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

I didn’t really know what to expect from this little corner of Central America however, I found much to fall in love with.

The Belizean population is composed of a number of different people groups – Indigenous, Caribbean, Creole, Central American refugees, and others – which results in a very accepting tolerant perspective and a society full of niches. Their culture caters to so many preferences and for this reason I found travelers are easily persuades to stay longer than anticipated, myself being one of them.

I entered Belize from the Mexican border and after a bus, plane (there was a 50% off seat sale!) and boat I arrive in Caye Caulker the same day. My plan was to wing it in terms of accommodations and it turned out better than expected.

I happened upon Yuma’s Place (http://www.yumashousebelize.com) , an adorable hostel right on the beach, and in no time I was part of that family. I really do mean family in the truest sense of the word. The hub of travelers that came, went and stayed during my week at Yuma’s were some of the warmest, accepting, friendly and hilarious foreigners I’ve experienced. Absolute shenanigans and absolutely rich. It was exactly what I needed at the outset of my journey to get me in the flow of meeting people and to realize the necessity of these nomad communities. Even though I left Canada solo, in no way do I have to be alone as I travel.

Belize’s biggest downfall in the eyes of backpackers is that it is not cheap. I was spending nearly as much as I would in a week in Edmonton. That said, I couldn’t stay long. A Belgian man, Koen, who was also staying at Yuma’s, was leaving for San Ignacio so I took this opportunity and ventured with him to Belize’s interior. We had heard raving reviews about the ATM caves near San Ignacio so I figured it was the perfect place to stop over and explore before heading to Guatemala. The caves were not cheap but it was worth every penny. For the Mayans these caves were the site of human sacrifice so along with amazing rock structures, stalactites, and stalagmites, there were numerous artifacts and skeletal remains. It was discovered only a few decades ago so everything is very preliminary and authentic. I feel like 15 years from now it will all be very different.

Also at Yuma’s I met an American woman, Paradise, who was doing an internship at the botanical gardens near San Ignacio. While we were there we met up with her one afternoon at a Rasta bar for a drink. As we were drinking our beers she introduced us to a friend of hers that happened to stop in. I never really got an official name so all I know him as is ‘The True Rastafari’ and believe me he looks the part! It turns out he is a herbal man, trained by his aunt in Jamaica and does various treatments using traditional Mayan herbs – enough said I wanted a part of this. In Belize I was feasted on by sandflies one morning so my skin was ripe with bites and in need of respite. Also, Paradise mentioned he gave her a hair treatment and showed me all the new growth on her scalp – again, enough said, I was in! The Rastafari took Koen and I to his cultural center (basically a backyard with a small herb garden and a bench) and proceeded to mash-up the leaves of a plant whose name escapes me at the moment. He patted all my bites down with this leave paste then started with the aloe: fresh-cut aloe everywhere on my body. It was kind of glorious, it felt like I was swimming in a layer of silk and surprisingly, being rubbed down by a skinny old Rasta stranger was not really that creepy. His herb treatment was pretty basic so my conclusion is that he is more of a Rastafari than a herbal man. None the less it was a gem of an experience. To top this off, it turns out he is a recorded musician too so obviously I had to by one of his albums.

Thank you Belize, it was truly a pleasure.

by lanajoym

http://ramblinggems.com/2011/11/09/belize/

Kayaking with Purpose

2011-12-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

While Caye Caulker is well known for its laid back and slow pace, it is full of active water sports and activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and many more.

During my visit to Caye Caulker, one of the activities that caught my attention the most was kayaking. But not just any kayaking, it was kayaking with Ocean Academy.

Since Caye Caulker is a small island with a small population, it didn’t have the means to provide for a public high school – so all kids had to either drop out or go to San Pedro to continue their education. Education in Belize is not free, and for some families this is an expense outside their limited budget. But in September 2008, Ocean Academy –a non-profit community high school– opened its doors to provide a high school education to local residents. While the school is much more affordable than going to San Pedro, students still need to pay for their education, either with paid tuition or with tuition credits like community service. And, here’s where kayaking comes in…

As a way to earn tuition credit and gain valuable job training, many of the 60 students of Ocean Academy volunteer to guide visitors around Caye Caulker; either by foot, bicycle, or kayak.

A pair of Ocean Academy high school students introduce visitors to island life including its history, community, plants, animals, and sea creatures. Just as the school’s motto is “Preserving our Heritage, Creating our Future,” the students share their unique perspective of how they value the roots and the careful development of their precious island.

I personally don’t consider this to be another tourist activity, as it is mostly a way to interact with the kids in the local community, see Caye Caulker through their own knowledge and experience, and at the same time, help and encourage them to continue their studies with the small donation given for their time.

