The resort has cultivated a lovely garden setting amongst the existing mature grove of coconut, avocado, mango, citrus and cedar trees. Some of the many birds you will see here are herons, kingfishers, toucans, parrots, jays, warblers and hummingbirds. Wildlife visitors consist of the kinkajoo, gray fox, and agouti, to name a few.

They purchased these 10 acres with the vision of creating the most beautiful and comfortable resort in Belize. Having traveled to nearly 40 countries around the world as well as throughout Belize, they gained insight into what travelers desire on a vacation.  Judging from the written comments in the resort's guest book, the Picon's have achieved their goal.  The guests praised them as excellent hosts, saying they felt like a part of a family.  Many complimented the food and wrote that they were treated like VIP's. Guests also appreciated the daily I excursions with Mopan River's guide, Alexie Trujillo, a native of Benque Viejo.  "We tried to make the resort comfortable and inviting," Pamella says. "We are sociable people. We enjoy having guests and enjoy making them feel at home."  Mopan River Resort has nine cabanas and three suites, all with thatched roofs. Each unit contains ceiling fans, cable television, VCR, mini-bar, coffee and tea provisions and private baths that feature double basins. The suites offer extra living space and full kitchens. An in-ground swimming pool was recently completed. Also newly completed was a bird-viewing tower that put you above the jungle canopy.

Upon arrival by the resort's private ferry or launch, guests are escorted to the bar and served a welcome drink. After settling into a cabana, guests congregate in the lounge or on the verandah for hors' d oeuvres and drinks. Twice a week, local musicians entertain with marimba music; the resort owns its own marimba, which was handcrafted in Benque Viejo.

At dinner, Jay and Pamella often dine with the guests and visit about the next day's activities. Each evening's menu presents a different theme including Italian, Thai, Belizean, Chinese, Mexican and barbecue.  The meals are prepared by talented local staff under Pam's direction; she has attended cooking schools abroad, and loves to cook. Guests repeatedly ask for many of the resort's recipes and await the publication of the Mopan River Cookbook.  A unique aspect of Mopan River Resort is being an all inclusive; this means that ground transfers, meals, beverages, including the mini-bar in your room and daily excursions (including Tikal) are all included in one price. Minimum stay is three nights, and arrivals and departures are permitted any day of the week. The resort owns three, 15-passenger vans with dual air conditioning for the daily expeditions that are offered.  "For travelers who want the best experience in the Cayo District with no worries and no hassles in planning, this is the place to be," Pamella says. And if you want to see and do it all, be sure to stay at least seven nights.

While sipping on sodas and Belizean beer we weave through coconut covered sand and mangrove islands, which will lead to the Belize Barrier Reef and then to the western side of Turneffe Atoll, home of Blackbird Caye Resort. The fast one-and-a-quarter hour trip is both exciting and scenic.