A man and women at the edge of the infinity pool overlooking the jungle and thatched rooves of rooms at the Lodge at Chaa Creek.
Aerial view of person paddling a red canoe down a glassy river on a Belize jungle tour at Chaa Creek.
Woman on a Belize jungle tour via Chaa Creek stands on stone steps & looks up at white Aztec stone carvings.
Leopard in fur of gold & dark circles sits beside green plant with cage bars behind, seen on a Belize jungle tour.
Woman rides brown & white horse on dirt road beside black wooden fence & dense forest on a Belize jungle tour.
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Central America Belize Land Tour

Chaa Creek Inland Expedition

Enjoy a wildly civilized Belize vacation on the all-inclusive Chaa Creek Inland Expedition. This choose-your-own-adventure Belize jungle tour offers a plethora of half-day and full-day activities for all levels, including nature tours, Mayan ruins tours, a Tikal tour, horseback riding, a San Ignacio market tour and cave tubing in Belize. Plus, enjoy unlimited on-site activities within the 400-acre Chaa Creek Nature Reserve, such as birdwatching, touring the butterfly farm, hiking, canoeing and swimming.

On any Chaa Creek Inland Expedition, arrive and select your daily activities with help from the on-site Tour Concierge, based on your interest, abilities and even the weather forecast. We recommend the 5-day itinerary as an ideal way to experience Chaa Creek and its surrounding areas; however there are 4- and 6-day itineraries also available, or we can customize your experience to last a week or more. The 5-day and 6-day packages include two off-site full-day tours and one off-site half-day tour, as well as unlimited on-site activities. Contact us to learn how to round out the experience with added-cost activities such as diving, snorkeling, ziplining, spin and fly fishing, kayaking, sailing, and tours by bicycle or helicopter.

Relax and adventure right from your doorstep at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, located within the rainforest reserve. This rainforest resort features charming palm-thatched accommodations and modern luxury villas, each uniquely decorated and set within a lush jungle garden. Head out on guided Belize tours by day and enjoy tropical fare in a candlelit dining room at night in this hassle-free Belize jungle escape.

Read on for details about this all-inclusive Belize jungle tour, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Belize trips.



Itinerary

Chaa Creek Inland Adventure Itinerary

The Chaa Creek Inland Adventure is a lodge-based customizable Belize experience within the 400-acre Chaa Creek Nature Reserve, that begins and ends in Belize City.

Property map showing layout of Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge in Belize
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Day 1
Arrive Belize City, Belize to Chaa Creek

Upon arrival at Belize City International Airport, be met by a local representative for the two-hour transfer to the Cayo District and The Lodge at Chaa Creek on the banks of the Macal River. Enjoy a visit to the Belize Zoo either on the transfer in today or later on the transfer out, depending on the timing of your flights. This dynamic wildlife education center is a great introduction to the animals of Belize. Arrive in time to settle in before dinner at the unique Lodge at Chaa Creek, situated within a beautiful 400-acre private nature reserve. 

Accommodations

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Meals

breakfast, dinner

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Days 2 - 4/5
Discover Chaa Creek & Belize’s Cayo District

Spend the next three (or four) days exploring Chaa Creek and the greater Cayo District of Belize. Upon arrival, work with the tour concierge to choose two full day tours and one half day tour. Additionally, take advantage of unlimited on-site activities each day.

Below is a sample of how you might spend your days with some of our recommended tours.

Featured Full-Day Tours

Caracol Mayan Ruins (Moderate) 

Located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest known Maya site in Belize and one of the biggest in the Maya world.  This 55-square-mile Classic Period urban center had an estimated population of 180,000 people.  Its central core area covered 15 square miles and was linked together by more than 20 miles of “sacbeobs” (causeways) that radiated outward from its epicenter.  The temple “Caana” (Sky Place) rises 138 feet above plaza level and to this day is the largest man-made structure in Belize. Over 70 formal tombs have been excavated and many hieroglyphic texts have been found on stelea, altars, ball court markers, capstones and wall facades. Ocellated Turkeys are common in this area that’s known for its birding.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (Very Challenging) 