I did the kayaking trip with a group of six kids from the school, and we kayaked the northeastern shores of Caye Caulker, the split, and the western shores where there are a few underwater caves and where sometimes the manatees can be spotted.

What made this kayaking experience much better than just renting a kayak is the fact that I had the kids showing me everything around the island, and all their tricks and secrets. I had Mercedes as leader, a bright young girl looking to become a marine biologist. As she paddled with me on same kayak, she fed me all the information she knew about the island, sea, and current events – in addition of sharing her passion for sea life.

The other kids, spread in two extra kayaks, did also their part by looking for stuff to show me – like the freaky six legged star, different fish types, and the underwater cave entrance.

One of the moments that impressed me the most was when Kyle told me from a distance, “if we go to that specific spot we might find a sea horse”. We paddled our way there, and indeed, there was a sea horse!! This was the first time I had seen a seahorse in the open ocean, and it was beautiful!

These kids know these waters like the back of their hand.

By the end of the trip, we stopped to feed the Tarpon Fish. Usually you put the bait on the water surface and the Tarpon will jump and suck it right out of your hand, but in my case, they were all lazy so they only ate the bait when it went deep in the water (which I’m glad because I didn’t want a fish sucking my hand!).

I believe this is a different way to get to enjoy the island while creating a positive impact.

The cost of a “Meet the Island With a Student” is a donation of $30 BZD per person to Ocean Academy (not including the bicycle or kayak which can be rented at a variety of places on the island).

Arrangements can be made through Ocean Academy’s website contact form or through the Sea Dreams Hotel (the local sponsor of Ocean Academy’s “Meet the Island With a Student” Visitors Program) by emailing reservations (at) seadreamshotel (dot) com.

The students are available when school is not in session (weekends, holidays, and summer).

I highly recommend doing this while in Caye Caulker, but if you’re not able to schedule a “Meet the Island With a Student” session during your time in the island, you can always donate to the school to help with students’ tuition.

by NORBERT

MANUEL’S JUNGLE

2011-10-27T16:44:00.001-07:00

We have a collaboration going that might interest you if your are planning to travel to San Ignacio / Belize.

YOUR PERSONAL JUNGLE TRIP NEAR SAN IGNACIO:

MANUEL’S JUNGLE

I had an incredible time and as you know, Manuel is such good guy and his love for nature and the jungle is infectious.

Manuel brought his six-year-old nephew, Matthew, to the jungle and he’s a real character. Knows his way round with a machete already and equally knows the jungle very well, learning it all from Manuel. Manuel is very talented at getting a fire going in any conditions ... a pretty vital talent in the jungle and his kitchen runs efficiently there. He cooked great food, as you predicted, and we just sat and watched the jungle from his cabana.

During your time in MANUEL’S JUNGLE you have a chance to go on nature walks, learn about ecological farming, jungle medicines, hear and see the howler and spider monkeys, white hawks, and butterflies. Or just relax and really hear yourself breathe...

We also did a good 45 minute trek down into the canyon, followed the path of the dried up stream and Manuel macheted our way around! He pointed out great examples of various trees and bushes they use for medicine and we also visited his farm with papaya, kava, sugar cane, chaya, plantains, yams etc planted, which was incredible to see in the middle of the jungle! I slept very well and awoke to some howler monkeys ... not a bad way to wake up. We trekked out in the morning and met his father along the way who still makes his living from the bush.

Thanks so much for making the connections. Amy

QUICK FACTS:

Manuel's Jungle is located in the jungle surrounding Santa Familia Village near San Ignacio in the Cayo District.

Manuel is a local Belizean farmer from Santa Familia Village who has constructed adobe thatched cabanas for guests on a hilltop overlooking his land and farm.

Your first day/night in the jungle is $ 75 BZ for 1 person; $ 65 BZ per person for a group of 2 people or $ 60 BZ per person for groups of 3 to 5 people. You provide your own food as well and Manuel does the cooking. He is a fantastic chef and will give you a beautiful jungle tour that is authentic and peaceful. It's an unforgettable experience.

The next day you could leave the jungle and travel to your next destination or you can extend your time in the jungle if you want to spend several days.

For bookings for 1 to 5 people please email to: manuelhumes@hotmail.com

2011-10-17T10:38:00.003-07:00

KICKING BACK IN CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE BEACHES

2011-10-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

By Amy Mulcair

BBC TRAVEL with LONLEY PLANET

Belize, on the northeast coast of Central America, embodies a wonderful mix of Spanish and Caribbean influences, particularly on its cayes (pronounced “keys”), a series of very small islands northeast of Belize City.

