Presenting for the first time, an exclusive opportunity to purchase this stunning riverfront estate, situated
in the lush jungle of Belize, Central America.

Welcome! In an age where it's difficult to distinguish one real estate development from another, Villa Macal is a breath of fresh air. From the substantial infrastructure it already contains to the investment, commercial and residential potential it promises; every aspect of Villa Macal makes it unique. We hope you also find this website equally unique, as every photograph within it is original, exclusive and taken on the property itself*

Villa Macal is a unique private riverfront property covering an area of 16.6 acres in the Macal river valley of Belize's tropical Cayo district. Located within walking distance of the bustling market town of San Ignacio, a 30 minute drive to the Capital, Belmopan and 90 minutes to the International airport, from where the US is only 2 hours away, Villa Macal offers wonderful seclusion without the expense its accessibility.

Spacious 10' wide x 10' high verandas make the most of the internal/external transition by allowing enjoyment of the outdoors whatever the weather. The shade provided by these wraparound verandas also keep the internal areas of the house remarkably comfortable despite the tropical sun.

Hammock points are fitted across each of the corners ensuring that relaxation in the warmth of the tropics is even more enjoyable with the choice of a cooling breeze - whichever its direction.

The proximity of Villa Macal to the municipal hub gives it the distinct advantage of an electrical supply (110V/220V AC) from the national grid. Furthermore, this supply comes via a dedicated 125kVA transformer exclusive to this site. From the service entrance, the power cables are laid underground causing a minimum of disturbance to views of the surrounding area.

Similarly, proximity allows the property to benefit from a municipal water supply. Water from this supply is potable directly from the tap.

Casa Roja is positioned to enjoy commanding views over the Macal river valley and to catch the cooling breezes from the surrounding hills.

The house comprises of 7200 sq.ft split between self-contained upper and lower levels.
 

 

Each level benefits from wonderful views looking down into the landscaped area of the property while the upper level has a particularly impressive southerly panorama of the Macal river valley

 

Each level has an individual and separate entrance that leads from a common parking area for up to 5 vehicles.Surrounding each floor is a full wraparound veranda approximately doubling the available floor area.

Security is rarely an issue that people enjoy considering, yet a balance needs to be struck between the realities of modern living and compromising one's lifestyle unnecessarily.

While burglaries in Belize are fortunately rare and especially so in a property such as this, the addition of burglar bars in upscale Belizean constructions are as usual as installing windows themselves. To this end, a whole variety of designs and styles are commonplace as individuals seek to personalize their homes.
 

 

Those installed at Villa Macal, in addition to providing a valuable security feature has its design firmly rooted in the natural features of this particular property.

 

By incorporating the visual impression of flow through each of the individual elements, the design reflects the flow of water, from the creek and Macal river as well as the flow-like undulations, of the terrain and landscaping.
 

 

This custom-made design is fitted to 53 windows and 11 doors and is unique to this property.

 

 

 

Casa Azul sits on a large flat area affording it sweeping views down into an orchard area and beyond toward the Macal river. The orchard area contains various and Citrus, Mango, Avocado, Coconut, Craboo, Banana, Carambola (Starfruit), Guava, Soursop, Pineapple and Allspice.


 

The property comprises of 7200 sq.ft split between self-contained upper and lower levels. Each level has it's own entrance leading in from a common parking area that has space for up to 8 vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surrounding each floor is a full wraparound veranda approximately doubling the available floor area. Click for more information and photos of the Verandas

Security is rarely an issue that people enjoy considering, yet a balance needs to be struck between the realities of modern living and compromising one's lifestyle unnecessarily.
 

While burglaries in Belize are fortunately rare and especially so in a property such as this, the addition of burglar bars in upscale Belizean constructions are as usual as installing windows themselves. To this end, a whole variety of designs and styles are commonplace as individuals seek to personalize their homes.
 

Those installed at Villa Macal, in addition to providing a valuable security feature has its design firmly rooted in the natural features of this particular property.

 

By incorporating the visual impression of flow through each of the individual elements, the design reflects the flow of water, from the creek and Macal river as well as the flow-like undulations, of the terrain and landscaping.
 

This custom-made design is fitted to 53 windows and 11 doors and is unique to this property.

... Design Philosophy ...

The intent behind the original private development was to create a flexible multi-use facility that would meet the requirements for either exclusive residential use or the implementation of certain commercial endeavors from within the existing infrastructure. (A few of these are explored in the section on Commercial Potential)

The design philosophy adopted for the construction blends the structures into their environment via contrasting methods rather than ones of mimicry. Each aspect of the overall design is conceived to complement one another creating a contemporary atmosphere which allows the beauty of the natural environment to be enjoyed to the full.

This philosophy continues from the exterior through to the interiors, where detail contrasts with simplicity, creating an elegant and functional living space.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The personal attention the construction phase has received has meant the project has not been constrained by an end point dictated by time or an architect's rigid plans. Instead, it is a work in progress that has benefited from the flexibility to refine and tailor the design as it has evolved.



