The Lodge at Chaa Creek offers up a bit of luxury for those wishing to explore the Belizean jungle. Located near the town of San Ignacio Chaa Creek was a pioneer in green tourism welcoming guests to experience jungle adventures since 1981.The Lodge has a reputation as one of the best eco-lodges in Central America and counts Prince Harry and Bill Gates among its guests. Being green comes naturally here with their commitment to sustainable tourism practices earning them a Green Globe certification. The Lodge is proud of their pristine jungle location and seeks to protect this environment while sharing its natural beauty with visitors with a variety of educational eco-tours and community outreach programs.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek offers 23 thatch roofed villas tastefully decorated with local Belizean and Guatemalan furnishings. TVs are noticeably absent from all rooms but with Mayan ruins to explore and the jungle at your fingertips who would want one? My villa was spacious and airy with handwoven Guatemalan textiles gracing my bed. The thatched roof allowed for a nice breeze through the room but be aware you may end up with an occasional reptilian or insect guest. I’m a sucker for a great bathroom and this is definitely one of my favorites. French doors lead to a double vanity which barely conceals one of the largest showers I’ve ever seen, a sumptuously tiled space with a double shower and enough room for you and 10 of your closest friends. By far the best part of the bathroom for me was the secluded outdoor shower which allows you to get squeaky clean while soaking in the natural beauty of the jungle (and maybe get in a bit of birding too!).
While Chaa Creek can arrange tours the spectacular Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Caracol, Tikal and the famed Actun Tunichil Muknal caves there is plenty to do at the lodge as well. Explore the grounds on mountain bikes, ride out to the medicinal farm on horseback or canoe down the Macal River. I highly recommend going on one of the naturalist guided nature walks whether its the sunrise bird walk or going in search of creatures of the night after dark. The trained naturalists are quick to find and point out fauna I would have just walked on by. You can expect to see (and hear!) howler monkeys, 5 foot long iguanas, colorful tropical birds of all sizes, exotic insects and if you’re really lucky there’s the possibility of glimpsing a jaguar or ocelot.
After your adventures the Lodge at Chaa Creek really knows how to help you relax. Stop by the lodge’s award winning spa and submit to some world class pampering in a lush jungle setting. Each day after returning from climbing Mayan ruins or canoeing the Macal River i couldn’t resist a dip in the gorgeous infinity pool to cool off.
If you’re looking for adventure by day and a luxurious place by night then there is no need to look any further. Luxury villas, a gorgeous jungle setting and a commitment to sustainable tourism makes the Lodge at Chaa Creek the natural choice for your Belize vacation.
Jeanette says
I could spend very many hours next to that pool. Looks lovely!
Brianna says
It was quite lovely and I spent a great deal of time in that pool 🙂
Samantha says
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to go to Belize! 🙂
Brianna says
You’ll love it!
Chris Boothman says
This looks like a really great resort to stay! I love the fact how less economically developed countries are now becoming more eco-friendly which is a great way to attract tourists. The swimming pool looks amazing and being so close to the wildlife and gorgeous scenery in the surroundings would be particularly appealing. A great review and would definitely consider staying here when visiting Belize.
Brianna says
Belize really does have a lot to offer and is a great destination for adventure junkies, history buffs or nature lovers.
Alli says
Luxurious! I like how much wildlife you encounter as well throughout the day! 🙂
Brianna says
The wildlife is one of the things that attracted me to this resort. There’s nothing like being woken by howler monkeys at 6 am!
Amy says
I love that outdoor shower! I guess I’m a sucker for a nice bathroom, too. Looks like a great place!
Brianna says
It was a fabulous bathroom and so hard to choose which shower to use!
Ashley says
Wow, this looks so beautiful – I love stuff like this, the only thing I wouldn’t like are the bugs!
Brianna says
Everything else is so stunning that you really don’t notice them too much.
Hannah says
Well I could stay there for awhile for sure! Belize is somewhere I’ve been travel lusting over for awhile so fingers crossed I get there soon! Love the monkey photo!
Brianna says
It’s a neat little country with so much diversity.
Michael Huxley says
Wow, I think that is the poshest jungle retreat I have ever seen! I have stayed in some really nice ones with a lot of comforts and ones that were essentially campsites (and loved them all), but would love to try a bit of luxury like this too. That pool looks amazing!
Brianna says
I too have stayed in a variety of lodging styles and loved them all. This has been one of my favorites to date and a great thing is that they also have less expensive platform camping available onsite with all the amenities of the lodge.
Surya Bhattacharya says
Oh my!! Gorgeous, and I think the outdoor shower would be enough to draw me there right now.
Brianna says
Just watch out for the monkeys 🙂
NomaderHowFar says
Looks lovely!! Although as great as it does look, I think I would want to stay in somewhere a bit more backpacky.. I’d be the one you can see from your balcony in a tent/hammock haha!
Brianna says
They have a low cost platform tent camping area onsite with access to all the amenities. Win-win!
Bente Vold Klausen says
Beautiful place and an interesting country to visit.
Brianna says
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen Warren says
Looks like a lovely place, and it would be wonderful having all that wildlife on the doorstep.
