Come to Jaguar Reef Lodge - a Belize all inclusive jungle and beach resort - for adventure tours, fishing, scuba and snorkeling, accommodations and vacation travel lodging. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/jaguarreef/hotel/389/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:51:45 EST Discover a world of possibilities from one location! You'll be surrounded by ocean, reef and rain forest with unlimited opportunities for snorkeling, diving, fishing and exploring the millions of acres of pristine and protected reef and rainforest surrounding Jaguar Reef Lodge. Our Barrier Reef is recognized as one of the world's finest snorkel and dive sites. Exotic tropical rivers, Mayan ruins and jungle hikes are only minutes away. The Sittee River, nearby cayes, and wide flats offer some of best fishing on the planet! We're located on over 300 acres of jungle/shore property with over 1,000 feet of our own prime white sand beach. It's a friendly, laid-back experience with an abundance of Belizean hospitality to share! As our guests say, the Lodge is a resort with perfect ambiance. We're recognized for our comfortable accommodations, with luxurious cabanas and suites, fine dining, and unrivaled attention to our guests' comfort. HONEYMOONS At Jaguar Reef Anniversaries and Romantic Getaways Exotic and romantic Belize is a perfect honeymoon travel destination, and Jaguar Reef Lodge is the setting where adventure and romance intertwine. The Perfect Setting Sunny days, tropical breezes, and a beautiful Caribbean blue sea frame a beautiful background for the perfect honeymoon. We know, these are special days for you two together, and Jaguar Reef offers you a romantic sense of privacy. You can be as active or laid back as you like. Close by the Lodge there are many places to visit on land and underwater. For the explorer in you, take a look at our special pages for Adventures, Sport Fishing, and Scuba Diving. For those times to relax, our hammocks under the palms and miles of uncrowded beach are inviting you. Our Honeymoon Expedition: the Perfect Romance Package An All-Inclusive, 7 Night Package Everything is taken care of, air and land transfers, 7 Nights / 8 Days Beachfront air conditioned lodging, all meals, exciting tours, all taxes and tips and lots of nice extra touches! Included in our Honeymoon Expedition Package: - Round-Trip local flights from Belize Int'l Airport to Dangriga - Round-Trip Transfers from Dangriga to the Lodge - 7-Nights in a Beachfront Cabana looking out to the Caribbean Sea - All Meals, including packed lunches on full day tours - Choice of three guided full day tours and one half day tour, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy our pool, beach and hammocks for two! Choose from: — Jaguar Preserve Rainforest Trek — Mayan Ruins and Waterfalls — Sittee River and Barrier Reef Snorkel — Full Day Snorkel along the Barrier Reef — Five Blues Lake National Park — St. Hermans Cave / Blue Hole Nat. Park - Fresh flowers and Candles in your room - A refreshing cocktail of your choice, daily - A romantic candlelight dinner for two, served on your veranda or on the beach with your toes in the sand, stars shining brightly above, and the sound of the sea. - All taxes and staff gratuities AMENITIES: Our accommodations are created with your comfort in mind, providing a relaxing, spacious and cool environment to return to after a day of adventure in the jungle or sea. Artistically raked sand around tropical vegetation lines the pathway leading to your door. As you enter your cabana or suite you will have a sense of spacious privacy - fresh and immaculate. Local artwork and little touches will remind you that you are on an adventure in a very beautiful, natural place. Only the finest materials were used in the construction of Jaguar Reef Lodge, including Extensive use of hardwoods, Mexican saltilla, ceramic tile and brass, combined with traditional materials like bay leaf thatch. This quality reflects our emphasis on creating an exceptionally fine place for you to stay and enjoy our Belize hospitality. Whether you are relaxing on your cabana porch or on the balcony of your suite, you'll find the views remarkable. Enjoy complimentary bicycles, sea kayaks, and beach hammocks. Relax in our 40' X 20' freshwater swimming pool with magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea. Dining at Jaguar Reef Renowned for our great chefs, you can enjoy four course breakfasts, tastefully prepared lunches, and a variety of succulent dinner entrees and sweets. We invite you to visit our Dining and Meal Plans page. Tours and Adventures Choose from seven different professionally guided tours. The diversity extends from Mayan Ruins, to Rainforest, to exploring the Cayes and Barrier Reef. Our guides are the best in the business; their sole objective is to ensure your comfort and safety and to assist you in getting the most out of your adventure experience. Rates, schedules and detailed descriptions are available on our Adventures and Tours page. Diving Belize The caribbean waters teem with exotic sea life. Nearby cayes afford divers thrilling encounters in crystal clear water. You can learn more at our Belize Scuba Services page. Amenities Would you like to wake up to a cup of coffee in your room in the morning? We'll be glad to arrange it. All rooms offer amenities for the jungle-beach life style, including a mini-bar refrigerator, purified water dispensers and beach towels. You can stay in