Set in the turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea and an hour’s boat ride from Belize City, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker have managed to retain an unspoiled and traditional feel while providing good facilities for tourists. This is mainly due to the ongoing efforts of the locals and resident expats who have fought off big developments. Caye Caulker is considered the more budget conscious of the two. Ambergris Caye has more up-market restaurants and hotels without losing its roots. The boat ride to the cayes is a treat in itself but there are some flights to the tiny airstrip if your sea legs fail you.

Unlike Jamaica, Barbados or even the Dominican Republic, Caye Caulker does not have all-inclusive resorts where it can be hard to get a feel for the locals and their culture. Things have stayed small and accessible with a range of hotels, guesthouses and hostels to choose from, and everything is in walking distance of, well, everything. There are very few cars on the island; most transport is by golf buggy or bike. You can walk from end to end, about five miles, in an hour.

The ocean surrounding Caye Caulker is part of a marine reserve, full of tropical fish, manta rays, dolphins, sharks and turtles. Scuba divers from all over the world come to the 400ft-deep, shark-filled Blue Hole, and the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, is located about one mile from shore. There are lots of companies running tours to both and offering scuba diving lessons with full PADI qualifications. Carlos and his snorkelling tours (his office is on Front Street beside Café Y Amor) are well respected. If you ask around, enterprising local fishermen will also bring you out to the reef for snorkelling, a cold beer and a chat about life. Other operators offer full and half day sailing tours, fishing expeditions for snapper and barracuda or bigger catch in deeper waters.

Otherwise, Caye Caulker is a great spot to do very little for a week or two. Caribbean life in general moves at a slow pace, and out there you can happily pass the days just eating, drinking and lying on the beach.

Start with a breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, bagels or granola on the deck of Café Y Amor (Front Street), with views of the colourful tropical birds and flowers and the latest local gossip. This is the best place in town for fresh coffee but they close in the afternoon after lunch, so plan accordingly.

The Split is a small beach, but it is also the best; other parts of the island have sea grass growing at the water’s edge which makes swimming difficult. This is not the kind of beach where you rent an umbrella but it is where everyone hangs out, including the locals. More importantly it is where lunch is delivered to your beach towel, courtesy of Charles the tamale man who cycles by regularly with fresh chicken or vegetable options. Wash them down with a Belikin beer (dark or light) from the Lazy Lizard, a wooden shack of a beach bar that opens around noon and serves a good happy hour special for most of the day.

The beach is also the perfect place to catch the sunset. Order a sundowner cocktail from the bar and salute another laid back perfect day by the Caribbean. The reliable dinner option at most places is a tasty dish of rice, beans and chicken, hot sauce optional. Alternatively, locals set up informal fish grills by the water and sell passers-by plates of whatever the fresh catch of the day is along with rice, beans and fried plantains for about $5. Lobster is also available, in season, at a very reasonable price. The I&I bar (off the south end of Front Street) is an institution on the island and another good spot for the sunset or to listen to reggae music into the later hours.

Yuma’s is a great hostel by the water and close to where some of the boats pull in from Belize City. The front garden is a relaxing spot of hammocks, shady seats and overhanging coconut trees. Rooms are basic, but functional and well priced. The nearby Bamboo restaurant, whose floor is actually the beach, cooks up a range of local dishes on the menu.

Caye Caulker has an internet café/bookstore, an ATM, the great Caye Caulker Bakery (Middle Street) and plenty of places to eat fresh seafood. Thanks to an easy co-existence of locals and expat-owned businesses, tourism has thrived while ensuring the island remains true to its origins.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110923-kicking-back-in-caye-caulker-belize

Yuma's House Belize

2011-09-21T16:37:00.001-07:00

Low-Season Special at YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE in Caye Caulker

2011-09-21T16:33:00.001-07:00

During the slow season in Caye Caulker we will have lower prices.

Dorm beds are $ 10 US / $ 20 Bz and private rooms are $ 23.50 US / $ 47 Bz.

Come and daydream a little!

Be aware of hustlers.

2011-09-21T16:29:00.001-07:00

Travelers:

Avoid the hustlers who meet every water taxi boat and will tell you hotels you ask for
are full, dirty, or closed down - only to take you to one hotel they know has vacancy, simply
because they earn a commission if you stay at the particular place they are pushing.
This hotel might not suit you and is out of the way.
Always check out your desired place for yourself.

Painting Yuma's House

2011-09-07T16:58:00.003-07:00

Travelers: We won't take any reservations or do check-in's from Monday, Sept. 12th until Tuesday, Sept 20th. The hostel is going to get a face lift from the outside. We are going to paint our house and will re-open all bright and shiny on Sept. 21st. I'm looking forward to see you then!

Lazy Lizard Bar and Grill’s September 10th festivities!

