ACCOMMODATIONS
Trying out Eden in a jungle estate!
Experience the unique diversity of Belize. Everything within easy reach, accessible from from here.
Our two storey luxurious home was fully renovated in 2023.
It is ideal for a large family or small group up to 8 people looking for a very private retreat.
Drive only 25 minutes by car from the Placencia Peninsula. We are less than an hour away from Placencia and Dangriga airports.
You probably came from north, we are just off the main road and close to the sea.
The rainforest begins in our own backyard. (Exclusive use of 50 acre rainforest, 20 acre fruit garden, pool, jacuzzi, deck.)
Exotica means luxurious vacation like living in botanical garden.
When you enter between high palm trees, first sight the decor throughout our home is accented with Belizean hardwoods, including mahogany, most of it hand made.
Original art by the best Belizean artists decorates our home (Anton Leslie, Ernesto Gomes, Erwin Chan, Sami).
Have a rest with 2 king-sized and 2 queen-sized beds with top quality matraces.
Bed linens of highest quality (Egyptian cotton, etc.), extra pillows and blankets.
We have a 10-person dining room table, so the chef has chair if you hire her.
The large living and dining area has a cathedral ceiling. The fully equipped kitchen has an island with beautiful quartz counter tops.
A sliding door connects the living/dining area to a huge balcony from which you have a marvelous view of a big garden, the rainforest, the Mayan mountains, and fabulous sunsets. The enormous wrap-around balcony with swinging loveseat overlooks the fruit plantation. Its Western exposure guarantees lovely sunsets most evenings, and by night, you have first-rate stargazing.
Watch the parrots, toucans and other exotic birds direct from your deck around the pool! Or if you wake up early morning and just lie in bed, most days you will be treated to a beautiful avian concert!
So the apartement is over AirBnB and VRBO standards.
More green energy: Farm provides the solar electricity for ourself, except for during long stretches of cloudy weather, the grid serves as a back-up.
Our farm manager and his wife, who live in a separate house 3 minutes walk away, are also on standby to make your stay as enjoyable as possible!
As a gift, they supply a basket of organic exotic fruit and veggies delivered to your door every morning, whatever in season, picked fresh from our farm.
FEATURES
Important for memorable vacation
Luxury:
- Pool, Jacuzzi and Outdoor shower
- All year-round lovely flowers and plants (heliconia, birds of paradise, hibiscus, bougainvillea etc.) It’s like living in a botanical garden!
- New mattresses, bedding and décor in “tropical” style.
- Bed linens of highest quality (Egyptian cotton, etc.), extra pillows and blankets.
All Comfort:
- Air conditioners and fans in all indoor areas, fans on the balcony
- Swinging chairs
- Picnic table and Barbecue
- Dimmer switches everywhere to create the perfect mood to entertain or just kick back.
Full retreat:
- Private Entrance
- Large private exotic fruit plantation
- Organic chickens in adjacent farm
- Network of walk trails in the rainforest
- Tropical birds chirping at dawn
- Mountain View
- Fresh air, excellent rest
- No neighbours
Equipment, supplies
- Broadband WIFI, 55” HDTV in the living room and a smaller TV in the master bedroom, with over 100 channels.
- Games: Monopoly, Chess, Playing Cards
- Kitchen ready: toaster, blender, Cuisinart pots and pans, coffee maker, wine glasses.
- Bathrooms each equipped with hair driers, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, shower gel, etc.
- Brand new dishwasher, washer and drier, ironing board and iron.
Secure
- Safe for valuables
- Smoke alarms, CO detector, fire extinguishers, flashlights and CO detector
- First aid kits.
- Security systems such as cameras, guard dog, and staff living nearby, (who will also be there to greet you on arrival, orientation and provide access).
- Fence and raised slab
AMENITIES
Enjoy the undisturbed hacienda
Near from tourist destinations
Parking
Private Entrance
Safe and secure
2 King Sized Beds and 2 Queen Beds
Kitchen equipped
Barbecue
Washing, Dryer, Ironing, Hangers
Pool
Jakuzzi
Solar power
Web and TV Entertainment
Board Games
Mountain View, Rainforest trails
Birding
Fruit Farm
Floor Plan
Enlarge details
Book Your Jungle Vacation
Complementary Guest Birding Tour
We are happy to provide house guest who book 4 nights or more with a free tour of the all-organic fruit farm and/or the rainforest.
