Blancaneaux Lodge by Francis Ford Coppola Reviews

I did not believe the positve reviews until I eXperienced the amazing service and attention to details. The place os peaceful and magical. When we arrived, we were greeted in amazing fashion. After a long drive from the airport, we had some amazing fresh seafood and vegetables. The quarters were amazing. We had the basic river cabana. We then went horseback riding tbroigh the jungle. The sunset ride was exceptional. Dinner was amazing in flavor and value. Morning in room dining was excellent. Excursions by the lodge are top notch and well worth the cost. You get the best of everythjng--the best guides and vehicles and experiences. I think it is best to consukt with staff and arrange the best experiences for your tastes. We visited Barton Cave and Cahal Pech. The highlight for us was the romantic dinner. I believe it would be hard to top anywhere in the world. Best part of Blancaneaux is the hjgh level of service and pampering. You experience all types of little extras throughout---extra homemade candy here a hot water bottle in the bed there--multiple room cleanings and treats. Anyways, the top reviews are well deserved. Blancaneaux is amazing!

Blancaneaux Lodge is a hidden gem tucked into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The property is stunning - perched above rushing waterfalls with views that stretch across the dense forest canopy. They've managed to create something truly special here, where luxury exists in perfect harmony with nature. The staff at Blancaneaux are incredible - they're passionate about the property and the surrounding environment, and it shows in everything they do. They're always ready with recommendations for hikes, eager to share their knowledge about local wildlife, and make you feel completely taken care of while giving you space to enjoy the serenity of the location. The dining experiences here are unforgettable. The restaurants serve amazing farm-to-table dishes, with many ingredients coming straight from their organic garden. Each meal feels special, whether you're having breakfast overlooking the forest or dining under the stars. The chefs work wonders with local ingredients and traditional recipes. The activities are endless - from horseback riding through the jungle to exploring nearby caves and ancient Mayan sites. The grounds themselves are a joy to explore, with winding paths through beautifully maintained gardens. The natural swimming pools along the creek are a highlight - there's nothing better than cooling off in the crystal-clear water after a day of adventures. The whole place reflects a deep commitment to sustainability and conscious design. From their hydroelectric power system to their organic farming practices, everything is done with environmental stewardship in mind. It's the perfect example of how eco-friendly practices can enhance rather than detract from a luxury experience.

Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize is absolutely incredible—one of the best places we’ve ever stayed! The lodge is tucked away in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, and it feels like your own private jungle retreat. The garden dinner was a huge highlight. Everything is made with fresh ingredients straight from their organic garden, and the food was amazing. Eating under the stars with the sounds of nature all around was such a special experience—it felt magical. Swimming in the river on the property was another favorite part of our stay. The water is crystal clear and so refreshing, and the setting is just beautiful. It felt like we had our own secret swimming spot in the middle of the jungle. We also took a trip to the Mayan ruins at Caracol, which was unforgettable. Our guide, Hugo, was the best! He was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of the area. He made the ruins come alive with his stories and insights, and we learned so much while having a great time. Blancaneaux Lodge is the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and amazing food. The staff were so kind and attentive without being overwhelming. If you’re looking for a getaway where you can connect with nature, enjoy delicious meals, and have some incredible experiences, this is the place to go!

We arrived at the lodge not sure what to expect....the location and service were beyond our expectations. Every detail was thoroughly thought through...nothing was too much trouble. We stayed in the cottage....well worth the experience

We stayed at Blancaneaux for two nights in November. Our Riverview Cabana was amazing with gorgeous views of the river. The bed and pillows were so comfortable. The food was delicious. We went horseback riding with Edgar through the pines and rainforest. The horses were so good and Edgar took great care of us. We had wonderful massages too. The entire staff knew our names and treated us like royalty. My husband forgot his backpack and the lodge arranged to have it transferred for us to Turtle Inn in a matter of days (during tropical storm Sara). We will be back! Thanks to the entire staff for making our trip so enjoyable.

We celebrated our anniversary with a trip to Belize. I am a beach person so this part of the trip was my husband’s selection however when it was time to go I hated leaving! Customer service above and beyond. Food was outstanding. Knowledge of the area on point. Little extra touches and special treatment was common at this beautiful place.

The Blancaneaux Lodge is truly an amazing place to spend any time. My wife and I spent four nights there in August of 2024 and hated having to leave. The staff is wonderful, the three restaurants served wonderful food, much of it locally sourced and the grounds are beautiful. We stayed in a riverfront cabin with the sound of the nearby waterfall (a small one) coming thru the screened in back of the cabin. While there, we visited a Mayan ruin, rode horses, had a sunset carriage ride, did a jungle hike, had a massage and visited two nearby caves. We had breakfast delivered to our room each day, with the food and coffee always made properly and at the correct temperature. The nightly turndown service, with an extra edible treat left for us as well as 3 lit candles awaiting us after dinner was a pleasant surprise to finish each day.

The Lodge is beautifully located , surrounded by tropical flora and fauna , with gorgeous river views. Service is top notch , without being stuffy , all at the Lodge aim to please , dining at all 4 restaurants was singular and magnificent at the same time . Breakfast over looking the jungle and its beautiful trees ,serenaded by different species of birds truly a slice of heaven . The tours were fabulous, all arranged by Blancaneaux, Thank you all at the lodge our trip was unbelizeable !!

