In the early 1980s, Francis Ford Coppola visited Belize, immediately fell in love with the location, and purchased the abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge.
Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury hideaway where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. Its remote mountain setting allows guests to explore the ancient civilization of the Maya and to return to their own thatched roof dwelling, rich with Guatemalan décor and nestled in the foliage of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve.
There are a range of rooms here, depending on your budget. All are beautifully decorated with local arts and crafts, have a private hammock area and showcase the classic thatched roof. If you want to indulge, then cabanas with private access to the river or a private plunge pool are available. There are two on-site restaurants; the italian style ‘Montagna’ and the Guatemalan style ‘Guatemaltecqua’ but there is also the very unique, ‘Garden Spot’ where twice a week you can tour the vegetable gardens with the head gardener and then sit down to a delicious meal; a real farm to table experience! Mountain Pine Ridge is abundant with waterfalls, one of which runs right through the Blancaneaux property, creating a magical intimacy with the surrounding wilderness.
Blancaneaux is perfectly located to access the Caracol Mayan ruins which sit only a 2 hour drive south, through the reserve so a trip includes plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities; much of which differ from the lower, broad-leaf jungle due to its altitude and change in flora.