 

Consequently, as construction has progressed, the structures have increasingly become more a part of their environment than just an intrusion upon it. Likewise, as the landscaping has matured, the integration of the overall property within its environment has become more seamless and cohesive.
 

                    Villa Macal

Currently nearing overall completion, this is the first time the property has been publicly presented and with it the opportunity to become a part of something unique.
 

 

 

 

                        ... Interiors ...

 

 

The interior floorplans of Casa Azul and Casa Roja share a common layout. Each of the levels are self-contained and independently accessed from the outside.

 

                           Kitchens ...

The kitchens all enjoy the benefit of light from three large windows together with lovely views into the gardens.

Cabinetry is handmade and custom-designed exclusively for this property from Mahogany with work surfaces tiled and trimmed to match the color scheme used throughout.
 

Installed kitchen items include; a refrigerator freezer, 6 burner gas stove and window-mounted extraction fan.

Hot and cold water is available with the water being potable directly from the faucet.
 

Custom-designed burglar bars are fitted on all doors and windows. Their flowing element design serves to reflect the prevalent relationship between the property and the flow of water, in both the creek and the river.
 

 

The floors are laid with saltillo-style floor tiles and the walls cement plastered and painted.
 

 

Mahogany doors are fitted throughout, with Santa Maria hardwood door frames and trim.
 

 

Colored glass blocks are incorporated into the exterior walls of the building to add color and allow multi-colored shafts of light to permeate the interior throughout the day. At night, the reverse occurs and the interior lights send their shafts of light outside onto the verandas.
 

           Lower Levels ...

Each of the lower levels have a large 38' long, open-plan living area from which the other rooms are accessed. This living area has two exterior doors on opposite ends of the house allowing excellent ventilation and flexible access.
 

 

There are two bedrooms, a bathroom, an office (or potential third bedroom) and a kitchen separated from the dining area by a half-wall divider. 10' ceilings help keep the space a comfortable temperature even in the heat of the day, as do a total of 12 large windows and 3 exterior doors.
 

 

 

                   
                       Upper Levels ...


 

The upper levels have a unique multi-level design incorporating two mezzanines and a loft.

The primary level contains the kitchen, (separated from the dining area by a half-wall divider), a bathroom and two large bedrooms. These bedrooms each have 12' ceilings and three 4' wide windows, with one having an exterior access door leading directly onto the veranda.

The mezzanines are accessed by two sets of stairs. The first leads to an open-plan office/reading area overlooking the primary level. The second leads to a platform where a further set of stairs leads to the loft.

From the loft area, a view over the whole floor can be enjoyed. This area can accommodate a multitude of uses ranging from a reading area/library or an extra sleeping area. In addition, a large storage room separate from the loft itself is accessed from this area.
 

Over the whole living area, a 4 sided 20' high cathedral-style ceiling, incorporating a hardwood shingle panel overlap design is installed. The intent of the design is to maximise the overall impression of space and volume.

The Upper Levels are nearing the process of completion and photographs will be added shortly.

 

 

... Landscaping ...

The approach to landscaping the property has used the natural flow of the terrain as the theme for many of the planting areas. Long swathes of Heliconia species flow across the land with ornamental Gingers interspersed between.

Colorful flowering trees such as Flamboyant and African Tulip have been planted to complement the resident species of Tamaya, Mexican Cedar, Yashnik, Manchich, Bullet Tree and the eponymous golden-barked Gumbo Limbo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amongst the landscaping are several natural rock sculptures. These towers are free standing using the natural tendency and characteristics of the individual elements to achieve balance and harmony with their surrounding environment - much as we have tried to do with everything we have done on the property.
 

Each of the constructions, some of which are over 7' tall, possess a delicacy that contrasts strongly against the hardness of the individual pieces from which they are made. Their effect is stark but complimentary to the organic landscaping
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our philosophy about landscaping is not just about formalizing an area with cultivated shrubbery. Encouraging the wildflowers to bloom in an around the formal areas attracts a multitude of wonderful butterflies and other wildlife to visit.
 

In fact, many of the photographs on this website are of wildflowers that have been encouraged to grow in and around the developed areas.

We have planted Mazanea bananas that attract Toucans to come and feast and we have a whole host of birds from Kiskadees to Hummingbirds that regularly nest on the site along with a wide variety of those that visit.
 

To help blend our houses into the natural environment we have constructed wooden gazebos and incorporated them into the landscaping. They provide a focussed transition point that blurs the distinction between the structures and their environment
 

Two of the gazebos are currently planted with several varieties of ornamental vines while one stands as an independent structure.
 

 

 

               ... Riverfront and Creek ...Casita Naranja is a delightful, recently completed, self-contained accommodation located adjacent to the creek which flows through the property.


 

Villa Macal is fortunate to have both a creek and river associated with the property.
 

                          Riverfront ...

The Macal river marks the south-western border of the property where there is approximately 400' of riverfront.
 

 

Its location on a relatively straight part of the river means the composition of the bank is much more stable and less prone to the usual problems of erosion and deposition that often occurs on other parts of the river.
 

 

Several large Ficus trees grow along the riverside with some large specimens of Macal (Alocacia), a green large-leafed tuberous plant, from which the river and this property derive their names.
 

