Explore the Mayan heartland of Southern Belize

 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
    
 Based on 235 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Aaron Y 
 
 
 
 Verified 
You need to see this! Incredible and relaxing eco and cultural tours in the gorgeous jungles of Toledo District, Belize.
What a wonderful time we had here! My wife and I spent five incredible days at this beautiful and well kept eco lodge. Our thatched cabin was beautiful and had both a big overhead fan and an AC unit to keep us cool in the warm humid evenings. The pool was basic, but very refreshing and we spent an hour or so in it each day cooling off before dinner. There was no bar at the pool, but I think that's something that they are working on remodeling and reopening in the future as they are recently under new ownership. The food was fantastic, and I say this as someone who often lets my stomach arrange our next travel destination. The staff were also very kind and helpful in the dining room and Adran was a very good and friendly bartender for us. He even offered to give us a little ice chest with some Belican beers to enjoy on the porch of our cabana. Steve, our guide during our stay, is incredibly knowledgeable about the people, culture, and wildlife in the area and also just a great guy to spend the day with. He is a very enthusiastic bird watcher and nature lover and was a delight all around. In fact, when we finished our stay at Tanager and spent a few days on the beach in Placencia, the locals we talked to knew him as well! A travelling merchant said "Oh you were in Big Falls? You must know Steve Choco!" Well we do and we are happy to know him as he gave us daily tours that we will never forget. If you want to experience the people, the culture, and the incredible biodiversity of the Toledo district in a fun and relaxed way (and you should!) then this is the place to do it. We are so grateful we were able to make this trip and hope to do it again one day.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 c d 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Chocolate and Nature Lovers Experience
Staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. On our extended stay, we interacted with all of them in a personal way. The lodge grounds are well maintained, the cabanas are traditional construction with a palm thatch roof and minimal but comfortable furnishings. Walking trails and the Rio Grande River are availabke to explore on your own. The reason to visit was the “Chocolate and Nature Lovers” package … and that was amazing: guided bird walks, spice farm, Mayan site, manatee and howler monkey day at Monkey Creek, cacao farm, and making lunch with a mayan family. Breakfasts were variations on eggs and bacon for a hearty start to the day. Dinners on site were like those that mom would make - fresh, nutritious, and tasty. Tanager is more rustic in its accommodations than a luxury resort but exquisite in its delivery of a Southern Belize experience.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 George P 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Rainforest Eco-Tourism
Belize has more to offer than just beaches. The Lodge is tucked away in the beauty of the rainforest along the Rio Grande. Accommodations are comfortable and offer a view into a way of living in harmony with the world around us. We stayed in one of the thatched roof cabanas right at the river's edge. Highly recommended. Authentic Belizean cuisine is served daily and exceeded our expectations. Fresh, local and exotic ingredients make each meal a new experience. Morning bird watching with coffee on the patio was amazing. Steve was an incredibly knowledgeable and easy going guide. A consummate professional and true naturalist, Steve led us on a journey that truly opened our eyes to the beauty of southern Belize. Excursions to Mayan archeological sites gave us some insight into a fascinating culture. Visits to a spice farm, butterfly preserve, cacao farm and chocolatier, swimming under a waterfall as well as a boat ride up the Monkey River and into the jungle gave us a better understanding of the Mayan people's close relationship to the world around them. Our trip included a package of excursions, which gave us an organized schedule with plenty of down-time for relaxing. All of the staff at Tanager Rainforest Lodge were attentive, professional and made every effort to insure that we had a great visit. We left feeling like a part of the family.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Grizzwold68 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Lovely facility and grounds / attentive knowledgeable staff
We stayed at Tanager Lodge last weekend January12th through the14th. The grounds were well kept with numerous trees and plants with signs naming them. Staff put out fruit and attracted many birds. Not only a variety of Tanagers, also Orioles, Woodpecker and many others. Steve was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about birding. Our Cabana was well kept with a comfortable bed and a nice bathroom and shower design. Staff was extremely helpful doing whatever anyone required. No Baileys for one guests morning coffee was rectified by the following morning. The meals were all very good with a nice selection. River tubing and Hot Springs were fun. Will return for Kayak trip with Steve and birding.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chris 
 
