Over the years Chaa Creek has received numerous awards and accolades, and this new Trip Advisor recognition is particularly satisfying because it comes straight from international travellers themselves.

Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick owns and operates Chaa Creek, has been living in the Maya heartland for over three decades and said she is looking forward to the opportunity to join other locals as well as Mayanists, scholars and archaeologists in setting the Maya record straight.

As predicted, so-called experts, pundits and armchair archaeologists are now coming out of the woodwork to make the most of the 2012 phenomenon. Some of it is well intentioned, some of it is blather, and frankly some of it falls under the category of, “I blog, therefore I exist”.

With the long awaited arrival of 2012, there is growing interest in the ancient Maya civilisation, and this is a double edged sword. On one hand, it is good to see this rich, highly advanced ancient culture finally getting the attention it deserves. Hopefully, this attention will turn into greater research opportunities leading to a better understanding of this enigmatic civilisation.

Chaa Creek will be hosting a year of events, activities, special tours, workshops and seminars to set the record straight while introducing the world to the marvels of the ancient Maya civilisation, Ms Fleming said, with the celebrations taking place on December 21 2011 kicking off a yearlong celebration of Maya civilisation, culminating in the huge Winter Solstice 2012 celebrations.

The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.D. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork. Most of the great stone cities of the Maya were abandoned by A.D. 900, however, and since the 19th century scholars have debated what might have caused this dramatic decline.

The Maya have over centuries faced encroachment on many fronts – their land, culture, spirituality, you name it. And, with world attention on all things Maya increasing in the leadup to the long awaited Winter Solsitce of December 21 2012, the preservation and respect for this august culture will become even more important. So it is with great happiness that we can report a victory while updating that sorry saga of Kellogg v the Maya.

What sustained the great, expanding populations of the ancient Maya in their seemingly inhospitable tropical environment? Recent pioneering work in Belize and Guatemala is introducing a remarkable new paradigm and setting a standard of sustainability for future generations.

When Lonely Planet highlights a destination, it definitely becomes less lonely, but not to worry – the Belize leg of La Ruta Maya remains one of the most uncrowded, laid back and friendliest ways to explore the heartland of the fascinating ancient Maya civilisation.

Imagine the scene. The stands are packed. The crowd is glued to every move made on the court. Elite athletes focused. A ball hurtles toward the dirt, your hero dives for it, deflecting the heavy rubber ball with his shoulder. His opponent springs into the air, and the ball comes right back. Again he dives. The ball slams into his hip. He grunts at the heavy thud of the ball against his skin. He twists and wriggles in the air, defying gravity. You watch. mezmorized as the ball sails over the opponent’s head, out of reach. The crowd erupts. Score!

All of Andrew Harper’s recommended properties possess exceptional character, a commitment to classic hospitality and a profound sense of place. Mr. Harper does not evaluate hotels by means of a checklist, but uses his three decades of experience to distinguish the truly enchanting from the merely excellent. The Lodge at Chaa Creek is delighted to be among the best of the best properties worldwide to receive his recommendation, which came initially in 1992.

I want to be a eco kid so that I may learn to recycle things and make a better place out of our country. No matter how small I am I can always help my home country, especially if I live in Belize.

Being a typical guy, I was darting through the pages quickly, musing at the pictures of couples snorkeling in islands that were way beyond our budget. Of course, I wasn’t intentionally trying to be cheap on my honeymoon, but after looking at the prices compared to what you get, I felt like I could do better with my money. When I finished musing over the “South Pacific” chapter and entered the “Caribbean” chapter, Belize just stood out straight from the pages. Beautiful scenery with over-water bungalows illuminated by candle-light dinner… hey even I was beginning to get all emotional and getting the goosebumps, not to mention my fiancé. So, jotting down some website addresses and price ranges, I went home to research further.

Last year my husband and I were in Mexico and visited Chichen Itza where I became fascinated with the very advanced Mayan civilization. While in Belize I can further my study of the Mayans. Being from America I will also be interested in the influences of the expedition of Columbus into Belize and the colonial influences in the 1800′s. The historical influences are endless!

There is no better means to explore the vastness and uniqueness of Belize than by staying at the magnificent and centrally located Chaa Creek Lodge; hence my enthusiasm at becoming one of your guests.
Chaa Creek and Belize have so much to offer with the following being of greatest interest to myself: 
Diving/Snorkeling.
I understand that diving around the atolls is world-class containing several outstanding reefs, including barrier reefs such as near Ambergris Caye, as well as the world famous Blue Hole. Snorkeling …

Tikal Maya Temple was once one of the greatest cities in the world. In its heyday it was the capital of a vast Mayan empire. Today, the site is one of Guatemala’s premier tourist attractions. Its unspoiled jungle setting makes it special for discerning travelers, particularly naturalists and bird watchers.
The mystery of their demise and the magnificence of their achievements both perplex and intrigue visitors. As you explore the temples, with your local guide, you will see panoramas of the city, read about …

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 …