Mariposa Jungle Lodge – Jungle & Private Island Adventure

• All prices listed are starting rates.
• All prices listed are per person. Contact Girls That Roam for accurate pricing and booking excursions at or 415-517-7239.

• An immediate deposit of 50% is due upon confirmation of booking.
• Full payment is due 45 days prior to arrival, or immediately if arrival date is less than 45 days from booking date. Failure to make full payment in a timely manner will result in cancellation without refund.
• There will be a US$100 administrative fee per room for cancellations made up to 60 days prior to arrival.
• There will be NO REFUND for cancellations made less than 60 days prior to arrival. Please don’t ask us to waive our policies.
• Travel insurance is recommended to cover unforeseen travel complications.

The most popular time to visit is between Christmas and April, between the rainy and dry seasons. May and June are lovely for people who don’t mind some hot weather. Rain is intermittent between June and December; weather no longer seem to follow traditional patterns. From October to January, the temperature ranges from cool to hot, and visitors must be prepared for muddy roads.

Yes, but sightings are rare because most are nocturnal. Our guests have seen gray foxes, armadillos, coatimundi, possums, squirrels, and other unidentified small animals. A resident jaguar has been heard wandering near our buildings and has been seen on nearby properties, but he or she stays within the protective shield of the rainforest. We are often visited by Howler Monkeys and the unique howl of the protective males.

Belize is very informal. We suggest wearing comfortable cotton clothes. For those who typically attract insects, slacks are preferable to shorts. A long sleeve cotton shirt would be handy to wear over sleeveless tops when visiting places that tend to have the insidious ‘no-seeums’. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Two pairs are desirable in case one gets wet. It’s best not to choose your best clothes for excursions and jungle outings. Don’t forget a bathing suit. If you are adventuresome and might find yourself exploring a muddy cave, or hiking along a muddy path, you may wish to bring some ‘disposable clothes’ because the local mud tends to stain.

Binoculars for viewing birds or wildlife, insect repellent with a high DEET factor, sunglasses, head protection, light raingear, a protective sun hat or cap, spare batteries or recharging equipment for your camera batteries. Experience has taught us that ordinary baby oil is an effective repellent for no-seeums and sand flies, which are more common than mosquitos in some areas. We provide umbrellas, flashlights, bug spray, hairdryers, and mango-scented liquid body soap, shampoo and conditioner.

No. The Belize Tourist Board posts a statement that there are no serious epidemic diseases in Belize and no inoculations are necessary. Some people take anti malaria tablets in an abundance of caution, but malaria is not common in this area. You should make these decisions with your personal doctor.

Mariposa Jungle Lodge is designed for adults and young people who are independent and self-sufficient. We do not have cribs or other amenities for infants and toddlers. We welcome young children who are accustomed to an adult environment.

If you cross the border from Belize to Guatemala in order to visit Tikal, the Belize government imposes a departure tax. The tax is currently about $20 U.S. (Another departure tax is charged at the airport when you leave Belize, but some air carriers include it in the price of your ticket.) In addition, a small entry fee may be charged at Guatemala Immigration. Then a representative of the Municipality of Melchor de Mencos, the first town after the Guatemala border, may stop you for an entry fee. Your guide will assist you throughout the process.

Service charges are added to ensure that all employees of the Lodge, seen and unseen, receive some recognition that their efforts have contributed to occupancy. Most resorts in Belize have adopted this policy. Given the fact that 10% is distributed among the entire staff, we expect some guests to give supplemental gratuities to anyone you’d normally tip at a higher rate. Supplemental tipping is neither required nor expected, but it is greatly appreciated.

You can fly from Belmopan George Price Airstrip, Maya Flats Airstrip, Goldson International Airport or Belize Municipal Airport. We recommend the latter because the fares are lower and there’s no disadvantage when traveling to the islands. The best bargain is one of the water taxi services in Belize City. The fares are nominal and it’s a great boat ride (We can transport you to any of the three transportation sites for the same price from the Lodge). Useful trivia: In Belize, “cayes” is pronounced “keys.”

Only if you’re not using US currency. Locals prefer to be paid in US currency because it’s more valuable in exchange for currencies outside Belize. For example, at the Guatemala border, one gets more quetzales for US $1 than for the equivalent $2 Belize. The Belize dollar is pegged 2:1 to the US dollar and US currency is accepted throughout Belize at that rate. The exchange rate at the airport bank office is less favorable than at other locations.

Travelers checks may be accepted at larger establishments but are not popular because the local banks do not cash them at par. Mariposa Jungle Lodge accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is always gratefully accepted.

A generous tip for excellent service would be US $5-$10/per person for a full-day excursion and half that for a half-day excursion. The amount is discretionary, of course, and should reflect your level of satisfaction.

About two hours from Belize International Airport, 1.5 hours from Belize City, and 45 minutes from San Ignacio airstrip at Maya Flats.

Yes, and it needs to be valid for a clear six months after the intended departure date from Belize.

English, but Spanish is spoken widely in the Cayo District.

Central, but we do not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Yes, 110 volts. Same plugs as U.S. too.