The Top Five Eco Resorts of Belize
Posted in Belize about 1 year ago, 1 reply
After much contemplation, some heavy-duty trekking, and one little too-close-for-comfort encounter with a long-toothed beastie, here is my final list of the top five best eco resorts of Belize. These worthy lodges have earned their place on the top five list by their environmental stewardship, amenities, hospitality, landscape and setting, and overall experience.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Along the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya you'll find the award-winning Chaa Creek perched at the edge of a grassy knoll. This 365-acre private nature reserve in San Ignacio, within the Cayo District, has been offering unique adventure travel experiences for nearly 30 years. Chaa Creek Inland Expeditions presents a large menu of programs and activities that will place you in the heart of the environment, culture and archaeology of Belize. Set within unspoiled tropical rainforest, The Lodge at Chaa Creek's thatched cottages, villas and suites, each reflecting one-of-a-kind elegance, promise to lure you in to a life of blissful relaxation. Numerous awards and accolades include the title of Best Eco Resort in the Caribbean for 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 according to Caribbean Travel & Life Readers’ Poll. In 2008, Chaa Creek achieved the elite Green Globe Benchmarked Bronze status under the globally recognized Benchmarking program, which indicates that the facility is operating to the world's highest environmental standard.
chaacreek.com
Lamanai Outpost Lodge
'Lamanai' means 'submerged crocodile', and you only need to observe the 28 mile long spring fed lagoon next to Lamanai Outpost Lodge to find them. Here, amid the remnants of a major Maya city are an astounding variety of habitats ideal for nature adventure activities, departing directly from your cabaña's doorstep each day. Or try guided excursions after nightfall to delve into the mysterious nocturnal wilderness of the lagoons and jungle beyond. With most tours departing with only six or fewer guests, your choice of the two activities included per night's stay is guaranteed to make for a rewarding and a very personal agenda. Your accommodations feature a thatched roof over hardwood interiors that are fully screened and nicely ventilated, and include electricity, refrigerator, and a private bath with hot and cold water. Most of your time at the lodge is likely to be spent leisurely enjoying your veranda. Lamanai Outpost is one of a very select handful of Belize's jungle lodges to have been frequently featured on shows and channels as Wild Things, Discovery, Animal Planet, National Geographic Explorer and World Gone Wild. The lodge also earned the distinction of being voted Belize's Hotel of the Year for 1999 and 2000.
lamanai.com
Casa del Caballo Blanco
Certified by Allianza Verde/Green Deal as a Sustainable Tourism Destination in 2008, this hotel boasts a panoramic view of Guatemala to the west, parrots soaring overhead, and spectacular sunrises. From the knoll-top vantage point of the Cayo District's Mopan River Valley in San Ignacio, the veranda of your spacious Casa del Caballo Blanco cabana is naturally air-conditioned by the afternoon breeze. Evenings present the distant twinkling lights of small jungle villages along the Mopan River. Explore Casa's grounds- the banana plantation, the coconut grove, and many local fruit trees- all locally managed by Belizeans. Or take a stroll down Bullet Tree Road and find yourself in the western side of San Ignacio, in a great shopping and restaurant district. For a more adventurous day trip, rapel the caves of the area- or just float through them in a tube. The options are endless from this fantastic launching point.
casacaballoblanco.com
Chan Chich Lodge, Belize
At the heart of "La Selva Maya", on a 130,000 acre private nature reserve in northwestern Belize is a special destination- Chan Chich Lodge. Nestled in a forest, at the plaza of an ancient Maya city, this eco-lodge includes 12 thatched-roof cabanas and one elegantly appointed two-bedroom Villa. Here, along an extensive trail system you can retrace the footsteps of the Maya and revel in stunning tropical flora and fauna. This authentic jungle retreat shares space with an astounding array of wildlife in its' natural habitat, and it is here that you very well may catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar. Head to the lodge's kitchen to taste some of the finest meals in Belize- and to experience hospitality second to none. Chan Chich Lodge was named Andrew Harper's Wilderness Lodge of the Year in 2007.
chanchich.com
Journey's End Resort
Experience rustic luxury and seclusion without giving up creature comforts. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean is Journey's End, a tropical boutique resort that is comfortable and modern, and very earth-friendly. Only minutes from San Pedro, Belize on the island of Ambergris Caye, you'll find your private bungalow, on a private beach that is just off of the second largest barrier reef in the world. Overlooking the white sands, beneath the coconut palms is the Luna Restaurant- don't miss out on their fresh local seafood and haute cuisine. For 7 years, Journey's End Resort of Belize has been a proud partner member of Green Hotels and Resorts. In an effort to protect the juvenile marine life that lives around the reef, Journey's End Resort does not allow the use of motorized watercraft in front of the resort. Other green policies of the resort include rain water collection and the use of "gray water", as well as the farming of organic herbs and vegetables in the gardens and the use of non-toxic, biodegradable insect repellant.
