Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize - A Francis Ford Coppola Hideaway

Staying at Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Created by the mastermind behind The Godfather movies, the resort feels like an extension of his creative genius—thoughtful, detailed, and absolutely stunning. The setting is magical—tucked away in a hidden valley surrounded by pine forests. It feels completely secluded and peaceful. The resort itself is beautifully designed, with colonial-style furniture and décor that makes every corner feel special. The attention to detail is incredible, and the service was top-notch from start to finish. We treated ourselves to a massage, which was super relaxing, and the rooms were spotless. Everything, from the natural wood furniture to the tiled showers and even the wooden shower gel bottles, felt carefully thought out and unique. If you go, don’t miss the waterfall! Whether you hike or take a horse-drawn carriage, it’s 100% worth it. It felt almost spiritual being out there surrounded by nature. The staff were so friendly and accommodating, making sure we had everything we needed. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and I’m already looking forward to coming back one day!

Rustic luxury at its finest. The location is gorgeous and the staff are absolutely amazing. Ernesto at the bar was wonderful. Everyone is very accommodating and friendly. We did the tour of Barton Creek and loved it. We also did horseback riding to Big Rick Falls and ATV tour. Both of these experiences were a lot of fun. |Make sure you bring water shoes, insect repellent and active wear. It was a little colder than we expected in the evenings so bring a light jacket. |My only negative experience was at checkout. Every adventure you pick has an added fee to transport you there and the fees are exorbitant. We’ve travelled the world and have never paid more for transportation than here. They do not tell you about these fees when you book an adventure. Hundreds of US dollars for short car rides, in cars that are not in good shape. If possible, rent a car. We left with a pretty bad feeling, unfortunately.

Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize is absolutely incredible—one of the best places we’ve ever stayed! The lodge is tucked away in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, and it feels like your own private jungle retreat.||The garden dinner was a huge highlight. Everything is made with fresh ingredients straight from their organic garden, and the food was amazing. Eating under the stars with the sounds of nature all around was such a special experience—it felt magical.||Swimming in the river on the property was another favorite part of our stay. The water is crystal clear and so refreshing, and the setting is just beautiful. It felt like we had our own secret swimming spot in the middle of the jungle.||We also took a trip to the Mayan ruins at Caracol, which was unforgettable. Our guide, Hugo, was the best! He was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of the area. He made the ruins come alive with his stories and insights, and we learned so much while having a great time.||Blancaneaux Lodge is the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and amazing food. The staff were so kind and attentive without being overwhelming. If you’re looking for a getaway where you can connect with nature, enjoy delicious meals, and have some incredible experiences, this is the place to go!

Blancaneaux Lodge is a hidden gem tucked into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The property is stunning - perched above rushing waterfalls with views that stretch across the dense forest canopy. They've managed to create something truly special here, where luxury exists in perfect harmony with nature.||||The staff at Blancaneaux are incredible - they're passionate about the property and the surrounding environment, and it shows in everything they do. They're always ready with recommendations for hikes, eager to share their knowledge about local wildlife, and make you feel completely taken care of while giving you space to enjoy the serenity of the location.||||The dining experiences here are unforgettable. The restaurants serve amazing farm-to-table dishes, with many ingredients coming straight from their organic garden. Each meal feels special, whether you're having breakfast overlooking the forest or dining under the stars. The chefs work wonders with local ingredients and traditional recipes.||||The activities are endless - from horseback riding through the jungle to exploring nearby caves and ancient Mayan sites. The grounds themselves are a joy to explore, with winding paths through beautifully maintained gardens. The natural swimming pools along the creek are a highlight - there's nothing better than cooling off in the crystal-clear water after a day of adventures.||||The whole place reflects a deep commitment to sustainability and conscious design. From their hydroelectric power system to their organic farming practices, everything is done with environmental stewardship in mind. It's the perfect example of how eco-friendly practices can enhance rather than detract from a luxury experience.

Absolutely amazing. Came for my 50th birthday trip with my husband and 6 year old daughter before meeting family in Hopkins and Cate Caulker. We stayed in luxury cabana #11 and spent a lot of time floating in porn private pool. ||||The entire team at Blancaneaux is incredible, from the second we drove up until we had to leave, including the concierges Jemuel and Amir, all the wait staff Ernesto, Marty, Cairney and others, and front desk staff Eber and Cindy, and the gardeners who helped me find toucans one early morning. ||||We had side by side massages - some of the best we ever had. They arranged several trips for us, some where the Blancaneaux team drove (Adonius took us to the ATM caves and we had them all to ourselves for the first 1.5 hours) and guided and others where they just arranged for us to meet a guide in our own car. ||||Big Rock Falls was lovely and almost empty. The food, drinks and music were great. ||||Hoping to go back again!

We stayed at Blancaneaux for two nights in November. Our Riverview Cabana was amazing with gorgeous views of the river. The bed and pillows were so comfortable. The food was delicious. We went horseback riding with Edgar through the pines and rainforest. The horses were so good and Edgar took great care of us. We had wonderful massages too. The entire staff knew our names and treated us like royalty. My husband forgot his backpack and the lodge arranged to have it transferred for us to Turtle Inn in a matter of days (during tropical storm Sara). We will be back! Thanks to the entire staff for making our trip so enjoyable.

We absolutely loved our time at the Blancaneaux lodge. It was not crowded while we were there and we all felt like we received VIP treatment. |We booked multiple tours through the hotel and they were all fabulous. The ATM cave, not for the faint of heart, was our favorite followed by the horseback to Big rock falls and the Caracal ruins. |I visited the spa twice and loved the aromatherapy massage.||We had a 2 bedroom villa which was perfect for our family of 4. Falling asleep to the frogs croaking and waterfall then waking up to a view of the lush landscaping and chirping birds was so relaxing.|My boys loved riding bikes around the property and up to the horse stables each day. |Finally, the food! It was so fresh and delicious. The garden dinner tour was also amazing and we aren’t vegetarians. |Highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for an adventure with all the luxuries of a resort, just don’t forget your bug spray!

I did not believe the positve reviews until I eXperienced the amazing service and attention to details. The place os peaceful and magical. When we arrived, we were greeted in amazing fashion. After a long drive from the airport, we had some amazing fresh seafood and vegetables. The quarters were amazing. We had the basic river cabana. We then went horseback riding tbroigh the jungle. The sunset ride was exceptional. Dinner was amazing in flavor and value. Morning in room dining was excellent. Excursions by the lodge are top notch and well worth the cost. You get the best of everythjng--the best guides and vehicles and experiences. I think it is best to consukt with staff and arrange the best experiences for your tastes. We visited Barton Cave and Cahal Pech. The highlight for us was the romantic dinner. I believe it would be hard to top anywhere in the world. Best part of Blancaneaux is the hjgh level of service and pampering. You experience all types of little extras throughout---extra homemade candy here a hot water bottle in the bed there--multiple room cleanings and treats. Anyways, the top reviews are well deserved. Blancaneaux is amazing!