Cotton Tree Lodge

Cotton Tree Lodge is a jungle eco-resort situated on 100 acres along the banks of the Moho River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains in the Toledo District of southern Belize. Founded in 2006 by Chris Crowell and Jeff Pzena, the lodge was created to share the culture, warmth, and natural beauty of Belize with visitors from around the world. The property includes an organic farm and offers a range of accommodations, from cabanas to garden-view rooms, all surrounded by raw tropical rainforest. The lodge's tours and activities focus on adventure and cultural immersion, including chocolate-making with Mayan cacao farmers, cave swimming to underground waterfalls, river tubing, fishing, sunset river cruises, and explorations of ancient Maya ruins. In August 2019, Cotton Tree Lodge was sold to Kasey and Adam Van Tassell and their family, who continue to operate it with a strong emphasis on humanitarian work and community engagement in Belize. The lodge positions itself as a gateway to the "real Belize," combining eco-tourism with farm-to-table dining and meaningful local connections.

Cotton Tree Lodge was founded in 2006 by Chris Crowell and Jeff Pzena. Chris Crowell first discovered Belize while traveling through Mexico and Guatemala, and later returned with his sailboat seeking a meaningful venture. He found a beautiful farm on the banks of the Moho River beneath a towering cotton tree, which inspired the dream of sharing Belize's magic with others. After three years of planning with his longtime friend and business partner Jeff Pzena, they formed Cotton Tree Lodge, and it took another three years until they opened the doors in December 2006. The lodge was built on 100 acres of tropical rainforest in the Toledo District, offering eco-friendly accommodations and adventure tours. In August 2019, Cotton Tree Lodge was sold to Kasey and Adam Van Tassell and their family. The Van Tassells were motivated by a desire to engage in humanitarian work and to provide their children with a unique life experience. They have continued to operate the lodge, emphasizing community involvement and sustainable tourism. Chris Crowell now resides in Mankato, Minnesota, while Jeff Pzena lives in New York City and focuses on Cotton Tree Chocolate and the Moho Chocolate Company.

• 2019

  Sold to Kasey and Adam Van Tassell and their family in August.

• 2006

  Cotton Tree Lodge founded by Chris Crowell and Jeff Pzena.

• 2006

  Lodge opened its doors in December.

Eco-resort and adventure lodge offering immersive cultural and natural experiences in southern Belize.

• Cabanas & Rooms

  Accommodations including garden-view rooms and cabanas.

• Chocolate Tour

  Tour with a Mayan cacao farmer and his family.

• Cave Adventure Swim

  Swimming through wet caves to an underground waterfall.

• Maya Ruins Tours

  Exploring ruins of the ancient Maya.

• River Tubing

  Tubing on the Moho River.

• Fishing

  Angler's paradise fishing opportunities.

1. 1Cotton Tree Lodge | Belize Jungle Lodge and Resortcottontreelodge.com
2. 2About Us - Cotton Tree Lodgecottontreelodge.com
3. 3Humanitarian Work - Cotton Tree Lodgecottontreelodge.com
4. 4Cotton Tree Lodge - Wikidatawikidata.org