About this hotel
General information
Copal Tree Lodge sits on hills above the Rio Grande in Belize’s far south, in Toledo District, within a private tract of some 16,000 acres of rainforest running down towards the Caribbean Sea, 12,000 acres of it protected from logging. Sixteen suites and a three-bedroom villa are spread through the trees: some stand on stilts in the forest, others higher up above the canopy, looking out to the Maya Mountains and the sea on the horizon.
The lodge is inseparable from its certified organic farm. Sugarcane, cacao, coffee, vanilla and spices grow in its fields, alongside a chocolate workshop, a coffee facility and a distillery that makes Copalli rum from heirloom cane juice, rainwater and natural yeast. The kitchen draws on the farm and garden; days revolve around forest and river — trails, kayaks, yoga above the treetops, a spa looking over the jungle. Fly fishing on the flats and in the mangroves is a speciality, practised catch-and-release. The distillery runs as a closed loop, with spent cane fuelling the boiler and residues returned to the fields.
Location
The lodge lies just outside Punta Gorda, a small coastal town in Toledo District in southern Belize, between the Maya Mountains and the Caribbean. The easiest route is a domestic flight of about an hour with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air along the coast from Belize’s international airport (near Belize City) to the Punta Gorda airstrip, where the lodge’s shuttle collects guests. On request, a member of staff meets arrivals at the international airport after customs and sees them onto the connecting flight. By road it is about four hours from Belize City; parking is free for guests.
Spa
The Jungle Spa sits in a quiet corner of the forest with panoramic jungle views. Treatments include mud wraps, sugar scrubs, facials, massages (couples’ massages among them), manicures and pedicures, some using locally grown brown sugar, cacao nibs, clay and tea from the farm. Appointments are made at the front desk, evening sessions at least a day ahead. High above the canopy, an open-air yoga palapa reached by the jungle tram looks over the forest to the Maya Mountains, with classes for every level.
Sports & leisure
Much is included in the stay: kayaks and canoes on the Rio Grande, reached by the jungle tram down to the river deck; mountain bikes for the farm roads and rides into Punta Gorda; moderate hiking trails such as the Chocolate Trail through the cacao plantation and the Sugar Cane Run around the cane fields; the yoga palapa; and the Jungle Gym with free weights, rings, an elliptical trainer, a rowing machine and a stationary bike.
- farm tours with the lodge’s agricultural guide, distillery tours, bean-to-bar chocolate making and Copalli rum mixology classes;
- an evening river cruise on the Rio Grande aboard a covered eight-seat catamaran, with a guide pointing out birds, howler monkeys and iguanas;
- catch-and-release fly fishing for tarpon, permit, snook and bonefish with the lodge’s own guides, plus an on-site fly shop;
- snorkelling over corals, sea fans and reef fish in the Port Honduras Marine Reserve;
- outings to the Maya archaeological sites of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit (around 35 minutes), San Antonio Waterfall (45 minutes) and the Rio Blanco falls (50 minutes), a jungle hike to Tiger Cave, and a zip-line over the foothills of the Maya Mountains.
Restaurants & bars
Everything served at the lodge starts with produce from its own farm and garden, and with Copalli rum from the distillery next door.
- The Garden Restaurant — open-air dining among the trees: seasonal cooking drawn from the culinary traditions of southern Belize, with breakfast, lunch and a dinner menu that changes daily; vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free dishes available.
- The Rum Bar — a bar beneath the canopy in the main lodge, with decks over the forest, books and board games; cocktails of fresh juices, tropical fruit and herbs built on Copalli rum, with light bites served each evening at six.
- Signature Canopy Suites pool bar — a private poolside bar, with a bartender, reserved for guests of the four treetop suites.
Swimming
There is no beach at the lodge; swimming happens in pools that look over the forest. The main lodge pool is open to all guests, the four Signature Canopy Suites share their own infinity pool above the treetops, and the villa has a private infinity plunge pool on its deck. Waterfalls nearby offer natural swimming, and the sea comes into play on snorkelling trips.
Pets
Pets are not accepted; only service animals are allowed.
Rooms
The lodge has 16 suites and a three-bedroom villa: spacious Jungle Suites raised on stilts in the forest, and four adults-only Signature Canopy Suites above the treetops with their own pool and bar. Every unit has floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony or veranda facing the jungle.
Air conditioning and a ceiling fan, free Wi-Fi, coffee and tea facilities, a drinking-water refill station, bathrobes, toiletries, a hairdryer, an iron and board, a safe, an umbrella, a telephone for in-lodge calls, and daily housekeeping with evening turndown.
Signature Canopy Suite
An adults-only treetop suite with a private entrance, a king bed, a sitting room with a daybed and a veranda with loungers and an outdoor tub; the bathroom has a walk-in rain shower behind floor-to-ceiling glass. Designed for two, it shares an infinity pool and bar with the other three suites, facing the Maya Mountains and the Caribbean.
Jungle Suite
A stand-alone suite on stilts in the forest with either a king bed and sofa bed (up to 2 guests) or two queen beds (up to 4 guests). It has a sitting area, a screened balcony with a hammock and lounge seating, and a bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Three Bedroom Family Villa
A single-level raised villa in a secluded corner of the lodge for up to six: a king bedroom and two queen bedrooms, two bathrooms with walk-in showers, a living room, a full kitchen and two screened porches. A private infinity plunge pool with deck, its own entrance and parking.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.