Some bars feel like home… but these aren’t just some bars.
There are rummy bars and then there istheRum Bar . It ’s a straightforward statute title for a temple of tipples and yet one that ’s not intimately as audacious as it seems . Seated in the lobby of theCopal Tree Lodgein the heart of the Southern Belizean rain forest , this bespoke jewel affords a singular cane - spirit - sip experience .
Drinking in the hobo camp of Punta Gorda — subdued by the audio of howler monkeys and oh - so - many palm leaves bristling in the breeze — tends to leave a lasting impact on people . As does the infective personality of the man making those drinks . He goes simply by Ducky ( you have a go at it , like Cher or Madonna ) , and is every snatch as iconic .
“ I ’ve been influence on the property for 20 years , back when it was a simple sportfishing lodge , ” Ducky call back . In 2018 , Copal relaunched as a luxury eco - resort with millions of dollar worth of low - impact refurbishments , accomplished with 16 suites debar above a river valley ’s boundary . “ I started as a dish washer , but the kitchen was n’t for me . I set about serving food and , well , I ’m a cute fellow , so I depart talking with the guests , and they loved me . Our GM decide I needed to be make them drink , so when the barkeep depart , I take over . I ’m still here today . ”
Photo courtesy of Copal Tree Lodge Rum Bar
assist Ducky in his efforts is an assortment of mankind division ingredients , most of which are source on - site : passionfruit , ginger , cacao , and citrus yield , to name but a few . The property also houses its own constitutional rummy distillery , Copalli . Here , spirits are craft from demesne - grown , newly - pressed cane , imbuing them with quick terroir that has a slightly grassy , tropical top annotation . Ducky folds those flavors toppingly into his eponymous cocktail , which also happen to be the most popular drink on the menu .
“ The Ducky Daiquiri is named after the unofficial premier minister of Punta Gorda : me , ” explains the ever - humble host . “ A lot of rum cocktail are made on the rock music , but a ally and I were run with ingredient , and we adjudicate to take out the frappe and add a good pour of rum . We expend seedless limes — the succus is better — and we take our sentence with the dewy-eyed syrup , boil it for about an hour . No rushing . Then we do a medium shake and strain it into a shabu . It ’s a great [ cocktail ] with fresh ingredients all from the rain forest . ”
This Daiquiri Will Transport You to the Jungles of Southern Belize
Bartender Ducky from the Copal Tree Lodge in Punta Gorda shares his recipe.
The common sense of spot is impossible to dismiss on either side of the peg . Ducky is barrack by the cane field he drives past on his manner to and from oeuvre each daylight . As for his guests , they ’re often arriving at felicitous hour after a day of hiking through the brushwood , kayaking on the Rio Grande ( which wander through the verdant vale some 300 invertebrate foot below ) , or touring the contiguous still . The sunset sessions at the Rum Bar are so surpassing , in fact , that they attract far more than just guests of the stamping ground .
“ We get lots of locals of all form , sizing , and metal money , ” Ducky confirm . “ You sit at the bar and the hummingbird are fighting for their food . We occasionally have a few pythons that pay a visit — although they are quite timid . One time , we had a howler rascal literally walk into our bar , all by himself . He just see things out for about 15 or 20 moment , admire the scene , and then cash in one’s chips on his way . ”
Though , on any given eve , you ’re far more probable to be joined by less hirsute local . The bar has become a dependable hangout for the Punta Gorda residential district , peculiarly during the COVID closedown of 2020 and 2021 , when the section of tourism promote a Travel Local program . It ’s a springy hub , with the get-up-and-go of Ducky and his fixture amplified through the occasional plus of live Belizean euphony and dance .
“ We may be rural and remote , but we have daily visitors and invitee from all over the country , ” says Copal Tree Lodge general coach Jim Scott . “ Many come to get wind about our rummy and recipes , and then realize that they demand to get their friends and family back for dinner . ”
The cuisine — like the drinkable menu gracing the blackboard — is build to bend with the whims of the season . Benefiting from acres of gardens , stables , coops , and orchards , Copal Tree is uniquely equip to work with whatever nature provides . As for the melted offerings , other favourite include Ducky ’s refreshing Watermelon Smash as well as the more or less hot Ginger Buck . When late summertime approaches , the Dragon Fruit Mojito takes centerstage .
It all feels like some sort of far - flung fantasyland , but the resort is surprisingly accessible for those willing to hop aboard a small prop - plane to get there . Rooms here initiate at under $ 300 per night — an exceeding value for five - ace amenities in a real rainforest . If ever you should make the journey , expect Ducky to welcome you with a smile and a chill philosopher’s stone .
Photo courtesy of Copal Tree Lodge Rum Bar
“ It ’s all about the vibration , ” he says . “ I just did a mixology class with two duo who did n’t know each other , and by the last of the class , they were four friends . We ’re bringing mass together one daiquiri at a time . ”
Photo courtesy of Copal Tree Lodge Rum Bar
Photo courtesy of Copal Tree Lodge Rum Bar