This cave, also known as the ATM, is an ancient Maya ceremonial Belize cave rich in both history and artifacts. One of Belize’s most impressive attractions, it is also one of the newest, having only been open to the public since the late 1990s. Although featured in National Geographic, History Channel, Lonely Planet and other publications, a visit to this spectacular Belize cave is still an off-the-beaten track Maya tour that even Indiana Jones would appreciate.  After a 1.5-hour drive from Chaa Creek and a 45-minute walk along a jungle trail with three river crossings, arrive at the ATM camp to rest and enjoy lunch. Swim into the partially concealed mouth of the cave and wade along a shallow underground river before scaling ladders that lead to sacrificial altars still surrounded by jade axe heads, pottery, bloodletting implements and other artifacts.

Tikal National Park & Mayan Ruins (Moderate – requires entry to Guatemala) 

Tikal National Park, the crown jewel of Mayan archaeological sites, offers beautiful architecture, impressive buildings connected by wide causeways, rich jungle life and relaxed ambience. On this Tikal tour, take in the sprawling capital of one of the greatest empires of the ancient Maya and the most important city-state in the Maya region. This UNESCO world heritage area offers 222 square miles of unspoiled natural beauty and many exotic birds and animals such as tapir, jaguar, crocodile, cougars, monkeys and coatimundi. Tours from Chaa Creek include a lovely 2.5-hour drive through rural Guatemala with knowledgeable guides who note points of interest and make history come alive. 

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve (Moderate) 

Be amazed by the drastic change from Broad-Leaf Forest to Pine Forest on this tour. The granite base and limestone overlay of the Maya Mountains form the oldest landmass in Central America. Within the 300-square-mile reserve, encounter an entirely different tropical ecosystem along with its unique flora and fauna. View many varieties of orchids and ferns and watch for rare and endangered bird species such as the orange-breasted falcon and the king vulture. At the end of the day’s trek, refreshing swims in the cascading waters of the Rio On pools will soothe tired muscles and rejuvenate the spirit.

Featured Half-Day Tours

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins (Easy – can be combined with Cahal Pech for a full-day tour) 

This major ceremonial center is reached by a hand-cranked ferry that crosses the Mopan River from the village of San Jose Succotz. Take in an impressive view of the entire river valley, including the El Castillo Temple complex that rises 130 feet above plaza level, making it one of the tallest buildings in Belize.

Barton Creek Cave (Moderate) 

Explore a stunning Maya ceremonial cave by canoe. This tour to one of Belize’s most fascinating natural and cultural wonders travels about a mile along a meandering river flowing through the beautiful cathedral-like chambers and wide passages of the Barton Creek Cave, which has become a popular attraction in recent years with high standards of safety and environmental protection. Enjoy the waterfalls and a refreshing swim or just relax with a packed lunch amid tropical beauty.

Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins (Moderate – can be combined with Xunantunich for a full-day tour) 

The Cahal Pech Maya site and Visitor Center are located in the Cayo District on a hill overlooking the beautiful town of San Ignacio. Its proximity to town and the vast contrast from town life to rich jungle environment make Cahal Pech a unique place to visit. The site center is made up of 34 structures located around several courtyards, including temple pyramids and residential buildings. Preliminary investigations revealed that Cahal Pech is one of the earliest Maya sites in the Belize region of the Maya lowlands, alongside Cuello in the north.

Caves Branch Tubing (Moderate) 

Cave tubing in Belize reveals the country’s history, as caves have been an intricate part of the Maya religion and culture. The Maya used caves as ceremonial sites and evidence of these activities can be found for substantial distances inside these caves. Relics, principally in the form of shards of pottery, are very common. Discover spectacular crystal formations over 5,000,000 years old that cast eerie shadows into the black abyss while exploring the most sacred area of the ancient Maya.

Included Unlimited On-Site Activities 

At any time, participate in one of a myriad of on-site activities, or simply relax amid the surrounding 400-acre private nature reserve. Chaa Creek’s nature reserve offers a wide range of exciting, educational and healthy activities for adventurers of all ages and abilities, and hosts miles of well-maintained trails for horseback riding and hiking. A cadre of licensed naturalist guides share their local expertise of Belize’s diverse natural history including the fascinating Maya civilization which once thrived in this area. 

Canoe trips down the Macal River are a relaxing way to travel through the jungle. Guided early-morning birdwatching offers opportunities to be dazzled. Visits to the reserve’s Natural History Center, Butterfly Farm or Rainforest Medicine Trail add more insight into this Belize jungle tour. Additionally, exquisite pampering complemented by stunning views of the Macal River Valley is always available at Chaa Creek’s full-service Hilltop Spa (additional cost).

Accommodations

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 5/6
Chaa Creek to Belize City, Belize & Depart

Today, enjoy one last morning at beautiful Chaa Creek. Take advantage of any final on-site activities. An included 2-hour transfer to Belize City will pay a visit to the Belize Zoo if the transfer in did not. The transfer will end at the Belize International Airport for your return home, or to begin the next leg of your Belize adventure.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Round-trip transfers from International Airport or Belize City (ground transfers), a visit to the Belize Zoo with transfer on arrival or departure, accommodation, meals as indicated in the itinerary, your choice of two full-day and one half-day off-site activities on non-transfer days (5- and 6-day itineraries), taxes, gratuities to Chaa Creek Staff, unlimited on-site activities (including guided visits to the Natural History Museum, Butterfly Farm and Rainforest Medicine Trail, plus canoeing on the Macal River and guided early-morning birdwatching). 

Exclusions

International or domestic airfare, insurance of any kind, optional tips to drivers and guides, visa and border crossing fees, park entrance and park guide fees, select cave tubing fees, ziplining fees, snorkeling and diving tours, helicopter tours, alcoholic drinks, sodas and juices. 

Payment & Cancellation 

2024: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 50% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 60 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 61 days – $75 + 12.5% tax processing fee
60 to 46 days – 100% of deposit
45 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost 

2025: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 50% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 60 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 61 days – $100 + 9% tax processing fee
60 to 45 days – 100% of deposit
44 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost 

Terms & Conditions 

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation. 

Arrival & Departure 

The Chaa Creek Inland Expedition begins and ends in Belize City (BZE). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive any time on Day 1 and depart in the afternoon on the final day of the outlined itinerary, from Belize City International Airport. 

Activities 

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the guides can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Optional adventure activities may include boat tours, wildlife observation, historical and cultural visits, swimming, and added-cost activities such as snorkeling, SCUBA diving, spin and fly fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and bicycling. 

Room Configuration 

Select double-occupancy room types are available for solo, triple, quad, quintuple and sextuple occupancy; inquire for pricing. 

Families & Children 

Special rates for children under 17 sharing a parent’s room are available in all room types; inquire for details. 

Travel Insurance 

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes 

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the guides’ discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of adventure travel unique. 

Rates & Dates

Trip Rates & Details

Length of stay is customizable, with 5-day & 6-day pricing listed for reference. Contact AdventureSmith for details of longer stays.

2024 Rates
The Lodge at Chaa Creek • 5 days
From $2041USD
Per Person
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2024 Rates
The Lodge at Chaa Creek • 6 days
From $2364USD
Per Person
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2025 Rates
The Lodge at Chaa Creek • 5 days
From $2110USD
Per Person
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2025 Rates
The Lodge at Chaa Creek • 6 days
From $2439USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Jungle Lodge on Your Itinerary

Lodge
The Lodge at Chaa Creek

The Lodge at Chaa Creek Adventure Centre, Rainforest Reserve and Spa has pioneered natural history travel to Belize since 1981. A private 400-acre nature reserve set along the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, the lodge provides a unique rainforest experience while maintaining an unspoiled ambiance.

Testimonials

Hear It from Travelers Who Have Explored with Us

"Kids & Adults Had a Blast!"

We traveled with another family so it was super fun and easy. This trip is a great way to go with 2 families. Kids and adults had a blast!

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"All Clicked Perfectly"

Even after repeated changes to the itinerary due to Covid, our trip was well planned. From airlines, airport transfers, lodging/boat reservations and tours, all clicked perfectly and we moved through the trip without incident.

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"Our Trip Guides Were Incredible"

Our trip guides were incredible. All of them were very nice and very knowledgeable about the trip. Every guide had great enthusiasm and was just very happy to have us.

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