journeysendresort.com
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Along the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya you'll find the award-winning Chaa Creek perched at the edge of a grassy knoll. This 365-acre private nature reserve in San Ignacio, within the Cayo District, has been offering unique adventure travel experiences for nearly 30 years. Chaa Creek Inland Expeditions presents a large menu of programs and activities that will place you in the heart of the environment, culture and archaeology of Belize. Set within unspoiled tropical rainforest, The Lodge at Chaa Creek's thatched cottages, villas and suites, each reflecting one-of-a-kind elegance, promise to lure you in to a life of blissful relaxation. Numerous awards and accolades include the title of Best Eco Resort in the Caribbean for 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 according to Caribbean Travel & Life Readers’ Poll. In 2008, Chaa Creek achieved the elite Green Globe Benchmarked Bronze status under the globally recognized Benchmarking program, which indicates that the facility is operating to the world's highest environmental standard.
chaacreek.com
Lamanai Outpost Lodge
'Lamanai' means 'submerged crocodile', and you only need to observe the 28 mile long spring fed lagoon next to Lamanai Outpost Lodge to find them. Here, amid the remnants of a major Maya city are an astounding variety of habitats ideal for nature adventure activities, departing directly from your cabaña's doorstep each day. Or try guided excursions after nightfall to delve into the mysterious nocturnal wilderness of the lagoons and jungle beyond. With most tours departing with only six or fewer guests, your choice of the two activities included per night's stay is guaranteed to make for a rewarding and a very personal agenda. Your accommodations feature a thatched roof over hardwood interiors that are fully screened and nicely ventilated, and include electricity, refrigerator, and a private bath with hot and cold water. Most of your time at the lodge is likely to be spent leisurely enjoying your veranda. Lamanai Outpost is one of a very select handful of Belize's jungle lodges to have been frequently featured on shows and channels as Wild Things, Discovery, Animal Planet, National Geographic Explorer and World Gone Wild. The lodge also earned the distinction of being voted Belize's Hotel of the Year for 1999 and 2000.
lamanai.com
Casa del Caballo Blanco
Certified by Allianza Verde/Green Deal as a Sustainable Tourism Destination in 2008, this hotel boasts a panoramic view of Guatemala to the west, parrots soaring overhead, and spectacular sunrises. From the knoll-top vantage point of the Cayo District's Mopan River Valley in San Ignacio, the veranda of your spacious Casa del Caballo Blanco cabana is naturally air-conditioned by the afternoon breeze. Evenings present the distant twinkling lights of small jungle villages along the Mopan River. Explore Casa's grounds- the banana plantation, the coconut grove, and many local fruit trees- all locally managed by Belizeans. Or take a stroll down Bullet Tree Road and find yourself in the western side of San Ignacio, in a great shopping and restaurant district. For a more adventurous day trip, rapel the caves of the area- or just float through them in a tube. The options are endless from this fantastic launching point.
casacaballoblanco.com
Chan Chich Lodge, Belize
At the heart of "La Selva Maya", on a 130,000 acre private nature reserve in northwestern Belize is a special destination- Chan Chich Lodge. Nestled in a forest, at the plaza of an ancient Maya city, this eco-lodge includes 12 thatched-roof cabanas and one elegantly appointed two-bedroom Villa. Here, along an extensive trail system you can retrace the footsteps of the Maya and revel in stunning tropical flora and fauna. This authentic jungle retreat shares space with an astounding array of wildlife in its' natural habitat, and it is here that you very well may catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar. Head to the lodge's kitchen to taste some of the finest meals in Belize- and to experience hospitality second to none. Chan Chich Lodge was named Andrew Harper's Wilderness Lodge of the Year in 2007.
chanchich.com
Journey's End Resort
Experience rustic luxury and seclusion without giving up creature comforts. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean is Journey's End, a tropical boutique resort that is comfortable and modern, and very earth-friendly. Only minutes from San Pedro, Belize on the island of Ambergris Caye, you'll find your private bungalow, on a private beach that is just off of the second largest barrier reef in the world. Overlooking the white sands, beneath the coconut palms is the Luna Restaurant- don't miss out on their fresh local seafood and haute cuisine. For 7 years, Journey's End Resort of Belize has been a proud partner member of Green Hotels and Resorts. In an effort to protect the juvenile marine life that lives around the reef, Journey's End Resort does not allow the use of motorized watercraft in front of the resort. Other green policies of the resort include rain water collection and the use of "gray water", as well as the farming of organic herbs and vegetables in the gardens and the use of non-toxic, biodegradable insect repellant.
journeysendresort.com
submitted by Heather
