Information
Eco Stars:
5 star
Stars:
unrated
Location:
Central America
Country:
Belize
Blancaneaux Lodge
Small, luxurious and remote. Blancaneaux Lodge is a self-sustaining sanctuary tapping energy from its own hydro-electric
scheme and growing almost all its own vegetables, fruits and herbs in a 3-acre organic on-site garden.
The lodge is usually associated with Belize’s 300-square mile Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve yet within a couple
of miles of the lodge guests can enjoy the amazing ecological diversity of the 13,000 acres of jungle within the Noj
Kaax Meen Elijio Panti National Park. A slightly longer drive takes guest into the dense rainforest of the
450,000 acre Chiquibul Forest Reserve and National park.
A range of new half day and full day walking tours have been developed for all ages and abilities. Expert guides lead
guests to the lodge’s own infra-red cameras that contribute data to Dr. Marcella Kelly’s jaguar density research
programme. The trails give easy access to the 100 plus orchid species found within a 10-mile radius of the lodge and
the lodge’s guides will identify and explain about medicinal plants used by the ancient Maya. Howler Monkeys, tapir,
ocelot, Keel-billed Toucan are just a few of the creatures that inhabit this remote and stunningly beautiful
protected area.
Choose from dawn birding walks; jaguar tracking expeditions; treks to hill-top lookouts and secret waterfalls; or
exciting night walks tracking the jungle’s nocturnal creatures. Let us be your guides when discovering the secrets
of the Maya Forest.
Green Star Rating Results:
For more information on how these work
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Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Energy Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Blancaneaux Lodge is almost entirely self-sustaining in energy use. We have our own hydro-electric
scheme with small amounts if butane being used (kitchen mainly but also on-demand water heaters for showers).
Low energy bulbs throughout, hand cranked flash lights, no a/c due to accommodation design (making it un-necessary).
Use of natural light in both private and public areas cuts don on energy use.
Water Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Waste water re-cycling, back wash water from pool recycled (no-chorine based water treatment), mulch
used to limit water transpiration from gardens. Flow control shower heads. Native plants used in landscaping and
watering only during cool periods of the day. Environmentally, locally sourced cleaning materials used and non-chorine
treatment of swimming and plunge pools.
Disposal Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Waste segregated by staff. Organic composting practiced and used in our own organic vegetable
garden/orchard. Solid waste compacted and taken to government landfill. Glass ground and used in concrete/foundation
work. Bulk buying locally of wide range of produce, 80% of vegetables, fruits and herbs grown on property so no
packaging. Shampoos and soaps are organic and transported in bulk containers. They’re transferred to individual wooden
or ceramic pots in accommodations for guest use.
Eco-Active Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Sustainability and community support is at the heart of our operation. We run our own collective
transport for those staff that live off property. We support local social, medical and conservation charities and NGOs.
We host Belize’s Jaguar Research Density programme and are starting to work with local NGO/Forestry Department on a
Scarlet macaw Research Project. Working with the El Pilar Maya archaeological project to help support Maya Forest
Garden project.
We have a written sustainable tourism policy that guests can request and the basics of this are laid out
in our ravel trade sales manual to help educate our travel trade partners on what actions we take. We financially provide
for 3 local girls to progress through the school system and onto college/education. We financially contribute towards
the funding of local health clinics. We donate used sheets and other housekeeping items to old folks in the local
communities. We have a staff emergency loan scheme. We monitor local wildlife and work with local NGOs to help protect
the integrity of our environment.
Protection Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Staff are sourced throughout Belize (we have less than 3% of staff who are non-Belizean) but when
possible under Belize labour laws we do source from local villages and train ourselves.
We source our construction materials locally and use local craftsmen. We purchase locally (organic where possible).
We partner and sit on the board of numerous NGOs that are tasked with co-managing adjoining protected areas
(forest reserves, national parks) – Friends of Conservation & Development www.fcdbelize.org
would be the main one.
We also cooperate with local archaeological projects and with the Department of Forestry.
We donate to local rehabilitation clinics for drug and alcohol abuse.
We develop tours and activities for guests that aim to educate (as well as give a great tour) in the areas of
wildlife, conservation biodiversity and archaeology.
Contact Details
Name:
Blancaneaux Lodge
Address:
Mailing: PO Box B, San Ignacio Post Office, Cayo District, Belize.
Actual Location: Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Cayo District, Belize.
Telephone:
For reservations: 501-824-4912,
1-800-746-3743 from the USA
Website:
www.blancaneaux.com
E-mail:
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