(Alex Gamero is the owner of DiscoveringBelize.com and has lost count of how many hotels and resorts in Belize he's visited.) This lodge is located a 45 minute drive north of Punta Gorda town, just off the Southern Highway. It's located relatively close to many of the sites in the area such as the Maya Ruins of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit, Blue Creek Cave, Rio Blanco waterfall and dozens of Maya villages. It's also close to many jungle rivers. In fact the resort itself is wrapped by the Rio Grande River. You can grab an inner tube at any time and go for a gentle float around the river from the lodge. It's named after the nearby Maya village of Big Falls, not because it has waterfalls. The lodge manages to capture a perfect serene and peaceful atmopshere surrounded by beautiful gardens and the wild jungle beyond. Under the main house you'll find the restaurant, small library and bar. But it mostly acts as a communal area for guests to interact. There are coffee tables, many board games, lounge chairs and a ping pong table. Rob and Marth are the owners. They live on the property and are your hosts. They do a magnifiscent job at creating a warm family atmosphere among everyone. Just beside the main house is the pool is great for cooling off in the hot sun or after a hike. It's wrapped by a wooden deck and has picnic tables and hammocks to relax in. They have 6 thatched roof cabanas spaced out through the gardens. Some are perched right beside the river. They are spacious with Mexican terracota tiles, hardwood furniture and colorful tapestries. The room opens up to the wooden balcony complete with hammock. You can spot quite a few bird species right from your hammock. In fact the lodge and Toledo in general are excellent for birding. I recommend this lodge for those who want to get away from it all in a secluded and serene jungle lodge, particularly if you have an interest in birding and Mayan culture.

Read reviews from guests who have stayed here, The Lodge at Big Falls