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Guest Information Packet
Guest Information Packet 2
Table of Contents
Page 3
Welcome
Page 4
Dining, Laundry, Gift Shop
Page 5
Security, Telephone, Transportation
Page 6
Jungle Tram Operation
Page 7
Emergencies, Eco-Adventure Tours
Page 10
For the Naturalist, Things to Consider
Page 11
For the Angler 3
Welcome to Punta Gorda!
All of us here at Machaca Hill Lodge are
dedicated to making this a most memorable
trip for you. Machaca Hill Lodge pioneers
a new standard of culturally sensitive
adventures in a remote part of Southern
Belize that accentuates the unpresented
diversity of our country. Please let us
know if you have questions and if there
is anything we can do to make your stay
more comfortable. Relax, enjoy and make
yourself at home in our home!
Below we have listed some information to help make your stay more pleasurable:
BAR
:

Our Bar offers a full selection of top shelf liquors, wines and local beer. The bar is open
from 11a.m. to 10pm.
BOOKS:

There are complimentary take-one-leave-one books available at the front desk.
BUGS
:

Yes, we have mosquitoes. Not every day and not all day. They are more active at dusk
and dawn. If you are particularly sensitive to them you should wear repellant. It is wise to
close doors and turn off inside lights during times that the bugs are active. If our Trade Winds
become calm you may notice little bites from creatures called no-seeums. Bug repellent will
keep them at bay. Scorpions live here too; they are shy and not very aggressive. Their sting is
not dangerous but can be painful.
COMPUTER and INTERNET
:

We offer wireless internet service for your laptop in all Cabins and
most areas near the main lodge and pool.
CONSERVATION
: Our beautiful country has infinite natural resources. Please know that your
comfort is of utmost importance to us, however we ask that you please respect the resources,
and conserve water and electricity wherever you can. You may flush toilet paper into the
system but please do not flush non-degradable products such as tampons, diapers, paper towels.
Please close all windows if you are going to use your air conditioning. Please turn off the air
conditioners when you are not in the room.
CURRENCY
: Machacas guests will not need cash while at the lodge as we will run tabs for you.
The local currency is the Belize dollar, which is worth half the US dollar. US dollars are accepted
everywhere; change will be given in Belize dollars. For your convenience, please carry small bills
to cover minor expenses. Visa, MasterCard and AMEX are accepted at the lodge at an exchange
rate of US$1 = BZE$2.07. 4
DINING
:
Our new and improved Arbor Restaurant offers a broad menu which can be served
either in the dining room or on our spacious verandah. Please also let us know if you have any
special requests or are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion.
Dining Hours
Breakfast: served from 6:30am to
9:30am.
Lunch: served from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
Snacks: served upon request.
Dinner: Our Restaurant is opened for
dinner orders from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.
Our Chef uses fresh local fruits, vegetables and seafood. All of our breads and desserts are
homemade. Please let us know if you have any food allergies or any special dietary concerns,
which we will be happy to accommodate.
ECO-ADVENTURES AND ACTIVITIES
:
The Toledo district offers a host of exciting activities
both on our own 15,000 acre Laughing Falcon Reserve and nearby, including fishing, birding,
canoeing, hiking & Mayan past and present, just to name a few. Our office staff can make all
of the necessary arrangements. A more complete list of activities follows. Please confirm all
activities before 4pm, as most offices close at 5pm and therefore its very difficult to make or
change arrangements after this time.
KEYS
:
We advise that you leave your room keys at the front desk when going on tours or
leaving the property. A lost key will mandate that we change the entire lock at a cost of $25.00
which will be charged to your room.
LAUNDRY
:
If you need laundry done please use the woven basket within your closet
(wardrobe) and leave it by the door inside your room. We will return the laundry that evening
or early the following day. Complimentary Laundry service for Guests on full package. For other
guests that would desire this service, a charge list is provided in your room and charges will be
billed to your room
GIFT SHOP/Front Desk
:
We carry sun block, insect repellant, swim shorts, T Shirts and various
other gift items. All purchases may be put on your tab to be settled at the end of your stay.
We have a front desk staff on duty to facilate your needs, in the event that one is not available
please direct your needs to your waiter or security who will see to your needs. 5
POOL and RIVER
:
There are no lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk. No child under 13
may swim without adult supervision; no child using pampers are allowed in our pool without
toddlers swimming pampers. No glassware in or near the pool area. Guests are welcome to
swim anytime but if you swim after dark, please be respectful of others.
SAFETY DEPOSIT
:
There is a safe in your room however we would happily secure your
personal items such as money, passports and plane tickets in the office safe. Access to your bag
is available during office hours.
SECURITY GUARD
:
There is a security guard on the property each evening. He wears a black
uniform and carries a flashlight. If you are in need of assistance at any hour please step outside
and walk towards the main lodge or pool area and notify him.
SMOKING
:
Smoking is permitted anywhere on the property with the exception of rooms,
offices and the main restaurant.
TELEPHONE
:
A payphone is located outside the accounting office on the first floor of the main
lodge building. To use it you will need a major credit card, a pre-paid Belizean calling card, or
you may call collect. Instructions are listed on the phone.
TIPPING
:
All guides are contracted and tipping is based on their services. For our house staff
which includes housekeepers, bartenders, wait-staff and kitchen staff, drivers, grounds keepers
and front office Staff, a 10% service charge or staff gratuity is added to your final bill but if you
have received exceptional service from any staff member and wish to tip them, by all means
please feel free to do so.
TRANSPORTATION
:
Transportation is available by taxi. Please arrange during office hours.
Taxis are usually able to be here in 15 minutes Belize Time. Cost depends on the number of
passengers and the destination. A one way trip into town usually costs $10. Please check with
front desk about our scheduled complimentary shuttle service.
WATER
:
Drink it anywhere on the property, inside or out. Good stuff!
WET ITEMS
:
Please do not leave rods, towels, bathing suits, shoes, etc, outside of your room.
We are not responsible for any loss or damage. Unwanted critters may take up residence there
as well.
WILDLIFE:

