The Lodge at ChaaCreek

We just returned from an absolutely magical stay at Chaa Creek! From the oldest (84) to the youngest (7), all 11 of us had a wonderful stay. The Chaa Creek reservation clerk, Christine, spent a lot of time helping us to figure out how to spend a few days at the beach (Chabil Mar) and a few days at Chaa Creek. She also arranged all of our transportation, which made everything easy. We stayed in several cottages as well as the Wright House. All were lovely and comfortable. The Wright House is a climb, but the staff was always willing to find an ATV to transport us at the end of the day. We did the Xunantunich tour - Ricky was great taking the kids off the trail to crack nuts open with rocks and explain how the Mayans used them for food, medicine, soap and glue. We did the Creatures of the Night Walk. Floated down the river in inner tubes. The dads and kids did the ATV tour while the moms snuck off to the spa for some wonderful massages. We checked out the butterfly house and wished we had more time to spend in the Natural History Museum. We stopped at the zoo on the way to the airport. The grounds are lovely. It’s like staying in a botanical garden. There is staff everywhere and they always greet you and ask how your stay is. The food is over-the-top delicious. We did the 4 course tasting menu every night. Breakfast and lunch were outstanding as well, and the bartenders were always ready to provide a tropical drink or load the kid’s juice up with fruit and extra cherries. The pool was a hit with everyone and we had lunch there one day. Chaa Creek is a perfect spot, whether you are looking for action or just want to relax. We cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s a splurge - and worth every penny.

We just returned from our third visit at Chaa Creek. It truly is a magical place. This time we were given a complementary upgrade to one of the Ix Chel Villas. Wow, it was beautiful, with a nice balcony overlooking the rainforest and a private hot tub. We did 2 wonderful tours, Xunantunich and Barton Creek Cave. Darren was our guide and he was excellent, so knowledgeable of Mayan History! The amenities at the resort are great, the gorgeous infinity pool, the butterfly exhibit, the various trails around the property and the lush surroundings, all make for a very relaxing stay. The staff here are so friendly and accommodating, they really make the resort a five star experience!

Our stay at Chaa Creek was remarkable. We were struck by the wide range of activities which included canoeing on the nearby Macal River, the spa, guided night treks through the jungle, exciting well-managed offsite tours (we did Barton Creek and Tikal), and relaxing by the pool. The food, drink, and service at the restaurant and bar were great. The staff was categorically excellent - there is a sense of pride and ownership that is clear to guests. The most notable part of our trip was the tour of Tikal which I highly recommend. Specifically, our guide Yumi was unbelievable in her knowledge of the site and area as well as her general enthusiasm. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Tikal and to have had such an outstanding guide.