 

A little downriver of the property there is a clear view of the noteworthy "Hanging Rock". This is an interesting limestone outcrop that overhangs the river from which various ferns and vines grow as well as being home to a small colony of bats.
 

 

At any point on the property's riverfront, no other building or development is visible. Across the river, which at this point in it's course is approximately 75' wide, there is high bush with some impressively large trees.
 

 

Several years ago on the upper reaches of the Macal river the Chalillo hydro-electric generation plant was constructed together with an associated upstream lake. The dampening effect of this large capacity storage on the river level during periods of heavy rain has been to eliminate the flooding in the lower lying areas of the Macal river valley which was a regular occurrence in the past.
 

 

 

 

 

 

              Creek ...




 

A lovely multi-staged spring-fed creek runs the entire length of the property eventually exiting into the Macal river.
 

It's source is a spring about 1/2 mile north of the property together with drainage from the rear quarters of the nearby Pilgrimage valley.
 

The creek over the years has sculpted some impressive cuts along it's length from the predominantly limestone bedrock. A 20' waterfall exists close to the location of Casita Naranja which is delightful at any time but most impressive following a heavy rain shower.
 

At the base of the waterfall and at several other locations along its length, deep natural pools have formed allowing sufficient room for several people to cool off during a hot day.
 

The presence of the creek ensures a healthy supply of frogs and toads to add to the jungle chorus as well as attracting a multitude of beautiful butterflies, birds and insects.
 

With the availability of such a ready supply of water, some old growth Cohune palms are established along the sides of the creek along with some large specimen trees which include Cedar, Bullet Tree, Yashnik and Jobillo.

 

 

 

 

Its position at the formal entrance to the landscaped portion of the Villa Macal affords it wonderful views up into the main part of the site.

 

Currently, the property is being marketed as an exclusive rental accommodation option at an overnight rate of $180USD

Casita Naranja itself, is a registered business name in Belize and the property has its own website showcasing its many features
 

The layout of the property is uncomplicated, seeking to blur the transition between the internal and external with the inclusion of a Gazebo for outdoor dining and general recreation.
 

The house has its own style and charm distinct from the main houses on the property with an interior that demonstrates attention to detail in every direction. Casita Naranja is fully furnished with many of the items including the kitchen cabinetry and all of the furniture having been specifically and exclusively handmade.
 

Cohesion is a central theme of the Villa Macal property and never more so than in Casita Naranja where the doors and furniture are not only made from the same species of lumber, Manchich (Cabbage Bark) but from the very same trees!

 

Casita Amarilla provides a dual function as a workshop/tool store and a laundry facility.
Located centrally between the current residences, the workshop provides storage for the tools and equipment used by the maintenance and grounds crew, while next door is the laundry. With two washing machines and dryers, residents have use of the facilities as required.
 

The building is approximately 400 sq.ft, has a dual 110V and 220V electrical supply, plumbed gray water soakaway and a potable water supply from the mains.

 

The style of the building follows the theme of the site with the inclusion of the unique burglar bar design on the mahogany entrance door and window and colored glass blocks inset into the outer wall.
 

About 1/3rd of the building is dedicated to a laundry room with a capacity for up to two washing machines and two gas dryers.

The room has a tiled floor, a Yemeri wood paneled ceiling and solid plastered walls.

Facilities include a 110V and 220V electrical supply and installed laundry tub.
 

The workshop and tool store is located directly adjacent to the laundry facility. Approximately 20' long x 13' wide, it is securely constructed from 8" cement block with a solid concrete base. For security, there are no windows in the outer walls and the interior is secured with two solid Cabbage Bark hardwood doors.
 

A 110V and 220V electrical supply is available.
 

A large workbench is installed with ample lighting and adjacent electrical sockets. Storage space is plentiful for work tools or grounds maintenance equipment. 30'+ of heavy-duty shelving is installed with a loft area above the ceiling of the laundry room supplementing the available space.
 

                   ... Purchase Options ...

Villa Macal has central to its approach a cohesive design methodology that flows between properties large or small, which together with a host of charming natural features combine to create a truly unique tropical experience.
 

 

While many residential developments are increasingly being characterized by ambitious plans and hollow promises, Villa Macal demonstrates the exception to this trend.

Here, at Villa Macal, we have a prime riverfront location allied to a property that is both refreshing and exciting.

Most importantly, we already have REAL roads, REAL electric power, REAL potable water, REAL sewage systems, REAL drainage, REAL landscaping, REAL homes and REAL neighbors and all within 5 minutes of the 2nd largest town in Belize.





Villa Macal in its entirety is currently available for sale for the very first time. The whole 16.6 acre property, complete with 15,000 sq.ft of living space distributed over 5 self-contained accommodations is available to purchase with free and clear title for:

$1,759,900 US

one million, seven hundred and fifty nine thousand, nine hundred
US dollars
***

Financing is available if required. Please contact us for more details.

Please Feel Free To Contact Bob @ 1-907-745-8353 or email bobbickel@mtaonline.net

                     You will be extremly glad you did!!!

 

Casa Azul

Casa Naranja