Travel Guide: Belize City To Cha Creek

Chaa Creek is a luxury resort located in the heart of the Maya civilisation, along the banks of the Macal River, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. It is a short drive from San Ignacio Town. The resort offers a wide range of activities, including tours of ancient Maya ruins, helicopter tours, snorkelling tours, ziplining, and cave tubing. It is also known for its sustainability initiatives, with 10% of all accommodation revenue going towards environmental and community projects.

There are several ways to get to Chaa Creek from Belize City. If you are arriving at the Belize International Airport, it will take about 2 hours to get to Chaa Creek. You can drive out of the airport to the Northern Highway and take a right at the intersection heading south to Belize City. Once you enter Belize City, you will come across a roundabout with a flag monument – take a right and cross the BelCan bridge, which will put you on Central American Boulevard. From there, you will need to stay on the road until you see a gas station and another roundabout, at which point you will take another right onto the Western Highway. After about 68.5 miles, you will enter the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. Follow the road to the Rene Montero bridge and then keep along Joseph Andrews Drive until you reach a roundabout, where you will continue straight, passing the Uno Gas station, and back onto the Western Highway. After about 6 more miles, you should look out for the Chaa Creek sign on the right side of the road. Turn left onto Chial Road (a dirt road with a concrete bus stop at the roadside) and follow the signs for Chaa Creek for about 3.5 miles. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle or fly to Maya Flats, which is about 10 minutes away from Chaa Creek.

Driving directions from Belize International Airport

The drive from Belize International Airport to Chaa Creek takes around 2 hours. Here are the step-by-step driving directions:

• Drive out from the airport to the Northern Highway. Take a right at the intersection onto the northern highway heading south towards Belize City.
• When you enter Belize City, you will see a roundabout with a flag monument. Take a right turn and cross the BelCan bridge. You will now be on Central American Boulevard.
• Continue on Central American Boulevard. You will pass a gas station on your left and another smaller roundabout. Take a right turn at the roundabout, and you will be on the Western Highway.
• Stay on the Western Highway for about 68.5 miles. You will pass through the towns of Ladyville, Hattieville, Bermudian Landing, Burrell Boom, Teakettle, Roaring Creek, and Ontario. Keep an eye out for the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Mountains as you drive.
• After about 68.5 miles on the Western Highway, you will reach the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. As you enter Santa Elena, you will pass the Loma Luz Hospital on your left.
• At the roundabout in Santa Elena, take the immediate right turn. There will be a large Shell gas station on your left.
• Follow the winding road to the Rene Montero bridge, which will take you into San Ignacio.
• After crossing the bridge, stay on Joseph Andrews Drive. Follow the curve to the right at the top of the bridge until you reach another roundabout.
• At the roundabout, go straight across, passing the Uno Gas station. You will be back on the Western Highway.
• Continue on the Western Highway for about 6 miles. Keep an eye out for the Chaa Creek sign on the right side of the road.
• Turn left onto Chial Road (a dirt road with a concrete bus stop at the roadside).
• Follow Chial Road and the Chaa Creek signs for about 3.5 miles until you reach the Chaa Creek property.

Please note that you can also take a shuttle or fly to Chaa Creek from the airport.

Flying to Maya Flats

Flying from Belize City to Maya Flats is a quick and convenient option for travellers looking to get to Chaa Creek. Maya Flats Airstrip is located next to Chaa Creek and offers easy access to the lodge.

Tropic Air offers direct flights from Belize International Airport (BZE) to Maya Flats. This is a great option for those looking to avoid the two-hour drive from Belize International Airport to Chaa Creek. The flight time from Belize International Airport to Maya Flats is approximately 10 minutes.

Upon arrival at Maya Flats, it is just a short drive to Chaa Creek. The lodge is located along the banks of the Macal River, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, a short drive from San Ignacio Town.

For those looking to explore more of Belize, Tropic Air also offers flights to other destinations within the country, such as San Pedro, Dangriga (Hopkins), and Placencia.

When planning your trip to Chaa Creek, it is important to note that the lodge offers a range of activities, including tours of Belize Mayan Ruins, Belize Helicopter Tours, Belize Snorkeling Tours, and Calico Jacks Ziplining.

