Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge

Waking up fresh and relaxed from our previous night’s stay gay TRAVEL belize headed through San Ignacio Town and on to our next adventure. We made our way through the curving dirt roads in Santa Elena Town and headed up the road that took us to Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge, a real ecolodge. Powered by solar power, and lighted pathways with kerosene lamps (which are also available in your room), Macaw truly delivers on its promise to be ecologically friendly to its environment.

Macaw Bank is located on 50 acres in the fertile Macal river valley, once you’ve seen the spectacular trails, jungle and river you’ll understand why many consider this area to be the most beautiful part of the Cayo District. The grounds provide an opportunity for some spectacular bird watching as well as a good chance of spotting some native mammals and reptiles including the iguana, tapir, jaguar, peccary, tayra, gibnut, agouti, smaller cats, and many others which inhabit the area.  There are also trails on the property that lead you to small mayan ruins, and the splendid Macal River. Tubes are available if you want to get up close and personal with the river. We were unable to float this time around, as the waters had risen, and were too dangerous to embark on. However, Ron Castagnera, owner, says that the best and most beautiful times on the river are during the dry season.

Macaw Bank Lodge has five (5) cabanas in its 50 acre compound. For gay and lesbian travellers looking for privacy, this is privacy done right.

So much activities are possible at Macaw Bank, that inevitably you are going to get hungry. Ron and his partner Al, run the Lodge (with the assistance of Henry) and are the ones who prepare your menu as well. Whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, this couple sure knows how to prepare a good meal. From the spaghetti and meat sauce and their very own, in house baked bread, delicious saucy ribs with the full BBQ works or a filing breakfast including, granola and yogurt, fresh fruit salad, bacon and cheese omelet, how could you go wrong? You can have your choice of chicken, seafood or meats and these are home cooked meals at their best.

From Macaw Bank Lodge, visiting Rio Fio Pools, Rio On Cave and the Cahal Pech Ruin is quite easy and Ron and Al can help make your arrangements. The knowledge that they possess about their immediate area, sure makes you appreciate the place you have chosen to visit and it makes you fall in  love with Belize.

“We loved everything about this place, a firm mattress, listening to the rain at night, relaxing and reading in the hammocks, walking the beautiful trails, admiring the flora and fauna. Wondering about some strange bird sounds or was that R2D2 ? Unreal pina coladas ! Excellent !” commented a couple from Canada. And we could not agree more.

Contact gay TRAVEL belize for more information on Macaw Bank Lodge and look out for packages (coming in the near future) that include a couple night’s stays at the Lodge.