Focus on opportunities
Ideal for large families or small groups!
WHAT TO DO
Have a rest and enjoy pool, fruits, walks
WHAT TO SEE
Visit near National Parks and Tours
WHERE TO EAT
Taste the local cuisine, even invite a chef
Explore adventures yourself in the network trails of our rainforest!
Lesson to the birds and your heart
Enjoy walks through the adjacent exotic fruit farm
Every month harvesting
A 15-minute walk to the Wafa Leaf creek
Splash in rainforest mountain water to cool down.
ACCOMMODATION & PRICES
ALL PRICES IN USD
Before booking please choose the apartement size of your needs below
- 1 King, 2 Queen Beds
- Top quality hotel-grade mattresses
- Crisp white linen
- Have the whole estate to yourselves!
- 2 King, 2 Queen Beds
- Top quality hotel-grade mattresses
- Crisp white linen
- Have the whole estate to yourselves!
Certified
This property has recently been approved by the Belize Tourism Board
Our solar farm provides the electricity for our farm, except for during long stretches of cloudy weather, the grid serving only as a back-up.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
We have collected frequent questions from our guests. Find the answers here!
Travelling Here
1. Which airport should I use when coming to Exotica?
If you are coming to Belize for a longer time, and wish to obtain good value-for-money on car rental, you should fly in to Belize City International Airport and rent a car there.
If you want to fly closer to Exotica, and don’t need to rent a car, then use Placencia or Dangriga airports, each about 40-45 minutes drive. Flights from Belize City to Dangriga are generally cheaper than to Placencia. There is no rental car company located inside the airport terminal, you have to go off-airport, with Dangriga being more difficult than Placencia.
2. Driving in Belize
It is similar to driving in most developing countries. Two things in particular that we’d like to bring to your attention, for the uninitiated: First, there are many “sleeping policemen”, basically speed bumps designed to slow down traffic. These can cause damage to vehicle and suspension if you don’t slow down! Second, pedestrians and bicycles often do not carry lights or reflective clothing at night, and there are quite a few dogs and other animals on the roadside. Better to avoid driving at night, if you are not experienced with driving in developing countries.
3. Where is it best to rent a car in Belize?
Best place to pick up rental cars is typically at Belize City Airport. A wide choice of rental car companies at the airport. Rental cars are typically on the expensive side in Belize, but less so at the airport (e.g. more competition). From the airport, the Hummingbird Highway between Belmopan and Dangriga give you one of the most scenic rides in Central America.
Without a doubt, Belize City International Airport, (Goldson), is the best place to rent a car. There is a wide choice of rental companies, and prices are also generally more competitive than elsewhere.
4. Why is car rental so expensive in Belize?
All cars running on Belizean roads are imports, and import duties are generally high (e.g. over 60%). This translates through to higher rental car prices. An automobile of half decent quality is generally USD 70 and up.
5. How do I drive from Belize City International Airport to Exotica?
You have two choices. There is a longer more scenic route, traversing the Hummingbird Highway, one of the most panoramic roads in Belize, that takes about 3.5 hours. And there is a shorter road, the so-called Coastal Highway (where you don’t see any of the coast), that takes about 2.5 hours. If you take the Hummingbird Highway, we recommend a stop at the Sleeping Giant lodge, which has a lush tropical garden.
6. Does Waze or Google Map Navigation work in Belize?
Yes, these works quite well.
The location of the accommodation is ideal because it is close to popular excursion sites and the beach is 25 minutes by car.
About the nearby environment
1. How do we get groceries?
There is a supermarket which carries the majority of grocery items available in Belize, only 7-8 minutes drive from our place.
There are numerous boutiques, gift shops, bank, other grocery stores, etc. in Placencia, less than an hour away.
2. How is the local restaurant scene?
The closest restaurant is about a seven minute drive from our property. There are dozens of dining opportunities of all types on the Placencia peninsula, all within an hour drive.
