Hickatee cottages is a collection of six rooms nestled within beautiful tropical surroundings and have been built with miminum impact on the environment. Howler monkeys may wake you up in the night, and a cacophony of bird song will greet you in the morning, as well as a cup of coffee brought to your room. Hickatee Cottages have very strong responsible and sustainable practices. A stay at Hickatee allows you to explore the town of Punta Gorda and the Toledo region either with pre-arranged tours or trying one of Hickatee's DIY tours.

Rooms: are very comfortable with ceiling fans and screened windows in duplex cottages with shared balcony, or there are several individual cottages of varying size and price range including our favourite the honeymoon cottage which is set apart from the other cottages and has its own living area and balcony with hammock. All rooms have ceiling fans, their own entrance, solar powered electricity and hot water.

Dining: occurs on the veranda or inside the main lodge called Charlie's Bar. Continental breakfast is included, or hot breakfast can be ordered for additional cost. Dinner is served every night except Saturday and Wednesday nights as it's Chef's night off. Dinner is a delicious single menu option that changes each night. Lunch is not served at the cottages, guests can cycle into Punta Gorda town where there are several dining options and lunch is often included in excursions.

Onsite: There is a short and long trail behind the cottages that are worth exploring. The lodge also has a small plunge pool and bicycles are complimentary to guests to explore the surrounding area and cycle into nearby Punta Gorda town.

Our Comment: Hickatee cottages is one of our favourite places in Belize, hosts Kate and Ian are very welcoming and have a wealth of knowledge of Southern Belize. The cottages are lovely and the setting amongst large cohune palms and tropical foliage creates a uniquely relaxing environment. The Wednesday night Garifuna drumming with Ronald Ray McDonald is a highlight not to be missed. Hickatee is an ideal choice for the more independent traveller looking to enjoy the rich cultural and natural experiences of this beautiful, less visited part of Belize.