 
 
 Verified 
A peaceful rainforest escape
We just returned from a relaxing week a the Tanager Lodge. The property itself is nestled in the jungle, offering a very serene location perfect for relaxing and trying to unplug. The grounds are forested and surrounded by a river, with lots of wildlife all around. We stayed in a thatched room and it was perfect. The rooms do not have air conditioning, but we were very comfortable the entire time. Rooms do not have wifi and cellphone service is limited, so be prepared to unplug and enjoy the nature that’s all around you. The food and bar were lovely the whole week as well. The dinner menu changed each night and often followed a theme. They had options for various dietary restrictions and the chef was willing to accommodate special requests as well. The bar was a nice option to have on property where we were able to have nice cocktails, some made with local products. It was a good space to chat with other guests and the staff as well. The highlight of the trip were our adventures with Steve, the resident guide. Steve is an expert birder, so if you are looking to see tropical birds, he is definitely your guy. We did a 5 day tour that focused on nature and the Mayan communities. We visited a chocolate farm, mayan sites, the Rio Blanco national park and ate lots of delicious local cuisine. Tanager and Steve are able to recommend or create tours based on your interests and will go the extra mile to make it as enjoyable as possible. The property is under new ownership and the team has a lot of new enhancements coming it sounds like, so the property will only get better! Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of birds in their habitat was a great experience, making the week very relaxing. We weren’t sure what we were getting into on this trip, but it ended up being just what the doctor ordered and we hope to be able to visit again and unplug in the beautiful Belizean nature.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chris P 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Tanager Rainforest Lodge - First Rate for Birds and Belize
We had a delightful stay at this peaceful, well appointed lodge. The staff was friendly and helpful in every way. The food delicious. Our cabana very comfortable. We were there for the birding, and Steven proved one of the best guides we’ve had any where, enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and intent that we get the best experience of bird life in that part of Belize as well as sampling the culture of the area. The lodge was, for us, first rate in every way.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 WesCon 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Phenomenal!
The word is ‘phenomenal’! Everything from the food/drinks to the accomodations to the excursions were phenomenal. But most of all the PEOPLE! They couldn’t be more lovely or kind! Highly recommend a visit.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Filler1959 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Great for bird watching and relaxation!!
Fantastic place to stay, off the beaten track about 30 mins west of Punta Gorda. Very comfortable cabins and excellent food. Stephen and his colleagues run an excellent lodge with many attractions nearby. We visited Lubaantum ruins and we were the only visitors there! Also the visit to Xcaocao chocolate farm/ producer was amazingly interesting - and tasty!! The highlight for us was Stephen's early morning guided bird walk in the jungle around the lodge. We saw so many different birds which we wouldn't have seen without his expert eye. This is a great place to stay for birdwatchers and anyone interested in peace and quiet. We also enjoyed the swimming pool and the rubber ring drift down the Rio Grande river! Thank you Stephen and all the staff.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Shannon B 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Incredible cultural experience
If you are looking to chill out and immerse yourself in the Belizean culture this is the place for you! The staff at Big Falls makes you feel like family. The accomodations are well maintained and cozy. We stayed in one of the more modern units with AC but they have thatched roof bungalows with beautiful views of the property and the river. We floated the river on the property and swam in the natural warm spring. No need to arrange transportation back because the exit is STILL on property. Steve was our guide the whole time we were there. He was awarded the best tour guide in Belize and he deserves it, he was amazing! He catered to our interests and made us feel like we had a local friend showing us his favorite places in his home. We made chocolate from the bean, ate a home cooked meal with the warm family at Ixcacao Chocolate, visited a gorgeous spice farm, had a waterfall picnic and went cliff jumping, swam in caves and visited Mayan ruins. If you are a birder, that is Steve's passion so you are in for a treat! After our full day if excursions we would come back to property and swim in the pool, lay in a hammock and have a nice quiet dinner in the lodges restaurant. If you are looking for a wild night life, this place is not for you but if you're looking for culture and want to enjoy the beauty of nature surrounded by new friends, pay our new family at Big Falls a visit.