2011-09-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

A Two Minute Hostel Assessment

2011-09-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 15, 2011

While on Caye Caulker, I wanted to see the two most popular hostel options. I meet lots of backpackers coming down from Mexico or just travelling around Belize that ask about low cost housing in Caye Caulker. So I spent a total of 2-4 minutes in the 2 hostels to get a feel for the situation. DISCLAIMER: 2- 4 MINUTES PEOPLE! OBVIOUSLY I HAVE NO REAL IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE TO STAY IN EITHER OF THESE PLACES. But I am quick to form opinions...and here they are.

Yuma's House:

Just off the water taxi and right on the beach. Yuma's looks very cute from the outside. Beachfront with it's own dock and hammocks, can you beat that?

We met the owner Susanna and she showed us around the property. It was quiet, well groomed and very artsy looking. There was a sign on the property warning that no one is allowed on the property other than guests. I think they are quite strict about keeping it a quiet place. Yuma's seems like the much more relaxing hostel option. And I think the rooms, common areas and kitchen are very cute.

The mattresses looked a little thin...but the rooms are very clean and you can't beat that location.

Read entire blog:

http://www.sanpedroscoop.com/2011/08/searious-trip-to-caye-caulker-two.html

Yuma's House Review

2011-09-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

Aug 11, 2011

I stayed at Tina's / Yumas House (there is a name change going under at the time of this writing) for 9 days on Caye Caulker Island. It is right on the beach and is run by a very efficient woman named Suzanne whom is the new manager and runs a tight shift (GOOD THING) The hostel is two stories with two kitchens on each floor, private and dorm rooms available, 6 hammocks 4 in the community yard and 2 on the PRIVATE DOCK! This hostel has been my favorite experience yet for many reasons; great place to meet other travelers, great sense of community, ocean view, awesome kitchens, nice balcony and patio lounge room with wooden furniture, personal lockers, clean, and has a beach house feel If you can swing it I recommend staying on the 2nd floor as it has a better kitchen, better airflow, and views. The dorms cost me $12.50 US or $25 Belizean Dollars.

http://www.travbuddy.com/Tinas-Yumas-House-v677742

Caye Caulker from Jasmine’s Travel blog

2011-08-31T09:09:00.001-07:00

Caye Caulker is about 45 minutes south of Ambergris Caye. The town was originally a fisherman's settlement back in the 17th century. Fishing is still very important here, but now tourism is overtaking the economy, starting with hippies that found their way out here in the 60's and 70's. The vibe is still very laid back, and it is more of a destination for budget travelers than the more developed San Pedro.

I took a water taxi here, I think about a week ago? I'm not quiet sure how long I have been here :)... Anyhow, it's been great, I have gone on a few snorkeling trips, and just met a lot of interesting people, and not much else! I have been staying at a fantastic hostel called Yuma's House. It is run by an incredibly efficient and organized woman named Susanne and named after her son. The hostel is right on the beach (so there is a constant, wonderful ocean breeze), clean, crowded, but low-key, with plenty of hammocks. There is even a private dock.

Some of my favorite things in Caye Caulker:

The incredible people at the hostel

Swimming at the Split (the public beach)

Marie Sharp's hot sauce

Local dishes

Banana shakes

Banana bread

Mayan artisan crafts

Ice Cream

Funny signs

Lady, our guard dog

Walking barefoot through town

Stop! Hammock Time

Manatees

Flash rain storms

Some of my least favorite things:

Slow Tornado song

Slow Tornado dance

Bot Fly stories (they lay eggs under human skin)

There were hammocks on the private dock

Sunset at the Split.

Darin works as a PA for an events planning company in LA, but lucky for us, also works as a bartender. He has everything he needs: cheap local rum, coke, limes....... and Cup of Noodles?

The Lazy Lizard, and at the Split again. I loved that they played rap and reggae from the early 90's. And some funny selections, imagine Gloria Estefan's "Anything for You" reggae-fied.

Hostel life

Lady , the

guard dog, actually came with the hostel: she belonged to the previous owners and refused to leave when it was sold to Susanne, so she stayed on. Although she must see loads of new travelers everyday, she only barked at people who weren't staying in Yuma's. We couldn't figure out how she could differentiate between a guest and a stranger.

I am definitely going to visit one last time before I fly out of Belize City!

Read Jamine’s entire blog:

http://jasminestrip2011.blogspot.com/2011/08/caye-cualker.html

Yuma's House or Bella's?

2011-07-15T12:02:00.001-07:00

by Joel Duncan http://www.adventurejoblog.blogspot.com

So you are going to Caye Caulker but you don't know where to stay? Depending on your wallet size and travel style, there are countless accommodation alternatives on this sleepy island. If you are backpacking (traveling on a budget), there are two great hostels to choose from - Yuma's and Bella's. Decide which hostel is right for you.

