It all started with two travelers who decided not to go home.  Mick and Lucy Fleming opened Chaa Creek Cottages, the first jungle lodge in Belize, in 1981 with no electricity.  Electricity arrived in 1987, and by the 21st century, the lodge had expanded to include the main cottages, a more rustic camp, a nature center and butterfly farm, a conference center, and a spa, all located in the midst of the lush, 365-acre Chaa Creek Nature Reserve.  The owners …

 
More than just one of the top–rated jungle properties in Central America, The Lodge at Chaa Creek was the first cottage resort of its kind in the Cayo District. Chaa Creek’s 365 acres on a gorgeous section of the Macal River host the ever–evolving vision of owners Mick and Lucy Fleming, an American wife–British husband team who came to Belize in the late 1970s, fell in love with the land, and never left.
 

There are quite a few places to stay …

Earth-Friendly Resorts That Cater to Body and Soul

 By Gretchen Kelly
When you think of eco-tourism, do you imagine tourists walking around in Birkenstocks, outhouses with brown toilet paper and vegan menus with a different bean dinner every night?
Well, think again. Eco-tourism is being practiced by some of the most luxurious resorts and hotels in the world. Plus, eco-tours offer clients some of the most high-adrenalin thrills on the world travel market. Not only are these adventures fun, challenging and relaxing, they …

Guided and self-guided tours wind gently above the bank of the Macal River past medicinal plants and introduce visitors to many of the plants and herbs used in traditional Maya medicine.
The Maya were masters at utilizing the jungle’s natural resources for their practical and medicinal needs. Here you will see and learn about vines that store drinking water, plants that helps abate malaria, aid diabetics, cleanse the blood, plus many more. The trail’s most remarkable feature is that all the plants and …

Interested in exploring exciting adventure tours?  Chaa Creek maintains a stable of well-groomed riding horses that are suited for all levels of riding experience. Our guided rides traverse the trails of the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve through sub-tropical broadleaf forest past ancient Maya sites. As you ride along, your naturalist guide will highlight the various unique plant and wildlife species native to the reserve. Optional rides to the MAYA ORGANIC FARM and BELIZE BONTANIC GARDENS may also be arranged.
Horseback …

Belize is a dream vacation for active families seeking adventure.

By Pauline Anderson
The Lodge at Chaa Creek – a two-hour car ride from Belize City – is an ideal spot to experience the country’s lush rain forests, Mayan culture and breathtaking coral reefs. I stayed in a quaint thatch-roofed cabana with an outdoor private shower (and, thankfully, no television, telephone or computer). I was sure to rise early for the best chance of spotting some of Belize’s brilliantly coloured birds, including …

Explore the Maya ruins and culture from any angle: Remarkably grand and majestic, their stone Maya temples protrude above the large expanse of green canopy in the tropical Belize Rainforest. The architecture is astounding. Maya Temples like Caracol, Xunantunich, Cuello, Lamanai and Lubantun are just a few of many ancient ceremonial sites that represent the legacy of a highly advanced civilization that once flourished in Belize – The Maya.
The Mayas were direct descendants of nomadic people, who came from Asia …

 
Set high on the river’s lush banks, close to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tipu and Xunantunich, is The Macal River Camp. Scattered throughout tropical rainforest are ten casitas, or small bungalows, each on a raised platform with airy peak-roofs, full screens and containing two or four comfortable beds. Each casita has a private sheltered porch for quiet relaxation and peaceful views into the undisturbed jungle habitat. The Macal River Jungle Camp provides an ideal base from which to explore …

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, together with its Island partners, has exciting Family Adventures & Reef and Rainforest Reunion Packages for families so they may together enjoy the beautiful Belizean rainforest area.
The Lodge has welcomed families since its inception in 1981 when Mick and Lucy Fleming built two small guest cottages while raising their young family along the banks of the Macal River. Since then, Chaa Creek has remained committed to providing an ecological, educational, and recreational experience.
The Natural …

Chaa Creek’s Cottage Collection is carefully tucked away amidst lush tropical gardens along the verdant banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the ancient Maya Mountains.  Individually designed thatched cottages reflect an atmosphere of elegance where charmingly decorated rooms and suites offer fine fabrics, furnishings and antiques. The spacious accommodations include private sun deck verandahs for viewing wildlife and interacting with nature. Staffed by professional individuals who value your stay as much as you do, and with only …

This year we again traveled Belize for Will’s and Eva’s school break. This time we returned to Chaa Creek which we loved last year, and added four days at the beach in Placencia where we did some sailing, snorkeling and beach combing.
We were more adventurous this year, doing an all day cave tour at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) and a day trip to explore the Maya ruins at Tikal in Guatemala.
Chaa Creek was as great as we remembered, and once …

The Lodge at Chaa Creek – located in a rainforest in W Belize, close to the Guatemalan border – is one of the best hotel experiences we have had and we were sorry to leave after our three night stay. The current property is the evolution of a 20 year + project of its British-American owners – originally a rooming house for backpackers, it has morphed into a luxurious and environmentally sensitive complex, with a large pool, beautiful rooms and …

We just got back from a 4 Night Trip to Chaa Creek (4/5 to 4/9) with our two children (ages 10 and 11) and absolutely loved the vacation. If you want an adventure vacation with a luxury and service then this place is it. This is our second time to Belize and the first trip was on a cruise.
Upon entering the property we were treated very warmly and had our bags wisked away to our room. We had Tree Top …

I stayed at the Macal River Camp and it’s a fantastic deal – there is no electricity in the cabins, but the staff light oil lamps at night for you and there is electricity in the shared bathrooms/showers (which also have hot water!) All hotel amenities are available, there are lots of activities, the spa is incredible. The staff is extremely helpful and accomodating and it’s really cool to hear all the jungle sounds at night!
One Big Vacation A Year, …

beautifully designed accomodations, great staff and lots of activities plus a new pool make for a great lodge. the rooms are large, decorated with handicrafts, have huge bathrooms and set far enough apart to give privacy. The staff was friendly, well-trained and knowledgeable. The food is ‘continental’ and only ok with leisurely service (a bit too much so for tired kids). There are lots of activities on the lodge property: bird watching, nature museum, horseback riding, canoeing as well as …

We just spent 3 nights at Chaa Creek. What an amazing place! Two couples shared the complete Jacuzzi/Garden Suite. The cottage is a huge palapa, divided into 2 private suites. The rooms and the bathrooms are large and furnished very attractively with rustic Indonesian style furniture. Each suite has it’s own patio, complete with hammocks.
The restaurant and bar are just amazing. They’re indoor/outdoor with torches and candles burning at night. We thought the food was very good, well prepared and …

What a wonderful place to spend a few days. The resort’s grounds are very beautiful and well kept.. The casita’s (cottages) offer the unique experience of sleeping under a tatched roof will all the comforts of home. Every morning you a wake to sounds of the jungle – WOW. The resort’s staff is excellent, they are the definition of customer service. We had a problem with a memory card for our digital camera and they had one delivered to our …