Tanager RainForest Lodge

We stayed at Tanager Lodge last weekend January12th through the14th. The grounds were well kept with numerous trees and plants with signs naming them. Staff put out fruit and attracted many birds. Not only a variety of Tanagers, also Orioles, Woodpecker and many others. Steve was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about birding. Our Cabana was well kept with a comfortable bed and a nice bathroom and shower design. Staff was extremely helpful doing whatever anyone required. No Baileys for one guests morning coffee was rectified by the following morning. The meals were all very good with a nice selection. River tubing and Hot Springs were fun. Will return for Kayak trip with Steve and birding.

Staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. On our extended stay, we interacted with all of them in a personal way. The lodge grounds are well maintained, the cabanas are traditional construction with a palm thatch roof and minimal but comfortable furnishings. Walking trails and the Rio Grande River are availabke to explore on your own. The reason to visit was the “Chocolate and Nature Lovers” package … and that was amazing: guided bird walks, spice farm, Mayan site, manatee and howler monkey day at Monkey Creek, cacao farm, and making lunch with a mayan family. Breakfasts were variations on eggs and bacon for a hearty start to the day. Dinners on site were like those that mom would make - fresh, nutritious, and tasty. Tanager is more rustic in its accommodations than a luxury resort but exquisite in its delivery of a Southern Belize experience.

Talk about overpriced meals! And, they beat you up if you decide to eat off-site. We paid for a river-view room that did not have a river view, and the staff was extremely unfriendly. For the price-point of this lodge, it was very disappointing. The lodge felt like it was being remodeled, and our room was marginal at best. Will not be returning.

We just returned from a relaxing week a the Tanager Lodge. The property itself is nestled in the jungle, offering a very serene location perfect for relaxing and trying to unplug. The grounds are forested and surrounded by a river, with lots of wildlife all around. We stayed in a thatched room and it was perfect. The rooms do not have air conditioning, but we were very comfortable the entire time. Rooms do not have wifi and cellphone service is limited, so be prepared to unplug and enjoy the nature that’s all around you. The food and bar were lovely the whole week as well. The dinner menu changed each night and often followed a theme. They had options for various dietary restrictions and the chef was willing to accommodate special requests as well. The bar was a nice option to have on property where we were able to have nice cocktails, some made with local products. It was a good space to chat with other guests and the staff as well. The highlight of the trip were our adventures with Steve, the resident guide. Steve is an expert birder, so if you are looking to see tropical birds, he is definitely your guy. We did a 5 day tour that focused on nature and the Mayan communities. We visited a chocolate farm, mayan sites, the Rio Blanco national park and ate lots of delicious local cuisine. Tanager and Steve are able to recommend or create tours based on your interests and will go the extra mile to make it as enjoyable as possible. The property is under new ownership and the team has a lot of new enhancements coming it sounds like, so the property will only get better! Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of birds in their habitat was a great experience, making the week very relaxing. We weren’t sure what we were getting into on this trip, but it ended up being just what the doctor ordered and we hope to be able to visit again and unplug in the beautiful Belizean nature.

Fantastic place to stay, off the beaten track about 30 mins west of Punta Gorda. Very comfortable cabins and excellent food. Stephen and his colleagues run an excellent lodge with many attractions nearby. We visited Lubaantum ruins and we were the only visitors there! Also the visit to Xcaocao chocolate farm/ producer was amazingly interesting - and tasty!! The highlight for us was Stephen's early morning guided bird walk in the jungle around the lodge. We saw so many different birds which we wouldn't have seen without his expert eye. This is a great place to stay for birdwatchers and anyone interested in peace and quiet. We also enjoyed the swimming pool and the rubber ring drift down the Rio Grande river! Thank you Stephen and all the staff.

We had a delightful stay at this peaceful, well appointed lodge. The staff was friendly and helpful in every way. The food delicious. Our cabana very comfortable. We were there for the birding, and Steven proved one of the best guides we’ve had any where, enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and intent that we get the best experience of bird life in that part of Belize as well as sampling the culture of the area. The lodge was, for us, first rate in every way.