Packing
Read BFREE’s Packing Guide at the top of this page under “Resources.” Essential items include a headlamp, towel, lightweight long sleeves and pants, comfortable shoes, and earplugs.
BFREE is committed to ensuring your safety while visiting. We are happy to inform you that we are Gold Standard certified and have implemented all required measures to mitigate risks for our guests and staff as recommended by the Belize Tourism Board. Our staff have been trained to ensure your safety and are all fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
We require all guests visiting BFREE to be fully vaccinated (two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine series). The vaccination requirement applies to anyone eligible to receive the vaccine, ages 5+ for US citizens and 12+ for Belizean citizens.
Visitor Forms
FORMS
All guests are required to complete and sign the following forms and submit them along with a photo of the information page of your passport and vaccination card by email to contact@bfreebz.org no later than 14-days before your arrival at BFREE.
GUIDES
COVID-19 POLICIES
Accommodations
A minimum stay of two nights is required for all visitors. Bed linens and pillows are provided for guests staying in The Hammock or a Cabin. All guests should bring their own towels and should review the packing guide prior to travel.
Three private cabins are nestled comfortably in the forests and though very private is centrally located. Each cabin is furnished with two handcrafted hardwood beds, a desk and chair, and a hammock. Solar power allows the use of a fan, light, and equipment charging. They are also outfitted with a colorful hand-painted Mexican ceramic sink, beautiful hardwood floors, screened walls, and skylights. Nearby are a two-stall composting bathroom and a hot/cold shower.
- Fer de Lodge: One full bed, one twin bed (2 beds)
- Casa Criollo: One full bed, one twin bed (2 beds)
- Harpy House: One queen bed, one set twin bunk-beds (3 beds)
Constructed in 2021, BFREE’s newest facility, “The Hammock,” was built using only fallen or dying trees throughout the property. The elevated structure is comprised of six private rooms connected by an open-air veranda. Situated under the hulking shade of a massive 140-foot tall Ceiba tree, each room is named after a different tree species found at BFREE.
- Salmwood: One full bed, one twin bunk-bed (3 beds)
- Santa Maria: Two sets of triple bunk-beds (6 beds)
- Cantimo: One full bed, one twin bunk-bed (3 beds)
- Yemery: One full bed, one twin bunk-bed (3 beds)
- Ceiba: Two sets of triple bunk-beds (6 beds)
- Sapodilla: One full bed, one twin bunk-bed (3 beds)
CAMPING
Camping is welcomed at BFREE for our guests looking for a rugged rainforest adventure! Covered sites for tents are available.
Campers must provide their own tent and sleeping bag. Access to cold water showers and composting toilets nearby.
MEALS
BFREE’s Head Chef, Edwardo Pop, prepares all meals for our guests in the BFREE kitchen. Meals are served family-style at set times. Breakfast: 7:30 AM, Lunch: 12:00 PM, and Dinner: 6:30 PM.
We do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions and allergies at BFREE. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure they are noted in your Health & Contact Form. Upon arrival at BFREE, please introduce yourself to the Chef and let them know of any concerns or questions you have. Please keep in mind that the typical diet in Belize consists of rice, beans, and chicken. We ask that you come prepared with packaged snacks and supplements suited for your specific needs and that you are armed with respect for the local culture and a flexible attitude.
Guest Rates
Check-in time is between 2 pm and 6 pm. Check-out time is by 11 am. Guided Tours are subject to guide availability and weather. There are many trails throughout the property and no fee for accessing them. All prices below are listed in US Dollars.
- Accommodation$60 USDPer person / per night
- Children$40 USD13 years old and younger
- Camping$20 USDPer person / per night
- Meals$35 USDPer person / per night
- Conservation Fee$25 USDOne-time fee for individuals
- Conservation Fee: Group$50 USDOne-time fee for groups of 2+
Accommodation Rates:
The costs listed are per person / per night. There is a three-night minimum for all guests.
Lodging in either The Hammock or Cabins. Rooms are assigned by BFREE Staff pending availability. Linens and pillows are provided. Includes all meals prepared by the BFREE chef.
Campers must provide their own tent and sleeping bag. Cost does not include meals.
The conservation fee is a one-time fee added to all invoices which directly supports BFREE’s privately protected area.
- Entrance Road Transportation$75 USDEach way
- Private Parking: Gomez Sawmill$5 USDPer day
- Savannah Airstrip Transportation$150 USDEach way
- Entrance Road Support$250 USD
Transportation Rates:
Due to the preservation of the BFREE Entrance Road, guests are not permitted to drive the road except with prior permission. The BFREE Truck can transport groups of up to 4 along with luggage. Additional guests are $10 per person with a maximum of 8 passengers per trip. Guests can walk the 6-mile entrance road free of charge.
Private parking is available at the Gomez Sawmill. The gated lot is along the Southern Highway across from the BFREE Entrance Road. Parking must be reserved in advance, and arrival must be during regular business hours. Cash should be paid to the guard upon arrival.