touch with everyone back home through our Free E-Mail service. Daily maid service is provided by our local Garifuna staff in their colorful dresses and welcoming smiles. For clothing care, personal laundry service is available and for touching up packing wrinkles, irons are also available. ACTIVITIES: Come with us on a special Belize adventure! See our jungle with birding trips, Mayan ruins, waterfalls, a National Park, and of course, the Jaguar Preserve. Or get in the water with snorkeling, a river trip, tubing, or a visit to our cayes. Birds Of Paradise Tour Tour Itinerary We depart the Lodge at daybreak and drive a short distance to 'Toucan Sittee', a small guest house managed by a local couple. The drive will take you to areas which are home to many species of birds including parrots and toucans. Toucan Sittee borders the Sittee River and there are many large trees, known to attract many birds. As you view the bird life here you will be served a delicious breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, juices, coffee, as well as fresh baked breads. We'll make our way through Sittee River Village to the site of the Serpon Sugar Mill Ruins. This mill was built in the 1860's by Confederates after the Civil War. This site has recently been protected from encroaching citrus farms and contains some of the largest trees known in Belize. The trail down to the Sittee River will take us through pristine rainforest, across several small streams and past giant stands of bamboo. The river is home to many more species of birds, and you may want to stop here for some time to observe the proliferation of wildlife that abounds here. Five Blues National Park Tour Terrain: Dense tropical rainforest, Karst Limestone Mountains Things to bring: Bug repellent, sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, rain jacket, flashlight, camera, Tour Itinerary We leave shortly after breakfast and travel north through Hopkins Village, crossing a vast wetland (excellent birding and great views of the Maya Mountains!) connecting with the Southern Highway. Within 20 minutes we are turning west onto the paved Hummingbird Highway, which is considered to be the most scenic drive in all of Belize, crossing many small rivers and creeks. Towering rainforested slopes and peaks make this winding road truly spectacular, each bend revealing increasingly beautiful vistas. We soon reach the villages of Pomona and Alta Vista, the heart of Belize's citrus industry. Orange groves give way to thick tropical rainforest and we reach an area famous for it's proliferation of limestone caves, many of which were used by the ancient Maya for shelter and ceremony. We soon reach our turnoff at St. Margaret's Village. This unusual lake is said to change varying shades of blue throughout the day. We'll walk through ancient rainforest and gaze up at white mountains of limestone. As we continue along the trail that rings the lake, we realize what makes this park such a jewel: The colors of blue in the lake are incredible and the water is crystal clear. Along the trail we'll pass by a deep fissure in the earth and gaze down into a huge cave filled with bats. This area is riddled with hundreds of caves and grottos and is now just beginning to be explored. Do have a swim at the swimming area and enjoy the Lake's beautiful water. We are in no hurry, so we wander with our guide through the spectacular Karst Limestone Park. The Lake is bordered by an incredible variety and proliferation of exotic plants, including heliconias, orchids and bromiliads. Watching the sunset while driving back down Hummingbird Highway is an experience no one should miss, the perfect end to a perfect day! Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, rain jacket, flashlight, camera, and a desire to see one of nature's most beautiful places. Reef and River Boat Tour Terrain: Lagoons lined by red and black mangrove forest, coral reefs, small islands (cayes), some with white powder sand beaches Things to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera (available in gift shop), snorkeling gear, fish identification chart Tour Itinerary We'll start by boat from the Lodge after breakfast and make our way to the Sittee River. The cruise down the Sittee River will be filled with photo opportunities. There is excellent bird life here including egrets, herons and hundreds of other species. The Sittee River is one of Belize's largest and deepest rivers, often used by large boats seeking shelter from hurricanes. Green iguana thrive here and you will soon learn to spot them in the jungle canopy that borders the river. Keep a sharp eye out for bocatura (river turtle); they love to sun themselves on fallen trees in the river, but are very shy. The Cayes will first appear as several dark shapes on the horizon. As we get closer more and more of these shapes suddenly appear, and soon you will see dozens of beautiful tropical islands. Watch closely for bottle-nosed dolphins; they love to cruise this protected inner waterway and are often sighted between here and the Barrier Reef. Our first snorkel stop will be Bread and Butter Caye. Here you have easy access to the beautiful and virgin coral gardens that thrive off the Island's northwest corner. Then its on to Whale Shoal, which is a tiny coral island surrounded by beautiful stands of elkhorn and staghorn coral. From here the Barrier Reef is clearly visible, as are South Water Caye and Carrie Bow Caye, which sit atop the