Yuma’s House

Less than two years ago, Suzanne was living in New York City and wanted a life changing opportunity, when a chance to own her own beachfront hostel practically fell right at her feet. It only took her a day to strike a deal with Tina (owner of Tina’s Backpacker's Hostel) and she was on her way to starting a whole new life in the Caribbean. She bought, renovated and renamed Tina’s, changing its name to Yuma’s House in honour of her young son Yuma, who currently enjoys his new life near the water.

Yuma’s in a nutshell: Yuma's is a quiet, artsy hostel conveniently located right on the beach between Caye Caulker's two water-taxi docks. Without a doubt, the new owner Suzanne runs a very tight ship. A 24-hr no visitor policy and a quiet time period starting at 11pm are strictly enforced. For this reason Yuma’s is a very popular choice for divers in need of a solid night’s sleep before a long day on the water. Although Yuma’s receives guests of all ages, it will definitely appeal more to the relaxation seeker than to the booze thirsty party seeker. It is the perfect place to catch up on your long list of unanswered emails, complete a blog post, read the book you vowed to start at the beginning of your trip, or just lounge in one of the hammocks while listening to the waves which practically run into the front-yard garden.

There are 5 private rooms and 6 dorm rooms that are very basic and clean. Four of the five private rooms come with a double bed while one private has two single beds. All private rooms come with a fan but unlike dorm rooms, there are no in-room lockers. Privates ($28.50 USD/night), Dorms ($12.50 USD/night).

Safety at Yuma’s House: As mentioned, Yuma’s maintains a strict no-visitor policy and every night a security guard stays on the property to ensure that only paid guests enter the gates. Suzanne says that the no-visitor policy helps visitors to relax and trust that their belongings are safe from theft.

Facilities: Two clean kitchens equipped with pots, pans, cutlery and basic ingredients for cooking. In the front yard a barbecue grill overlooking the ocean can be used by guests upon request. There is FREE Wifi available but it can be quite slow when many people use it at the same time (hint: Skype has been blocked on Caye Caulker but some internet cafes on the island still manage to offer the service). In front of the hostel there is a private dock with two hammocks that swing peacefully over the blue water. Don't forget to use the outdoor shower to wash off the sand before entering your room.

What I liked: The hostel was very clean, quiet, right on the beach, and very close to the water-taxi docks. I was confident that my bags where safe when I left the hostel. Feels more like a relaxed guest house than a typical hostel.

To read the full post go to: http://www.adventurejoblog.blogspot.com/

OH NO … ANOTHER BAD REVIEW ON TRIP ADVISER.

2011-05-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

It's not all as great as they say

Date of review: Apr 27, 2011 - New

I see so many great reviews about this place but i think they must all be written by the owners friends. The place is really clean and the location is great but the island is so small I don't think there is a bad location. The management is real strict to the point of stuck up. I had to check out and find a more backpackers hostel.

BACKPACKER’S WELCOME – BEGGARS AND WHINERS NO THANK YOU.

I took over Tina’s Backpacker’s eight month ago and operate it now as Yuma’s House Belize. Many travelers have been in and out of our beautiful house and its time to share some of my insights.

Almost all of our guests are amazing – beautiful people insight and out – eager to travel, eager to connect, make new friends, collect new life stories. Most of our guests stay much longer then originally anticipated. Yuma’s House becomes their home away from home for a little while.

Almost everyone appreciates our safe and clean house – almost everyone agrees that the $ 25 BZ per night for his or her dorm bed is a fair price for the value given. Access to a clean bed and a personal locker. Access to several shower rooms that run on village water, access to two fully equipped kitchen, free internet with own device, access to a shady community garden, a deck with hammocks and lots of common space to hang out.

You make the choice to come here and you get an informative check-in on arrival.

Should you decide that we don’t meet your needs you should leave or checkout as soon as possible.

Don’t complain to me that you can’t have your boyfriend-of-the-night here – you belong into a hotel not a shared house.

Don’t complain to me that I don’t welcome your ‘outside’ friends in our garden – meet them in a bar – your $ 25 BZ don’t really cover the cost for trash removal, toilet paper, water used by them.

Most guests respect and appreciate our quiet time and our no-outsider policy since it adds a certain security and calmness to our place.

Then there is a certain kind of beggar … you come looking for a place to stay, you tour our house, then you walk out – because our place is to expensive for you.

Fair enough – but don’t you come back to sit in our garden using the wifi – well, because you chose to check in to a cheaper place without garden and wifi – you are not welcome here.

