Q1. Is a Visa required when travelling to Belize? A1. Visitors to Belize are required to be in possession of valid passports and return/onward tickets. Visas are not required for citizens of the U.S., European Union, Commonwealth or Caricom Nations, Mexico, Austria and Costa Rica. Visas are required for all other nationalities and can be obtained from any Belizean Embassy, consulate or British Embassy. For specific information contact the Immigration and Nationality Department. Q2. Do I need to take any malaria shots or any shots when visiting Belize? A2. We live in an unusual and fascinating ecosystem that affords us the enviable position of a sound environment. Forested hill lands with good alluvial soil supply excellent drainage, while bats and a healthy number of over 250 species of birds feed on flying and crawling insects, berries and fruits. What does this mean? Honestly, virtually no mosquitoes abide in our jungle environment. Of course we maintain this favored status by keeping our exotic tropical gardens well maintained and manicured. We have never had any cases of malaria reported by Chaa Creek guests, however you may wish to check with your tropical medicine research centers for their advice. Q3. Whats the weather like in Belize? A3. Belize enjoys a subtropical climate with bright sunshine all year round. We may experience intermittent showers, which help to keep our country green and lush. The days are warm with an average annual temperature of 80 degrees. The mountain areas experience cooler weather than the islands and coastal plains. In the Cayo district our warmest months are April and May and our coolest months are January and February. Q4. What is the probablility of a hurricane strike during hurricane season? A4. The probability of a hurricane making landfall in Belize in any given year is 17%. A hurricane hasn't hit Belize in August in well over 100 years, but the prime storm season arrives in Belize and the Western Caribbean region in September and October. Of the 20 hurricanes that have made landfall in Belize in the past 117 years, 17 or 85% have arrived in September and October. Note, however, that the length of the coast of Belize (less than 200 miles) is much smaller than the length of the coasts of Florida, the Gulf Coast and the East Coast for example the East Coast of the U..S. is 1860 miles in length, so it offers a much greater area for storms to strike. Q5. How do I get to Chaa Creek from the airport and how low does it take? A5. We offer private transfers to and from the airport in air conditioned mini vans. The duration of the guided tour is approximately 1 ½ hours. The cost for a one way transfer is $135.00 for a group of 1 to 4. Q6. What tours are recommended for families traveling with small children? A6. Adventure abounds within our rainforest reserve. With hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and canoeing, as well as guided nature walks and river exploration included in on-site activities, there are plenty of choices to excite every member of the family. There are also half day tours to the ancient Mayan cities of Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, the mysterious Barton Creek Caves, and the Belize Zoo. We also arrange family friendly trips, accommodation and experiences along Belize's stunning coast and cayes. Our friendly staff pays personal attention to guests of all ages, offering baby-sitting services and child friendly jungle safaris to ensure that the whole family has fun while sharing a truly special Belizean adventure. Considering that kids up to 18 stay for free and also enjoy a number of complimentary activities, the Chaa Creek experience is an affordable holiday option for creating an exciting and priceless experience! Q7. Are the rooms air conditioned and what amenities are included with the room? A7. The traditional design of our palm-thatched and adobe cottages keeps our rooms cool in the tropics, while open-air verandahs allow plenty of outdoor space to sun seek, stargaze or simply relax in a hammock. Coffee and tea service delivery is available for the early riser and exotic fruit drinks are available all the time. Botanical shampoo, conditioner and soap products provide nourishing care for all skin types. All of our guests, regardless of accommodation type or length of stay, enjoy at no extra charge: Entry into our 365-acre Rainforest Reserve, Guided tours of our Natural History Centre and Butterfly Farm, Access to our Ruta Maya Trail System, Canoeing, Early Morning Bird Walk with one of our Naturalist Guides, and a guided interpretive tour of our Rainforest Medicine Trail. Q8. Are meals included with the room rate? A8. Your choice of full breakfast is included in the room rate. Individual and family meal packages are also available. Q9. Which beach property would you recommend visiting? A9. We offer 7 night combination packages with four different and very unique beach and coastal properties. Mata Chica and Victoria House in Ambergris Caye, The Inn at Roberts Grove in Placencia and Turneffe Flats in the Turneffe Atolls. Q10. Is it safe? A 10. We have always taken a very proactive approach to the safety, security and well being of our guests. We maintain a 24 hour security staff should any of our guests require assistance at any time. All of our guides and frontline personnel are CPR and First Response trained. A professionally trained paramedic resides on the property along with our security manager and a local physician is always on call. Q11. What to bring along? Lightweight breathable sportswear. Shirts both long and short sleeve. Pants both long and short. Comfortable closed toe walking/hiking shoes or boots (bring two pairs if you have room, they can be slow to dry). Windbreaker or light jacket or sweater. Umbrella (works well and is much cooler). One set of nice clothes for visiting finer establishments in the evenings. Ladies can add a large shawl, for over the shoulders in the evening, and also a sarong over a swimsuit; a dress and/or skirt, depending on how much room is left in the suitcase. Camera with lots of film and extra batteries. Flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries. Sunscreen (SPF 35 waterproof). Naturalist Field Guides: Birders: Don't forget to bring your birdbook! (Birdbooks are also available in our gift shop). Traveling with Small Children: Although life jackets are a requirement for all boat operators, smaller sizes are not common, so bring along life jackets for babies and small children. Pack water toys, stuffed animals and books to keep your children busy especially on the journey to Belize. You will find a selection of disposable diapers, cereal and formulas in town, however if you have a preferred brand, be sure to bring. Personal medications (Any prescription medications for you and your kids enough supplies to last for the duration of your stay). Contact lens supplies (you might be better off with glasses but if you prefer contact lenses be sure to bring sufficient cleaning supplies). Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, a wash cloth, and enough razors. Garbage bags for wet and dirty clothes. Surprisingly Useful: Bubble Wrap for wrapping of souvenirs. Padded half-finger gloves very practical for canoeing, bicycling, and protection when scrambling through cave, climbing temples, etc. NOTE: Avoid bringing perfumes, heavily scented toiletries (they attract mosquitoes). All expensive jewelry and watches should be left at home.

