Eco Lodge Southern Belize | Rainforest Lodge & Birding Retreat
Welcome to Tanager Rainforest Eco Lodge Southern Belize
Toledo District sits in the deep south of Belize. It is greener, wilder, and less visited than the rest of the country. This region holds the most culturally diverse communities in Belize. You can explore Garifuna villages, Mayan ruins, East Indian farms, and Mennonite settlements within a short drive. The spectacular ruins of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit often have no other visitors.
Tanager Rainforest Lodge sits at the heart of this region. Our property is set inside a working rainforest on the banks of the Rio Grande at Big Falls Village. Birders wake up to tanagers and orioles outside their window. Guests step off their cabin porch straight onto jungle trails. The river is always ready for a refreshing swim.
We offer an authentic experience for travelers who want something real. Discover a hidden part of Belize that most tourists never find.
Rainforest Lodge Belize: River, Mayan Ruins & More — All Within 30 Minutes
Staying at Tanager puts you at the center of Toledo’s best experiences. The birding starts right on the property. Our expert resident guide has logged over 200 Belize bird species on the lodge grounds. Beyond our fence, the district opens into one of Central America’s most biodiverse jungles.
Excellent destinations sit just outside our front door. The Lubaantun Mayan ruins are 10 minutes away. Rio Blanco waterfalls are a 30-minute drive. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is 45 minutes away. Enjoy a warm natural spring, river tubing through the forest, and seasonal cave systems.
Our guests love having so many adventures close together. Toledo has a unique way of surprising travelers.
Birding
Bird Watching in Southern Belize — 500+ Species Year-Round
Belize is home to more than 590 bird species
Toledo District holds some of the best habitats in the country. Lowland rainforests, river edges, and Maya Mountain foothills are all within easy reach of the lodge. About 80 percent of these birds are year-round residents. The rest are North American migrants that arrive between December and April, making winter the most spectacular season for birding lists.
The best time of the year for Birdwatching North American migratory birds in Southern Belize is between December and April.
The lodge is home to Tanagers, Orioles, Hummingbirds, Parrots and a few rare birds.
On site birding guide
dining
Authentic Belizean Cuisine, Fresh From the Source
Our open-air restaurant and bar sits under a high thatched ceiling. Enjoy a dynamic menu of local Belizean cuisine and international dishes. We happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and children’s dietary choices.
What's Included at the Lodge
Fully Licensed Bar & Restaurant
Fully licensed.
Free WiFi (lodge building)
Around the admin lodge building.
On-Site Nature & Birding Library
With a core collection of books on birds, animals, insects and flora of Belize as well as travel guides and other titles.
Tropical Gardens with Orchids & Bromeliads
Our gardens offer a wide variety of flowering and ruiting trees and shrubs as well as fruiting trees with orchids and bromeliads.
Birding Trails at Our Eco Lodge Southern Belize
Swimming Pool
Excellent way to enjoy the sun and cool off after a day of outdoor activities.
Air-Conditioned Rooms
Activities
- Paddle Board
- Horse and mule riding
- Spa (massage by appointment)
- Buggy ride and birding on farm road
- Night hikes
- Birding (guided)
- Snorkeling
- Fishing reef
- Chocolate making tour
- Basket making tour
- Mayan home tour
- Riverside hikes
- Hikes to caves
- Local cuisine tour
- Monkey watching tour
- Blue Creek, Riverside hike, cave tour (in season) and Mayan experience
- Market tour
- Lubaantun Maya RuinsLubaantun Maya Ruins
- Nim Li Punit Maya RuinsNim Li Punit Maya Ruins
- Ethnobotany medicinal walk with a shaman
- Blue Creek, Riverside hike and Mayan experience
Recognized by
Proud Members of the Belize Hotel Association
2025–2026 Membership Year
Being part of the Belize Hotel Association means belonging to a community of hospitality professionals who genuinely care about the guest experience and the future of tourism in this country. For us, it's not just a membership — it's a standard we hold ourselves to every single day, right here in the heart of the Toledo District.
Learn More About the BHA →
As Featured in National Geographic Traveller — April 2024
In this captivating article, National Geographic Traveller delves into the unparalleled beauty and unique experiences offered at our lodge. From the lush rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife to the luxurious accommodations that blend seamlessly with nature, the article highlights what makes Tanager Rainforest Lodge a must-visit destination.