Good For You

Located on a 130,000-acre private nature reserve in northwestern Belize at the heart of "La Selva Maya", this is a very special destination for serious eco-tourists and novices alike.

Carefully situated in the plaza of an ancient Maya city and surrounded by pristine forest, the lodge consists of 12 individual thatched-roof cabanas and one beautifully appointed 2-bedroom villa. With a screened-in pool and jacuzzi, fully stocked bar and excellent cuisine, living in the jungle was never this easy.

The lodge’s beautifully tended gardens are alive with toucans and parrots. Beyond the gardens in the reserve, you can enjoy endless hikes, horseback rides and trips to local Maya sights, while back at the lodge you can laze in a hammock with a juicy cocktail in hand, or enjoy a dip in the pool as you watch the monkey swing by. The restaurant serves a breakfast abundant enough to get you through a day’s activities, and the comfy teak beds guarantee a great night’s sleep.

With an unparalleled abundance of wildlife (and the best chance to see the elusive jaguar in its natural habitat) and access to fascinating archeological sights, Chan Chich is a fabulous destination for naturalists, birders and for those seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle.

Good For Belize

Chan Chich is located on the Gallon Jug Estate, a 130,000-acre private nature reserve who’s owner and resident naturalists are committed to protecting native species. A 20-year hunting ban in the area has begun to see the return of previously threatened species, and the lodge’s presence has helped provide vigilance against illegal hunting and poaching. Wildlife Conservation Society scientists believe that the Gallon Jug Estate provides a safe haven for "source" populations to disperse to outlying areas in La Selva Maya that are more impacted by human activities.

Built on an ancient Maya site – after getting the OK from Belize’s archeological authorities – the lodge was built from natural, local renewable materials. Its presence helps protect the integrity of nearby sights from those who would seek to illegally remove artifacts.

Rooms

Food

Features & Facilities

• 130,000-acre private nature reserve
• iScreened swimming pool
• Outdoor Jacuzzi
• Full service restaurant and bar
• Range of in-house spa services
• Excellent wildlife guides on staff and a range of tours and walks on offer

Walking

Chan Chich Lodge has an extensive trail system of over nine miles of well-maintained trails for hiking and exploring. Directional signs are numerous and trail maps can be provided allowing you to wander the trails unaccompanied if you wish, or you may sign up for a guided tour with the knowledgeable in-house local guides.

Bird-watching

Many of the visitors to Chan Chich come specifically for this activity. The Lodge boasts an enviable avifauna with specialties such as the Lovely Cotinga, Ornate Hawk Eagle and Rose Throated Tanager, as well as a host of colorful toucans, parrots and hummingbirds in its species list of over 350.

Local Info & Activities

Local Tours

Vehicle tours are offered to various locations throughout the Chan Chich/Gallon Jug area both by day and night. These include the wetland habitat at Laguna Seca, Laguna Verde, the upper Escarpment, Sylvester Village, and tours of the Gallon Jug farm, in particular the coffee plantation and production processes.

Chan Chich also offers day-trips to La Milpa, a Mayan site located in the Rio Bravo Conservation Area run by Programme for Belize, and to the significant ruins at Lamanai, the second largest Mayan site in Belize. The Lamanai transfer may be done entirely by road, or in conjunction with a spectacular one hour boat ride down the New River from Orange Walk to the site. The road/river option comes highly recommended and is the lodge’s most popular external trip.

Horse Riding

The Gallon Jug farm boasts a stable of beautiful horses. The lodge offers 1, 2 or 3 hour guided rides along jungle trails and/or to remote Mayan sites, such as Punta de Cacao, hidden deep within the jungle of Gallon Jug.

Canoeing

Canoeing is offered on Laguna Verde, a small natural spring-fed lake approximately four miles north of the Gallon Jug farm. While canoeing around the lake it is not uncommon to come face to face with turtles, birds or even crocodiles

Sustainability

Chan Chich Lodge is located on Gallon Jug Estate in north-western Belize. This lies within the largest contiguous forest north of the Amazon basin. Conservation efforts to sustain and preserve the tri-national Maya Forest ("La Selva Maya") are underway with collaborative efforts undertaken in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. Gallon Jug Estate enjoys a fortunate location at the heart of La Selva Maya, buffered on all sides by forest and/or protected areas. Thanks to the efforts of owner, Barry Bowen, to control hunting and other illegal activities over the past 20+ years, wildlife has thrived.

Gallon Jug Estate is also an important component in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, a regional conservation effort that seeks to link green areas throughout the region to promote biological and genetic diversity as well as healthy ecosystems. With its excellent diversity and species numbers, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists believe that the Gallon Jug Estate provides a safe haven for "source" populations to disperse to outlying areas in La Selva Maya that are more impacted by human activities.

In May of 1987, work began clearing the thick jungle underbrush. It soon became clear that the lower plaza would be perfectly suited for construction of the lodge, but it would be necessary to obtain official approval for the project from the Department of Archaeology. The commissioner himself spent a week at Chan Chich to supervise the digging of post holes and trenches, and determined that the construction was not damaging in any way since the old plaza floor was weathered beyond repair. Furthermore, the existence of the Lodge would protect the temples that had been heavily looted, not to mention discourage the hunting and growing of marijuana that had been common for decades.

Trees harvested from the newly cleared fields were processed and used in the construction of the lodge; posts, stick and thatch harvested from the surrounding jungle. All of the finished milling was done at Chan Chich, as well as the construction of all the windows, doors and beds. The Lodge was opened in 1988 and has become one of the most respected eco-destinations in Belize.

Getting There

Chan Chich Lodge is located on Gallon Jug Estate in north-western Belize, very close to the Guatemalan and Mexican borders.

Traveling to Chan Chich Lodge: Belize is a 2 hour direct flight from Miami, Houston and Dallas Fortworth. There are also direct flights from Newark, Charlotte and Atlanta (as well as various locations in Mexico and throughout Central America).

The Lodge is reachable by a 30 minute charter flight from within most locations within Belize, which can be arranged upon booking. The lodge can also provide a vehicle transfer, and a road/river day-trip coming in to Gallon Jug via the New River, stopping at the ruins at Lamanai, and then onward to Chan Chich.

Car rentals are available and the drive takes approximately three and a half hours on all-weather roads (access is only via Orange Walk). We strongly recommend renting a 4WD vehicle if you choose this option, and can provide detailed directions upon request

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

High Season Nov1 -Apr30

Low Season May 1-Oct31

High Season / Low Season

Regualr Single: $215.00 / $175.00

Regular Double: $250.00 / $205.00

Delux Single: $265.00 / $200.00

Delux Double: $300.00/ $2235.00

Villa (2-5 People): $895.00 / $795.00

Additional Adult in a room: $60.00 /$50.00

Meal Package

Adults $70.00 plus 10% tax

Children Under 12: $30.00 plus 10% tax.

booking & cancellation policy

• A deposit of 50% of total cost of stay is required to secure a booking. The balance is payable no less than 4 weeks before arrival date.
• Cancellations made with less than 1 week notice will be charged at 100% of total
• Cancellations made with less than 4 weeks notice will be charged at 60%
• Cancellations made with less than 8 weeks notice will be charged at 30%.
• Cancellations made with over 8 weeks notice will be charged at 10%

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.