About Iguana Resort

In 1993 Larry & Sunny Johnson had a dispute with the US Government over Taxes and thinking that they may need a refuge - bought the Land inOntario Village of the Cayo District, Belize,Central America - that Iguana Creek Resort rests on. That is the true beginning of the Iguana Creek Resort story. There are many ex-patriots who come toBelize with many similar stories. They don’t always tell it quite that way but they are inBelize and loving the fresh air, inexpensive adventure and lush jungle rainforest. “Truthfully, the government did us a favor when they rang our bell” says Johnson. Larry & Sunny sold all their businesses (except their real estate) and woke up one day, after paying the government and their lawyers, realizing that they never had to work another day in their lives (or so we thought).

Our Family

Dr. Larry Johnson and Sunny Lin Malone Johnson have been married for 41 years. They have 10 children, and all have attended New Mexico Military Institute. Seven of our Cadets have been awarded the Legislative Scholarship over the years. Our oldest son, Harvey James, has gone on to become a Major in the New Mexico National Guard and also a Doctor of Chiropractic. His two sons, Lawrence and Junior also attend NMMI. Melanie married Jason Hope, who she met at NMMI and they have three beautiful daughters  Ashlyn, Kylie and Brienne.Lawrence Jr. married Theresa and operates his own landscaping business. Our son Jeffrey Marshall graduated as the Regimental Command Sergeant Major at NMMI. Jeff met Amy at UNM and they were married in 2002 and were blessed with their son Quinn just before Jeff’s active duty stint atCamp Bucca,Iraq. He’s back and finishing his degree in Computer Engineering. Our daughter Amanda graduated with the rank of Lt. Colonel  and  was the Third Squadron Commander at NMMI. She teaches grade school level school children after having graduated from UNM and UNLV and shares two children, Taylor and Andrew  with her husband Scott Frayer.  Our daughter Amber graduated as the Inspector General of the Corps of Cadets and married Steve Miller while on active duty status inWashington D.C.  She graduated from UNM and plans to return to her vocation as a kindergarten teacher. Susann also held the rank of  Inspector General of the Corps of Cadets at NMMI. She went on to graduate from TCU with an accounting degree. Susie is not married as yet but she has a very serious suitor – Roberto.  Brittany was the Third Squadron Executive Officer when she finished at NMMI and also married a NMMI graduate, Justin Chavez. They were blessed with their first child, Holden a year ago. Britt is now attending UNM in her last year of study in Archaeology and Anthropology. Courtney was also a Lt. Colonel and was the Fourth Squadron Commander. She is currently attending UNLV and plans to study law. Last but by far not least is Quenby who was born inBelize in 1991 and is now in High School at NMMI. “Q” plays Football, Basketball and Golf at NMMI. He says that his plan is to return toBelize and operate Iguana Creek Resort.

Hundreds and thousands of people come toBelize every month to escape or just to have fun. Many want to escape the smog, traffic, stress or bosses for a few a precious days. Escapes are only for the moment or perhaps by the week at Iguana Creek Resort. Everyone knows that you can't really escape from day to day realities permanently, but incredibly, the Johnson's actually did escape to a second life - permanently.  

In the first year the Johnson family busied themselves clearing land and planting Orange Groves. After three years they brought in their first harvest. “Out ofAfrica “ was their favorite movie and their Belize Fantasy with a citrus twist. They had managed to plant 6,000 trees. Two years later the Brazilian citrus crop came on the market and the value of citrus dropped over 50 %.  At that price no one could afford to fertilize or clean their trees. Citrus farms all overBelize foundered and the Johnson Family Lands was no exception. The jungle started it’s endless process to return the land to rainforest. The bush became bigger and taller. Finally, a fire swept through the orchards and they were lost.

The previous year, one of the Johnson’s son’s had built a small cabana on the “front property” because tourists had been stopping and inquiring for lodging. “That year he made more money than the orange grove did, “ reported Dr. Johnson. The next year they built a second cabana and the rest of the lodging followed, little by little.

We’ve  landscaped our front Mountain side with flowers and natural herbs and other Medicinal Plants while keeping the large Flamboyas, Guanacaste, Cedar and Mahogany trees unscathed. The seven larger Mountains and hills covering the surrounding 700 acres have been maintained as a preserve with hiking and horse paths winding lazily through the tall rainforest. The setting will  transport you into another world. A world of tropical sights and enticing sounds. Fauna abounds – if you are peaceful and watch quietly.

Iguanacreek Resort is situated on the banks of theBelize River in the middle of one of the oldest Mayan settlements (Ontario Village) so far discovered in the Cayo District . The sites are in the  “Blackman Eddy” area which Olmec influence that date back to the Pre-classic period. So far, 12 sites have been found on Iguanacreek land, one a being ceremonial site, built over a cave  with pottery in abundance. There is also one of the largest three (3) “lithic Manufacturing” sites in all ofBelize located on the Resort grounds. Lithic means “of stone” and is where the ancient mayans manufactured arrow and spearheads and axes from flint and other stones. These sites have piles of flint chard and pieces of flawed spear and other stones in piles over 30 feet deep and 15 feet high. The onsite hiking and horseback riding tours go to and through these sites.

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