duPlooy's Jungle Lodge

Overview

Description

duPlooy's Jungle Lodge is a small eco-resort nestled on the banks of the Macal River and situated on 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of lush tropical forest, where you can find the Belize Botanic Gardens, several miles of well-maintained trails, and a sandy beach that is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and launching your canoe or tube.

While you are here, you will want to spend at least one full day around the property enjoying the gardens, river, and trails, as well as horseback riding, bird watching, looking for wildlife, and more. You will also want to allow yourself enough time to explore the many adventures that await you nearby in Belize’s Cayo District.

Rooms

We have a variety of accommodations, all with porches (with hammocks) and screened windows:

• La Casita
• Private bungalows
• Jungle lodge rooms
• Belize River House

Making a Difference

At duPlooy's we strive to keep our negative impact on the environment to a minimum.

Solar Living: Our long-time goal of moving to total solar power has been met with our recently installed state-of-the-art solar system which provides quieter, more reliable power than our diesel generators.

Purchasing Locally: We use local foods wherever possible and buy imported food items from local suppliers. Through active membership in the Belize Organic Producers Association, we encourage organic farming and help support small farmers.

Where's the beef? Not here. Cattle ranching is responsible for a lot of destroyed rainforest, as it is cleared to provide pasture and plant food for them. Their pastures are often allowed to become over grazed, causing erosion problems.

Organics: We purchase organic eggs and vegetables and organic or free range chicken for our restaurant where possible. We have chosen not to grow our own vegetables, as we believe that supporting local farmers and encouraging them to switch to organic growing is important. duPlooy's and Belize Botanic Gardens have been organic properties since 1988.

Composting and Recycling: Composting of vegetable matter has always taken place here, but we are behind on recycling since Belize has no recycling programs. Paper can be shredded and added to compost, bottles can often be donated to local producers to be used for honey, hot sauce, etc. We ask you to bring your own water bottle or buy one from us. Please try not to buy small bottles of water.

Plant Conservation and Education: Our largest conservation endeavor is the Belize Botanic Gardens (BBG), located adjacent to duPlooy's. Over 150 native orchid species have been collected and placed in the garden's native plant house. BBG's "Grow Native" program, funded by the Stanley Smith Horticulture Trust, encourages the use of native plants in landscaping and introduces local schoolchildren to the gardens and the practice of conserving Belizean plants. A Mayan style building houses traditional healer workshops and a palm display that is funded by the International Palm Society. The display is used for educational purposes, to show the importance of protecting our native palm species from unsustainable harvest. Other projects include a three-year study of the viability of cultivating chamadorea palms, which are used widely in the floral industry and presently harvested unsustainably. Currently we are working with the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, on a Savannah trail via a Darwin Initiative Grant.

Roofing: Buildings here are roofed with tile instead of thatch. Though picturesque, the palm leaves gathered to make thatch are normally gathered from the wild and not replanted. Unsustainable collecting practices endanger the population of the palm. There is a farmed plot of bay leaf palm in the Belize Botanic Gardens for later thatching projects and providing seed for others.

At the bar, you will find no plastic straws or paper napkins. We only serve soft drinks and beer products that come in recyclable containers. We also try to lessen our waste in general by not using disposable or single use containers and products as much as possible.

Rates

$150 and up

Our Standard Room Rates (Bed & Breakfast) include continental breakfast, free coffee and tea on the deck for guided early morning birding, unlimited entrance to Belize Botanic Gardens with self-guided booklet and unlimited use of canoes and inner tubes on the property.

Another option is our Create Your Own Package, which includes:

• Transfers to and from Belize City or Belize International Airport, with an optional stop at the Belize Zoo enroute if time permits
• Accommodations
• Taxes and gratuities to hotel staff
• All meals at duPlooy's or picnic lunches ordered the previous day, starting with dinner the day your vacation begins and ending with breakfast the day you leave.
• Self-guide booklet for the adjacent Belize Botanic Gardens
• Activities and tours from our exciting list, one full day or two half day activities per non-transfer day.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Belize City (BZE)

We can pick you up and bring you to duPlooy's from anywhere on Belize's mainland. Rates depend on the pickup location.

Buses also run regularly from Belize City and other towns to San Ignacio. To ride the bus, take a taxi from the airport to the bus station (about $25). From there, take a bus marked "Benque" (about $5) and get off at San Ignacio. From San Ignacio, a taxi ride up to duPlooy's should cost you about $30.00 for 1-4 people.

Renting a car? From Belize City get on the Western Highway and head west for about 72 miles (115 km). You will be slightly detoured driving through San Ignacio, but just ask directions to the Western Highway heading towards the Benque border. Once you are on the highway again look for the duPlooy's sign after about 5 miles (8 km). Turn left on to a dirt road and follow the signs for about 5 more miles (8 km).

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

June 2012.

Photos courtesy of duPlooy\'s Jungle Lodge, Belize, for SustainableTrip.org.