Cotton Tree Lodge is a jungle lodge in the

Toledo District Toledo District is the southernmost district in Belize, and Punta Gorda is the District capital. It is the second most developed region in the country (according to the Human Development Index (HDI)). The district has a diverse topography whic ...

Belize Belize (; bzj, Bileez) is a Caribbean and Central American country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a wate ...

. The lodge was built in 2006 and opened January 2007. The property is situated west of the nearest major town, Punta Gorda, between the two Maya villages of Santa Ana and San Felipe, and on the banks of the

Moho River The Moho River is a river of Guatemala and Belize. The river is navigable year round between Santa Teresa and the mouth. See also *List of rivers of Guatemala *List of rivers of Belize These are the main rivers of Belize. Belize has a total of ...

. The lodge is

all-inclusive An all-inclusive resort is a holiday resort that includes at a minimum lodging, three meals daily, soft drinks, most alcoholic drinks, gratuities, and possibly other services in the price. Many also offer sports and non-motorized watersports and ot ...

and offers fresh local cuisine, daily tours, and on-the-grounds activities. Tours include Lubaantun,

Nim Li Punit Nim Li Punit () is a Maya Classic Period site in the Toledo District of the nation of Belize, located 50 kilometres north of the town of Punta Gorda, and directly adjacent to the village of Indian Creek. Nim Li Punit is sometimes known as Big Hat ...

, the

Garifuna The Garifuna people ( or ; pl. Garínagu in Garifuna) are a people of mixed free African and indigenous American ancestry that originated in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and speak Garifuna, an Arawakan language, and Vincentian ...

village of Barranco, swimming in Blue Creek Cave, waterfalls, cacao (chocolate) making workshops, tortilla-making workshops, and more. Kayaking, horseback riding, swimming, medicinal plant walks, birding, and mountain biking are available on the grounds. Accommodations include eleven guest cabanas with private bathrooms. The focus is on

ecotourism Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving responsible travel (using sustainable transport) to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide fund ...

and the lodge has implemented sustainability efforts throughout the property. Cotton Tree Lodge is

off-the-grid Off-the-grid or off-grid is a characteristic of buildings and a lifestyle designed in an independent manner without reliance on one or more public utilities. The term "off-the-grid" traditionally refers to not being connected to the electrical gr ...

and uses solar panels for most of its energy needs. Toilets are composting and waste flows into a self-contained tank which is drained by banana trees. Sustainable Harvest International, a non-profit focuses on

sustainable agriculture Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. It can be based on an understanding of ecosystem ser ...

,Sustainable Harvest International website
/ref> and The Cotton Tree Lodge have partnered to establish and organic demonstration garden at the lodge.

Gallery

Image:Main lodge daytime.JPG, The Main Lodge Image:Cotton tree lodge grounds.3.JPG, Boardwalk to the Jungle House Image:Tiger cave.3.JPG, Excursion to Tiger Cave Image:Road to cotton tree sunset.JPG, Sunset Over Santa Ana

References

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External links

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Sustainable Harvest International
{{coord, 16.098192, -88.927515, type:landmark_globe:earth_region:BZ, display=title Hotel buildings completed in 2006 Hotels established in 2007 Resorts in Belize Toledo District