The south - The Rough Guide to Belize - page 204

CACAO AND THE MAYA
The ancient Maya, who were the first to process cacao into chocolate , assigned great value to
the beans which could be used as money and traded over vast distances. These days,
commercial production and eco-tourism continues to generate monetary value. The
environment of Toledo provides ideal growing conditions, and anyone passing through the
local villages is likely to see cacao beans drying on special concrete pads. Almost all the crop is
organically produced and used to make the delicious Maya Gold chocolate sold abroad. The
Toledo Cacao Growers' Association was established in conjunction with chocolate company
Green & Black's, and the UK's first Fair Trade product was born.
New, local entrepreneurs have started up, too, including Cotton Tree Chocolate in Punta
Gorda (see p.210), Ixcacao , a short distance north (see p.219), and Goss Chocolate on the
Placencia Peninsula (see p.201).
The Chocolate Festival of Belize , held at the end of May each year, features a Saturday
programme of street events and concerts in Punta Gorda, followed by Maya dance and
cultural activities at Lubaantun on Sunday ( W chocolatefestivalofbelize.com).

6

of the Driftwood Café (see opposite), offers classes and
workshops in making as well as playing a drum in a
creekside camp a mile out of town ( T 668 7733,
W marooncreoledrumschool.com).
ReefCI This research organization, which offers divers the
chance to participate in scientific programmes on the
Barrier Reef - most notably, on four-day diving trips to
Sapodilla Caye to help tackle the lionfish problem (see box

opposite) - has an o ce on Front St, opposite the tourist
o ce ( T 629 4266, W reefci.com).
TIDE The Toledo Institute for Development and the
Environment ( T 722 2129, W tidetours.org), based on the
main road a mile out of town, close to Waluco's is involved
with many conservation projects, and also offers trips to the
cayes and marine reserves, cacao, mountain-bike and kayak
tours and camping trips to Payne's Creek National Park.

ACCOMMODATION
Belcampo Lodge Wilson Rd, 5 miles north of Punta
Gorda T 888 299 9940 in US, W belcampobz.com.
Super-upscale resort enjoying wonderful views over
landscaped grounds from a glorious hilltop setting high
above the Río Grande. The unpaved turn-off is 4 miles
south of Jacintoville on the Southern Hwy. Guests stay in
spacious, beautifully furnished wooden cabañas , each with
a private glass-screened deck shaded by trees, and
enormous shower rooms. Meals are served in the main
lodge building. Enjoy the spa, or take the on-site cable car
down to the river, which must rate as Belize's most
spectacular jungle setting. Spend time fishing or just
relaxing at the hilltop pool, enjoy a breathtaking panorama
from the main lodge or w alk the n ature trails through the
forest. Packages available. US$534
Beya Suites Front St, 0.5 mile north of the centre
T 722 2188 or T 621 0140, W beyasuites.com.
A former winner of Belize's “Small Hotel of the Year”
award, this bright pink house on the seafront is a good
Belizean-owned option. All rooms offer a/c, TV and
private bath. Most have balconies, and there's a rooftop
sun deck. Laundr y and breakfast available. Bar
downstairs. US$163
Blue Belize Guest House 139 Front St T 722 2678,
W bluebelize.com. Impressive, friendly guesthouse, set
amid flowering seafront gardens at the south end of town.
Two buildings, linked by a raised boardwalk, hold four

one-bedroom kitchenette units plus one two-bedroom
honeymoon suite with a full kitchen. All are bright and
colourfully decorated, and share access to spacious seaview
terrac es. Break fast and bicycles included. Rooms US$83 ,
suites US$147
Coral House Inn 151 Main St T 722 2878,
W coralhouseinn.com. This smart and attractive
columned guesthouse makes you feel truly at home, in
comfortable a/c rooms or a self-contained cottage,
featuring decor from local artisans. Gorgeous pool with
thatched bar, hammo cks an d verandas. Complimentary
breakfast and bicycles. US$98
Grace's Hotel & Restaurant 19 Main St T 702 2414,
E [e-mail]. Functional, clean rooms with
private bath in the centre of town; those with a/c cost twice
as much. The restaurant, open daily, serves a large menu
includi ng hearty Belizean dishes for less than Bz$15.
US$27
Hickatee Cottages Ex-Servicemen Rd, beyond
Cemetery Lane T 662 4475, W hickatee.com. This small
B&B, around a mile west of downtown Punta Gorda,
consists of four rustic-chic private cottages set amid twenty
acres of lush jungle and drawing numerous butterflies,
birds and monkeys each day. The cottages are equipped
with solar-powered ceiling fans and hot-water showers,
and there's a small pool, abundant nature trails and free
bicycles; local tours are easily arranged. Rates include