Hollywood and Serenity Don't Usually Mix — But This Film Director-Built Jungle Hideaway In Belize Is the Exception

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Working as a travel writer for the past two years, I’ve always searched for that perfect duality between peaceful downtime in nature and the blissful discovery found in local customs and spaces. So when planning a trip to Belize with my brother, I knew I wanted to avoid the overpopulated Belize City and instead focus on a destination that offered both relaxation and a variety of activities to choose from. 

When I came across Blancaneaux Lodge, I was excited by the possibility of finding that elusive balance — and spoiler alert — it far exceeded my expectations.

Quietly tucked away in the middle of a Belizean jungle, Blancaneaux Lodge remains hidden until you turn into its long, winding entryway, making the arrival feel both secluded and cinematic. My brother and I may have inherited the laid-back California spirit growing up in Los Angeles, but we’ve never exactly associated the entertainment capital with tranquility — so we were surprised to learn the lodge was founded by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (yes, the man behind The Godfather). Throughout our stay, we caught subtle glimpses of the Hollywood titan’s personality woven into the lodge’s design and atmosphere.

From the thatched-roof bungalows and villas, pools, spa, multiple on-site eateries, and close-to-nature activities, every moment at The Blancaneux Lodge feels intentionally crafted. Ahead, read more about this jungle hideaway and learn why it deserves to be on your short list. 

The Property

After visiting Belize in the early ‘80s, Coppola fell in love with the remote location of the Belizean mountains (about a two hour drive from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport) and had originally developed the property as a private family retreat — eventually opening a 20-room luxury resort in 1993. 

Located in the Cayo District of Belize, along the Caribbean River and inside the 300-square mile Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve – the largest and oldest protected area in Belize – Blancaneaux is surrounded by spider monkeys, toucans, green iguanas, water, and tons of trees. The lodge is powered by a hydroelectric plant fed by Privassion Creek, which runs directly through the property. Any excess energy is used to heat the hot pool at the Waterfall Spa.

Most of the citrus fruits, herbs, and vegetables served on the property come from The Gardens, its on-site organic farm. Free-range eggs are sourced from the henhouse, and composting is used to return nutrients back into the soil—part of a broader sustainability approach that minimizes waste and supports a full-circle food system.

The Villas

The 20-thatched roof bungalows and villas all open up to the river in an open living room format. Each morning, I awoke to the sun rising slowly above the trees, while sipping a coffee in the sunroom, as I listened to the forest come alive — a welcomed change from the loud cars and trains back home, in my New York City neighborhood.

My brother and I stayed in the Enchanted Cottage, a one-bedroom villa the first two nights and The Rainforest Junior Suite, a two-bedroom villa the last couple of nights. All the rooms are built with materials from the are: the hardwood floors and troofs are from the bay leaves that are collected from a nearby forest. 

Honestly, regardless of what room you choose, you’ll feel like you’re staying in a private home with unmatched views. Sleeping at Blancaneaux was truly magical — you're literally lulled to sleep by the sounds of the rainforest.

The Spa

The hotel’s Waterfall Spa features an open-air layout – and while the space specializes in Thai massage (at Coppola’s personal request), there’s a variety of therapies and rituals to choose from, many of which incorporate local botanicals and ingredients (from body scrubs and herbal wraps to decadent massages and restorative facials).

If you’re looking for a jack-of-all-trade treatment, opt for the Stress Recovery Wrap, Scrub and Massage, a 90-minute service priced at BZ $280 (about $140 USD). It begins with a warm herbal tea and honey blend applied directly to the body before you're wrapped in a thermal blanket. Once the mixture has absorbed into the skin, your therapist exfoliates with a full-body scrub, helping slough off dead skin and stimulate circulation. After a quick rinse to remove any residue, you return to the massage bed for a relaxing essential oil massage. It’s the perfect treatment to book either upon arrival — great for easing jet lag and releasing tension from travel — or before departure, as a calming way to reflect on your time in Belize.

The spa has two massage beds, so couples or friends can enjoy services side by side.

