The Macal River silently carves a course from the karst limestone of the Maya Mountains through the dense rainforests of the Cayo District as it makes its way down to the Caribbean Sea. Set high on the river's lush banks, close to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tipu and Xunantunich, is the Macal River Jungle Camp. Scattered throughout tropical rainforest are ten casitas, or small bungalows, each on a raised platform with airy peak-roofs, full screens and containing two comfortable beds. Each casita has a private sheltered porch for quiet relaxation and peaceful views into the undisturbed jungle habitat. The Macal River Jungle Camp provides an ideal base from which to explore the nature and culture of western Belize.
The Macal River Jungle Camp combines comfort with a genuine jungle experience. With swimming, canoeing, miles of well maintained trails, a Butterfly Farm, Natural History Centre, and scheduled day tours to Xunantunich, Caracol, Tikal, the Mountain Pine Ridge, and the Chumpiate Maya Cave, your stay is guaranteed to be both adventurous and educational.
The camp provides hot water showers, and clean, comfortable bathroom facilities.
Friendly local staff serve traditional Belizean meals in a spacious central thatch-roof palapa where travelers can relax and swap tales with new friends over an ice cold Belikin beer.
The Macal River Jungle Camp has been designed for outdoors people who enjoy rustic accommodations in a remote setting. Comfortable beds with clean linens, pillows, towels and blankets assure a good night's rest after a day bush walking, canoeing, or other rainforest activities.
Vehicle traffic into the camp is restricted, and every effort has been taken to minimize the camp's impact on the natural surroundings.
Here's what our guests the Lewis & Tomlinson Family had to say about the Macal River Jungle Camp: "Our family enjoyed the variety of wildlife, the peaceful hiking & River, and most of all, the friendly staff & guides! Your River Camp is a treasure, perfect in every way - we loved the tranquility.... Gracias por todo...."
Guests at the camp are welcome at Chaa Creek Cottages, located a short distance away along the Ruta Maya trail system.
The cottages provide a retreat where you can indulge in candle-lit dinners, or simply enjoy the intimate atmosphere and sophistication of the colonial-style bar and open air veranda.
Additionally, guests can access the full service conference centre which provides the highest quality venue for a range of weddings, parties and other functions in beautiful surroundings.
On-site activities include: horseback riding, mountain biking, guided nature walks and river trips, visits to our Butterfly Farm and Natural History Centre, swimming, canoeing, bird watching, walking the Rainforest Medicine Trail, cultural interaction, exploring the Ruta Maya trail system and nearby archaeological sites, or simply relaxing with a good book in a hammock.