Belize mountain accommodation, Maya Mountains
| country: | Belize |
| location: | Cayo District |
| price: | From US $75 - US $107 per person per night |
description
The Lodge is located at the foothills of the Maya Mountains in the Cayo District of Belize, bordering the Roaring River and Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It is situated within a 300 acre Private Reserve, on the site of an ancient Maya Plazeula Group. This coupled with its unparalleled position in the very heart of the country, makes the reserve a perfect base to discover the sites and sounds of Belize. The thatched cabanas surround a Maya site and overlook the forest canopy and creek below.
The adventure begins along the 3/4 mile access road that leads you through the rainforest; private nature trails in the reserve take you past giant Mahogany, Cedar, Strangling Fig and Ceiba. The forest is the home of Belizean mammals such as the tapir, jaguar, coati mundi, gibnut...
The bar/veranda is ideal for birding or just relaxing in the tranquil setting. Adventures, researchers, birders, families, and those looking to explore all that Belize has to offer will find the site an ideal destination. Activities at the lodge include birding, horseback riding, hiking, river tubing, swimming and caving, the lodge is walking distance from the cave, Tunichil Mucnal, the most adventurous caving in this region.
Hiking: Hike pass giant mahogany and under a tangle of lianas. Discover the various medicinal plants, orchids, palms and hardwood and the insects and animals that use the rainforest of Belize as their home. There are extensive jungle trails and an information sheet about the plants and trees.
Swimming: Enjoy the crystal clear water of the Roaring River cascade down the 1000ft. fall in the Maya Mountains of Belize. The lodge has two miles of frontage on the Roaring River. It is perfect for tubing or cooling off in one of the hidden jungle pools.
Riding: The riding trail meanders under the jungle canopy, through the river and into the open valley. Take advantage of being on horseback to enjoy the exiting Belizean landscape at the foothills of the Maya Mountains.
The rides are suitable for both novice and experienced riders.
Caving: One of the most exciting adventures in Belize is in our valley, on our doorstep. Actun Tunichil Mucnal (Mayan for 'Stone Sepulchre Cave') is a unique caving experience, combining outstanding natural formations and the untouched remains of ancient Maya rituals. Join us on a journey to the ancient Maya underworld and discover what gave the cave its name. For those looking for a softer adventure, we can provide tours to Barton Creek cave or Caves Branch.
Archaeology: At the heart of the property is a Maya residential complex dating mainly to the Terminal Classic Period (ca.830-950 AD). The site is being investigated as part of the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project.
Natural History: We have a natural interest in all that is around us, the forest, flora and fauna. Our Nature Reserve offers an ideal location, in the heart of prime rainforest, for students and researchers alike. Adjacent to the 300 acre private reserve, is the 6,700 acre preserve of the Tapir Mountain Reserve. This is closed to tourism but access is available for research. This preserve is managed by the Audubon Society Belize. Researchers use our facilities and leave valuable information. There is an on going Iguana Rearing Program and High Rise Habitat for nesting birds.
The adventure begins along the 3/4 mile access road that leads you through the rainforest; private nature trails in the reserve take you past giant Mahogany, Cedar, Strangling Fig and Ceiba. The forest is the home of Belizean mammals such as the tapir, jaguar, coati mundi, gibnut...
The bar/veranda is ideal for birding or just relaxing in the tranquil setting. Adventures, researchers, birders, families, and those looking to explore all that Belize has to offer will find the site an ideal destination. Activities at the lodge include birding, horseback riding, hiking, river tubing, swimming and caving, the lodge is walking distance from the cave, Tunichil Mucnal, the most adventurous caving in this region.
special things to do and see here
Birdwatching: The reserve has been endorsed by ornithologists as in a league of its own. The birding from the lodge veranda, the meadows and along the riverside is superb. Hummingbirds give a spectacular display at the veranda and there are good sightings of trogans, motmots, toucans and most of our forest species. Hiking: Hike pass giant mahogany and under a tangle of lianas. Discover the various medicinal plants, orchids, palms and hardwood and the insects and animals that use the rainforest of Belize as their home. There are extensive jungle trails and an information sheet about the plants and trees.