The story of Chaa Creek Cottages began in 1977 when two young travelers stumbled upon what would later become their adopted home. In those days most business was conducted around bar room tables in Belize City and it was here that Mick and Lucy Fleming ran into the owner of an overgrown 140 acre farm in the Cayo District. They soon moved out to the jungle property and within years the land was producing home grown vegetables. In those days the farm had no road access so the Flemings transported their produce by dugout canoe to the ready markets of San Ignacio Town, much as the Maya had done 1,000 years before. The little farm was soon producing milk, yoghurt, cheese and eggs - as well as two baby Flemings. When other travelers heard about the farm they would often trek out to visit, sometimes staying to lend a hand. As more visitors came, the Fleming's one room farmhouse became smaller and smaller and the idea was launched to build a guest cottage from materials found on the land. Chaa Creek Cottages, the first jungle lodge in Belize, opened its doors in 1981 and over the next two decades growth has kept pace with the increasing number of visitors. The Chaa Creek road was built by the British Army Corps of Engineers in 1983 and was accompanied by the addition of a dining room to cater to the six existing cottage rooms. Two years later indoor plumbing was installed and a further six cottage rooms, a 6,000 gallon of water tower, staff quarters and a gift shop were built. The year 1987 brought electrification of Chaa Creek which meant that washing machines replaced scrub boards, a deep freeze saw the end of salted blocks of ice and a submersible water pump, the retirement of a gasoline engine relay pumping system. A batch of new canoes took guests on excursions down the Macal River. The luxury of a hot water shower was introduced in 1988 while an ice machine helped make the perfect margarita for guests who relaxed on the deck of the bar. The cottage rooms had grown by four to a total of 16. To round off the year an office was built and outdoor lighting was installed in the gardens. All of the cottages were upgraded in 1990 and a new office was established in nearby San Ignacio Town. Trails were cut along the 330 acre Chaa Creek property, to accommodate horseback riding tours and trekking. In 1991 the Flemings noticed that their original thatched (1977 model) house was falling around them. They built a new house for themselves and their two children and added a manager's house atop the hill. By 1992 there were 26 members of staff in residence at Chaa Creek. Infrastructure was upgraded and new stables were built for the increasing number of horses. Chaa Creek also played host to a team of archaeologists who were invited to investigate the Chaa Creek Maya sites. The Blue Morpho Butterfly Breeding Centre was established at Chaa Creek in 1993. It was designed to create awareness and understanding of the local environment for our local and overseas visitors. The property also accommodates the Chaa Creek Natural History Centre, which records and displays the results of scientific studies conducted in Belize. In 1997, further building resulted in a total of 21 cottages including a Garden Suite and a Jacuzzi Suite. In 1998, electric lighting and fans were added in each room for additional comfort. A lovely new building houses an expanded laundry, garden shed, stores room and saddlery, coveniently located near the new horse corral. In 1999, the Camp at Chaa Creek was renovated. The camp now features ten casitas, each on a raised platform with airy peakroofs, full screens and containing either two or four comfortable beds with clean linens and towels. Renovations in 2000 included new sundeck verandahs for all of the cottages, a state-of-the-art Spa set above the Macal River with a panoramic view of the Maya Mountains and lush rainforest, and a fully air-conditioned Conference Centre. During 2003 we acquired fifteen additional acres of land from Rosita Arvigo. This included the famous Ixchel Medicine Trail, now known as the Rainforest Medicine Trail. This land acquisition also allowed us to add two rooms; the Orchard Villa, designed with families in mind and a Honeymoon Sky Room which, as the name implies, was designed for Honeymooners. Chaa Creek is presently comprised of 23 cottages including two Treetop Jacuzzi Suites, two Garden Suites, an Orchard Villa and the Honeymoon Sky room.

 Luggage storage
 Conference and meeting room
 Fitness hall
 Jacuzzi tub
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Restaurant
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Patio, summer terrace
 Common room with a TV set