And then there is the whiner … you are not even here yet and your are complaining. Don’t make me responsible if you are trying to book your stay so last minute that its almost impossible to get a reservation worked out for you and on top of that you start an argument on how unsafe it is to make a credit card reservation over the internet wasting even more time … our beds move fast … of course we are fully booked by the time you decide to have it together … and to top it you threaten to give us a bad review on the internet - is this how you travel the world?

This is just my little insight of what goes on behind the scenes – my days are made truly beautiful by my wonderful guests, their amazing stories, their impromptu potluck dinners, my incredible office view towards the water and the calming atmosphere here in Caye Caulker.

Tina, the original owner of the hostel just published a great article on her blog as well:

TRIP ADVISOR USED AS A WEAPON BY BAD TOURISTS

Joelle's Birthday Bash at Yuma's House Belize

2011-04-09T17:58:00.001-07:00

Arriving in Caye Caulker

2011-04-03T08:53:00.001-07:00

Avoid the hustlers who meet every water taxi boat.
They will tell you the hotels/hostels you ask for are full or closed down - only to take you to one hotel/hostel they know has vacancy, simply because they earn a commission if you stay at the particular place they are pushing. This hotel might not suit you and/or is out of the way.
Go to your desired place and find out for yourself!

A snorkeling trip with Carlos - Carlos Tours, Caye Caulker

2011-04-01T08:47:00.001-07:00

You're in good hands when you take a snorkeling trip with Carlos and Romeo. Going with Carlos is informative and fun, and the wildlife in the cayes is unmatched for snorkeling. Carlos is excellent with people, and tailors his attention and his itinerary to the group. If you need a lot of instruction and assurance, you'll get it. If you're experienced, he'll make sure you have enough freedom and water time to have memorable wildlife sightings and magical encounters. It's clear he loves where he lives and what he does every day, and his regard for the ecosystem of the reef is a wonderful model. He has extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna that he is only too happy to share.

These guys work hard to make each trip fresh and exciting for every new group.

CARLOS TOURS IS LOCATED ON FRONT STREET ON CAYE CAULKER ISLAND, next to the Amor y Cafe.

Yuma's House Belize

2011-02-16T11:35:00.001-08:00

OH NO … A BAD REVIEW ON TRIP ADVISER.

2011-01-28T15:27:00.001-08:00

“Great Location but Terrible Management”

Date of review: Jan 25, 2011 – New

While the hostel itself is very charming and clean the Manager is terrible. She was rude and condescending to my friends and I. We left after one night because we were made to feel like children. It is unfortunate as the hostel is in a great location and it has beautiful outdoor areas to relax in. However, the list of rules was ridiculous!  Spend a few dollars more and you can have a private room with a private bath just down the beach. With no ridiculous rules!

What happened?

When you come as a guest to YUMA’s HOUSE Belize you should be aware that you are coming to a hostel – A COMMUNITY HOUSE.

I expect from you that you share this sense of community - otherwise you are so much better off in a hotel with complete privacy.

I have two house rules here:

We have a quiet time at night, which is much appreciated by our guests that wake up at 5 AM to go for a diving trip and our neighbors love it as well.

The second house rule here: we have NO OUTSIDERS on this property.

This means for me - if you are not a registered guest in our house you cannot be on this property.

I’m indeed turning into a roaring lion if this rule is broken because you disrespect the community here and you make our safe little place not so safe anymore.

ON JAN. 15TH OUR PRICES WILL GO UP.

2011-01-12T08:59:00.001-08:00

Dear Travelers:

On Jan 15^th our prices will go up:

Dorm Beds: $ 25 BZ or $ 12.50 US ($ 24 BZ old price)

Private Room: $ 57 BZ or $ 28.50 US ($ 55 BZ old price)

WHY?

We have entered dry season - there is no rain and the level of our water wells have dropped drastically. When the water levels drop so much the water starts smelling - it does not change the water quality. Many guests here complained about the smell of our water. Please remember that you are visiting a 3^rd world country and water is always a big concern in such places.

To change this condition I connected this hostel now to the village water – but village water is very expensive.

A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT AT YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE

2010-12-27T06:53:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK DINNER AT THE HOSTEL

2010-12-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

2010-12-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's a beautiful day on Caye Caulker and the hostel guests are cooking up a storm for tonight's potluck dinner.

One guests gave us a beautiful shout-out on trip adviser recently and that feels like a great Christmas gift to me!

This hostel is right on the beach, very knowledgeable, friendly owner, and a great way to socialize and meet people. I stay in hostels around the world I think this one is easily in my top 5!

