Chan Chich Lodge
BELIZE
THE PERSONALITIES
Bird and wildlife enthusiasts. Lovers of ancient history. Travelers seeking an authentic jungle experience.
MOMENTS
Retracing the footsteps of ancient Mayan civilization. Spotting eagles soaring through the air. Howler monkeys and birdsong. Authentic Belizean experience.
BEST VISITING MONTHS
The winter season from December to April is the time that attracts the most visitors to Belize.
COST
WHY STAY
Carved out of the rainforest and built on the plaza of an ancient Mayan city In Belize, Chan Chich is a boutique lodging experience, that allows guests to discover the surrounding natural environment and the cultural heritage of the people who have called this land home. Nestled in 30,000 acres of wilderness known as the Gallon Jug private reserve and surrounded by half a million acres of conservation land, Chan Chin, meaning “little bird” in Maya, provides some of the best bird and wildlife-viewing opportunities in the Americas.
The Lodge was born in 1988, when Sir Barry Manfield Bowen, a seventh-generation Belizean businessman, decided to protect the area’s Mayan temples and burial sites, as well as put an end to the hunting of “trophy” animals, by creating a conservation lodge. A place, where guests would be contributing to the preservation of both the cultural patrimony of the Mayan archeological site and of the surrounding wilderness area.
Stay in one of 15 authentic and intimate cottages, inspired by traditional Mayan architecture, with wraparound verandas, outdoor dining spaces, and hot tubs.
WHY WANDER
Explore Chan Chich’s expansive trail system with over nine miles of well-maintained hiking trails. Spot the elusive jaguar in its natural habitat on a night safari tour. Meditate at a hidden waterfall. Discover over 300 types of birds found on the property. See toucans and red-lored parrots around the Gallon Jug farm and coffee plantation. Visit Laguna Seca to discover bird species such as the northern jacana, bare-throated tiger-heron, or anhingas. Take the archaeological tour, and learn about authentic Maya mounds right on the estate’s grounds. Hike to the Upper Escarpment, sitting over 900 feet above sea level, for breathtaking views and a glimpse of the black-and-white hawk-eagle.
INDULGE IN
Chan Chich Lodge is dedicated to developing lasting economic stability in northwestern Belize through agriculture. Cattle are raised on the property by local people who are paid fair wages and treated with fairness and respect. Try coffee grown organically onsite, or the famous Gallon Jug Estate sauces like Maya Fyah or Mango Tango.
GETTING THERE
Take a 15-minute scenic Tropic Air flight or a 3-hour drive from the airport through villages and the jungle of the Belize Maya Forest Trust — another way to experience the diverse terrain.
GET INVOLVED
“We have a farm-to-table ethos, producing most of our own foods for our guests to enjoy. We have gotten rid of all plastic bottles, and we provide each guest with a Chan Chich labeled water bottle, which can be refilled with purified mineral water, also produced by the company. We recycle where we can and only leave our footprint while exploring and experiencing the wonder of the jungle. Trees and palms harvested from the newly cleared fields were processed and used in the construction of the lodge. All of the finished millings were done at Chan Chich, as well as the construction of all the window frames, doors, and beds. In 2021, Gallon Jug Estate partnered with more than a dozen other organizations to protect the Belize Maya Forest, with its 236,000 acres of rich biodiversity.”
*Images property of Chan Chich Lodge