Chan Chich Lodge

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.

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.

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.

Wonderful experience - 4 night stay. Beautiful room, amazing food and plenty of walks and drives both night and day. All the guides and staff were fantastic - attentive and informative. Chan Chich is in the jungle with only the estate farm nearby , roads are not always the best but adds to the fun.

My friend and I stayed at Chan Chich Lodge for four nights. The estate is beautiful but our room wasn’t. We were in a basic room with two beds which was run down and freezing cold. We are not sure if this was down to our agent or the Lodge telling us it was the only room available. Unfortunately It was cold and raining when we were there, I asked for extra blankets and was given only one. There wasn’t anywhere for us to put our cases just a small cupboard which my friend used and I left my things inside my bag. When we left all our clothes and soft cases were damp including fact everything was damp including the beds and towels. When the weather is bad there isn’t a plan B so there isn’t anything to do except read. We did go on a couple of night drives and saw one Ocelot which was the highlight. We had a tour around the estate which was the most successful trip and we both really enjoyed. After the night drives we were freezing cold but unfortunately there isn’t an option to get a drink as the bar was permanently closed, there were on a few of us staying here so maybe no demand. The food is delicious all homemade, we would have liked to try the sauces made on the estate but they weren’t on the table to try with meals. Ruben and Luis were excellent guides but we didn’t see much wildlife because of the rain. We would have liked the opportunity to upgrade to a room with walls and air conditioning, also we would have rather arrived by plane instead of having to endure the road journey but this wasn’t offered to us. A lovely estate but our shabby room let it down.

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.