Does anyone have experience with either or both Lodges? Looking for an upscale hotel that's most convenient to ruins, hiking, etc.

I can only comment on Chaa Creek. We loved this place and it is very close to many activities. While we did not make it to the ruins at Tikal, we went to Xunatunich (very close to CC) and found it very interesting. I would not call Chaa Creek upscale, but some of the cottages are very nice.

Both are elegant jungle lodges. CC is in tropical foliage along the Macal River. BL is in the Mtn Pine Ridge in a pine forest along a creek. Both have spas and pools, both are incredibloy well runm, both have hiking and horses on premises, both are close to Mayan sites and cave trips. CC is closer to Tikal, BL closer to Caracol.

I really like the Mountain Pine. I just drove by the gates of Blancaneaux while staying at 5 sisters which I really liked. The swimming up the road at Big Rock is great. Access to Caracol is as simple as it gets. You are just around the corner from the Mile High Falls( or so) This is just up the trail from Hidden Valley.(one of the best roads in Belize) The scenery is excellent. I have seen the Blancaneaux vans on the road from Tikal and they don't waste anytime on the road. I could not keep up to them and I usually drive 20 miles over the speed limit at all times. The road into Blancaneaux is very rough so don't rent a car get a jeep or be picked up. If I ever bought property in Belize it would be in this area and I would have a dirt bike.
You are very close to the Butterfly farm and Barton Caves. The Barton caves are okay but don't live up to the hype. I kept telling my wife that it was just after the car wash, what she didn''t know was the small creek we had to cross was about 2 feet deep in the middle. The Butterfly farm is very pretty as I got my second flat tire(with one spare) outside its gates. I left my wife there by the side of the road for several hours and she took some amazing photos of Butterflies and hummingbirds without paying admission.

Mike

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