mtea

Please weigh in with your opinions of the best ecolodges in Central America. In particular, I'm interested in places located in a rain forest or similar type area with lots of exotic birds, monkeys and other wildlife, high end accommodations, good food, and a great staff. I've been to Lapa Rios and enjoyed that, but am interested in trying someplace different.

nancyrutherford

In Belize, Chaa Creek and Chan Chich are both great places. Check out their web sites. Chan Chich is pretty remote, but worth the effort to get there.

LanSluder

In Belize, which I know best, I think the best jungle lodges are:

Chan Chich (best bet for wildlife, including jaguar)
Lodge at Chaa Creek
Blancaneaux (not in a rainforest area, though)
Ek'Tun

Also good are duPlooy's, Pook's Hill, Black Rock, Lodge at Big Falls, Lamanai Outpost and a couple of others

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

mtea

Thanks for those suggestions. I've actually been to Chan Chich and loved it. Aside from lodges in Belize and Lapa Rios in Costa Rica, any other suggestions?

lilla

We really liked Pico Bonito Lodge in Honduras. Honduras isn't as popular as Costa Rica or Belize, which may be a plus!

Cayuga

Take a look at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge in Nicaragua. It is opening this month.

alibi13

Sounds like the Lodge at Pico Bonito would be right up your alley. Located literally in a tropical cloud forest. They have naturalists on site who lead bird watching hikes and have their own butterfly farm. Great staff. Very good food. Accomodations are very nice. A great place. Just specnt 7 nights there. I posted a resort report recently in the Honduras forum. Good luck.

gfunk

Lapa Rios is amazing. I spend 5 days last May at the lodge and I wish I spent 20!

I saw as almost as many animals around the property as I did hiking!!! The property is better than the pictures. The property overlooks rainforest to the Gulf.

i would wake up and watch macaws flying above the canopy of the rainforest above the gulf. They would land and eat almonds in the tree next to my bungalow (morning and afternoon.) (enough said.)
Animal sighting all over the property.
great food and service.