We have plenty of birds, snakes, lizards, peccary, Tapir and raccoons. There are
hundreds of species of birds in the area. We have included a list of local birds in this information
packet. We have lots of geckos; you may even encounter one indoors. They eat the bugs that
like to eat us. Geckos are a good thing! You are likely to encounter bats at dusk and dawn. They
are harmless and like the geckos, they eat the bugs that eat us! 6
Jungle Tram

F
or those Machaca Hill Lodge guests
going on tours from the river, we have
installed a 500 linear foot Funicular Tram
which takes you from ground level lodge
down to the river side near the dock or
launching area. Please take special care
and notice of all the safety and usage
procedures that we have in this section.
Our tram is by no means a toy and in
order for us to serve you effectively
we appreciate your respect with
regards to this equipment and usage.
Unfortunately because of very high costs of installation and maintenance it is not intended for
casual use. Please check with the Manager on duty if you have questions or special needs.
Tram Operation
:
At both ends of the tram landings, top and bottom, there is a small control
panel with buttons that say Up, Down, and Stop. Prior to pushing any of the buttons make
sure that all hands and body parts are within the tram and doors on both sides are closed. There
is a remote control located inside the cart. Also, kindly note the following:
1. Before operating make sure all doors are closed, passengers are seated and body parts and
equipment are clear of the landing. There is a maximum load of 4 adults in the tram.
2. If the tram is at the opposite end of where you are and there are people near the tram DO
NOT operate it. It is both safe and mannerly to wait for the tram to be sent back to you by the
person it is nearest. Kindly wave or flash the light on and off to alert the person opposite to you
that you would like the tram. If the tram is to the opposite of you and no one is near the tram
then by all means do retrieve the tram by pushing the correct button. Do note that if you are
leaving in the morning and descending to the river side please send the tram back up for the
next guest wanting to come down and the opposite in the morning.
3. The tram will automatically stop