Yok Ha is interesting and does not deserve my typical review style. I am so happy that I had this experience and I would not trade it. I have to say it was in my top 5 travel experiences ever. There are tips that made this happen though and I am happy to share those also. I would recommend this resort only if you are the adventure and go with the flow type of traveler though. This is not the place for the VIP traveler that believes they will be served hand and foot. So, don't be that person..
The resort was having some power issues while we were there because we went during September and during hurricane season. It was still beautiful, and the storms would roll over quickly and everything would calm. We still had plenty of sunshine though. However, I recommend you bring a flashlight, be okay with cool showers, and do not expect to get online/ a computer/ or watch a TV while you are there. For us, it was fine and hot, so the cool showers were really okay.
What I would encourage is for guest to ask for what they want very clearly. We asked for a dance floor and got it, we danced, drank, and had a lovely time more than one night. We played drinking games on the beach with loud speakers out of the door playing music from Belize, we got close to all guest on the beach and there were never more than 10 people on the island.
I asked for Belize dishes and fish/seafood items and it was perfect. Ezra and Shelby have a skill for cooking that is unique and everything was from scratch. I did do the cooking class, but asked to cook longer to get the full value of the price. Ezra allowed me to just stay in the kitchen and we cooked veggies I have never even seen in the US, Mexico, Jamaica, Europe,Turks & Caicos or anywhere I have traveled. To me, that was awesome. I gave feedback that new knives were needed, but come on, How cool it cooking stuff you will never see again? I recommend the cooking class and any time you get to spend with Ezra and Jaime.
On the island you have a feeling of safety. Never once did I feel nervous about the staff or being taken advantage of even when I was completely drinking too much. I was on a girl's trip and it was a blast. We are in our early 30s- so, we actually are always concerned with safety, but not here.
We did kayak out and that was scary and fun, we snorkeled around the island, laid on the beach, in the hammock, and laughed and played with other guest and staff. We saw dolphins from the island, jumping fish while we were kayaking, and so many geckos, birds, starfish in water and conchs are everywhere.
Tips- Ask to go to the store before you go to the island. I needed snacks and juice and cash for the employees on the island. They did allow me to stop and I do not regret having chips in my room and things to make our stay more comfortable.
There are bugs. I swear I never saw any bugs on island, but at night I was being eaten. Bring spray, the one mixed with sunscreen. Sand flies are legit.
The office staff is very friendly, but did not follow up consistently, and I did struggle to understand many of the billing items- like service fees after I already paid the groupon price. I was unsure I was getting picked up and had to send my itinerary 3x. However, this was the worst part of the whole trip and it really wasn't that bad. So, I give that a pass. The island staff- Beyond excellent and made it for it.
Room- Nice overall, towels daily, cleaned daily, but because electricity is special- No hair dryers. There was A/C and that was great. Bring flashlight-just in case! Beach towels are provided.
Food- Ask for what you want. We ate excellent dishes because there was 2 excellent cooks and they listened when we asked for more veggies, seafood, currie chicken, and even beans and rice. All special and all local. We had lobster and seafood bisque which was the best seafood bisque I have ever eaten. I liked the conch ceviche also.
The oranges there are green and sweet- I had no idea. They have a self juicer in the dining room and I was in love with it. Lime is called lem'on there, and lemons like don't exist. The limes were excellent.
Experience- Very cool. There were weather changes, we got completely soaked boating off of island and all we could do was laugh. They gave us rain gear, but it didn't even matter. This was such a neat experience and something like this is rare and unique even though it was not perfect.