Our Staff
Our Founders
Founders and Owners
Mick and Lucy Fleming arrived in Belize in 1977. After a chance encounter with a Royal Air Force regiment commander led them to a small parcel of forested land in the remote interior of western Belize, they began their journey to build a new life surrounded by the verdant beauty of a pristine rainforest.
What they didn’t realise was that their new home and fledgling farm along the banks of the Macal River would in time also support over a hundred Belizean families and host thousands of delighted visitors a year as Belize’s premier eco-lodge.
It didn’t happen overnight, but with hard work and persistence the young couple’s farm began producing fruits and vegetables, eggs and homemade yogurt to sell at the local market. As word spread that there was a hospitable young couple in the Cayo District who always welcomed travellers with a place to sleep and plate of rice and beans, more and more people found the intrepid way to their door, drawn by the rustic beauty of their remote homestead.
To cope with the growing influx of arrivals, and now with an infant daughter and a son on the way, the Flemings began charging a modest eight Belize dollars (USD $4.00) a day for a hammock space and dinner. They then built a thatched roof, one room hut using materials from the jungle, which was soon followed by another. The dirt track into the property was improved by British Forces, and “Chaa Creek Cottages” was born.
Established in 1981, just as Belize achieved independence from Great Britain, Chaa Creek became the forerunner of the country’s inland eco-tourism industry, providing a unique place to stay for a range of visitors including birdwatchers, Mayanists, researchers and adventurous tourists.
The Flemings always shared a deep abiding respect for the environment and the diversified people who inhabit it. This ethos is reflected in Chaa Creek’s development and has provided a model for other hospitality-oriented businesses by proving that environmental sustainability and responsible tourism does not mean sacrificing luxury or quality service. This overriding ethos continues today and has resulted in the impressive number of awards and enviable Industry recognition Chaa Creek has garnered over the years.
Today The Lodge at Chaa Creek consists of 24 thatched roofed, individually designed and artfully decorated cottage style rooms and the more luxurious Tree Top Villas, and stunning Ix Chel Villas as well as a fine dining restaurant and lounge, full service Rainforest Spa, a Natural History Museum, Butterfly Farm, conference centre and other attractions and amenities, all surrounded by a 400-acre private nature reserve that is home to an impressive array of Belizean flora and fauna.
The Chaa Creek adventure continues, and each year more and more adventures come to relax, reconnect with nature, and share in the Fleming’s dream.
Meet Some of Our Staff
Naturalist Guide
Meshack Yahani Eliah has been a member of the Chaa Creek family since 2003 and currently works as a naturalist guide. In addition to possessing a vast knowledge about the flora and fauna of Belize, family man Mr Eliah is one of those people children seem to gravitate towards, and he reciprocates with patience, understanding and a true passion for opening young minds to Belize’s many treasures. Whether you are young or not-so-young, a guided walk or tour with Mr Eliah will leave you more knowledgeable and much richer for the experience.
Hostess Extraordinaire
Alice Tzib is our Head Waitress at the Mariposa Restaurant. Many guests have become her friend over the nearly 15 years she has worked at Chaa Creek, she is one of those staff members whose names keep popping up in guests comments and recommendations. Whether it’s her famously beautiful smile, warm personality or willingness to go the extra distance for her guests (we suspect it’s a combination of all three) Alice seems to make a long and lasting impression on everyone she comes in contact with.
Adventure Connoisseur
Hailing from the small Maya village of Big Falls in Southern Belize, Miguel exemplifies all those things that make Chaa Creek’s guided tours such a satisfying experience. He joined the Chaa Creek Inland Expedition Tour Guides Team on January 2006, where he is valued as a particularly knowledgeable birding guide. In addition to his broad knowledge and genuine love of nature and Maya culture, Miguel’s affable, easy-going manner makes him a favourite with our guests, and it’s no wonder he was recognised as 2003’s “Tour Guide of the Year” by the Belize Tourism Board.
Adventure Connoisseur
Darren Lamb is another famously friendly guide who loves to share his passion for Belize’s unique natural and cultural riches. And his passion is backed up with knowledge and experience. He says that as a young boy growing up in nearby San Ignacio he inherited a love of guiding and “being around people” from his dad. By the time he joined Chaa Creek’s Inland Expedition Tour Guides Team in November 2007, Darren was well acquainted with our local rainforests and wildlife. Equally important, he immediately showed a knack for communicating this knowledge and passion to our guests.
Service Specialist
Keri Montalvan has that combination of professionalism and personality that makes Chaa Creek’s hospitality stand out. She ensures a warm welcome and smooth check-in as one of our Front Desk Clerks. Keri is a true Cristo Rey local who, in addition to having a commitment towards environmental sustainability, enjoys reading, playing sports, listening to music and spending quality time with friends and family. Once you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Keri's warm welcome and ongoing assistance you’ll understand why she’s such an integral part of the Chaa Creek family.
Culinary Instructor
Eluvina Delcid, or Luby as she is affectionately known to her colleagues, is the culinary instructor at our Open Hearth Kitchen. Luby has been with Chaa Creek for close to 10 years. Her passion for cooking and sharing cultural cooking experiences is ever evident as both our guests and her colleagues enjoy her scrumptious meals. Eluvina is one more more example of what makes Chaa Creek the people-oriented place that it is!