Brianna says
There’s nothing better than a howler monkey alarm clock to wake up 🙂
Dave Cole says
This is quite the jungle retreat, Brianna! So much wildlife on the grounds of the lodge. Were the monkeys very aggressive or did they keep their distance from the guests?
Brianna says
These monkeys kept their distance but are not shy about announcing their presence. Howler monkeys sound like freight trains, their calls were even used as sound effects for t rex in Jurassic Park!
Laura says
This place looks excellent, love the pool and all the nature 🙂
Brianna says
It doesn’t get any better than that does it?
Nina says
Looks like a great lodge. Love it that the jungle and wildlife is just at your doorstep. This place has my name all over it! 🙂
Brianna says
Adventure by day and a comfy bed at night is how I roll!
Emily says
Oh my gosh, I think I’m in love with that bed!! Looks like a gorgeous experience – I’m quite jealous!!
Brianna says
It is a gorgeous bed isn’t it?
Elena (http://gonewiththebackpack.blogspot.com/ ) says
Looks lovely….all these animals and such a nice place (and a pool) to relax!
Brianna says
I had an appointment with that pool every afternoon!
Jen Seligmann says
What a lovely place to stay. I love the little terrace and can imagine myself spending a lot of time out there.
Brianna says
There is nothing like enjoying a cup of coffee on that terrace overlooking the Macal river with toucans flying overhead.
Simone says
Beautiful! I really want to visit Belize. My father spent a lot of time there when I was young, but I never managed to go!
Brianna says
For such a small country Belize packs in a lot of adventure!
The Brave Dame says
That looks like the ultimate paradise! Amazing!
Brianna says
A comfy bed, a hammock overlooking the river and a sweet infinity pool, what could be better?
Erin says
I’ve been to Belize and really enjoyed my time there. Can I ask, what the price range is here? I’m truly interested in staying there at some point.
Brianna says
Depending on the season it can be about $400 per night but they have a very affordable platform camping area on the resort as well. I found a great deal through Luxury Link.
Marielle says
That guided nature walk looks amazing! And I agree with the others. . .that pool looks like a good time.
Brianna says
Seriously, how can you not want to spend hours in that pool?
Christina says
What a beautiful lodge. Being at the pool right now would be great especially because the weather at home it not that good.
Alexandra C. says
This looks so gorgeous from the luxe room to the gorgeous infinity pool! I love the idea of an exotic rainforest trip. Plus the wildlife is so fun. What a great find! 🙂 -Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Brianna says
Glad you liked it, thanks for stopping by!
Margherita @The Crowded Planet says
Oh my goodness, what a gem. This place is absolutely stunning. Everything a jungle lodge should be – immersed in nature yet with plenty of comforts. Amazing!
Brianna says
That’s exactly what attracted me here!
Brad Frankel says
This looks amazing. I’m setting up expeditions in South America next year for students, backpackers and flashpackers, so will definitely have to visit the lodge for a ‘flashpacker’ inspection. Thanks 😉
Brianna says
All in the name of “research”, right?
Els says
Looks lovely! Oh yes, the howler monkeys! I went out on the look-out for them in Nicaragua all the time 🙂
Brianna says
You always know when they’re nearby!
Bob R says
Those are some beautiful birds. It all looks great but I think I actually like that outdoor shower best. 🙂
Brianna says
That outdoor shower was amazing!
Antonette says
Looks like a great and tropical place to stay!
Brianna says
It was a great base for all the adventures inland Belize has to offer.
Jules says
This place looks so relaxing! We loved our time in Belize, but felt that three weeks just wasn’t enough time there. Hopefully we’ll get back there. We’d love to check this place out.
Brianna says
Glad you enjoyed Belize, it has so much to offer!
Rashad Pharaon says
I adore these jungle-type retreats, they’re great for people who love to read and write. As long as no 5-foot iguana comes chasing after me!
Brianna says
The iguanas and other animals were pretty chill though I’m sure I’d move faster than ever if one came after me!
Bianca @itsallbee says
Beautiful place. If not exploring I would probably spend a few hours just swinging off that hammock.
Brianna says
It was a hard choice to decide between the hammock and the pool.
Anu @ Country Hopping Couple says
This looks so fab…and I’ve never seen such a posh jungle retreat so far. Would love to spend a few days living so close to nature.
Brianna says
It’s really a great base to explore the Mayan ruins that Belize is famous for.
Jessica (Barcelona Blonde) says
What a fantastic place to stay! I love your shot of the monkey, and the hammock looks like the perfect place to do some afternoon reading. Nice find!
Brianna says
It was a great place to relax and the wildlife is the icing on the cake!
Jenn of Who Needs Maps says
beautiful place to stay! looks like its a paradise dream! … plus the shower is outside! how cool is that?
Brianna says
How can you not love an outdoor shower?
melody pittman says
This looks like a lovely place to visit. Was that green bird a quetzal? We have those in Panama and I’m excited to photograph one this spring when they arrive. The resort looks like a good r&r destination.
Brianna says
No the green bird was a broad-billed motmot and he followed us for a good 10 minutes! The Lodge at Chaa Creek was lovely, if its good enough for Prince Harry its good enough for me!