duPlooy's will be closed for the month of October, 2008 to do some upgrading and maintenance.
We will be here to serve your needs from now through September30 and will be back again, bright and shiny on November 1.

Labels: belize lodges, duplooys, eco

Rooms at duPlooy's now include continental breakfast, self-guided tour of Belize Botanic Gardens, **use of innertubes and canoes around the property. **Only if you bring 'em back yourself. If you're hanging around duPlooy's for the day you might want to take a picnic lunch to the beach or garden and just relax a little.

If you have a yen to try your hand at tortilla or tamale making, basket weaving, or other local
food or craft, ask about Belize Botanic Garden's Traditional Knowledge workshop. This has to be scheduled a day ahead, but it's lots of fun and very informative. A Traditional Knowledge Workshop can be included as a half day activity on packages. It includes a guided Healer's Walk in the gardens, along with an activity such as one of those listed above. The activity takes place in the Maya house in the garden and a typical Mayan lunch is served there.

Labels: botanic gardens, duplooys, eco, education, mayan culture

In our efforts to be a true eco-lodge, we at duPlooy's have been increasing efforts to re-use, reduce and recycle where possible and to use local products as much as we can.

This year we have installed a battery system for partial electricity. The batteries are charged by the generator as solar power has not yet become cost-effective. Within the next few weeks, we will be able to power our generator with used vegetable oil, enabling us to help other businesses recycle this oil and cut down our use of diesel fuel.

We are starting to involve our staff in Green Training Sessions to help everyone see the value of reducing waste as much as possible and will be giving incentives to those who make useful suggestions for waste reduction.

You will find only returnable bottles in our bar and picnics are packed in reusable containers.

We encourage you to bring re-chargeable batteries for your electronic needs, but if you don't, will you consider taking home with you your used batteries? If you bring a flashlight - which you should do - consider a wind-up one. They work well for night walks and general flashlight needs.

We encourage you to use your towels for a couple of days (we understand that this is not always possible).

Our plans for next year include a solar hot water system, more rainwater collection and the use of grey water on our plants.

We encourage guests to make helpful suggestions on the Greening of duPlooy's and have made use of lots of advice provided by visitors so far.

Labels: eco