Chan Chich Lodge

Don’t go to Belize without experiencing the rainforest! Chan Chich Lodge ( little bird in the Mayan language) is a gem! It’s a small cluster of buildings which blend into the landscape and allow you to see amazing birds, monkeys , peccaries, deer and if you’re lucky ocelots and jaguars. Each adorable unit has a large veranda to enjoy the outdoors, comfortable beds, nice bathrooms and a mini fridge. We were fortunate to stay in the villa which is outstanding, with two large bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large sitting area and bar with stools and a screened porch as well as an open porch. There are a variety of units to choose from; some are fully screened with shutters which can be opened or closed instead of solid walls. What a wonderful way to really experience the jungle! There are walking paths, a lovely screened swimming pool and a restaurant/ bar which offers indoor and outdoor seating. The hummingbird feeders are busy all day long with at least 3 different species. You will also see wild turkeys with incredible plumage casually strolling around the property. The food and drink is very good as well. We really enjoyed the friendly staff who are happy to share stories of their amazing experiences growing up in Belize as well as their proud Mayan history. There are a variety of exciting excursions to choose. We chose a farm tour, which includes feeding chickens and ducks, the opportunity to pet a young bull whose favourite treat is molasses an you can also feed and pet the horses. This tour takes you to the green houses which raise all the vegetables served at the lodge and to the coffee plantation and roasting facilities which produce a really good coffee. We also went horseback riding, canoeing on a lake and on a night drive to enjoy nocturnal birds and animals including the cats. It really is a special experience to stay at Chan Chich Lodge. I highly recommend it for families of all ages. There were multi generational groups as well as many couples and single family units enjoying the lodge when we visited. It has something to offer for everyone.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Chan Chich. The protected area on the property is extensive, and we were impressed with the density of the wildlife present there. While we didn’t see a jaguar during our four-day stay, we did see many other animals, including tayras, collared peccaries, foxes, toucans, and even a jaguarundi. We were also impressed with the farm-to-table food, which was incredibly fresh, varied, and delicious. Two staff members, Callie and Emil, went above and beyond to make our stay special. The accommodations, however, were a bit run down, and the amenities are not as described on the website. The pool in the villa is drained and non-functional, and the hot tub in the main pool area has a broken heater. A number of the mosquito screens are torn and need to be replaced. While the website advertises that they have rubber boots available for guests, there are actually only two pairs of boots for the entire lodge. Similarly, they only have four headlamps available for the night walks. So bring your own rubber boots and headlamps! If you book the all-inclusive package that includes activities, you’ll need to be prepared to proactively advocate for all of the activities you’re hoping to participate in, since the manager who was on duty during our stay tended not to offer all of them and tried several times to dissuade us from signing up for various activities. I’m assuming this was because of staffing challenges. Additionally, if you’re interested in visiting Tikal during your stay, I’d highly encourage you to arrange this yourself rather than booking through Chan Chich. The tour operator they used to conduct this tour for us, Mayawalk Tours out of San Ignacio, was fine in terms of logistics and transportation, but the tour guide (while nice) was woefully unknowledgeable about Tikal. If we had it to do over again, we would have stayed just three nights at Chan Chich and then stayed overnight near Tikal.

Chan Chich Lodge is an unique and fantastic destination. The staff is attentive and prepared to be helpful without being intrusive. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share their expertise. The individual cabins are clean and comfortable. The food is farm-to-table with diverse options and always fresh. It is a remote location, but we always felt safe and well-informed about our surroundings. At Chan Chich, you can be as chill or as intense as you want. There's a beautiful pool to sit by, miles of trails to hike, horses to ride, and day-long excursions. We feel lucky to have found this special place.

Amazing visit to Chan Chich Lodge. It is a very special place. I felt like I was on safari with all the birds and wild animals. Staff were incredible and very helpful with pick up and drop off. Food was delicious. Would recommend flying in if you don't want a long drive to get there.

My wife and I spent seven nights at the lodge and could not have asked for more attentive and thorough care from the most excellent staff there. We are birdwatchers, and the lodge provides a unique opportunity to experience the complete rainforest ecosystem, with more than 500,000 acres of conserved land surrounding it. Wildlife was abundant; from ocellated turkeys strutting around the grounds daily, to howler and spider monkeys swinging from the branches, to impossibly lucky glimpses of ocelot and puma. There are profession bird guides on staff and they are excellent at their craft. The food was a highlight of the trip. The kitchen puts out a terrific menu every day and the quality ingredients and masterful execution is hard to believe in such a remote place. Be aware that biting insects are present when you step into the jungle. Insect repellent is available in the gift shop, but bring lightweight long pants and long sleeve shirts if you plan to hike. The “bug shield” technology found in some garments is worth seeking out.