We are happy to arrange transportation for our guests from Savannah to BFREE via taxi. The nearest airport is the Savannah Airstrip. Flights can be booked with Maya Island Air from Belize International.
Any personal vehicle stuck along the BFREE Entrance Road that requires staff support or damages the road in any way is subject to additional fees.
- Wi-Fi Access$25 USDPer device
- Guided Activities$10 - $50 USD
- Lost or Left Items$100 USD
Other Rates:
Wi-Fi access is limited due to service accessibility. BFREE staff will determine the number of devices permitted at the time of your stay. The one-time charge per device is applied per 30-day stay.
Guided hikes and tours are available pending weather and staff availability. Costs vary pending group size and length of activity. Please inquire upon arrival.
For items left at BFREE, a one-time service fee is applied. Additional shipping charges may apply.
Payments
A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due at booking a reservation and will be deducted from the total amount due. An invoice will be sent once a reservation is made. The invoice should be paid in full no later than 30 days before the arrival date.
Payments can be made by check (no processing fee) or credit card (3% processing fee). Fees incurred during the visit will be invoiced after departure and paid in full no later than two weeks after completion of stay. The remaining fees are subject to an increase of 3% every 15-day period after fees are due. Cancellations made 60 + days before arrival will receive a full refund minus the deposit. Cancellations made 30 + days before arrival will receive a 50% refund minus the deposit. Cancellations made less than 30 days to arrival are non-refundable.
Make your secured payment to BFREE through GiveButter here.
Preparing for Your Trip
Travel
Read BFREE’s Travel Guide at the top of this page under “Resources.” International guests should fly to BZE. Domestic travel options to BFREE include bus and flights to Savannah with Maya Island Air.
Health
BFREE is Gold Standard certified by the Belize Tourism Board and is doing everything in our power to protect our guests and staff from COVID-19. All guests visiting BFREE are required to be fully vaccinated.
Weather
The temperature in Belize averages from 70-90 degrees F during the daytime to 65-75 degrees F during the nighttime. December through June has the best weather for travel. Late July through November is hurricane season with heavy rains, while December through June brings less rain making travel easier. April and May are generally the driest months of the year.
Money
The Belizean dollar is exchanged at a fixed rate with the US dollar ($1US = $2BZ). US dollars are widely accepted everywhere, but small denominations are best ($20s and below). ATMs and cash machines are available at the airport otherwise can be difficult to find. Credit cards are not widely accepted except in tourist areas.
Language
English is the official language. However, Spanish, Creole, 3 dialects of Maya, and Garifuna languages are also spoken.
Time
Belize’s time is fixed all year round (there is no daylight savings). Depending on the US’s daylight savings status, Belize is either one or two hours behind Eastern Standard Time.
Power
BFREE is powered by solar electricity. Outlets are available in each Cabin, The Hammock, BFREE Classroom, and the Dining Room.
Internet
BFREE has limited internet service that may be made available upon request. The wifi works primarily in the office and dining room. The charge is a one-time fee of $50BZD/$25USD per device per 30-day stay.
Phone
Guests may access the BFREE office phone for making local or international calls. The rate is $2BZD/$1USD per minute.
Water
Water is provided via a well throughout the facilities and is safe to drink from all sinks at BFREE.
BFREE Wish List
The BFREE Field Station wish list contains our most-needed items. Please consider making a little extra room in your bag when packing for your trip. We greatly appreciate anything our visitors can contribute from our list.
We appreciate donations for any of the following items.
- batteries: AAA and AA batteries are necessary at BFREE and are especially important in headlamps when our staff leads groups on night hikes. Unfortunately, batteries purchased in Belize are generally knock-off brands that don’t last through more than a few uses.
- Headlamps: Headlamps are essential to functioning at night at BFREE. Living in the jungle full-time means you burn through many headlamps because they have a limited lifespan in wet conditions.
- Work Gloves: Durable, cotton work and garden gloves size small and medium
- Office Supplies: Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Sharpies, Composition notebooks, duct tape, masking tape, digital alarm clock, binoculars (new or gently used binoculars for use by staff and students)
- Home Spirit: We love representing your school, organization, or hometown even after you leave. Items with logos or mascots useful around the kitchen are especially loved, such as coffee mugs, aprons, dish towels, battery-operated wall clocks, etc.
- Great Gifts for Staff as a group: Your favorite coffee, tea, or other snacks.
- Or visit our Amazon Wishlist for more ideas: BFREE Field Station Supplies and Gear 2022 Wish List
Books and Resource Materials :
The BFREE Library is always excepting new or gently used books, articles, or other resources. We are interested in materials that help students, researchers, and staff better understand the habitat, wildlife, and other aspects of tropical living. We would greatly appreciate any addition to our library.
Possible book and resource topics might include Field Guides for the tropics (birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, plants, fish, etc.), Laminated ID cards specific to the region, Belize Travel Guides, World Atlas and Maps (book form), Tropical Ecology, Rainforest conservation, Agroforestry, Captive husbandry of reptiles (turtles in particulars), Protected Areas, Watershed Ecology.