The Eats

You’ll be remiss not to stop by The Jaguar Bar during your stay. This sleek lobby bar is home to over 10 local Rums, and trust me, you’ll want to sample more than one. Don’t miss the traditional tabletop games, including a Rubik’s Cube-style puzzle that’s trickier than it looks. (Pro tip: the bartenders are happy to offer hints if you’re totally stumped.) 

For local flavors, swing by the Guatamaltecqua to enjoy Guatemalan, Mexican, Caribbean and Mayan dishes. Twice a week, the property has a Garden Tour Dinner experience for up to 30 guests. The evening starts with signature cocktails and a tour of the farm by the head gardener. Guests are offered fresh-picked bites of herbs and vegetables before sitting down at a long communal table for a three-course vegetarian meal.

My brother and I stayed for four nights, and although Blancaneaux is only a 20-room property, we hardly crossed paths with other guests. The Garden Dinner felt like a rare and welcome moment of connection, where we all shared stories of the incredible experiences we were having in Belize.

For longer stays, consider signing up for a cooking class (private or group) with the head chef who will teach you how to create authentic Belizean meals. You’ll walk through the garden to harvest seasonal ingredients, then prepare a traditional Belizean meal side by side with the chef. At the end, guests receive a small recipe booklet as a keepsake to bring the flavors of Belize home.

The Activities

Although the resort sits well outside typical tourist zones, there's no shortage of adventures to choose from. The on-site team is at your disposal for customized itineraries, regardless of your interests. During our stay, we took advantage of the spa treatments, cave exploring, ziplining and a personal tour of the Mayan ruins. 

The Barton Creek Cave tour took us on a two-mile canoe trip into a cave that was once used by the ancient Mayans as a burial site and ceremonial purposes. As we paddled into the 5.5-mile-long, pitch-black cave, (you’re only able to do four miles as at a certain point as the rock is too tall and large to go through) our tour guide instructed us to shine our headlamps on stalactites, stalagmites, altars, pottery shards, and even skeletal remains. The entire experience is about an hour and totally worth it for the history buff traveler. You’ll learn all about their ancient traditions, why the cave was a sacred place, how it was discovered and what the Belizean people do today to preserve it. 

Ziplining through vast terrain is one of my favorite ways to experience a new place, and the Intermedio Zipline did not disappoint. The 45-60 minute tour covers 2,573 feet of line, separated in seven runs. It’s a super quick hike up (about 15-20 minutes) and the tour guides will give you a brief history of the land and some light-hearted distraction for anyone a bit nervous about heights (ahem, my brother). You'll enjoy swinging through the forest — crossing a hammock bridge and hydraulic lift to make your way back to where you start.

Perhaps the most memorable experience, though, was our visit to Caracol, the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize. Situated high on the Vaca Plateau, deep in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol was once home to over 150,000 people across 80 square miles, with more than 30,000 structures. The city, rediscovered in 1936, sits 1,600 feet above sea level — making it one of the highest sites in the Southern Uplands.

With no nearby water sources, servants to the king would create massive reservoirs. The Maya traded limestone for jade to craft royal jewelry and used obsidian for pottery and tools. Each time a king died, a new temple was built atop the old one, allowing modern-day historians to trace dynasties and their timelines. As you walk the site, you'll not only uncover impressive history, but also spot toucans, turkey vultures, howler monkeys, sapodilla trees, and even the occasional jaguar.

Since its rediscovery, archeologists have studied Caracol via digging and laser technology to depict its artifacts, soil, systems, calendar, hierarchy of status, and how Mayans functioned as long as they did. Because it rains eight months of the year, what they discover must be placed back into the ground to prevent damage — telling you how long it takes to actually preserve and present to visitors. As a result, Caracol is only 10% open to the public — open, meaning, the remaining 90% is still underground. Belize plans to open up more in the near future.

For the vacationers more interested in rest and recovery, Blancaneaux Lodge also offers horseback riding, bird watching and so much more. The incredibly friendly staff goes out of their way to make your stay in Belize one you will never forget. 

Whether you’re looking to be immersed in nature, tap into a sense of calm that allows you to hear your own thoughts again, learn the culture of the ancient Mayans at the ruins, zip line or horseback ride through gorgeous scenery — you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for at Blancaneaux Lodge.