Copal Tree Lodge - Tours
Lubaantun, Blue Creek Village & Cave Swim
A must do southern Belize experience! Dating back to the Maya Classic Era and flourishing from AD 730 to AD980, among Lubaantun's distinguishing features are its unusual rounded edge black slate rock architecture laid without mortar. A large collection of miniature ceramic charm stones or ritual accouterments were found at the site.
Following the ruins tour, our local guide takes you to the authentic Maya village of Blue Creek where a traditional Maya family will host you for lunch where you can even try your hand at making corn tortillas. A challenging hike through the jungle, along the pristine river leads to the immense opening of Hokeb Ha Cave. These caves are mystical places and were known as XIbalba or Underworld passages, where the Maya believed the Rain God resided. Hokeb Ha would have been an especially revered ceremonial site as it features a waterfall within the cave. Bring along: sunscreen, bug spray, light clothing, waterproof cameras, hiking shoes, and bathing suit. Tour entails moderate hike at the Maya site, moderate climbing over rock boulders and swimming. Price includes lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. Full Day tour: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30-4:00 p.m.
A must do southern Belize experience! Dating back to the Maya Classic Era and flourishing from AD 730 to AD980, among Lubaantun's distinguishing features are its unusual rounded edge black slate rock architecture laid without mortar. A large collection of miniature ceramic charm stones or ritual accouterments were found at the site.
Following the ruins tour, our local guide takes you to the authentic Maya village of Blue Creek where a traditional Maya family will host you for lunch where you can even try your hand at making corn tortillas. A challenging hike through the jungle, along the pristine river leads to the immense opening of Hokeb Ha Cave. These caves are mystical places and were known as XIbalba or Underworld passages, where the Maya believed the Rain God resided. Hokeb Ha would have been an especially revered ceremonial site as it features a waterfall within the cave. Bring along: sunscreen, bug spray, light clothing, waterproof cameras, hiking shoes, and bathing suit. Tour entails moderate hike at the Maya site, moderate climbing over rock boulders and swimming. Price includes lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. Full Day tour: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30-4:00 p.m.
Nim Li Punit & RIo Blanco Waterfall
Dating from the Maya Classic Period and flourishing from the 5th century to 8th century AD, the Nim Li PUnit ruins derived its modern name from the elaborate headdress depicted on one of the largest stellas found in the Maya world. After touring the site, you will enjoy a traditional Belizean lunch at Coleman's Cafe.
Following lunch, the tour proceeds along the route of the new Pan American Highway to Rio Blanco Waterfalls Park. Swim in the cool refreshing water, cliff jump or just relax and enjoy the view. This is a full-day tour. Prices includes lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.
Dating from the Maya Classic Period and flourishing from the 5th century to 8th century AD, the Nim Li PUnit ruins derived its modern name from the elaborate headdress depicted on one of the largest stellas found in the Maya world. After touring the site, you will enjoy a traditional Belizean lunch at Coleman's Cafe.
Following lunch, the tour proceeds along the route of the new Pan American Highway to Rio Blanco Waterfalls Park. Swim in the cool refreshing water, cliff jump or just relax and enjoy the view. This is a full-day tour. Prices includes lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.
Mayan Site Village Adventures
Pass through several local villages on your way to ancient Maya Sites (choice of Lubaantun or Nim Li Punit). This is a half day tour and you can either choose to stop at Coleman's Cafe for some local cuisine, bring a packed lunch or head back to the Lodge for lunch prepared by our culinary team.
Pass through several local villages on your way to ancient Maya Sites (choice of Lubaantun or Nim Li Punit). This is a half day tour and you can either choose to stop at Coleman's Cafe for some local cuisine, bring a packed lunch or head back to the Lodge for lunch prepared by our culinary team.
Punta Gorda Town & Market Tour
Market days offer a great opportunity to immerse oneself in the region's kaleidoscope of people, fruits, vegetables, spices, and fish. Villagers and fisher people converge on the otherwise sleepy coastal town in school buses and boats laden with the bounty of the bay and rain-forest farms. In many ways, the scene is reminiscent of ancient Mayan Markets. Two Hour Tour: 8:30 to 10:30
Market days offer a great opportunity to immerse oneself in the region's kaleidoscope of people, fruits, vegetables, spices, and fish. Villagers and fisher people converge on the otherwise sleepy coastal town in school buses and boats laden with the bounty of the bay and rain-forest farms. In many ways, the scene is reminiscent of ancient Mayan Markets. Two Hour Tour: 8:30 to 10:30
Bean to Bar Chocolate Making Class
Our Bean to Bar Chocolate Class offers visitors to Copal Tree Lodge a very unique opportunity to understand and participate in the entire process of transforming high quality organic cacao into chocolate. Our brand-new-chocolate workshop is air conditioned and contains state of the art equipment for long-conch professional quality chocolate bars as well as large granite surfaces and traditional volcanic matrate for hand tempering and grinding.