Swimming: Enjoy the crystal clear water of the Roaring River cascade down the 1000ft. fall in the Maya Mountains of Belize. The lodge has two miles of frontage on the Roaring River. It is perfect for tubing or cooling off in one of the hidden jungle pools.Riding: The riding trail meanders under the jungle canopy, through the river and into the open valley. Take advantage of being on horseback to enjoy the exiting Belizean landscape at the foothills of the Maya Mountains.
The rides are suitable for both novice and experienced riders.
Caving: One of the most exciting adventures in Belize is in our valley, on our doorstep. Actun Tunichil Mucnal (Mayan for 'Stone Sepulchre Cave') is a unique caving experience, combining outstanding natural formations and the untouched remains of ancient Maya rituals. Join us on a journey to the ancient Maya underworld and discover what gave the cave its name. For those looking for a softer adventure, we can provide tours to Barton Creek cave or Caves Branch.
Archaeology: At the heart of the property is a Maya residential complex dating mainly to the Terminal Classic Period (ca.830-950 AD). The site is being investigated as part of the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project.
Natural History: We have a natural interest in all that is around us, the forest, flora and fauna. Our Nature Reserve offers an ideal location, in the heart of prime rainforest, for students and researchers alike. Adjacent to the 300 acre private reserve, is the 6,700 acre preserve of the Tapir Mountain Reserve. This is closed to tourism but access is available for research. This preserve is managed by the Audubon Society Belize. Researchers use our facilities and leave valuable information. There is an on going Iguana Rearing Program and High Rise Habitat for nesting birds.
rooms, food and facilities
The lodge buildings are made with traditional palm thatched roofing and are set around a Mayan Plaza that has been excavated and reconsolidated creating an ancient central garden area. The cabanas are screened and detached, with private bathrooms, ceiling fans and hot showers. The bar lounge area with an open veranda style, and local hardwood floor, is set above the restaurant serving delicious cuisine with a Caribbean flavour. There are extensive trails through the forest and along the river where there are crystal clear pools to swim in. Laundry service by hand and there is free internet access. how to find us
Centrally situated in the Cayo district, just 1½ hours from Belize International airport. Located 12 miles from Belmopan and 21 miles from San Ignacio. Follow the Western Highway to mile 52 ½ at Teakettle Village. Turn south onto a dirt road for 4 miles, then turn right and after ¾ of a mile you will enter the reserve. how this holiday makes a difference
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The site opened on 1992, since we have protected a 300 acre rainforest reserve. The reserve plays a role in the protection of the Tapir Mountain Reserve as it forms a buffer zone for it. Through help by our local neighbours and our presence patrolling we keep hunters and trespasses off the property. The Belize Audubon Society manages the Tapir Mountain Reserve. The Belize Audubon manages numerous reserves and runs numerous projects throughout Belize. Each year we put up special nest boxes that we have designed for emerald toucan nets to nest in and for the last six years we have repopulated our area with iguanas by rearing and releasing a hundred baby iguanas.
The lodge has been created and is run by using local labour and materials bringing opportunity and benefits to the local community. This way we have been able to support the families of our local staff by providing interest free educational and hardship loans along with financial assistance with medical expenses. We have been instrumental in a number of charitable projects, involving and encouraging visiting guests and school groups to participate in projects with the Teakettle village school and the Belmopan orphanage – such as plastering and painting the orphanage, painting the school, planting trees - and supplying educational and stationary items for the school. Here we have a battery bank and inverter to maximize the output from our generator, minimise energy use by using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances and turning off lights and appliances when not in use. Our water storage is divided up so that if we have water loss it is contained to one section, as well as showers and half flush toilets to reduce water use. The bulk of our laundry is hand done insuring care full use of water and employment and we use biodegradable cleaning products. We grow mainly local types of food in our garden taking away the need for pesticides and garden using endemic plants keeping the natural balance of our environment. All the food and garden waste is use it as compost. In our lodge we recycle glass, plastic and paper and have facilities for our guest to recycle their waste. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |