The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Belize

Rooms

Floors

Pools

Restaurants

Location

jungle

key features

Kid-Friendly Grounds

Welcoming Staff

Great Pool

Eco-Friendly

One of the best jungle resorts in Belize, perfect for families looking for adventurous family travel while still feeling comfortable and taken care of.

$399

Why we like it for families

The Location: If you’re looking for adventure in the rainforest but crave ease and comfort for your Belize family vacation, you’ll find both at Chaa Creek. The property is a short 2 hour trip from the airport but in the heart of the jungle – don’t be surprised if a Belize howler monkey meanders across your balcony during lunch. It’s close to many sites near San Ignacio – from Mayan ruins to cave tubing – that are out of reach from the Belize beaches, and we think a few days at this Belize jungle resort pairs perfectly with a beach hotel to make an amazing Belize family vacation.
The Vibe: The Lodge at Chaa Creek prioritizes families through and through. The kid-friendly menu works for everyone – think pancakes and English breakfast and pizza on hand all the time – and the on-site activities are tailored to kids. Friendships are made at 4PM, when all the families congregate around the stunning jungle pool after a day of activities, with poolside drinks and pizzas at the ready. It’s special to find such a family-focused environment that’s also so relaxing and comfortable.
The Staff: A lot of our recommended properties can brag about wonderful staff – it’s a main criteria in our selection process. But it’s worth noting that during our scouting visit to the Lodge Chaa Creek, we met at least 5 people that had worked here for 30+ years. This is the kind of place that attracts good staff and keeps them, and the guests are better off for it. The staff at this Belize resort is very well versed in the property, and the animals and flora that inhabit it. They have such pride in the property and really relish showing guests everything they know about Chaa Creek and its beautiful grounds.
Kid-friendly activities: You could spend your whole time on Cha Creek’s property and still feel like you experienced the true Belize jungle. The immersive aspect is a top reason we love The Lodge at Chaa Creek with kids. From horseback riding and the butterfly farm exhibit to guided treasure hunts for kids (no parents required to attend!) and canoeing, there is so much for kids to do.. Every guest is given a blue butterfly pod that is timed to hatch during your trip so you can release it to join the thousands of butterflies everywhere on the property. Most activities come with an added fee, but you can do an all-inclusive package that includes all food, beverages, and activities, which is a great deal for families.

Location and Activities

Located in the heart of Belize’s lush rainforest, Chaa Creek is an eco-luxury resort that offers an immersive yet comfortable jungle experience. Just a 90-minute drive from Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), this award-winning family hotel in Belize is nestled along the banks of the Macal River.

There are tons of great activities for kids at Cha Creek, but guests can also easily explore the nearby Mayan temples, ziplining and cave tubing adventures, and the vibrant town of San Ignacio.

Tour of Amenities

Dining

Rooms

For Kids

Activities

When you land in Belize, you can take a two-hour car ride right to Chaa Creek, in the heart of the Belize rainforest. If you want to do a rainforest to reef vacation, this is a perfect place to start. It’s easy to spend 3-4 nights here and then the second half of your week on the beach, or vice versa, getting a taste of both on your Belize family trip.
The tenets of the Lodge at Chaa Creek include sustainability, conservation and giving back to the community. 10% of all room revenue goes back to the Chaa Creek Cares initiative that funds things like summer camps for local Belizean school children and the Environmental Education Outreach program that educates kids on the local ecosystem.
The rooms for families at the Lodge at Chaa Creek are not all luxurious. Many are cottage-style, with rustic interiors and palm-thatched roofs and no AC. In our opinion, two categories of rooms stand above the rest: The Treehouse Suites for a truly immersive jungle experience with private plunge pools, a great breeze, and river views; and the newly built Ix Chel Villas for a modern splurge and AC. But the other accommodations are great for families who want to experience Chaa Creek on more of a budget – and the Wright Villa, while rustic, does have AC and two bedrooms.
The infinity pool at Chaa Creek is no ordinary pool. The pool is green-certified due to its unique filtration system that is absent of the harsh chemicals you usually find in pools. Only a small quantity of salt is needed to preserve its cleanliness and clarity. Centrally located, the pool becomes the place to be after a day of activities and before dinner. There is a jovial family-friendly vibe as the kids unwind and poolside drinks available for the grown-ups.
Chaa Creek has two restaurants onsite. Breakfast is included in everyone’s stay, and all-inclusive pricing is available if you want every meal included. The Mariposa Restaurant is an open-air restaurant with a thatched roof. The menu is varied – sometimes with a bit of an American focus, and some Latin-Caribbean influence. Most of the produce served is grown at the organic Maya Farm onsite and the rest is sourced locally.
The Guava Limb Cafe serves more casual fare with fresh fruits, vegetables, and pastries along with dairy and meat from nearby farms. And stop by the rum bar for a huge selection of infused liquors and creative cocktails.
As mentioned above, Chaa Creek has a variety of excursions for kids of all ages. We love the Sunset Canoe trips with a naturalist guide who can point out all of the unique flora and fauna along with the history of the region. Horseback riding is a calm way to see the green side of the property, and the bird watching for early morning risers is a surprisingly kid-friendly experience.
Beyond the property, you’ll have easy access to the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Cave Tubing, Ziplining, the town of San Ignacio, and more. There’s no shortage of fabulous things to fill your itinerary when you stay at the Lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize with kids.
Finally, parents should take a few minutes to enjoy the spa! The Hilltop Spa at Chaa Creek is perched above the winding Macal River. It offers a panoramic view of the Maya Mountains and lush Caribbean Rainforest, an wide range of treatments from massages to manicures to body wraps.

Best Rooms for Families

The hotel has 10 categories of rooms, ranging from Cottages to Villas, but these ones have the best room configurations for families.

Kid-friendly accommodation in Belize - The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Tree Top Villa

Best for families of 3-4
Junior suite with king bed
Living room with two pull-outs
Master bed + living space are on separate levels, providing some separation, but no door
Private terrace with amazing river views
Personal plunge pool and al fresco shower
No AC - ceiling fans only

View on Hotel Website

Ix Chel Villa Master Suite (One Bedroom)

Best for families of 3-4
Master bedroom with king bed
Separate living room with pull-out
Floor to ceiling glass walls for jungle views
Personal plunge pool and al fresco shower
Personal butler service

View on Hotel Website

Family-friendly accommodation in Belize - The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Ix Chel Villa (Two Bedrooms)

Best for families of 4-6
Master bedroom with king bed
Second Junior Suite bedroom with king
Separate living room with pull-out
Floor to ceiling glass walls for jungle views
Personal plunge pool and al fresco shower
Outdoor jacuzzi
Personal butler service

View on Hotel Website

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Traveler Reviews

Chaa Creek is a Must!We moved our stay at Chaa Creek. The food was delicious (kids portions were large and affordable). The grounds are beautifully kept and pool was fantastic. We would definitely recommend staying. We traveled with five children, who loved everything about the place!.

★★★★★ 5/5

Reviewed by Audrey S, March 2024, via TripAdvisor

Paradise in the JungleWe thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Chaa Creek. Every staff member we interacted with was kind, courteous and helpful- so nice they knew us all by name. The food and drinks were amazing, all fresh and so much variety daily. Even the packed lunches we had on our excursions were delicious. We really appreciated the boutique feel of the resort. Even at capacity, the property was so spacious it never felt crowded. The cottage accommodations were lovely- secluded feel and spacious. We really enjoyed our excursions with Miguel (Caves Branch) and Alexi (ATM). They were very mindful of our safety, and so knowledgeable and passionate about the area, including the history and geography. Our kids really enjoyed our days with them. We even happened upon a National Geographic article that featured Miguel. It was super cool that the resort had its own guides and our family had private excursions each day. Even the drives to and from Belize City with Miguel and Darren were informative and entertaining. We have recommended several of our friends and coworkers to the resort so they can also experience the magic.

★★★★★ 5/5

Reviewed by AGC314, Mar 2024, via TripAdvisor

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Other Hotels and Resources

Want to see more of what Belize has to offer? Dive into our complete Belize Collection for more family-friendly hotels in Antigua and must-do activities.

If you’re still in the ‘Hmm, but maybe I still want to visit the islands?’ phase, our ‘Find Your Caribbean Island‘ page is designed to help busy parents like you sift through the noise and pick the perfect family getaway so you can compare all your options!

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Rooms

Floors

Pools

Restaurants

Location

key features

Kid-Friendly Grounds

Welcoming Staff

Great Pool

Eco-Friendly

Why we like it for families

Location and Activities

Tour of Amenities

Dining

Rooms

For Kids

Activities

Best Rooms for Families

Is this the one for you?

Let’s get you there.

Traveler Reviews

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