7 Belize Jungle Lodges You Will Love to Stay

Updated: 04/12/2024
Janice

If you are dreaming of waking up to the sounds of tropical birds, sipping morning coffee as you watch the river flow by, or dining on farm-to-table tropical fruits and vegetables raised on rich jungle soil—then staying in a Belize jungle resort would be the perfect way to make it a reality.

On a recent trip over the winter holidays to Belize, my family of two adults and two teens stayed at a jungle lodge along the Macal River just outside the traveler hub town of San Ignacio.

I share a full review of the resort we chose—in “Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge in Belize: All You Need to Know to Book a Stay.” Then, I provide a ranked overview of the six other highly rated jungle lodges we considered booking below. And provide three more options.

All opinions in this article are my own. None of the lodges listed paid me for this post or my resort stay.

San Ignacio, Belize: An Overview

San Ignacio is a town in Belize near the western border with Guatemala that travelers use as a base to visit Mayan ruins, explore the jungle, and go on cave adventures. Located about an hour and 45-minute drive from the Philip S.W. Goldson International airport, I show where to find San Ignacio and how to get there in my companion article, “How to Best Spend Your Time in Belize: 36 Things to Do Near San Ignacio.”

After reading two excellent books—The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird and Sastun: My Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer—that take place in Belize on or near the Macal River, I knew I wanted to stay outside the bustle of San Ignacio and next to the river where the jungle was most dense and the wildlife most abundant.

So, I focused my lodging search on highly rated full-service resorts found south of town and along the river. I wanted a lodge that offered family rooms with at least three beds, on-site meals, a range of activities, and the ability to coordinate transport from the airport or off-site day tours since we did not plan to rent a car.

7 Jungle Lodges Near San Ignacio, Belize

Here are the properties I recommend—see them in the map and the list below.

How to use this map: In the map header, click the square tab to the left of my logo or click the enlarge frame to the right to view detail. You can save the map to “Your Places” on Google Maps by clicking the star next to the map name. Or you can share it by clicking the share icon.

I rank the list below, starting with my top choice. My ranking considerations included: peak holiday season affordability for a family of four, actual first or second-hand experience, guest reviews, availability of family-friendly lodging, and presence of on-site amenities.

Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Black Rock Lodge
Table Rock Jungle Lodge
Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge
Mystic River Resort
Crystal Paradise Resort

BONUS: Check out these three additional nature lodge recommendations.

Depending on the time of year you choose to visit Belize, how far out you plan your trip, and your travel budget and preferences, you may find a different jungle resort better fits your travel wants and needs.

Most Belize jungle resorts can accommodate only a small number of guests. Macaw Bank, where we stayed, only has six rentable units. Other lodges rarely have more than 10 or 20. Book early to secure your preferred room choice.

Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge

A relaxed off-the-grid eco-lodge with affordable rates, run by exceptional management, offering outstanding cuisine.
Location: On 50 acres along the east bank of the Macal River, just under a 30-minute drive from San Ignacio.
Accommodation options include six one-bedroom cabanas that can accommodate one to four guests.
Activities: Macaw Bank offers on-site things to do—such as early morning bird walks, jungle hikes, canoeing, and a full range of off-site activities.
More info and book here.

The entrance to Macaw Bank seen in the early morning light.

I ultimately decided to stay at Macaw Bank because of its location, the strength of its online reviews, and my budget.

The jungle riverside area of Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge appealed to me, as did its prices—more affordable than nearby resorts, particularly during the peak holiday season—along with high ratings and reviews gushing praise on the caring lodge managers. After researching all other options, staying here became my number one choice.

The Macaw Bank sign shortly before reaching the entrance.

The on-site trail at Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge.

The Macal River, beautiful in the late afternoon light.

A front view of our family cabana—the Cotton Tree Cabana.

A front view of the two-person Toucan Cabana.

I recap our excellent experience here. Our stay at Macaw Bank ended up being one of the top five favorite places we have booked in all of our travels —and hovering around a 50-country count—we have traveled extensively.

To determine if Macaw Bank is the right place for you, check out my full review to learn what we loved most in “Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge in Belize: All You Need to Know to Book a Stay.”

Note for larger families, most of the lodges in this list offer limited accommodation options for groups larger than four or five. If you do not book early to secure the few family options they offer, you will want to inquire if additional bedding is available in the standard cabanas. Or you may find you need to rent two units.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Luxury lodge with top-tier all-inclusive rates during peak holiday seasons. Rates are not all-inclusive the rest of the year and range from above-average to expensive, depending on the lodging unit booked.
Location: On 400 acres along the west bank of the Macal River, about a 15-minute drive from San Ignacio.
Accommodation options include 20+ one to three-bedroom units ranging from stand-alone cottages to luxury villas with a butler.
Activities: Chaa Creek offers several on-site things to do—such as jungle walks, visiting the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm, canoeing, and a full range of off-site activities. For families staying in the IX Chel Villas, Chaa Creek provides childcare as an add-on.
More info and book here.

Relax in a luxe villa like this one at the Lodge at Chaa Creek. (Credit: Chaa Creek)

With its tagline, “Wildly Civilized,” Chaa Creek is the place you can go to experience the best of Belize in style and with exceptional service.

Staying at this lodge was highly recommended by two friends who had recently been guests with their families. In addition, the owners—who founded Chaa Creek in the early 1980s—are featured as friends of the writer in the book Sastun I mentioned above, so I was already intrigued.

love to travel?

It was the first accommodation option I explored when booking my early January trip in October. Unfortunately, the Chaa Creek pricing, especially during the peak holiday season that included the nights I wanted to stay, was out of my reach. Especially as they required guests to commit to an all-inclusive holiday package covering lodging, meals, and activities.

For the one unit that was still available and large enough for our group (a two-bedroom villa), the all-inclusive holiday rates ran $625 per person per day—a budget-blowing $10,000 for our planned four nights. I had to keep looking.

Chaa Creek rates during non-peak periods are more reasonable, especially for their cottages. Though for this wintertime getaway, any dreams I had of lounging next to the infinity pool surrounded by jungle foliage while I sipped a cocktail waiting for my spa treatment would have to wait for another visit and a bigger travel budget.

Learn more about the lodge and view all room choices on its website or book a cottage on Booking.com which offers better cancellation terms.

Black Rock Lodge

An award-winning eco-lodge with moderate to above-average rates, depending on the season.
Location: On 250 acres along the west bank of the Macal River, just under a 30-minute drive from San Ignacio.
Accommodation options include 20 one-bedroom cabins that can accommodate one to six guests.
Activities: Black Rock Lodge offers many on-site things to do—such as river tubing, guided kayaking and canoeing, extensive hiking, and a full range of off-site activities.
More info and book here.

A beautiful view at Black Rock (credit: Black Rock Lodge)

Adjacent to 13,000 acres of protected land in Don Elijio Panti National Park, Black Rock Lodge, at the end of a 7-mile-long dirt driveway, is a resort apart. A stay here sets you away from it all in a jungle lodge abounding with guided hiking, birding, and river-based activities.

Choose from one of five cabin types on a hill overlooking the Macal River or the Black Rock Canyon and get an immersive nature and wildlife experience.