 Certainly one of the main attractions of Pine Ridge Lodge is its proximity to the towering Maya ruins of Caracol. Just 33 miles from the site, Pine Ridge Lodge is the last stop for an ice cold beer on the road to Caracol. No otherjungle resort is closer. Archaeologists estimate that at its height, Caracol supported a population of 185,000, covered an area of 75 square miles, and defeated the city of Tikal to become the foremost Maya city of its day. Only a partially excavated city deep in the broadleaf jungle remains today, but the essence of the mighty city is there for explorers of all interests and backgrounds to appreciate.
The tallest building at the site is Caana, stretching 155 feet (50 meters) into the sky. Caana, still the tallest building in Belize, offers a panoramic view of both Belizean & Guatemalan hard wood forests and jungle. We believe Caracol´s size and wildlife diversity make it the grandest ruin in the region. The lodge can provide you with good advice, packed lunches or even a tour of Caracol. When visiting Caracol, wear shoes or sneakers suitable for climbing, hiking or trekking. Remember to bring sufficient water for the entire day.
For birders, Belize provides a plethora of opportunities to observe unique and rare species in a pristine atmosphere. In Belize the novice or expert can catch a glimpse of giant storks and herons, tiny hummingbirds, flamboyant parrots, and everything in between. Woodpeckers, motmots, toucans, vultures, hawks, jays, eagles, and falcons fill the air with feathers and their raucous calls. Many of these birds inhabit the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, the home of Pine Ridge Lodge. For more information onbirding watching in Belize, we recommend "A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America," by Steve N. G. Howell & Sophie Webb, published by Oxford University Press.
One of our favorite attractions is Big Rock Falls. Big Rock Falls is the kind of place you dream about: cool water rushes down the Privassion, flies over smooth granite boulders, then drops 150-feet straight into a crystal clear pool suitable for swimming. Its beauty graces the cover of our brochure. One guest once pronounced that he would stay one evening for each waterfall he saw...he stayed ten nights. Of all the waterfalls he visited, including the 1000 Foot (Hidden Valley) Falls, his favorite was Big Rock.
In our neck of the woods, there are enough different waterfalls to satisfy the most discerning travelers. Private pools throughout the jungle are just a short walk or bicycle ride from the lodge accommodations. A secret swimming hole at the bottom of 150´ foot waterfall awaits those fortunate to know of its existence. Another short walk down a private path leads to Santos Falls, a secluded 85' waterfall set in a private jungle setting. These pools cannot be found on any maps and are accessible only with direction from the lodge. We purposely conceal the paths for our guest°s privacy. We will direct you to these pools and other natural splendors of the region.
Exploration of the Mountain Pine Ridge with the help of local Maya guides brings the hidden treasures of the area exclusively to our guests. We want to show you why we believe that the Mountain Pine Ridge is the most exciting, yet still accessible,jungle resort in Central America.
Other popular attractions
- Rio On Pools
- Barton Creek Cave
- Big Rock Falls
- Horseback Riding
- Rio Frio Cave
- Thousand Foot Falls
- Caracol
- Pactibun
- Xunatunich
- Cahal Pech
- San Ignacio
- Tikal, Guatemala
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