Belize

Location: near Punta Gorda

The eco-lodge is located about 15 miles (by either road or river) from Punta Gorda, a town of 5,000 people in Belize. The small Mayan villages of Santa Anna and San Felipe, each with 350 inhabitants, are also just a couple of miles a way. However, when you are at Cotton Tree Lodge you are immersed in the jungle.

Accommodation

At CottonTree Lodge you will stay in private cabanas and awaken to the song of exotic birdlife and the roar of monkeys in the distance. Start your day with fresh tropical fruit from the orchard or sample the chocolate made from the cocoa grown at the Lodge. Explore the grounds by dugout canoe or horseback or join one of the guided tours of the rainforest, rivers, Mayan ruins or villages.

Serving fresh Belizean cuisine along with regional spirits and beer, the lodge is the focal gathering point where guests can relax and enjoy the serene river environment. The lodge is where you can mingle each day, make new friends, and plan your next adventure. A large deck area looks toward the river—an inviting place to view the exotic birds that call this their home, or simply unwind and watch the sunset.

Eco Policies

Eco-design – Cabanas at this eco-friendly accommodation are thatched with bay leaf in the traditional Mayan fashion.

Energy - You won’t see any power lines here as this Eco Lodge is “off the grid” and uses solar power for its basic electrical needs.

Conservation – The Eco Lodge has begun a reforestation program planting teak and mahogany trees.

Ecological sustainability – CottonTree Lodge maintains an organic garden which produces fruits and vegetables used in the restaurant.
The Eco Lodge also has a composting system whereby traditional flush toilets are used but nutrients are returned to the soil through bio-remediation and phyto-remediation. Instead of a traditional leach field, the Eco Lodge uses a self contained reservoir planted with banana palm trees. The banana plants actually absorb the liquid instead of a leach field. And don’t worry, there’s no unpleasant smell with this process and you won’t be eating these bananas!

Community - CottonTree Lodge and Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) are working together to establish a demonstration farm at CottonTree Lodge. SHI's mission is to help families in Central America work toward environmental, economic and social sustainability. They do this by hiring local agricultural extension staff that work directly with low-income Belizean families in promotion of improved nutrition, organic agricultural techniques, reforestation, health improvement projects such as improved wood-burning stoves and potable water systems, along with a focus on marketing the agricultural products the families grow so that their income levels increase.
The demonstration farm would show SHI's agriculture techniques and land reclamation methods to local farmers and visitors to CottonTree Lodge. The agricultural extensionists would work at the site, but would also work with local families near CottonTree Lodge, and would bring them to the site for training sessions on sustainable land use practices. CottonTree Lodge and Sustainable Harvest International in partnership will look for funding to make this an ongoing collaboration, to the benefit of both organizations but more importantly for the benefit of the local community.

Facilities

The Eco-Lodge’s restaurant features Belizean favourites as well as the chef's creative cuisine. The daily changing specials capture the freshest foods available, which are then prepared blending local and international ingredients with a tropical "twist".
Fresh traditional ingredients such as chilli, tomatoes, avocados, rice, beans, succulent seafood and poultry are combined in mouth-watering dishes, reflecting the warmth and color of Belizean life.
A small bar and gift shop are attached the main lodge.

Things To See And Do

There are plenty of activities on the grounds such as birdwatching, horseback riding, a Mayan chocolate making workshop, canoeing and walking in the orchard. The Moho River is a great place to swim. The water is clean, the current is gentle, and there are rarely any boats going by. Try out the rope swing, the water’s 30 feet deep!

From meeting local Belizeans to discovering nature in the vast rainforest the Lodge also offers a wide variety of excursions to suit your taste and interest. All guides are licensed, fluent in English and Spanish and happy to answer questions about flora, fauna, local culture and life in the rainforest.