Shuttle to Chaa Creek

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is located along the banks of the Macal River, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, only a short drive from San Ignacio Town. It takes about 2 hours to get from the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City to Chaa Creek.

If you are looking for a shuttle service to Chaa Creek, there are several options available:

• William's Belize Shuttle: One of the most reliable transportation companies in Belize, offering private transfers from Belize City to San Ignacio and other destinations. They provide door-to-door pick-up and drop-off services, and their airport shuttle is available by reservation only.
• Discounted Belize Shuttles and Tours
• Teddy Bear Shuttle
• BZ Shuttle Service
• Ron's Belize Shuttle Service
• Live Belize Private Transfer Service
• Breathe Belize Shuttles
• Julian Shuttles & Transfers
• Mayan Heart World

These shuttle services can also be used for your return trip from Chaa Creek to Belize City or onwards to your next destination.

Alternatively, you can take the bus from Belize City to San Ignacio, which is a cheaper option but tends to be overcrowded and makes frequent stops.

Local connections from Belize City

Belize City is an important international travel hub with several local connections to Chaa Creek.

The closest airport to Chaa Creek is Belize International Airport, which is about a two-hour drive away. From the airport, you can take a shuttle to Chaa Creek. Alternatively, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to Chaa Creek via the Northern Highway and the Western Highway. This route will take you through Belize City and the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena before reaching Chaa Creek.

If you are already in Belize City, you can follow the driving directions outlined previously to reach Chaa Creek.

In addition to road travel, flying is another option for reaching Chaa Creek. Maya Flats Airstrip is located next to Chaa Creek, and you can book flights to this airstrip from Belize City with Tropic Air. This is a quick and convenient way to travel between the two locations.

With its local connections and accessibility by road or air, Belize City serves as a convenient gateway to Chaa Creek, making it easier for visitors to explore the natural beauty and cultural attractions that Belize has to offer.

Chaa Creek's nature reserve

Chaa Creek is a Belize luxury resort located in the heart of Maya civilisation, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, along the banks of the Macal River. It is a short drive from San Ignacio Town. The resort offers a range of activities, including helicopter tours, snorkelling tours, ziplining, cave tubing, and guided rides on horseback through the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve.

The Chaa Creek Nature Reserve is a 400-acre (or 365-acre, according to another source) private nature reserve with a picturesque trail network. The trails are numbered and can be found on a comprehensive trail map that can be requested from the concierge office or any other member of staff. The reserve also features a 33-acre Maya Organic Farm, which provides freshly harvested produce for The Lodge at Chaa Creek and the Macal River Camp.

The Blue Morpho Butterfly Exhibit is a major attraction, where visitors can observe the "Belizean Blue" during every stage of its life cycle. The Chaa Creek Natural History Centre takes students and visitors through a fascinating timeline, starting with prehistoric land formation.

The resort also features an infinity swimming pool, a spa, and the Mariposa Restaurant, where guests can enjoy 'Jungle Cuisine' in a romantic al fresco setting.

Directions from Belize International Airport:

• Drive out from the airport to the Northern Highway. Take a right at the intersection onto the northern highway south, heading to Belize City.
• Upon entering Belize City, you will come upon a roundabout with a flag monument. Take a right and go over the BelCan bridge. You will then be on Central American Boulevard.
• Stay on Central American Boulevard until you see a gas station on your left and another (smaller) roundabout. Make a right here and you will be on the Western Highway. You will be on the Western Highway for about 68 1/2 miles before entering the twin towns of San Ignacio & Santa Elena.
• Upon entering Santa Elena, you will pass the Loma Luz Hospital on your left. Take the immediate right at the roundabout; there is a large Shell gas station on the left.
• Follow the road to the Rene Montero bridge into San Ignacio town.
• After the Bridge, keep along Joseph Andrews Drive. At the top, you will reach a curve to the right; follow it until you get to the roundabout.
• At the roundabout, continue straight across, passing the Uno Gas station, back onto the western highway.
• Continue on the Western Highway for about 6 miles, keeping an eye out for the Chaa Creek sign on the right side of the road.
• Make a left on Chial Road (a dirt road) – there is a concrete bus stop at the roadside.
• Follow this road and the Chaa Creek signs for three and a half miles up to the Chaa Creek property.

Frequently asked questions