The day starts with a visit to our cacao nursery where you will see cacao seeds sprouting and watch our expert hand grafters hard at work grafting rare, indigenous criollo cacao onto heartier high yielding varieties. We'll crack open a pod and you'll taste the pulpy, white, fresh cacao fruit. You'll learn about the fermenting and drying proceeds, walk through our Garden of Exotic Flavours and then, return to the farm centre where we'll roast some cacao and you'll see our universal concher churning out smooth, velvety chocolate liquor. Then roll up your sleeves and don an apron and our instructor will guide you as you learn to temper, both by hand and machine and mould your own chocolate bar to take home. Schedule: Monday - Friday.
Our Bean to Bar Chocolate Class offers visitors to Copal Tree Lodge a very unique opportunity to understand and participate in the entire process of transforming high quality organic cacao into chocolate. Our brand-new-chocolate workshop is air conditioned and contains state of the art equipment for long-conch professional quality chocolate bars as well as large granite surfaces and traditional volcanic matrate for hand tempering and grinding.
The day starts with a visit to our cacao nursery where you will see cacao seeds sprouting and watch our expert hand grafters hard at work grafting rare, indigenous criollo cacao onto heartier high yielding varieties. We'll crack open a pod and you'll taste the pulpy, white, fresh cacao fruit. You'll learn about the fermenting and drying proceeds, walk through our Garden of Exotic Flavours and then, return to the farm centre where we'll roast some cacao and you'll see our universal concher churning out smooth, velvety chocolate liquor. Then roll up your sleeves and don an apron and our instructor will guide you as you learn to temper, both by hand and machine and mould your own chocolate bar to take home. Schedule: Monday - Friday.
Seed-To-Cup Coffee Cupping Class
Join us at our coffee bar for an in-depth coffee tasting, or "cupping". The most important measure of coffee quality is flavour and we have sourced the best Central America has to offer. The main aim in cupping is to evaluate the coffee objectively and to create a flavour profile based on an established terminology. The basic attributes evaluated are: aroma, flavour, body and acidity. Your cupping journey will be led by our resident coffee expert.
Join us at our coffee bar for an in-depth coffee tasting, or "cupping". The most important measure of coffee quality is flavour and we have sourced the best Central America has to offer. The main aim in cupping is to evaluate the coffee objectively and to create a flavour profile based on an established terminology. The basic attributes evaluated are: aroma, flavour, body and acidity. Your cupping journey will be led by our resident coffee expert.
Rum Tour (Copalli Rum)
We're excited to welcome spirit enthusiasts to Belize's newest rum distillery, where you will be guided through the sugar cane rum-making process of Copalli Rum. Crafted with passion and sustainability at its core, Coaplli Rum is made with just three ingredients - non-GMO heirloom sugar cane, pure rainforest canopy water, and organic yeast - sourced from 22,000 acres of pristine rainforest in Belize.
From farm to flask, you'll experience each step that goes into making single-origin sugar cane rum and learn what makes it unique. Start by touring the organic cane fields and harvesting your own sugar cane, before heading out to the on-site distillery to learn the basics of rum-making and its evolution over time. Tour the entire distillery and bottling facility before heading to the Agricultural Center. Here, experts at Copal Tree Lodge will teach you how to taste spirits correctly and the science behind the practice. Finish the experience with a delicious lunch paired with Copalli Rum cocokatils and Copal Tree chocolate.
We're excited to welcome spirit enthusiasts to Belize's newest rum distillery, where you will be guided through the sugar cane rum-making process of Copalli Rum. Crafted with passion and sustainability at its core, Coaplli Rum is made with just three ingredients - non-GMO heirloom sugar cane, pure rainforest canopy water, and organic yeast - sourced from 22,000 acres of pristine rainforest in Belize.
From farm to flask, you'll experience each step that goes into making single-origin sugar cane rum and learn what makes it unique. Start by touring the organic cane fields and harvesting your own sugar cane, before heading out to the on-site distillery to learn the basics of rum-making and its evolution over time. Tour the entire distillery and bottling facility before heading to the Agricultural Center. Here, experts at Copal Tree Lodge will teach you how to taste spirits correctly and the science behind the practice. Finish the experience with a delicious lunch paired with Copalli Rum cocokatils and Copal Tree chocolate.
Farm-To-Flask - Cocktail Mixology Class
Let our resident experts in the art of mixing cocktails show you how to combine our farm fresh ingredients with an array of Caribbean rums or local spirits. This experience includes a shot of each Copalli Rum and a signature cocktail in our new Copalli Tasting Room.
Let our resident experts in the art of mixing cocktails show you how to combine our farm fresh ingredients with an array of Caribbean rums or local spirits. This experience includes a shot of each Copalli Rum and a signature cocktail in our new Copalli Tasting Room.