Barrier Reef. Carrie Bow Caye is the site of the widely acclaimed Smithsonian Institute Coral Reef Research Center. Our next stop will be Man-O'-War Caye. Even from a considerable distance you will see hundreds of frigate birds soaring high above the island. Man-O'-War Caye is a designated Bird Sanctuary and is home to large populations of the magnificent frigate birds, brown boobies and pelicans. We will slowly cruise around the Island within inches of colorful coral gardens, and give you ample time to fully appreciate this spectacular natural wonder. As we depart Man-O'-War Caye you will see the turquoise water and snow white sands that surround Coco Plum Caye, which will be the next and final stop on our voyage. Here you will have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe and explore. Coco Plum is well known for the many glass bottles that are found here, many dating back to the age of the pirates! The 30 minute ride back to the Lodge will give you time to reflect upon the incredible creatures and ecosystems that make up this pristine marine habitat. Don't forget to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera (available in gift shop), snorkeling gear, fish identification chart and a desire to be completely connected with nature! Full Day Snorkeling Tour Things to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, and underwater camera (available at gift shop) Tour Itinerary We depart the Lodge after breakfast and head towards the Blue Ground Range, a string of mangrove cayes eight miles due east. Our first snorkel stop is here,and we will observe many 'patch' corals that thrive among these protected islands. We then cross through the cayes and head for the Belize Barrier Reef. You will see the Reef from some distance as a ribbon of white on the horizon. This is the longest unbroken barrier reef in the world, stretching some 200 miles, spanning the entire length of Belize. We will make several stops along the Barrier Reef and allow you plenty of time to explore. Although patch corals are everywhere here, it will likely be the larger 'branch' type corals and giant multi-colored sponges that will grab your attention. This is not only one of the largest reefs in the world, it is also one of the most pristine, and remains largely unexplored. The colors and textures of the reef and it's many inhabitants are truly amazing and make the coral reef one of nature's most amazing creations. We will stop for lunch at South Water Caye and have plenty of time to beachcomb. Avid snorkelers will find great snorkeling just off the beach. After a relaxing afternoon we will slowly begin our journey home winding through the cayes and eventually back to the Lodge. Don't forget to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, and underwater camera (available at gift shop). Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve Tour Things to bring: Bug repellent, hat, water bottle, swimsuit, towel, hiking shoes, camera, binoculars, rain jacket, bird identification book Tour Itinerary After breakfast we set out from the Lodge in a four- wheel drive vehicle. The first mile of road is through a pristine wetlands rich in birds and amphibians. (Watch for crocodiles on the side of the road!) On most days the air will be clear enough to see the majestic spire of Victoria Peak (3,675 ft.) and the distant Maya Mountain Range. Sedge marsh turns to orange groves, and the settlement of the Sittee River Village. Within a few minutes we reach the Southern Highway and cross over the Sittee River. We soon arrive at Maya Center and the entrance to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve We stop briefly to sign in and to view the beautiful hand-carved slate plaques, baskets, clothing and jewelry made in the Village by the local Mayan Indians, who have formed an arts and crafts co-operative. We then continue into the dense tropical rainforest of the Cockscomb Basin, which has a total protected area of over 100,000 acres. You'll want to check out the Education Center that details the topography, geology, plant and animal life that make up this incredible rainforest. Our guide will then take us on several established trails, each with its own unique characteristics. As you walk, the guide will interpret the flora and fauna which make this park such an amazing place. The preserve is believed to have the world's highest density of jaguar as well as puma, ocelot, margay and jaguarundi. We will return to the ranger station for lunch and rest up for a hike to a beautiful waterfall; a great place to take a cooling swim. By late afternoon we will begin our journey back to the Lodge. Although Cockscomb is famous for its cat species, it is also a good place to see other mammals. Black howler monkeys have recently been reintroduced to the preserve and are sighted regularly by our guests along the forest trails. Large groups (up to 40) of white-lipped peccary are sometimes heard and sighted here feeding on cahune nuts. Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, hat, water bottle, swimsuit, towel, hiking shoes, camera, binoculars, rain jacket, bird identification book and a zest for adventure! St. Hermans Cave and Blue Hole National Park Tour Things to bring: Bug repellent, hat, long pants, swimsuit, towel, camera, binoculars, sturdy hiking shoes Tour Itinerary We depart the lodge after breakfast and make our way north and then onto to the Hummigbird Highway. An hour's drive up this scenic roadway drive takes us through a major citrus growing area and small mayan villages, and brings us to an area known locally as 'Caves branch' for it's many limestaone caves, some of which contain Mayan pottery and evidence of their ceremonies. At The Blue Hole National Park we sign in at the Ranger Station and make our way up the path to the entrance of St. Herman's Cave. The cave gradually descends into the earth and there are trails which lead you deep inside the cave. Look out for bats and cave formations as you journey deep into the earth. Your guide will lead you ever deeper in this fascinating cave and will bring you out of the cave through another opening almost a mile from where you entered. We then begin our hike along well maintained paths to the Blue Hole, which is a sinkhole or cenote fed by an underground stream and in it's crysal clear blue waters you will find an ideal place to take a cooling swim. The water enters the pool from a cave, forms a small river and then disappears underground again. Take all the time you like to enjoy the refreshing waters and 'garden of eden' like environment, knowing that you have the scenic drive back down the Hummingbird Highway to still look forward to! Ruins and Waterfalls Tour Things to bring: Bug repellent, hat, long pants, swimsuit, towel, camera, binoculars, sturdy hiking shoes Tour Itinerary Departing after breakfast we proceed through Hopkins Village and connect with the Southern Highway. We then head towards the Maya Mountains, visible in the distance. Orange groves turn to banana plantations, which give way to dense tropical rainforest. Giant haliconia plants can be seen growing alongside the road as we proceed deeper into the jungle. Once at our destination, we traverse Silk Grass Creek and venture into the jungle. A short walk brings us to what is believed to be the largest of 16 structures comprising the ancient Mayan City of Mayflower. A stone wall is clearly visible and runs for over 100 feet, forming the base of the pyramid known as "Manzanune". The structure is terraced, a design used in the very oldest of the once thriving cities. The Ruin is believed to be over 1000 years old, built during the Classic Period (300-900 A.D.). Our guide provides a tour over the structure and will show you where it has been trenched by archaeologists. Mayflower is currently undergoing a major survey and excavation by several U.S. based archaeologists from Tulane and Yale Universities, and is expected to take 5 years to complete. After we tour the ancient burial grounds we split into two groups. One group will depart for Hummingbird Falls, the easier of the two optional extensions of the tour, and the second group will depart for Antelope Falls for a 30 minute hike through dense forest and up steep banks. We will use ropes at one spot to provide that extra level of safety and comfort. The hike to the top is truly worth the effort, as you will be amongst the first non-Mayans to see the spectacular Antelope Falls. The falls drop some 100 feet above your head and cascades down a massive rock face, forming small pools ideal for swimming. You will want to cool off in the falls and enjoy their refreshing waters. It is believed that this waterfall had some sort of religious significance to the Maya, as the Mayan city was built at it's base. After admiring the falls and its 'Garden of Eden'- like ambiance, we head back down Silk Grass Creek. After a relaxing lunch we hike to Hummingbird Falls, several miles deeper into the jungle, and this time our walk is much easier with just a few small inclines and narrow paths to negotiate. Hummingbird Falls, though not as large as Antelope Falls, is a beautiful wall of water which empties into a large pool, ideal for a cooling swim. Feel free to head further up the path to explore the myriad of waterfalls and swimming holes that are prevalent above the main falls. Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, hat, long pants, swimsuit, towel, camera, binoculars, sturdy hiking shoes. Dive in! We can arrange your scuba or snorkeling exploration in our beautiful Caribbean blue waters. Off the shores of Belize the cayes and waters teem with exotic sealife. Bring your underwater camera as the clear seas are ideal for photography. We're Located in a World-Class Fishing Paradise! Jaguar Reef Lodge is only a half mile from great fishing on the Settee River. Belize's cayes and flats are just offshore. You'll Like Our Guides Our friendly and knowledgeable local guides will safely transport you to our outstanding fishing grounds, most of which are only a few minutes from the comfort of your Jaguar Reef accommodations. Boats Outfited for Serious Fishing Our radio-equipped boats feature whisper-quiet 4-stroke engines, ALL USCG safety equipment, bucket seats, and sun canopies. A Great Place To Stay Our beach front cabanas, suites and large main lodge are spacious and relaxing after a day of fishing. There's excellent dining, cool tropical drinks, and lots of ice-cold local Belikin beer on hand! When You're Not Fishing... There's miles of uncrowded beach, a beautiful pool, free kayaks and mountain bikes, and a whole menu of Belize adventure tours --both half day and full day--from Mayan Ruins to snorkeling to our famous Jaguar Preserve! DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: All Inclusive Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/jaguarreef/hotel/389/3/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:51:45 EST