Nu'uk Che'il Cottages
Maya Center Village, Stann Creek District
Hotel Description
Nu?uk Che?il is much more than just a place to sleep, it?s an entire experience dedicated to giving guests an understanding and appreciation of their natural and cultural surroundings. There are two options for accommodations on site: a private cabana with private bath or a bunkhouse/lodge offering basic rooms with a shared bath. The owners, Ernesto and Aurora, also help to run a homestay program where guests can stay with a family in the village and share meals and life. At Nu?uk Che?il there is a restaurant serving traditional Mayan and Belizean foods that are creatively and elegantly presented making it a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds! A gift shop on site is filled with items hand-crafted by Aurora. For those interested in traditional herbal and Mayan medicine, the H?men Herbal Center and Medicinal Trail provides visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about Mayan herbal medicines and their many uses. The property can easily accommodate groups (and arrange appropriate lectures and tours) as well as casual, individual traveler.
History & Owners
Nu?uk Che?il, meaning ?at the edge of the forest,? appropriately describes this property that is bordered by a towering canopy of trees. Ernesto, as former park director of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, is knowledgeable about the natural surroundings and history of the park and village. Aurora is one of the original sisters from the Garcia family (Cayo District) who invented the now-famous slate carvings. She is also the niece of the famous Mayan healer, Don Elijio Panti. She carries on these two loves?of art through the craft shop and healing through the herbal clinic and medicinal trail on site. