Chan Chich Lodge

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!

Our family of five, The Adventure Buddies, had an unforgettable stay at Chan Chich Lodge in Belize, a true jungle paradise! From exhilarating safari rides in an open-air truck, spotting jungle cats, monkeys, exotic birds, and deer, to hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing and swimming in the jungle pool, every moment was an adventure. The all-inclusive dining was top-notch, with gourmet meals that exceeded our expectations, while accommodating for our children's tastes, and the service was truly exceptional—the staff made us feel like family. Whether exploring ancient Mayan ruins or relaxing under the rainforest canopy, Chan Chich Lodge delivered the perfect mix of adventure and luxury. We can’t wait to return!

We absolutely loved our time at Chan Chich. A place to truly escape from it all and be immersed in nature, Chan Chich is decidedly remarkable. While there was WiFi if needed, we loved how "off the grid" Chan Chich was...the chance to relax and recharge in a remote, wild place is a rare pleasure. We loved our daily howler monkey wake-up calls, birdwatching from our cabin's front porch, and appreciating the gorgeous, lush flora and diverse, fascinating fauna. Thanks to expert guides Luis and Reuben, we saw incredible wildlife (our first ocelot!) and I added an impressive number of dazzling bird species to my life list. Habitat for an incredible range of species, Chan Chich is a birder's paradise for certain. Special mention to the amazing folks who run Chan Chich's restaurant. The food was always delicious and the staff was warm and welcoming--the very essence of what hospitality should be. (Shout out to Cali, Shawn, and Emil...you guys are the best!) We can't recommend Chan Chich highly enough--wonderful Elijio and his staff have created an incredible ecolodge experience. We will always treasure our time here and definitely hope to return.

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.

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.

To properly review Chan Chich I have to reveal some things about myself. I'm a serious photographer. I only go where the wildlife and environment are ethically respected. I prefer locally-owned. I'm a foodie. I like comfort. I'm up there in years. And, I'm a safety freak. Chan Chich meets absolutely all my needs. This is in a fine list of favorite places for wildlife viewing. No doubt there are many a creature to be aware of in the rainforest, but with the local guides, I felt quite at home in this peaceful kingdom. I urge anyone interested in visiting to throughly read the history and ethics of Chan Chich on their website. To learn about the various animals flying, climbing, roaming and slithering in this pristine land. Your participation in spotting wildlife will only enhance your experience. And at the end of the day, an incredible meal is prepared from the farm on the estate. Afterwards you wander back to your cabana to find your bed turned down, a cookie and a story on the bedside table. Darkness falls quickly and the comfort of your bed welcomes you to slumber until you hear a loud roar outside during the wee hours. At breakfast, you find it wasn't a puma but territorial howler monkeys. Chan Chich is one of those places to visit when you truly need to get away from the craziness of man's world and reconnect with the real. All too soon the staff take you down the 7-mile track to the Gallon Jug airstrip and a Cessna single engine is waiting to take you back to BZE to head home fully refresh. Will I return? Do hummingbirds return when the cold wind blows? Of course, I will.