Copal Tree Lodge

At Copal Tree Lodge, the luxury of your stay lies in unspoilt natural surroundings and a heartfelt commitment to sustainability. But that’s not to say that a stay here is anything akin to roughing it. 16 canopied suites and an indulgent villa line the treetops of the jungle whilst a rejuvenating spa specializes in treatments using locally sourced botanicals and the Jungle Farm Restaurant brings farm-to-table cuisine to the Belizean rainforest. Combine this with activities that stretch from the Rio Negro out to the Belize Barrier Reef and this truly is a place like no other.

Location

The phrase ‘in the thick of it’ is meant for places like Copal Tree Lodge. Sat on 12,000 acres of pristine rainforest, your only neighbors are the howler monkeys that provide your morning wake up call. Reached by a 1-hour hopper flight from Belize City down the coast to Punta Gorda, Copal Tree Lodge is then just a 15-minute ride away in one of their open-air land cruisers.

Your Room

A pared-back color scheme and natural materials in the 16 suites allow the verdant greens of the jungle canopy to take center stage at Copal Tree Lodge. Signature Canopy Suites look out over the Maya Mountains and Caribbean Sea from private infinity pools whilst Jungle Suites tuck you away with floor-to-ceiling views of the colorful birdlife from your walk-in shower. For something with space for all the family, the three-bedroom villa will act as your very own jungle home.

Why we like it

Staying at Copal Tree Lodge, it would be near impossible to spend the day lying by the pool – either of them, that is. Whilst we loved kayaking along the Rio Negro, diving in the Belize Barrier Reef and fly fishing and birding to our heart’s content, what really caught our attention is what Copal Tree has dubbed ‘agri-chic tourism’. 70% of what you eat here, is grown on property – they even have their own cocktail garden growing limes, coconut and pitaya. The rest is sourced sustainably or foraged for in the rainforest. But you simply cannot leave without a visit to their cacao plantation and chocolate workshop. Starting with cacao seeds, this is bean to bar as it should be, with you leaving with your own custom-flavoured chocolate bar at the end.