One of the most magical places I’ve experienced. Our family stayed here for a week in Feb 2022, as part of a group learning about chocolate (from growing to processing), and were so grateful for the way the local folks who run this beautiful lodge were willing to share their knowledge and culture. We learned about jungle survival (including how to safely use a machete), Belizean rainforest plants and animals, and traditional Mayan food, music and practices. The kids loved the cave excursions, and spent the rest of their energy each afternoon flinging themselves into the warm river with a rope swing while iguanas watched from the banks. We enjoyed the traditionally prepared, unsweetened hot chocolate the lodge provided every morning alongside coffee. The staff of this lodge have built a loving community that envelops guests who pass through, and the more someone is interested in learning, the more they will get out of this unique experience.

Amazing experience at Cottontree Lodge. We made a lifetime of memories with our family, including two teenage daughters. The staff here is top notch and made us feel so welcome. Roman and Sandy were great and super hospitable. The chefs Sylvester and Marcelo make some wonderful meals. And Valerie does a good job of keeping everything in order and on schedule. Make sure to check out the daily excursions, in particular Ixcacao Chocolate, Blue Creek Cave, and Mrs. Bo's tortilla making (and Sandy's Shop). Welcome to the jungle and be prepared to embrace nature...

Our stay here was amazing in every way. The staff was accommodating and friendly and made us feel at home. The food was delicious, organic, and always made fresh! The river was very refreshing when it got too warm and they provided complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear so you could go down the river. This is a once in a lifetime experience and you’ll never be able to replicate it. 10/10 would recommend!

We stayed at the Cotton Tree Lodge and our experience was terrific! There are comfortable beds, fun cabanas, and relaxing hammocks on the walk out porches. There are a lot of fun things to do.....from fishing to visiting underground rivers in caves, to the mayan ruins it is a great vacation trip to take!

Best family vacation ever! We visited with our 9 year old daughter and this was the perfect spring break. The all inclusive option includes fantastic food and daily activity. We visited Mayan ruins and had lunch at our local guides home, the cultural experience for us and our daughter was amazing. Visited the chocolate farm where our daughter was able to play with local children. The blue cave tour was out of this world and the guide took care to help our daughter with the swim. We are an active family and there was always something physical to do, swimming, jungle exploring, but plenty of space for quiet relaxation too. Plenty of variety in the food, cabins were clean and spacious. Would recommend in a heartbeat.

Loved, Loved Loved our stay!! Our Cotton Tree Lodge stay felt like being in a piece of heaven. Upon arriving you are welcomed by the beauty of the grounds and the kindness of management and staff. The lodge where we gathered and ate the most incredible four course meals is in itself a work of art. The cabana's felt like we were walking into a travel magazine.. The cabana's overlooked the river, which we daily spent time swimming and swinging from the rope swing. We started our amazing day off with yoga by the river with Parama. Valarie the manager was always a step ahead of our needs and wants. She and her staff were always so pleasant and accommodating. Again, Loved, Loved Loved our stay!!!

Note: went there during COVID times when the hotel was under-staffed. I went there with 2 dogs and a toddler as well as some of my family. We were hoping for a relaxing, fun experience and had traveled 6 hours to arrive at the location. Instead, it turned to be an experience that had to be endured rather than enjoyed. The rooms were incredibly dirty and, at night, the rooms swarm with insects due to a lack of windows. There were roaches and mosquitos everywhere and at night, you would have to dust off your bed because it was crawling with bugs. Although the service was good, the food served was subpar, and the way the food was served did not meet the nation's COVID regulations. The area is, however, beautiful and enjoyable if you can get past the accommodations.

The staff is absolutely amazing and you feel like family.. This was an experience I will never forget.. The food is fresh and delicious! Such a great mix of relaxation and adventure.. I can’t wait to go back!

Cotton Tree Lodge was exactly what we were looking for. The beautiful green jungle surrounding us each day and night was enough. Waking up to the emerald river and adventure to be had all around us! We took 3 of the guided tours and so incredibly glad we did. There is so much to see and do in this relatively untouched part of Belize. The food was excellent, local, sustainable, organic and so fresh. Loved being greeted with a cocktail and freshly baked corn chips. Would definitely recommend this lodge for anyone seeking peace, beauty and adventure.

I went April 2013 on a whim with my mother after seeing a photo of the property! We had both never done anything like this before, we are so thrilled we went. The staff all know your name and actively try to get to know you. The grounds are stunning and become part of your experience, from night walks, to helping the gardener pick produce for dinner that night to guided bird tours, it is a special and unique destination. It is not a big resort and everyone starts to feel like family, I’m still in contact with some of the people I met while there! The excursions are interesting and help to educate and support local economy. Nothing is touristy about this magical place! The howling monkeys and the Mojo River just add to the relaxing ambiance, the 5:30 happy hour was always a treat! My mother explored caves while I read in the hammock on the balcony, you can be adventurous or intune with nature, arrive with an open mind and this will be one of the best experiences of your life.

We really enjoyed our time at The Cotton Tree Lodge. We went in November, the weather was perfect. It rained a couple days, but nothing crazy. I will add because of the rains, we were unable to do some of the excursions because of the flooding. We did do the Chocolate Tour, both Myan Ruins in the area and enjoyed the Market day. Our favorite part was the staff at the lodge who was so accommodating and sweet. Evelyn and Valerie were so helpful and such a joy to talk to. Pop's and Roman were our guides on our tours and they were so knowledgeable of the area and the tours and shared so much of their culture with us. This was such an amazing experience and nothing like we've ever experienced before. The meals were great and we enjoyed the variety of each meal.

My husband and I visited Cotton Tree Lodge for our 10th anniversary in 2008. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left it was the adventure of a lifetime! Meals were picture perfect and tasty, adventures were varied and well planned, accommodations were beautiful and airy, and the staff were always easy to find, pleasant and helpful. We swam in the river, toured both a wet and dry cave, enjoyed a jungle walk with a guide, visited a local market, and went snorkling in the ocean, plus much more! We would love to visit again to see how it has changed since then and enjoy Belize hospitality once again!