Belize - Chan Chich Review
 

We just got back from our 2nd trip to Chan Chich. This time we decided to go in the wet season to see different wildlife. Here's a quick summary:

Pros:
- Snakes, lizards, and amphibians were common. We saw 12 snakes (8 different species)
- Rates are lower and the resort was uncrowded
- We got great close looks at monkeys since some trees right around the cabanas had fruit

Cons:
- It rained... a lot. Althouth, we only lost about 1.5 days total due to heavy rains. The rains did bring out lots of neat critters.
- The bugs. The mosquitoes and black flies were a nuisance. For what it is worth, the staff said that the bugs were the worst they had ever seen.

I have detailed trip reports and pictures here:
http://www.focusedonnature.com/

Feel free to ask any questions and I will be happy to answer them.

Alan

How many days were you there when you say you lost about 1.5 days? I'm considering either March or August travel next year, August works better with cost and work schedule. I read about the "mini-summer" in August...apparently you didn't experience this?

Your pictures are amazing. I am very intrigued by Chan Chich and hope we make it there someday. The wildlife looks incredible.

Wow! I just had a chance to look at your photos too. Amazing! Do you pack a lot of camera equipment with you or just a good SLR and the fact you know how how to take photographs?

Also, I mistyped above, I have been considering April, not March. However, it looks like weather wise August is better than April so I guess I'll stick with August. :-)

Beautiful pictures! Chan Chich sounds great. I'd like to get there someday!

Hip - we went to Belize in August last summer - the last two weeks in August and had almost no rain at all. From what I remember, it only rained at night. Absolutely nothing like the rain we've experienced in Costa Rica! We had a few overcast afternoons. I'd definitely go back that time of year.

Thanks Shell that's good to know. Our trip will more than likely be those last two weeks as well. :-)

Thanks for the compliments all.

hipvirgochick, we were there 6 nights. We had hoped to hit the "mini" dry season that comes in July/August. We had also expected rain in the afternoons. We were wrong on both accounts. I rained at all times of the day. But, only one day did we lose about 3/4 of it due to heavy rains. It did keep the temperatures down though which was nice.

April is really hot from what the staff said. But, it should be dry as well.

I didn't take too much camera gear. I mostly usedy my trusty Nikon D300, 70-300mm VR lens and tripod. Of course, I carried the tripod on EVERY hike. You never know when a jaguar will pop out of the forest...

By the way, we used Luxury Link and it couldn't have been easier. Probably saved $1000K going that way. Too bad Bosque Del Cabo doesn't list auctions there...

We used Luxury Link when we went to Chaa Creek. I would definitely use them again too.

We had rains almost exclusively at night both of our early August visits to Belize.

Nice work, atdahl - thanks!

Actually, our 1st visit included the last 2 weeks of July, too, plus nearly 2 in August.

atdahl -- I've watched Luxury Link for years but when I travel with my daughter I've been getting discounts (harder now that she's 13 but Chaa Creek has good offer) so it's been better to go through hotel in the past. When I travel with girlfriends we usually stay in apartments or *2-*3 places.

BDC offers good child rates (through age 12 I believe). They are also offering 4 nights for 3 right now through the end of green season.

Alan, when you stay at Chan Chich, do they offer any activities other than the wildlife viewing and hiking?

Wow, atdahl, awesome photos. Really beautiful. Especially the butterfly photos! Love the cattleheart photo.

Horses, canoeing, Lamanai, waterfalls, bikes, tour of the farm

Thanks, Katie - are the waterfalls on the property? How much time does it take to get to Lamanai from Chan Chich?

Yup, Katie listed out the activities. Here they are from the official Chan Chich folder they give to guests:

- Night walks (we went out on our own at night)
- Golf Cart rentals (Actually, this worked well in the rain because the cart was covered so we still were able to get out)
- Driving Tours (A really good way to see cats since they see them near roads a lot
- Night drives (A good chance to see wildlife)
- Horseback riding (Didn't try but other guests enjoyed)
- Canoeing (haven't tried)
- Bicycles (haven't tried)

I don't know of any waterfalls on the property. I believe Lamanai is 2 to 3 hours away. One group did it while we were they and they said the bugs were horrible. But, that isn't common. They didn't see much wildlife either.

They also offer day trips to the La Milpa ruins. Hope that helps.

Oops, they also offer a tour of the Gallon Jug farm which we haven't done. But, the folks that took the tour said it was really interesting. The far produces a huge variety of goods.

Thanks, Alan, yes that helps a lot.

Alan,
Were you in a standard or deluxe cabin, and are the posted rates on their website for the room or per person...it doesn't say. Unfortunately, Luxury Link doesn't show any packages at the moment!.

How does one get from the airport to Chan Chich and how long does the transport take?

Loved the pics!

Hi Debi,

We have stayed twice in a deluxe cabin. They are very nice. The Deluxe gives you a fridge which is great because you can store your water so it is cold. They also have a two person shower and the rooms are bigger. More luxuries than you need in the jungle but the fridge is really nice.

If you mean the international airport to Chan Chich you have options. Charter a plane, by car, or via boat and car with a stop at Lamanai. If you charter a plane, the lodge will pick you up at the gallon jug airport and it is about 20 minute drive to the lodge.

Hope that helps.

Alan,

So funny that you called me Debi. I used that name as a teenager and my father always joked about it and pronounced it Debigh with a long I. :-)

Would you give me some idea of times and cost for the various transportation options to Chan Chich? I'm also not sure if the rates I see on their website are per person or per room. If there is a notation there regarding that...I sure can't seem to see it!

What do you feel is a minimum stay at Chan Chich...I would also like to spend a night or two in Tikal, but don't know if that is a reasonable option. I'm just starting to research Belize as an alternative to returning to Costa Rica.

Deb, you know I read your signature quickly and the "1" turned into an "i" in my head. Anyway, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I have some docs I can email you with more information.

It is hard to say what the minimum stay is. I would say at least 3 nights. But, it all depends on what you want to see.