Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of questions that guests have asked us over the years. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, reach out to us by clicking here and we’ll answer your questions.
Before You Book
What happens if I need to cancel?
We know plans can change, so here's how our cancellation policy works, based on how far out you are from your arrival date:
61 days or more before arrival: a full refund of your prepayment, minus a $100 processing fee plus tax.
60 to 30 days before arrival: 50% of your prepayment refunded.
29 days or fewer before arrival: your prepayment isn't refundable at that point.
Any prepaid extras you don't end up using, like airport transfers or tours, follow the same policy.
What if I need to change my dates or my room?
Just reach out, we'll always do our best to make it work. Depending on your new dates or room type, the rate may shift a little and a small fee could apply, but we're on your side in finding something that fits. Changes made within 60 days of arrival can bring our cancellation terms into play, so if you think you might need to adjust, it's worth asking us as early as you can.
What currency are your rates in?
All rates are in U.S. Dollars.
Which credit cards do you take?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards.
What deposit do you take to confirm a booking, and when is the balance due?
A deposit of 50% of the total is due at the time of reservation. Payment of the balance must be complete 60 days prior to the arrival date. Bookings made less than 60 days prior to arrival date will require full payment.
Whether Chan Chich is the right fit for your holiday
Can we bring children?
Absolutely, children of all ages are welcome at Chan Chich. Wildlife viewing does call for some patience and quiet, so we generally suggest ages 8 and up to get the most out of it this type of vacation, but the honest answer really depends on what you want to do.
Only children 8 and older are able to go on horseback riding tours. Tours are about an hour and a half to two hours. Younger children are welcome to be led around the corral instead.
Best suited for older guests are our general day drives, which is the main wildlife-focused outing at two and a half to three hours, and all of our guided walks (birding, night, archaeological, medicinal plant, and general nature) are geared toward quieter, more focused wildlife viewing. Our team can help to answer any questions you might have if you’re unsure if Chan Chich will work for your family.
Is Chan Chich right adventure travelers?
Chan Chich is a wonderful fit for travelers who want to spend their days deep in the rainforest, and who are happy with rooms that are cozy and intentionally designed for the rainforest rather than flashy. There are no towns nearby, and evenings here are quiet, it's really about being present in this place.
Is the stay all-inclusive?
It can be. We offer two rate plans to match how you like to travel: a bed-and-breakfast plan, and our All-Inclusive Explorer plan, which covers meals plus a set of on-site activities.
Where we are and Getting Here
Where is the lodge?
Chan Chich sits on the Gallon Jug Estate, a thirty thousand private reserve in Belize's Orange Walk District, within the Belize Maya Forest of the country's northwest, the largest contiguous tropical rainforest north of the Amazon Basin.
How do we actually get there?
It's about a 2.5 - 3 hour drive from Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Belize's only international airport, or roughly a 30-minute charter flight straight to our own airstrip here at Gallon Jug. We're happy to help arrange either option. Read more on Getting here →
The Rooms
Do the rooms have air conditioning?
By December 31st, 2026, 7 of our rooms will have air conditioning. The rest of our rooms rely on natural cooling. Every room includes a ceiling fan and screened windows either way. View All Rooms→
While You Are Here
What is there to do?
Plenty! Guided wildlife drives, birding, guided walks, night drives, horseback riding, canoeing on Laguna Verde, our organic farm, and an archaeological walk, to name a few. There are also impressive off-site experiences to enjoy too. View all you can experience here.
Are tours shared or private?
Most of our tours go out as small groups or 10 or less in our safari vehicles. It’s a nice way to meet fellow guests along the way. If you'd rather have a private guide and vehicle, we're happy to explore arranging that in advance. Private tours are subject to availability, and should be requested at booking.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Absolutely. Our kitchen can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-related needs. Since everything arrives by road, it helps enormously if you let us know when you book rather than on arrival.
What should we bring?
A few things you should plan on bringing:
Hiking boots you don't mind getting a little muddy, we don't keep boots on hand for guests.
Binoculars
Insect repellent, sunscreen, and a rain jacket if you're visiting during the wet season.
Is there wifi?
Yes, complimentary wifi is available throughout the lodge and in every room. However, please keep in mind that we are in the middle of the rainforest and do experience down-time on occasion.
Is there purified water?
Purified Crystal water, provided in a refillable, stainless steel five-gallon bottle is in every room. We've moved away from single-use plastics, so you'll be given your own reusable bottle to use during your stay.
Is there coffee in the room?
Yes, every room comes with coffee, a kettle, and a french press, plus a fridge. Guests on our All-Inclusive Explorer plan will find that fridge stocked with soft drinks and beer.
What plugs and power are in the room?
Every room has standard 110V US-style outlets.
Are bath amenities provided?
Yes, we provide biodegradable bath amenities in every room.
Can we use the bikes?
Absolutely, our bikes are complimentary for guests. Just check with our team for the current riding guidance before heading out.
Can we drive our own car at the lodge?
For everyone's safety, private vehicles aren't permitted on the trails. You may arrive in a private vehicle but it must remain parked during your stay.
Is there phone signal out there?
Part of what makes Chan Chich special is how far it feels from everything else, which also means there's no reliable mobile signal on the trails so while touring you will be off the grid for a bit (but that’s the best part of it!).
Who do we reach after hours?
Our reception desk is staffed from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Outside of these hours, our lodge manager is reachable by phone or email, and reception will be glad to share his details with you.
What happens in an emergency?
In the event of an on-site emergency the lodge will drive any guests directly to the nearest health center which is the clinic at Spanish Lookout.
Is altitude something worry about?
No, altitude isn't a factor at Chan Chich.
How many bird species are there?
We've recorded 371 species here, all documented on our eBird hotspot. Check out our full birding checklist here.
What will we see besides birds?
Plenty of mammals, large and small. Guests may encounter:
Jaguars
Puma
Ocelots
Margays
Tapirs
White-lipped peccaries
Monkeys
Coatimundis
Wildlife sightings vary daily and are never guaranteed, which is part of what makes the experience authentic and exciting. Check out our wildlife page for more information. Every day looks a little different out here, and sitings can vary vastly from day to day.
Can we visit the archaeology sites at Chan Chich?
Yes, we offer a guided archaeological walk right on the grounds here. To visit larger excavated sites, you will have to book an off-site tour, which can easily by arranged by our team.