Our family of 4 ( kids 12 and 15 yrs) spent 4 nights here in late March 2007. We had awesome tours to Tikal, ATM cave, Barton Creek and Big Rock Falls. We did the meal/tour plan which was the most economical for us. Although some tours were expensive I was so glad we did them, especially Tikal. That was the kids favorite as well. Guides were great, food was tasty, birds were plentiful and we did a nice river float on our last day to San Ignacio. We also did the Belize Zoo en route to duPlooys which was a wonderful introduction to the animals of Belize. Another trip highlight at duPlooys was seeing a puma cross the road about 3 km from the lodge. Even the guide was thrilled! duPlooys is very welcoming, and was fun for all. Rooms are big (we stayed in the connecting jungle lodge), have fans that keep you cool all night and are clean and comfortable. Get up early to catch the bird show and take in the evening kinkajou antics.

On impulse, we decided to go upcountry and use our last three nights in Belize to stay somewhere handy to Tikal. On the casual recommendation of some fellow divers in Placencia, we called duPlooy's, who had a lovely 2 bedroom suite for us, and booked a day trip to Tikal.
Wow! The hand built lodge is perched high on a bluff over the placid Mopan River; a trail takes you down to a sandy spit for a lovely swim. The roomy open air bar is perched high over the river, in the canopy, and extending off the main seating area is a long walkway into the canopy, ending in a large cabana containing two hammocks, both with a breathtaking view of the river and surrounding jungle. Every day a family of small bats were perched quietly up in the eaves here. The entire complex, which includes the beautiful Belize Botanic Garden, was constructed to attract, preserve and celebrate Belizean flora and fauna.
If you are a birder, you have landed in paradise. Sitting quietly on the deck at sunrise, I logged new species of birds every morning, particularly when the feeder platform was loaded with fruit by the kitchen staff. A flock of Aricaris comes early every morning! Until the family awoke, I wandered the grounds, happily birding until breakfast. Hire Fermis to take you out for the day if you are into birds. He is amazing!
The meal plan is an excellent option, and the food was wonderful. I recommend the duPlooy's breakfast, which included my favourites: fry jacks, refried beans and fried plantain. They have a nice wine list at dinner too, and serve delicious cocktail concoctions at the bar. Alas, as everywhere in Belize, the coffee is truly ghastly.
After dinner, have coffee and dessert held for you and go on a night walk. After, sit on the bar deck, have dessert (always a delicious, home made affair) and wait for the local kinkajou family to wander by.
Staff were poised, and extraordinarily warm and welcoming. Our rooms were immaculate and comfortable. Day trips were well run (do the the overnight trip to Tikal if you can). We all want to come back to do a house specialty day trip...you ride horses upriver and then do an inner tube float back to the lodge. Can't wait!
Our fellow guests were largely birders and I joked there were more PhD's per square meter at duPlooy's than anywhere else on earth. It was lovely to sit on the deck, birding together, swapping books and chatting about what we'd seen that day.
DuPlooy's is warm, welcoming and comfortable, and after checking out the neighbouring chi-chi luxury lodge, The Inn at Chaa Creek, I would choose the more relaxed duPlooy's every time.

Our extended family of seven stayed at Duplooys for three nights in February. We wish we could have stayed longer. It was the highlight of our trip to Belize. The lodging (Mopan Suite), the beautiful and lush surroundings, the wonderful hosts and crew (we especially loved Fiona and Philip) and the delicious food were beyond our expectations. And we were treated to the birth of a new baby horse the night we got there. We highly recommend Duplooys and their caring and delightful guides. And NO Bugs, only the melodious sounds of birds to awake you in the morning and fresh coffee on the tree house deck where the birds and toucans greet you each day.

Duplooys had one of the most beautiful locations I have ever been to. The room as comfortable and clean, the staff very friendly. The food was quite good. In the evenings, the outdoor bar built in the tree canopy was an amazing place to be. The kinkajous come out of the trees to be fed bananas by the tourists and everybody has a great time. This place is gorgeous, but it is not cheap: be prepared to pay for the food and excursions at the hotel, partly because they are wonderful, but also because there really isn't anywhere else to go nearby.