SUPPORT OUR WONDERFUL HIGH SCHOOL OCEAN ACADEMY ON CAYE CAULKER

2010-12-02T19:05:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends of Caye Caulker Ocean Academy,

We have many student success stories to share with you, and are

planning to send out a "good news" e-newsletter soon to keep you

up-to-date as our little school continues to grow. For example,

students have been going regularly to help the mangrove restoration

project and have started a school composting project. Our Rotary

Interact Club has been leading cooperative games afterschool with

younger children and is planning a food drive for the needy this

holiday season. Our school won a prize in the Ashoka Geochallenge

Competition for projects that best combine saving coastal community

eco-systems and tourism. Please check out the "What's New" page on

our website for full stories and photos. You can also join our

official Facebook page called "Caye Caulker Ocean Academy" and I will

be posting student stories and updates there as well.

I'm writing you today to ask for your help this month of December.

Ocean Academy is part of a great fundraising opportunity called

http://www.globalgiving.org. The goal is to raise funds from at least 50

different donors between Nov.29-Dec.22, in order to secure a permanent

spot on the Global Giving website.

A big advantage for our American donors is that Global Giving will

issue an IRS tax-exemption receipt, and British donors can have their

funds matched on the website through a U.K. government program. There

are also cash bonuses that can be won for the organization that raises

the most funds during this Global Open Challenge ($3,2,1K), has the

most donors ($3K), or the most Facebook shares ($300).

There are 3 ways you can help:

1) Donate: Google http://www.globalgiving.org. Click on the Global Open

Challenge button on the bottom left (a globe with an orange bird).

Scroll down the list of projects until you see "Send 50 students to

high school in Belize" and click "give now". (You can also go

directly to our project page with http://goto.gg/6903). Even a $10

donation is appreciated and advances us towards our targets. You can

buy gift cards so your friends can donate too during the holidays, or

dedicate your donation in memory of a loved one. There is also a

monthly donation option.

2) "Share Now" through the Global Giving website: If you can't donate

right now, you can still help Ocean Academy win a bonus prize for most

Facebook shares. Follow the instructions above to navigate the Global

Giving website, but when you get to the Ocean Academy project page,

instead of "give now" click on "share this project". No donation is

required to do this but it could help us win a cash bonus at the end.

3) Spread the Word: Join the "Caye Caulker Ocean Academy" official

Facebook page, and invite your friends to join as well. After this

fundraising drive, we’ll be using Facebook more to share student

success stories and updates.

Thank you all, in advance, for your interest and support in helping

the kids of Caye Caulker in Belize. Any questions, or ideas you have,

are always very appreciated.

Happy holidays to all.

Joni Miller M.Ed.

Co-Founder

Caye Caulker Ocean Academy: A Non-Profit Community High School

Belize, Central America

www.cayecaulkerschool.com

AN EVENING AT THE HOSTEL

2010-12-01T15:57:00.001-08:00

REEF SUMMIT IN BELIZE

2010-11-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

Aerial Art Event in Sergeants Caye
http://reefsummit.org/MEDIA.html

PRICES AT YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE

2010-11-14T07:34:00.001-08:00

Our dorm beds are $ 24 BZ or $ 12 US. A dorm room has 4 beds, lockers and fan. Our private rooms are $ 55 BZ or $ 27.50 US. A private room has a double bed and fan and sleeps 2 people. The prices include the 9% hotel tax, usage of our entire facility and WIFI.

We are looking forward to your stay here.

HALLOWEEN IN CAYE CAULKER

2010-10-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

My wonderful guests are getting ready for a night out ... Halloween on the island.

WE ARE OPEN - RICHARD LEFT.

2010-10-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

Richard left the island without damage to our wonderful hostel.

And again my amazing guests helped me getting the house and garden ready.

We are open!

MEETING RICHARD.

2010-10-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

Meeting Hurricane Richard. This was my second big storm and my first hurricane since I took the hostel over.

14 amazing guests stayed with me at the hostel and helped me getting ready for Richard.

And then we just waited out the storm hoping it won't be to bad.

OUR NEW SIGNS.

2010-10-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

As you know Tina' Backpacker's is under new ownership

and is now operating as Yuma's House Belize.

Our new signs are up.

You will see them from the water taxi arrival docks.

YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE also known as Tina's Backpacker's Hostel

2010-10-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

Rates per bunk are incredible low at $ 12 US per night including the 9% Govt. Tax. Private rooms are $ 27.50 US including the 9% Govt. Tax, all with shared bath facilities.

This price includes, use of several bathrooms, shared kitchen, a beautiful garden to lounge with sitting areas and hammocks and the use of a private dock for sunbathing, since the guesthouse fronts onto the beach.

The ambience is artsy and funky, with a fantastic atmosphere, especially if you are a single traveler and you are looking to socialize with others under similar circumstances. You might all cook up a potluck style dinner in the community kitchen and have a gathering in the garden.

