Two miles upstream on the Macal River from Chaa Creek—and six miles from the highway on a bumpy steep road lies this eco-minded lodge on 120 acres of undisturbed riverside jungle.
No pool, no air-conditioning, no plastic straws or paper napkins—this place means business when it comes to its environment-friendly claim. In fact, duPlooy’s is one of the few establishments in the country that actually walks the walk when it comes to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Some of the organic food is grown on-site and the breakfast eggs are local.
The grounds are gently manicured to preserve the jungle atmosphere and outdoorsy types will love this while not having to sacrifice the comforts of a good bed and clean room. The restaurant serves Belizean and Caribbean food from an a la carte menu of the owner's recipes. No beef is served for environmental reasons. (Cattle grazing is responsible for most of the world’s rainforest destruction.) The screened-in dining area has two rooms to accommodate groups without affecting couples who may want more privacy in the bungalows below.
The hotel is high
above the river and a boardwalk through the canopy leads to a thatched viewing platform looking down on it. This and another wooden deck next to the bar are prime bird-watching platforms. duPlooy’s keeps a Belizean bird expert and guide available on-property every morning.
Guests can swim in the river and lounge on a sandy beach along its bank facing a cliff. They can also float downstream in a canoe to Chaa Creek, or paddle all the way to San Ignacio and arrange for a shuttle back to the lodge. The Belize Botanical Garden is on-site featuring plants from around the world. Activities include various tours such as horse rides to Maya sites, canoe trips, and tubing. Internet service is available in the main office for a fee.
Accommodations vary. The owners like to remind potential guests that there is no air conditioning and that Belize is in the tropics. Seven stone and concrete jungle lodges, some of which connect, offer screened porches and two queen beds on Mexican tile floors. (Number 2 has a king.) Three bungalows come with king beds and sitting areas with queen-sized sofa beds and refrigerators. All come with ceiling and stand fans and safes, but the rooms themselves have no locks.
The original Jungle Lodge rooms are together in threes, each is spacious with two queens and a private bath. The Belize River house features the Macal River Suite (three bedrooms) and Mopan River Suites (4 bedrooms), each suite has two baths, a living room and a porch. This is popular with large groups, especially students. All have shower-only baths.
The two-bedroom La Casita has an upstairs and downstairs both with four-poster king beds, a wraparound porch strung with hammocks, two combination baths, two refrigerators, and a whirlpool in the upstairs bedroom. This is the most elegant of the accommodations. Trails and boardwalks connect all the lodges. Laundry service is available.
This property is less posh, decidedly rustic, but also a cheaper alternative to Chaa Creek and other Cayo properties. duPlooy’s is truly more eco-friendly than most hotels in Belize (or Central America for that matter).
