Puerto Barillas

This place would be close to impossible to get to without your own car because it is a long way from the main road with no transport available. It is situated within a huge cooperative that mainly grows sugar cane but also has plantains, cacao and other things. Getting to the hotel involves crossing 3 separate, monitored gates. The accommodation consists of individual 2-bedroom apartments and “tree houses” which are actually small 2-story buildings with the bed and toilet upstairs and bathroom downstairs. I stayed in an apartment. The bedroom was fairly crowded with 2 double beds but there was such a big common kitchen/dining area that it was no problem. The beds were comfortable and the bathroom had ample hot water. The kitchen had everything you would need to self cater including microwave, stove, fridge and utensils. The accommodation was about a 10 minute walk from the water and the restaurant. There was a good swimming pool near the restaurant with lots of tables on the lawn beside it. Wifi was only available in the restaurant and there was also no phone network in the accommodation area. The restaurant served standard staples both western and Salvadorian. The most difficult thing was that it closed at 6pm so you either ate a very early dinner or had food prepared to take away. The staff would deliver to the accommodation if requested. In addition to the pool there were kayaks for hire and the hotel also offered a tour of the property’s cacao farm but the $30 cost was a bit steep for what you got.

We didn’t get to stay at this hotel. We were really looking forward to it, and once in the compound, it was beautiful. However, the 11 miles of road from the main road to the compound were almost unpassable for us due to the storm. It was VERY remote. So many large and dangerous potholes, I knew they would be impassable at night and were getting worse due to the rain. You must have a 4 wheel drive and drive 5mph to get there safely.

We booked this hotel in sept last year. After finding out that it was in a difficult location we cancelled a number of days later. They acknowledged the cancellation. The terms are for a full refund if you cancel at least 5 days before your stay. Imagine our surprise on the day we were due to stay Feb 4th they charged my card. After sending proof of the cancellation and 6 messages to a guy called Emerita they have not replied and therefore have not refunded my card. Be very wary if you book and cancel this hotel as they will likely charge you anyway.