Room Description

Most of the cabanas at this eco-friendly lodge are built well above the ground, nestled in the wild fig trees that line the river's edge. The cabanas each have hot and cold running water with a private bath, bay leaf thatched roofs, eco-friendly flush toilets, screened-in windows, ceiling fans and spacious private decks with hammocks that overlook the river.

The 3 Standard Cabanas sleep a maximum of 2 and are furnished with one queen or two twin beds, approximately 300 square feet with private bath, ceiling fan, and screened louvered shutters decorated with handcrafted furniture in native woods, woven fabrics and rugs.
The 3 Deluxe Cabanas have the same features as the standard but are approximately 400 square feet and have a veranda.
The Honeymoon Cabana sleeps a maximum of 2 and is furnished with one king bed, approximately 400 square feet with riverfront veranda, whirlpool bath, ceiling fan, and screened louvered shutters decorated with handcrafted furniture in native woods, woven fabrics and rugs.
The 2 Family Cabanas, which sleep up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 4 children, are furnished with one queen bed on the main level and two single beds in the loft, approximately 400 square feet with veranda, loft, private bath, ceiling fan, and screened louvered shutters decorated with handcrafted furniture in native woods, woven fabrics and rugs. For occupancy with more than 2 children, a single or set of bunkbeds will be provided on the main level.
The Jungle Cabana sleeps a maximum of 2 and is for the adventurous! This rustic cabana is located 1/4 mile down a foot path into the jungle near a troop of howler monkeys! The room is in the rainforest and extremely secluded; not for the faint of heart. You will be surrounded by wildlife and jungle noises. Furnished with one king bed, approximately 400 square feet with veranda, loft, private bath, ceiling fan, and screened louvered shutters decorated with handcrafted furniture in native woods, woven fabrics and rugs.

Prices & Booking Policies

Currency: US dollar ($)
Prices and inclusions: Prices range from US$197.50 (approx £99) per person per night in a Standard cabana, based on 2 sharing, to US$222.50 (approx £112) per person per night based on 2 sharing the Honeymoon or Jungle cabana.
Prices for single occupancy range from US$245 (approx £123) per night in a Standard cabana to US$295 (approx £148) per night in the Honeymoon or Jungle cabana.
Prices include taxes, transfers to and from Punta Gorda airport, all meals, soft drinks, unlimited guided river, rainforest, Mayan ruins and village tours plus horseback riding. The rates also include use of the canoes, mountain bikes and kayaks.
Child prices: Children under 16 years old can share a room with 1 adult in the 2 person cabanas, or with 2 adults in the Family cabana at a cost of US$75 per night.
Extra adult prices: A third or fourth adult in the Family cabana pays US$150 per night.
Special offers: For stays starting on or after 1st May 2008 and completed by 31st October 2008, stay for 6 nights and only pay for 5 or stay for 12 nights and only pay for 10!
Check-in / Check-out times: check in 4PM check out Noon
Opening dates: CottonTree Lodge is open all year round. Bookings are currently being taken until 19th December 2008.
Restrictions: There are no minimum night restrictions.
Deposit: A deposit of 25% of the full fee is payable at time of booking. Your booking will not be fully confirmed until this deposit is received. The balance of the fee is then payable 30 days prior to arrival. These fees will be taken from your credit card using the details you provide at time of booking.
Cancellation policy: For cancellations made 31 days or more prior to arrival you will receive a full refund of your deposit. For cancellations made between 30 and 7 days prior to arrival you will be refunded 75% of the price of the booking. For cancellations made less than 7 days prior to arrival there will be no refund.
Payment methods: Payment accepted by personal check or by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express (no credit card surcharges apply).

Getting There And Around

CottonTree Lodge provides a complimentary airport transfer service from Punta Gorda airport. Simply provide your arrival details using the comments form when booking, or by contacting the Lodge using the details provided on confirmation of your booking.

From Belize International airport, Punta Gorda is accessible by bus or plane. There is no need for additional transportation once at CottonTree Lodge as transportation for all guided tours is included.