I'm not sure where to even start – I’ll just say that Bernie (the GM) and the entire Blancaneaux team do an incredible job managing the property to the highest standards! My family and have I have traveled many times to Belize, and even when to Coppola sister property, Turtle Inn; however this was the first time to Blancaneaux. It is a 2 hour drive from Belize City International Airport, but the roads were in great shape so no issues with that. Upon arrival, 2e were quickly greeted, given an overview and shown to our beautiful 2 bedroom villa on the creek. Can’t say about the opportunities to do a variety of activities in the area between horseback riding to Big Rock Falls, the ATM caves, tubing down the Privassion Creek onsite, and so much more. In addition to the numerous activities, you’ll enjoy great meals at each of the 2 restaurants onsite, along with impeccable service. I will also give the Blancaneaux team a special shout out for their assistance in updating plans due to Hurricane Beryl as we were scheduled to be traveling from Blancaneaux to San Pedro. However, due to the storm they were helpful in reaching out to sister properties Turtle Inn and La Lancha (in Guatemala). We ultimately ended up at La Lancha (which is amazing), but transportation and other logistics wouldn’t have happened without the Blancaneaux team. All in all, my family and I can’t wait to return and stay even longer! You won’t regret your decision to come to Blancaneaux Lodge! Special call out to Ernesto at the Jaguar Bar, Marty at the Montagna Ristorante and Leo at the pool – all employees provided great services, but Ernesto, Marty and Leo really went above and beyond.

We recently stayed at Blancaneux Lodge for three nights, and it was nothing short of magical. From the breathtaking setting to the incredible experiences, this is a place we will cherish in our memories for years to come. One of the highlights of our trip was the ATM cave tour organized through the lodge. It was an awe-inspiring adventure, and the guides were absolutely fantastic. Not only were they knowledgeable and professional, but they also shared so much about Belize's history, culture, and natural beauty along the way. We left feeling like we had a deeper understanding and appreciation of this amazing country. The lodge itself is wonderfully comfortable, with thoughtful details that made our stay exceptional. Evenings were cooler, which was a pleasant contrast to the warm days. I highly recommend bringing a shawl or light jacket for sitting outside. Another delightful surprise—there were no bugs during our stay, which made dining al fresco and enjoying the outdoors even more enjoyable. Speaking of dining, the food at Blancaneux’s restaurants was consistently excellent. Every meal was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The service was incredibly efficient—dinners were prompt, so you never felt like your evening was dragging on unless you wanted to take your time and linger over a meal. One experience we can’t recommend enough is the garden dinner. The family-style dining setup was a highlight, featuring delicious, locally sourced dishes and an intimate atmosphere. We loved getting to know other guests during the meal and even made some new friends. It truly added a sense of connection to our stay. Blancaneux Lodge is a perfect retreat for those seeking adventure, relaxation, and a taste of Belizean culture and hospitality. From the exceptional guides to the fantastic food and warm service, every detail was just right. We can’t wait to return and highly recommend it to anyone planning a visit to Belize!

This is a one of a kind experience that you must come enjoy! The grounds are breathtaking, the river and waterfalls are incredible, the staff are friendly and genuine, and Belize is a beautiful country! Hike to Big Falls from property, come back and enjoy the freshest food from their garden, wonderful poolside cocktails, and appreciate the amazing place you are staying. It’s so unique, and they really know how to make things go smoothly for you. Lots of adventure opportunities, tours, horseback riding, etc. Or you can totally unplug and sit in peace and tranquility. Hit the spa in the afternoon for incredible relaxation, and then go gut ready for dinners that are mouth watering! The kitchen staff is so talented, and the ingredients could not be fresher! I can’t say enough good things. Come enjoy- you will be so happy you did!

Blancaneaux was a wonderful start to our family’s Belize adventure. The location is absolutely stunning with multiple spots to enjoy the river including great jumping spots for the kids (and adults) as well as a direct path to Big Rock Falls. We stayed in the Francis Villa and it was perfect for our family with a large open living room and spacious bedrooms. The views were amazing! Service was very well-intentioned and warm and we enjoyed some great activities such as the ATM caves trip that the resort managed well. Breakfasts were very good but I do think the rest of the meals could be improved. They were fine but not special to us, particularly the garden restaurant. As I would consider this rustic luxury, note that there are bugs and it might not be the best for less mobile guests. Overall, this is a magical lodge for the right kind of guest and we had a fantastic time!

Blancaneaux Lodge is magical! The setting is beautiful, the staff are excellent and so friendly, the villa was perfect. We had a villa with two double rooms, it was incredibly spacious, exceptionally clean and beautifully done. We did two trips, the Barton Creek Caves and Caracol Myan site. The concierge (Gemuel) arranged it all so it was stress free, the packed lunch was excellent and very substantial, on both days the guides were a delight to spend time with (Alex and Gilbert) and both exceptionally knowledgeable. We also did the little river tube trip straight from the Lodge, that was fun and relaxing - we loved it! Spend some time at the Bar with Giovanni too - great company! All in all I highly recommend.

Rustic luxury at its finest. The location is gorgeous and the staff are absolutely amazing. Ernesto at the bar was wonderful. Everyone is very accommodating and friendly. We did the tour of Barton Creek and loved it. We also did horseback riding to Big Rick Falls and ATV tour. Both of these experiences were a lot of fun. Make sure you bring water shoes, insect repellent and active wear. It was a little colder than we expected in the evenings so bring a light jacket. My only negative experience was at checkout. Every adventure you pick has an added fee to transport you there and the fees are exorbitant. We’ve travelled the world and have never paid more for transportation than here. They do not tell you about these fees when you book an adventure. Hundreds of US dollars for short car rides, in cars that are not in good shape. If possible, rent a car. We left with a pretty bad feeling, unfortunately.