We are currently planning a trip for a family of four to Belize and would like to spend a few days in the Cayo district near San Ignacio. We are interested to hear views on where to stay. We enjoy nature, hiking and exploring. <BR> <BR>Is Chaa Creek a good choice for accommodations or are other lodges/ hotels in the same price bracket better choices? Is a car generally required / or preferred in this region or are local tours/ transportation preferred? <BR> <BR>Also, is it preferrable to fly in to the area from Belize City or to rent a car and drive into the area? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help.

We spent 10 days in Belize in March of 1997. We stayed at Chaa Creek for the first half of the week. It was a terrific place. Definitely recommend it over other lodges especially if you have kids. The accommodations are individual stucco huts with tile floor, high thatched roofs and oil lamps for light. Very traditional and very clean. The staff was very knowledgeable as were the native people about their culture, plants, nature, etc. The food was also good and all the other guest s very friendly. They have a butterfly farm, a medicine trail, horses and canoes right on the property. No need to rent a car...just arrange transport from the Belize City airport through them. You can also arrange tours to the ruins, etc. through them. The guides are very knowledgeable. Have fun!!!! <BR>

I spent two days at Chaa Creek in December, 1997. I agree with everything the above post states but be forewarned....there is no electricity in the rooms! Use a battery operated shaver and one of the cordless curling irons, don't know what you can do for drying your hair if you wash it. <BR>

How does one contact Chaa Creek? Do they have email???

Chaa Creek itself may be sans electricity but it does have a website! Enjoy at this URL: <BR>http://www.chaacreek.com/ <BR> <BR>Email address is: [email protected] <BR> <BR>Snail Mail is: <BR>Chaa Creek Cottages <BR>P.O Box 53 <BR>San Ignacio, Cayo <BR>Belize, Central America <BR> <BR>Tel : 501-92-2037 <BR>Fax : 501-92-2501

We traveled to Belize in March of 1998, and stayed for 4 nights at the Crystal Paradise Resort near San Ignacio. Really nice family owns it, with 10 kids, all very eager to get to know you, they have canoes, horses, nice gardens and nice cabanas with hammocks on the porches. Food is really good, cooked by Mom, and it's just down river from Rosita Arvigo's farm and the Panti Medicine trail, for anyone interested in rainforest medicinal plants--a must, it's the only place in Belize that I saw a blue morpho butterfly and fireflies. Jeronie is oldest son and a great tour guide. They have an email address, but I'm unable to find it. Here's the phone number- enjoy your trip. I did! #011-501-92-2772