Belizean Cullinary Tour
Enjoy all the Copal Tree Farms has to offer with the Complete Culinary Tour, a combination of all four of our top agric-tourism experiences. Learn to make chocolate in the Bean-to-Bar tour in the fully equipped Chocolate Workshop. Learn the art of coffee roasting and cupping with the Seed-to-Cup Coffee Cupping Class. Learn the history of rum and craft your own jungle cocktails with the Farm-to-Flask Mixology Class and Rum Distillery Immersion. This tour can be done in multiple days throughout your vacation.
Enjoy all the Copal Tree Farms has to offer with the Complete Culinary Tour, a combination of all four of our top agric-tourism experiences. Learn to make chocolate in the Bean-to-Bar tour in the fully equipped Chocolate Workshop. Learn the art of coffee roasting and cupping with the Seed-to-Cup Coffee Cupping Class. Learn the history of rum and craft your own jungle cocktails with the Farm-to-Flask Mixology Class and Rum Distillery Immersion. This tour can be done in multiple days throughout your vacation.
Birding
Belize is a hot spot for birding, as it is right in the middle of the migratory route of most Northern & Southern American species. Its diverse habitats are home to hundreds of Tropical and Neo-tropical species. Our guides are avid bird watchers and love to show our guests all the birds that call Copal Tree Home. They have been mentored by some of the region's leading experts, including noted ornithologist and author of the "Birds of Belize" Dr. Lee Jones, demonstrating a remarkable depth of avian knowledge.
If you have never been bird watching, you will get great pleasure on a morning walk around the grounds with one of our certified birding guides. An outing with a knowledgeable guide generates new awareness for the rich diversity of life in the jungle. Learn how focus your binoculars and spot native and migratory species and listen for the commonly seen birds around the property. Copal Tree Lodge offers one of the most reliable places to see the rare Ornate Hawk-eagle, which nests in the giant Ceiba trees at the lodge and patrols its territory daily. Chances are you'll even spot a toucan!
HALF DAY
FULL DAY - A full day birding is an exploration of the best of what Copal Tree Lodge has to offer. Meandering around our grounds, in the jungle and along the river's edge you will have the opportunity to see some of the broadest ranges of species the region has to offer. From soaring raptors to Kingfishers, Trogans, Euphonias, Hummingbirds, Herons, Manikins, and Parrots, count on a Big Day!
Belize is a hot spot for birding, as it is right in the middle of the migratory route of most Northern & Southern American species. Its diverse habitats are home to hundreds of Tropical and Neo-tropical species. Our guides are avid bird watchers and love to show our guests all the birds that call Copal Tree Home. They have been mentored by some of the region's leading experts, including noted ornithologist and author of the "Birds of Belize" Dr. Lee Jones, demonstrating a remarkable depth of avian knowledge.
If you have never been bird watching, you will get great pleasure on a morning walk around the grounds with one of our certified birding guides. An outing with a knowledgeable guide generates new awareness for the rich diversity of life in the jungle. Learn how focus your binoculars and spot native and migratory species and listen for the commonly seen birds around the property. Copal Tree Lodge offers one of the most reliable places to see the rare Ornate Hawk-eagle, which nests in the giant Ceiba trees at the lodge and patrols its territory daily. Chances are you'll even spot a toucan!
HALF DAY
FULL DAY - A full day birding is an exploration of the best of what Copal Tree Lodge has to offer. Meandering around our grounds, in the jungle and along the river's edge you will have the opportunity to see some of the broadest ranges of species the region has to offer. From soaring raptors to Kingfishers, Trogans, Euphonias, Hummingbirds, Herons, Manikins, and Parrots, count on a Big Day!
Snorkeling with the Chef
Copal Tree Lodge has a delicious new adventure you don't want to miss. This guided day cruise to the Gulf of Honduras takes place on our quiet, comfy riverboat with seating for 8. We'll start from the dock in the morning and proceed down the river to one of our local Cayes, where you'll enjoy snorkeling in the warm, clear Caribbean Sea. You'll see an impressive array of sea life and coral while the crew dives for conch, lobster, crab and possibly lionfish, an invasive species we eradicate by eating!
Our shaded river cruiser is outfitted with tables and benches, and easy access steps into the water, so you can spend as much time onboard, in the sun, or in the water as you wish. After snorkeling, your onboard crew will mix you a cold beverage. Toast to the good life while on one of our talented cooks prepares an incredible lunch featuring the catch of the day. Tour includes marine reserve park fees, fins and snorkels, fresh-cooked lunch and all local beverages. Full day tour.
Snorkeling Half Day - Our snorkeling and reef tour takes guests to the southern end of the Belize Barrie Reef to see a variety of aquatic species including sea fans, coral, colorful tropical fish, seahorses, rays, eels and turtles. This tour will take about 3-4 hours. Price includes water only. Other beverages are at an additional cost.
