Copal Tree Lodge

Complete

The Copal Tree Lodge was our second destination and we spent four nights there. It was in a rainforest and it rained quite frequently.  Usually only for a short while though. We saw the sun quite a bit more at this place.

To get to the lodge we had to fly back to Belize City and then catch another puddle jumper to Punta Gorda which is in the very far south of the country. And then a ride up a very bumpy road.  It seems that none of the roads get graded in this country.

The interior of the plane.

Leaving San Pedro was not a sad thing.  The resort was great but the town was kind of crappy.

The sea is very beautiful on the way back to Belize City.  On a sunny day I imagine it's spectacular.

Back in Belize City. It just kind of looks like a slum.

On the way to Punta Gorda we fly over a lot of beautiful, green fields. The amount of rain they get here is perfect for growing a variety of crops.  I've no idea what was being grown below.

Somebody has big plans below. It appears as if he's trying to build an island community.  A nice idea but good luck!

On our way to Punta Gorda we have to stop twice to let off passengers. Once in Placencia, where our next stop will be, and then in Dangriga.  After taking off from Placencia we fly over a private island belonging to Norwegian Cruise Lines.  Each day they have a different ship here where they off load passengers and, I imagine, charge them a small fortune to enjoy the activities.

Our room at the resort was wayyyyy up the hill from the main resort. There were four large suites at the top that shared a private pool. There was never anyone in the pool as it was not heated and as the sun was not shining that much.

This lift is how you get to the suites up the hill. There was also a paved path that we took up a few times and took down all the time.

A pretty decent room.

We had to ask for the three reading lamps shown below. The room was very dark without them.

A beautiful infinity pool that didn't get used.

Likewise we never saw anyone at the bar or the lounging area (next pic). I imagine that in warmer, dryer weather they would be used.  All four of the upper suites were occupied but we rarely saw anyone outside of their rooms.

The bar. Our package included all meals PLUS all rum drinks made with the resort produced rum (Copalli Rum), plus all local beer, Cusquena, plus two different Chilean red wines. It was a pretty good deal. The beer was good, the rum was drinkable as was the wine. I have to admit I'd never buy a bottle of the rum though.

The outdoor bar area.

Inside the dining room.  We had all our meals outside.

This was one of the views from the veranda of our room. Quite spectacular.

Included in our package was something called a "mixology" course. Essentially they just made us a bunch of rum drinks using the Copalli Rum.

We never did finish all the drinks that were put in  front of us.  It just doesn't seem right anymore getting hammered in the afternoon.  We're getting old I guess. Becoming more mature maybe...NOT!!!

One day walking down to the bar to get some ice I came across this guy just soaking up some sun.

He wasn't at all bothered by my presence. I never attempted to engage him in conversation.

We went for a self guided hike one afternoon and found ourselves down by the Rio Grande river...not the one in Texas obviously. We kayaked a couple times here. Once with a guide and once just on our own.

Belize is full of ancient Mayan sites and the Lubaantun Archeological Reserve was one of them fairly close to the lodge It was about an hour ride in a Toyota Land Cruiser over mostly very rough road.

Tree roots are the main reason these buildings fall apart.

After the ruins went to our guides house, which is also a restaurant, and had a mediocre meal.  

Then we went swimming in a cave. Very cool.

The cave entrance is behind us.

There were two other couples, a guide and his young son.

The cave was pitch black so we had to wear a helmet with a lamp.

Below is a mini waterfall that the other two guys thought would be cool to go under.

And below is a very small hole where the cave water drains out. It exits somewhere in the valley below. Apparently a young kid disappeared down this hole a few years ago never to be seen again.

The path to / from the cave is fairly rugged.

One of our last activities was a guided kayak trip on the Rio Grande river. We were able to go up some very small, scenic tributaries.  Much fun.

A beautiful sunset on our last night at the Copal Tree Lodge.

Done.