Chan Chich Lodge

I stayed at the lodge for three nights and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. From the moment I arrived, it felt special. After the trip in, being met at reception with fresh juice and cold, scented towels was such a welcome start. Getting there is part of the adventure. You can either drive about three hours from Belize City or take a 15-minute flight into the airstrip on the property. I drove in and flew back, and I’d recommend doing both. The drive gave me a chance to see the countryside and small towns, which made me feel connected to the country. Flying out was quick, easy, and gave me a whole new perspective, looking down at endless rainforest. The lodge is extremely secluded, and that’s what makes it so special. It sits in the middle of 30,000 acres of protected jungle with a 3,000-acre farm that supplies most of the food. There are only 16 cottages, so it feels quiet and private. Wi-Fi worked surprisingly well in my cottage, so I could connect if I wanted to. The farm tour was probably my favorite excursion. I spent the day seeing the horses, cows, chickens, ducks, and the coffee plantation where they roast beans right on site. I drank coffee fresh from the plantation, walked through greenhouses full of vegetables and peppers, and saw banana and papaya trees everywhere. Pretty much everything served at the lodge comes from that farm, and it was all excellent. Every morning at six they put out coffee and fresh baked goods, though there’s also a French press in the room. The coffee deserves a special mention — it’s that good. They sell bags to take home, and I wish I had grabbed more. Ruben was my guide for most of the stay and he was a huge part of what made the trip memorable. His passion for the land and the lodge is obvious. He knows every bird, plant, and medicinal use, and could spot things I never would have noticed. On night walks he pointed out what looked like a stick that turned out to be a rare bird. He drove me around in safari-style vehicles and made every moment fun and meaningful. Malcolm, the general manager, was also fantastic. He runs the farm and the lodge and went out of his way to make sure I had everything I needed. The whole staff deserves recognition. From the bartender to the horse trainer, everyone went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. What makes this place different is the community. The staff and their families live on the property in a staff village, and there’s even a school on site. Touring it was a highlight. It gave me a sense that this wasn’t just a lodge but a place where people live and care for each other. You do need to plan ahead because there’s nowhere nearby to buy supplies. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, or anything else you might need. The wildlife was incredible. This is one of the top birding spots in Belize, but even as someone who isn’t a serious birder, I was blown away. I saw deer, turkeys, monkeys swinging through the trees, spider monkeys in the distance, and tarantulas at night. I didn’t spot howler monkeys, but I heard them every morning and evening. Their guttural calls echoing through the jungle sounded almost primordial. Waking up to those sounds, with fresh coffee in hand, is something I’ll always remember. There are little touches that stick with me too. The best coconut ice cream I’ve ever had. The chance to buy coffee grown right there on the plantation. Sitting quietly in the morning and just listening to the jungle. This place works for anyone. It’s incredible for a family trip, a couple’s getaway, a honeymoon, or even renting the whole property for a wedding. I can’t speak highly enough of it. Three nights didn’t feel like enough.

Must have destination for wildlife and nature lovers! The lodge is a unique and amazing place. It is nestled within a huge land mass of farm land and jungle. The human population is very low in the area so the wildlife isn't as skiddish. The wildlife doesnt come rite up to you, but you have a good chance to see a variety of it and get pics. Lodge is clean, well maintained, food is farm fresh, staff is very friendly and accommodating. Great place to unplug fro thr every day world and enjoy nature.

The journey to the hotel was very uncomfortable and took four hours in a pick up truck. The road is very rough and bumpy which the truck seemed to exaggerate and luggage was loaded on the back seat of the passenger and therefore slid over the passenger in the back. If we had known this we would have flown to the lodge for the few extra hundred dollars. One of the attractions of stay in here was to see one of the Mayan sites but unfortunately this would have cost up an extra US$500 which we considered a rip off. The lodge offered various excursions around the lodge area which were not hugely interesting. However the guides are very attentive. We stayed in the only cabin with AC which was very comfortable and well appointed. Other people were struggling with the lack of AC in the rooms. Also the other cabins had mesh windows. Food was good and friendly and chatty waiters. As one of us was recovering from a shattered elbow we managed to persuade the reception manager to take us to the airport in a transit people carrier which was much more acceptable.

Chan Chich Lodge is a true jungle paradise. Surrounded by nature and rich with history, the lodge offers incredible comfort, outstanding service, and gourmet meals that exceeded all expectations. The staff were warm, knowledgeable, and made every moment feel special. A perfect blend of adventure and luxury!l!

This was our second time at Chan Chich and it’s still as spectacular as it was in the late ‘80’s! The cabanas are comfortable, the food is very good having come from the Chan Chich property, the staff very solicitous, and the education about Belize and its wonders top-notch with the tours on the property and around Belize having very knowledgeable guides. Thank you for helping to make my education about Belize complete.