Chan Chich Lodge

It’s hard to find a place that’s so remote and yet retains so many elements of civilization. If you fly in to the airstrip at Gallon Jug Estate, you’ll soon realize this place is literally out in the middle of nowhere. If you drive here, you’ll see the progression from deforested and logged hillsides to a very well-preserved rainforest ecosystem. The lodge itself, while charmingly rustic, is more tamed than areas outside the estate -- but the wildness of jungle is still close at hand. White-tailed deer and Ocellated Turkeys strut carelessly along the grounds by the roadside, as if placed there on cue for guests’ arrival. A large chalkboard in the main lodge attests to the variety of wildlife sightings, which runs the gamut from toucans to jaguars.Speaking of the main lodge, it’s a handsome, thatched-roof, wooden-sided structure built with local hardwoods gathered when the jungle was cleared out to build the lodge back in the late 1980s. The area occupied by the lodge literally sits in the plaza of an ancient Maya city, Chan Chich (meaning "Little Bird"). Part of the site is lightly excavated, and you can marvel, for example, at looter’s trenches. The main lodge houses the restaurant, with indoor and outdoor dining areas; the front desk; gift shop; and a cool bar with whirring ceiling fans. The cabanas are built in similar fashion, and lie spread out in a horseshoe-shape on the wonderfully tropical and well-manicured grounds. Ancient overgrown Maya temples, really just grassy hills at first glance, lie interspersed.Also on the grounds is the screened-in swimming pool. The screening-in makes sense, as leaf litter constantly falls from the surrounding trees, and it keeps out critters from cockroaches to coral snakes.

It’s not easy to get to Chan Chich, which is why most visitors prefer to fly to the private airstrip in Gallon Jug Estate, about 15 minutes from the lodge itself. From the Western Highway leading from Belize City to the Guatemalan border, a turn-off near the town of San Ignacio leads down private logging roads to the lodge. Access is with prior approval only.The Gallon Jug Estate is in Belize's Orange Walk district in the northwestern part of the country. The lodge itself is built on the plaza of an ancient Maya city, the remains in evidence mostly as overgrown temples.- 15-minute drive to Gallon Jug Estate airstrip

• 90-minute drive to San Ignacio
• 90-minute drive to Lamanai Maya ruins
• 90-minute drive to Xunantunich Maya ruins
• 2-hour drive to Guatemala border
• 3-and-a-half-hour drive to Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport
• 30-minute flight to Belize City

The rooms at Chan Chich are high-end jungle cabanas. They are built on elevated platforms, and look like huts from the outside. They feature wonderful wraparound wooden decks with hammocks, chairs and chaise lounges. Inside, they have high, visible thatched-roof ceilings, screened-in windows on all sides to let in the cooling breezes, and wood walls. Plantation shutters on three sides of the room can be closed for greater privacy. The beds lie on platforms and feel slightly on the hard side. Chan Chich is one of the few jungle lodges in Belize where you won’t find Guatemalan textiles in evidence in the room decor.Bathrooms have a cabin feel to them, with no tile in evidence. Everything from the shower stall to the vanity is made of wood, save for the sink.- Wraparound wooden patios with hammocks and outdoor furniture

• Slightly hard beds
• Ceiling fans
• Walk-in wooden showers
• Minibars and coffeemakers
• Hairdryers
• No in-room TV
• No air-conditioning
• The Villa features more modern decor, and a living room area with couches.
• Upgrading to a Deluxe Cabana from a regular Cabana gets you a king bed and two sinks in bathroom.

• Screened-in swimming pool in a courtyard surrounded by lush foliage, and a Jacuzzi with stone waterfall feature
• Gift shop with Belizean knickknacks
• Horse stables and riding tours
• Nine miles of hiking trails
• Mayan ruins on-site, and a guided archaeological walk available
• On-site guides lead a number of walks, including a birding walk, medicine plant walk, and night walk (to see nocturnal species such as tree frogs)
• Tours of the Mayan ruins at Lamanai and Xunantunich can be arranged through the hotel.
• Canoeing and fishing in nearby lagoon
• View full list of amenities

• The restaurant serves international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a screened-in dining room or outside patio overlooking the grounds. A daily meal plan can be added to the room rate.
• Bar on an outdoor deck of the main lodge with rattan furniture and whirring ceiling fans