Copal Tree’s Guides
Desmond Ramirez
I am a tour guide at Copal Tree Lodge and started in 2009. I enjoy working where I learn and teach about nature and sustainable development. I love natural arts.
Joseph Vanzie
Joseph is our Head Gardener and has been part of the Copal Tree Lodge for the past 10 years. Joseph has been farming since his early childhood and is passionate about organic farming processes and creating an environment in which he is not only able to produce world class fruit and vegetables but also have an arena in which he can impart all his knowledge and enthusiasm to our guests. He is a native Garifuna from Punta Gorda and an outstanding pillar of the Copal Tree Family.
ELON RANGUY
I am the Assistant Supervisor and Adventure Desk for our Tour Guides. I have been with Copal Tree Lodge since January 4th, 2023, but I was previously working with Copal Tree Farms since 2010. I love guiding AgroTourism Tours, meeting new friends, sharing my knowledge about Rainforest Remedies, and striving towards sustainability, all of which I am very passionate about
MARTIN ACK
I started to work at Copal in 2022. I enjoy being a part of a team that believes in the sustainability of Belize's environment; to work in harmony with nature and its biodiversity. I am a Maya Que'chi Belizean. I educate visitors about Belize, environment, people, culture. I like to see myself as an educator and an ambasador of Belize to as many people around the world and I make them come back to Belize for "Sahil Cholej"( Happy Memories).
ANDRES BOH
I began working at Copal Tree Lodge as a Tour guide in 2022. I love learning new things. One thing I enjoy about working at Copal Tree is that I have been given the opportunity to learn and gain more experience as a guide. I would like my guests to know that I am young, humble, helpfull, honest, and willing to go the extra mile and research about stuff that they would want to know.
Maynard Jacobs
Maynard is of East Indian and Mestizo descent, and has been part of the chocolate making initiative at Copal Tree Lodge since it started. He was trained by Katrina Markoff of Vosges Chocolate and Ken Harper of VUI in Canada. His main passion for chocolate making stems from the fermentation and roasting process where he is able to take the Copal Tree grown beans and enrich and develop their natural fine flavors. Maynard believes that this is as much an art form as it is a science. Maynard’s interests and passions do not stop at chocolate as he is also involved in our Coffee program where he is involved in the fermentation, drying and roasting of our home grown lowland coffee beans. Come join him in his passion and see him bring your tastes buds to life in our “Bean to Bar” experience.
MELVIN ZUNIGA
I am a humble tour guide at Copal Tree Lodge. I started in 2022. Copal Tree Lodge is a wonderful place to work, friendly staff and professional managers, it is also a place where you get the opportunity for a better position in the job. I love that we are given the opportunity to learn new skills. One thing I want guest to know about me is that I will give them my best while they are here at Copal.