Copal Tree Lodge has a delicious new adventure you don't want to miss. This guided day cruise to the Gulf of Honduras takes place on our quiet, comfy riverboat with seating for 8. We'll start from the dock in the morning and proceed down the river to one of our local Cayes, where you'll enjoy snorkeling in the warm, clear Caribbean Sea. You'll see an impressive array of sea life and coral while the crew dives for conch, lobster, crab and possibly lionfish, an invasive species we eradicate by eating!
Our shaded river cruiser is outfitted with tables and benches, and easy access steps into the water, so you can spend as much time onboard, in the sun, or in the water as you wish. After snorkeling, your onboard crew will mix you a cold beverage. Toast to the good life while on one of our talented cooks prepares an incredible lunch featuring the catch of the day. Tour includes marine reserve park fees, fins and snorkels, fresh-cooked lunch and all local beverages. Full day tour.
Snorkeling Half Day - Our snorkeling and reef tour takes guests to the southern end of the Belize Barrie Reef to see a variety of aquatic species including sea fans, coral, colorful tropical fish, seahorses, rays, eels and turtles. This tour will take about 3-4 hours. Price includes water only. Other beverages are at an additional cost.
Fly Fishing
Kids Jungle Farm Tour
Let your little ones meet our "little ones" as our Farm Team takes you and your family through our Farm and introduces them to our lambs, piglets and baby chicks. Let them learn about healthy eating as they explore our vegetable gardens, tasting the produce straight off the vines.
Let your little ones meet our "little ones" as our Farm Team takes you and your family through our Farm and introduces them to our lambs, piglets and baby chicks. Let them learn about healthy eating as they explore our vegetable gardens, tasting the produce straight off the vines.
Bean to Bar Class for Kids
This is a 1-1/2 hour class at the Copal Tree Lodge Agri-tourism Center for kids ages 5-12. The class includes a short demonstration on our drying and fermentation process, a history of chocolate, and creating chocolates from scratch. Your child will leave with their own creations and a better appreciation for the fine chocolate. (Please let us know of any food allergies; no peanuts will be used in this class). Cost of class includes all materials.
This is a 1-1/2 hour class at the Copal Tree Lodge Agri-tourism Center for kids ages 5-12. The class includes a short demonstration on our drying and fermentation process, a history of chocolate, and creating chocolates from scratch. Your child will leave with their own creations and a better appreciation for the fine chocolate. (Please let us know of any food allergies; no peanuts will be used in this class). Cost of class includes all materials.
Zip Lining
An adrenaline fueled adventure for the whole family. See the jungle from a different perspective, as you and your family join 2 certified guides on this canopy tour which takes you high above the pristine rainforest. Few others zip lines give you the chance to truly appreciate the jungle canopy while respecting the rainforest.
An adrenaline fueled adventure for the whole family. See the jungle from a different perspective, as you and your family join 2 certified guides on this canopy tour which takes you high above the pristine rainforest. Few others zip lines give you the chance to truly appreciate the jungle canopy while respecting the rainforest.
Kids River Fishing
Join "Captain Jack" as he takes you along the Rio Grande on our pontoon boat, looking for the elusive roll of the Tarpon, hear the call of the Howler Monkeys or the splash of a crocodile. Let you children try their luck trolling for Snook, Snapper or Jack Fish with our spinner rods. Tours lasts 3 hours.
Join "Captain Jack" as he takes you along the Rio Grande on our pontoon boat, looking for the elusive roll of the Tarpon, hear the call of the Howler Monkeys or the splash of a crocodile. Let you children try their luck trolling for Snook, Snapper or Jack Fish with our spinner rods. Tours lasts 3 hours.
Children's Tortilla Making Class
Have an aspiring young chef in your family? Children will get a hands-on session in flour tortilla making with our pastry chef. In this 90-minute class, children will mix, knead, and roll out their own tortillas and watch as the chef cooks them in the traditional Belizean way, over an open fire comal. Using freshly made tortillas, children also make cheese quesadillas, and signature fry jacks - all from the same dough. Recipes cards are provided to make tortillas at home. Children under 10 need a parent present. This class takes place outdoors. (Please inform us of any food allergies. Not suitable for gluten-free or celiac children).
Have an aspiring young chef in your family? Children will get a hands-on session in flour tortilla making with our pastry chef. In this 90-minute class, children will mix, knead, and roll out their own tortillas and watch as the chef cooks them in the traditional Belizean way, over an open fire comal. Using freshly made tortillas, children also make cheese quesadillas, and signature fry jacks - all from the same dough. Recipes cards are provided to make tortillas at home. Children under 10 need a parent present. This class takes place outdoors. (Please inform us of any food allergies. Not suitable for gluten-free or celiac children).