Yuma’s House is a favorite and beds are limited as the facility is small.

Accommodations are usually done throughout the day by walking up and asking if any beds are available or you can make a reservation request at our online contact section on this site and let us know when you are planning to visit. We’ll reply in general within 24 hours.

Be aware of the hustlers

2010-10-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Travelers:

Avoid the hustlers who meet every water taxi boat and will tell you hotels you ask for are full, dirty, or closed down - only to take you to one hotel they know has vacancy, simply because they earn a commission if you stay at the particular place they are pushing. This hotel might not suit you and is out of the way.

I can assure you we are open, safe and clean ... I laid past negatives to rest when I took over the hostel in August. Our prices are fair and constant.

Tropical storm Matthew over Caye Caulker.

2010-09-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Travellers,
We are waiting out tropical storm Matthew that is passing over Caye Caulker.
I hope to re-open the hostel by Monday, Sep. 27th.
We'll have some cleaning to do in the garden and some repairs on the deck since the ocean is so rough.

We'll re-open on Thursday, Sep. 16th !!!

2010-09-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

The hostel got a face lift on the inside ... and it looks great ...
we can't wait to have you here.
Our bunk rooms and private rooms open again this Thursday!

Renovations at Yuma's House Belize - also known as Tina's Backpacker's

2010-09-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Travellers:

We won't take any reservations or do check-in's from Tuesday, Sep.7th until Wednesday, Sep. 15th.

The hostel is going to get a facelift on the inside. We are going to renovate the bedrooms and will re-open all bright and shiny on Sep. 16th.

I'm looking forward to see you then!

Slow Season Special at Yuma's House in Caye Caulker

2010-09-04T20:22:00.000-07:00

During the slow season in Caye Caulker we will have lower prices.
Dorm beds are $ 10 US / $ 20 Bz and private rooms are $ 22.50 US / $ 45 Bz.

Come and daydream a little!

YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE also known as Tina's Backpacker's Hostel

2010-08-14T17:22:00.001-07:00

Yuma’s House Belize is a lovely in-expensive beachfront guesthouse featuring shared accommodations in five bunkrooms. Dorms have four bunk beds per room or if you prefer privacy, there are six private rooms with double beds.

Rates per bunk are incredible low at $ 12 US per night including the 9% Govt. Tax. Private rooms are $ 27.50 US including the 9% Govt. Tax, all with shared bath facilities.

This price includes, use of several bathrooms, shared kitchen, a beautiful garden to lounge with sitting areas and hammocks and the use of a private dock for sunbathing, since the guesthouse fronts onto the beach.

The ambience is artsy and funky, with a fantastic atmosphere, especially if you are a single traveler and you are looking to socialize with others under similar circumstances. You might all cook up a potluck style dinner in the community kitchen and have a gathering in the garden.

Yuma’s House is a favorite and beds are limited as the facility is small.

Accommodations are usually done throughout the day by walking up and asking if any beds are available or you can make a reservation request at our online contact section on this site and let us know when you are planning to visit. We’ll reply in general within 24 hours.

TINA'S BACKPACKER'S SOLD !

2010-08-14T14:08:00.001-07:00

NOW OPEN:

YUMA'S HOUSE BELIZE - ALSO KNOWN AS TINA'S BACKPACKERS HOSTEL.

The always-popular Tina’s Backpacker’s Hostel, in Caye Caulker, Belize, Central America, just changed ownership will be operated as Yuma’s House Belize.

Tina is going to take a break from running the guesthouse and I’m going to take over the hostel for Tina.

I’m born and raised in Germany … from an early age on, I loved to travel and see the world … I was in New York City several times during my years of studying photography … I was blown away by this amazing city and moved permanently.
I explored life’s work over the past fourteen years, with my now twelve-year-old son Yuma; living in New York’s East Village … while traveling to places near and far.

Visit us … come and daydream a little … at Yuma’s House Belize (also known as Tina’s Backpackers Hostel) … in Caye Caulker.

Susanne Michelus

GET IN TOUCH WITH ME:
WWW.YUMASHOUSEBELIZE.COM

STAY CONNECTED WITH TINA:
http://lifeinabananarepublic.blogspot.com/

OUR BOOK: Caye Caulker ... not a lot of hoop or hoopla, but still and always a lot of fun

2010-08-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Caye Caulker by Susanne Michelus, Tina Auxillou, Jason Elliott

CAYE CAULKER BOOK BY SUSANNE AND TINA

2010-08-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

While Tina and I prepared for changing ownership of the hostel,
we also had fun working on a book collaboration about Caye Caulker:

http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/374978/New_Book_On_Caye_Caulker.html