Luxury Retreats in the Belizean Jungle
Two Neighboring Eco-Properties in Cayo That Champion Slow Travel and Offer a Deep Reset in Nature
Deep in the Pine Forest of Belize, almost at the Guatemalan border and about two hours west of Belize City, lie two luxury eco-properties tucked high in the mountains—surrounded by lush grounds and the sounds of nearby waterfalls. Gaia Riverlodge (formerly Five Sisters Lodge) and Blancaneaux Lodge are increasingly catching the eye of hotel-lovers in search of remote, regenerative getaways.
I recently stayed at Gaia and decided to venture down a dusty road to visit the original Coppola hideaway: Blancaneaux Lodge. Upon arrival, I could vividly imagine the reaction Francis Ford Coppola must have had when he discovered this place. According to the property manager, it was Coppola’s son who first heard about the area during a late night out in coastal Belize. While chatting with a local over fire cooked lobster and beers, he learned of the beauty sitting just south of San Ignacio. Not long after, the Coppola family ventured inland. They purchased what was once a hunting lodge and slowly transformed it into the 20-room resort it is today.
When we arrived from Gaia, the long, palm-lined drive and perfectly manicured (yet wildly natural) grounds immediately set the tone. Floral archways and winding paths led us to the main lodge, originally Coppola’s private vacation home and the birthplace of what is now a seven-property hotel collection, The Family Coppola Hideaways. We were greeted with cool towels and ice-cold branded water bottles, which must be a signature gesture of luxury hospitality in the Cayo District (Gaia welcomed us the same way). These small, thoughtful details, tuned to the environment and anticipating guests’ needs, are what set properties like Gaia and Blancaneaux apart from others.
As we toured Blancaneaux, one theme stood out: a deep commitment to local tradition. Rather than build sleek modern structures, Coppola chose to honor Belizean architecture with palapa-style villas, featuring thatched roofs made from local palm leaves. Bathrooms outfitted with vibrant, hand-painted tiles sourced from neighboring Guatemala, which is also home to another Coppola property, La Lancha. Many villas have private plunge pools, offering a secluded retreat beneath the jungle canopy, where rare birds and wildlife are frequently spotted.
The property also features two larger pools, horse stables, and nature trails that lead to Big Rock Falls, a stunning local waterfall. But what took my breath away most was the seven-acre organic garden—home to 80% of the ingredients served at Blancaneaux’s restaurants. A new dining concept has even been built within the garden itself, designed for intimate meals where guests can participate in harvesting their own ingredients. You eat while overlooking the very plants your meal grew from. A simple but grounding experience that reminds you how far we’ve drifted from this connection in everyday life.
After a delicious meal at the main lodge, we hopped back into our Polaris and made the dusty return to Gaia. As we rode, I thought about how special it is when two neighboring hotels can offer similar services while maintaining such distinct identities.
Blancaneaux sits on expansive, curated grounds with multiple restaurants and luxe amenities. Gaia, meanwhile, offers something that feels more elemental: a private waterfall. The cabana rooms at Gaia are tucked thoughtfully throughout the property, designed for both privacy and prime views of the mountains and cascading falls. While there’s no traditional pool on-site, Gaia makes up for it. A small funicular transports you down to the base of the waterfall, where you’ll discover a network of natural river pools. Sandy "islands" built mid-river hold cabanas, hammocks, and loungers for the ultimate unplugged experience.
Among the room options, the Private Riverside Villa caught my eye. While my family checked into Mountain View and Waterfall View cabanas, my fiancé and I were led by a Gaia concierge to a Polaris waiting to take us... somewhere. We exchanged curious looks. A few minutes later, we arrived at a secluded path marked only by a small “Private Home” sign.
It was indeed a private home. A wooden deck connected two structures: the first, a bedroom with a full bath and a screened porch equipped with a hammock and lounge chair; the second, a spacious villa with a full kitchen, another bathroom and a half, twin-sized sofas, multiple dining areas, and, most importantly, uninterrupted views of our own private river—just downstream from the waterfall. We dropped our bags and ran down to the riverbank, where we found a shaded palapa with hammocks, sun-warmed rocks for lounging, and shallow pools just perfect for an afternoon dip. It was heaven.
We wondered what the kitchen was for. We were at least 40 minutes from the nearest market. Then I remembered, Gaia has its own garden too. We visited the next day and met Sam, the head gardener. He’d started with Gaia on the maintenance team, but his passion for growing food transformed Gaia’s struggling garden into a lush success. The acidic soil had defeated previous attempts, but Sam engineered raised beds filled with fertile soil from northern Belize. Now, the garden thrives.
We picked zucchini squash (both male and female), soursop, cilantro, parsley, peppers, and more. Suddenly, the idea of a self-catered kitchen made sense. Still, we opted to dine with our family at the main lodge, where the meals were consistently delicious and the view may be the best on the property.
After four days in the jungle of Belize, I felt deeply renewed. The excursions we took revealed just how connected locals are to the Mayan history of the region. Many of our guides were the children or relatives of those who first discovered the caves, artifacts, and medicinal plants that still define this area’s cultural identity.
Knowing our meals came from the gardens onsite only added to this feeling of reconnection. Swapping a pool for a waterfall? I was skeptical at first, but it became one of the trip’s greatest joys. Waking up and stepping straight into a flowing river is a feeling I won’t forget … and one I’ll seek again.
Lastly, the people of Belize. If you’ve read some of my past posts, you know I love Mexico—and a big part of that love is because of the people. They’re kind, rooted, and deeply connected to their land and history. Belizeans are all of that, and then some. Everyone we met in Cayo felt like a friend within seconds. It’s a special kind of place, and the best reminder to embody kindness, wherever we are.
This is why I travel. For these little renewals. These resets. These reminders that sometimes, all it takes is stepping outside your world and into someone else’s.
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