The Farm
Farm-To-Table Sustainability
At the heart of the lodge is Copal Tree Farm, Belize's first certified organic farm, cultivating indigenous crops like coffee, cacao, sugar cane, and vanilla. Copal Tree is committed to fostering lasting economic stability in Southern Belize through sustainable agriculture.
Local farmers organically grow sugar cane, cacao, and coffee. Thanks to our extensive gardens, tropical fruit trees, and livestock, we produce most of the food we serve guests. Our year-round food production is a hive of activity.
Join our farm team for a visit to the chickens and sheep. Discover the Cocktail Garden, where we cultivate limes, coconuts, and pitaya. Explore the Flavor Garden to see, taste, and smell the diverse range of tropical flavors, which can be custom-blended during the bean-to-bar chocolate tour.
We harvest 140-150 pounds of lettuce on average
We gather 50-75 eggs daily
Our homemade hot sauce is made with garden-fresh habaneros
We use organic fertilizers like on-site manure & compost
Our natural insect spray is made from water, garlic, & Jack-Ass Bitters
Behind our main vegetable garden, shaded by a grand thatched roof palapa, you’ll find our Cacao Nursery—a vibrant space with thousands of grafted cacao plants. Each tree is carefully nurtured here before being planted in the surrounding jungle. This nursery is a must-see for any visitor to Copal Tree Lodge.
Much like planting a vineyard, growing organic cacao requires patience, with a 3-5 year wait before the first harvest. In 2013, we planted 120 acres of organic Criollo cacao, making Copal Tree the largest cacao plantation in Belize and the largest Criollo cacao plantation in Central America. Along with cacao, our nursery also grows spices like cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, and allspice, creating a sensory feast for any curious traveler.
