A rust-colored road curves gently through thick forest, sloping its way up from the lush, steamy jungle surrounding San Ignacio, Belize. The humidity softens as the landscape transitions to pine and oak forests, rocky trails, and cool mountain streams. This is the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve—107,000 acres of protected wilderness that conceal a stylish, secret hideaway: Blancaneaux Lodge, owned by none other than Francis Ford Coppola.
Nestled deep in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge, Big Rock Falls is more than just a waterfall — it’s an experience. A scenic hike leads you to this 150-foot natural wonder, where cool waters and jungle silence combine for the perfect post-adventure escape, all within reach of your lodge. Photo: Blancaneaux Lodge
One of two Coppola resorts in Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge is an earthy oasis nestled deep within the forest. It sits perched on a hilltop overlooking a ravine, with cabanas and villas cascading down the slope toward Privassion Creek. Coppola discovered the abandoned property in 1981 while searching for a jungle escape in the Maya Mountains of Pine Ridge. What began as a private family retreat opened to the public in 1993. Today, the intimate resort features 20 elegantly rustic rooms overlooking the creek, which cuts through the property with waterfalls and natural swimming holes.
Developed in collaboration with Mexican architect Manolo Mestre, the aesthetic of the lodge and villas draws loosely from indigenous styles Coppola encountered in the Philippines while filming Apocalypse Now. Photo: Blancaneaux Lodge
Arrival begins with a rugged drive down a rocky road to the main lodge. The space seamlessly fuses forested seclusion with refined design. Developed in collaboration with Mexican architect Manolo Mestre, the aesthetic of the lodge and villas draws loosely from indigenous styles Coppola encountered in the Philippines while filming Apocalypse Now. Mahogany furnishings sit atop wood floors beneath beamed ceilings. Just beyond the roaring stone fireplace in the reception area is Montagna Restaurant, where guests dine on locally grown produce and imported Italian delicacies, accompanied by a curated list of Francis Ford Coppola wines. Tucked just past the welcome desk, the Jaguar Bar is surrounded by screened-in windows and marked by hand-carved slate, ceiling fans from the Apocalypse set, and framed photos of archaeological digs. In a subtle invitation to unplug, it’s also the only area on the property with Wi-Fi.
Tucked just past the welcome desk, the Jaguar Bar is surrounded by screened-in windows and marked by hand-carved slate, ceiling fans from the Apocalypse set, and framed photos of archaeological digs. Photo: 📸 via @auhasardspr @iamaly
Step outside and follow stone paths down the hillside to the cabanas and villas, perched on stilts and topped with soaring, hand-woven thatch ceilings. Interiors showcase furnishings selected by Francis and Eleanor Coppola from Mexico and Guatemala. Warm wood tones are offset with bright tropical accents—hand-woven bedspreads, carved wooden animals, and bold cultural touches. Spacious bathrooms feature tiled Japanese-style baths and locally made herbal soaps, offering style with a sense of place.
A special spot for a dip before or after your treatment—the Waterfall Spa’s hot pool, heated by hydroelectricity, overlooks the Privassion River. Trained at Bangkok’s Wat Pho Temple, therapists offer Thai massage where tradition meets nature. Photo: Blancaneaux Lodge
At the base of the hill, along the creek, lies the open-air Waterfall Spa, complete with a hot pool powered by hydroelectricity. Spa treatments use organic, locally sourced ingredients, and the signature Thai massage is not to be missed—therapists are professionally trained in traditional techniques at Bangkok’s Wat Pho Temple. The resort also features a swimming pool, horse stables, an organic garden, and a customizable list of activities ranging from mountain biking and hiking to full-day adventures at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve.
Rising from the depths of the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is Belize’s largest Maya site — home to over 30,000 structures and the towering Sky Palace. Once a thriving city of 150,000, its mysteries still echo through jungle trails alive with monkeys, motmots, and ancient stone. Photo: Blancaneaux Lodge
Francis Ford Coppola earned his reputation for masterful attention to detail and cinematic artistry, and that same sensibility is infused into every inch of Blancaneaux Lodge. It’s not just a luxurious escape—it’s a red-carpet-worthy sanctuary deep in the heart of the Belizean jungle.