3. What clothing should I bring?
Bring bathing suits! If you want to walk the property or do jungle walks, bring long pants and boots.
4. Is it dangerous residing in the jungle?
Generally not, if you exercise normal precautions. There are a number of venomous snakes in the jungle, so watch your step, and don’t deviate from trails.
The main residence is 10 feet above ground level, and the pool areas is about 7 feet higher than ground level. This is a great deterrent for snakes.
5. How is the bug situation on our property?
It is interesting to note that yours host seemed to experience fewer bugs on the property than when he lived on the Placencia peninsula. There are a few mosquitos, but during most parts of the year, they are extremely rare!
The one bug to worry about are a tiny bug known by multiple names: midges, sandflies, sandfleas, or “no see’ems”. Once again, our host experienced many more of these when he resided on the Placencia peninsula, than at the property. Midges are generally most active around dusk. They love wet flesh (e.g. after you get out of the pool). Just be vigilant when you are outdoors—it feels like tiny pins pricking you—in which case go indoors for a while or at least dry and cover yourself.
Accommodation usage
1. When is check-in?
Check in is any time after 3 pm. Please let us know your expected arrival time beforehand.
Our farm manager will open the gate and hand over the keys.
2. When do we need to check out?
Check out before 11 am. Meet the farm manager.
3. Will I have the property all to myself?
There is a one third acre fenced area, which you will have all to yourself (with the exception of some locked storage areas).
The fruit orchard is a working farm, with staff. They will steer clear of your house and fenced area to ensure your privacy.
4. Can anybody help me in case of any trouble?
Our farm manager (his name is Calet) and his wife, who live in a separate dwelling 4 minutes walk away, are close enough to be on standby to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, but far enough so that you will feel total privacy.
He will be available should you need anything or require assistance.
5. Are children welcome?
Of course! We ask though, that they be supervised at all times, particularly their use of the pool and jacuzzi, as well as due to the rare presence of snakes. Please mention the number of children at the time of booking.
6. Are pets welcome?
Yes! We love pets! We just ask that you mention them at the time of booking. Dogs should be kept on a leash at all times when outside the fenced area. Please mention any pets at time of booking.
7. Cleaning fee
There is a one time cleaning fee of USD 50, payable in cash, on arrival, to the property manager. Whether you stay for a day or a month, the fee is still USD 50.
8. Languages
The landlord speaks: English, French, German, Hungarian, Russian
Ecological awareness and security
1. Drinking water
We have two dispensers with 5 gallon containers in the house. If you run out, just ask the property manage for a refill. While we don’t believe the tap water will cause you any problems, it’s better to be extra prudent for those coming from abroad.
2. Why is our property called an eco lodge?
Our property is 90% powered by solar. We use the grid only on rainy/cloudy days, and for back-up.
In addition to Solar energy and Water dispenser we are naturally
- At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
- At least 80% lighting from LEDs
- At least 80% of food locally-sourced
- At least 80% organic food
Cleaning products are eco-friendly - Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
- Humane treatment of captive wild animals
- Local culture and ecosystem education
- Recycling
3. What else are we doing to be sustainable?
Also, our farm is all natural. Composting and using mostly using regenerative, sustainable and organic agricultural methods: no pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.
4. How is the security on our property?
We have never had a break-in on our property. As a matter of policy, we always require at least one member of staff to be on premises.
We have two guard dogs, and numerous security cameras, all outside and focused on access windows and doors to the house.
(As we respect the privacy of our guests, there are of course no interior cameras).
Our equipment also includes:
- Smoke detector
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- We also installed a CO detector for maximum safety.
Accomodation Policy
- No smoking allowed indoors.
- Maximum one small dog allowed, must be on leash at all times.
- Children under 18 must be under supervision at all times. Use of pool at own risk.
- Our property is part rainforest, part reclaimed rainforest. Hence guests may encounter venomous snakes or other wild animals.
Guests agree to exercise caution and not deviate from marked trails, and to wear long pants and boots in rainforest. - Guest agrees to compensate host for damaged caused, or items removed from premises.
Reviews
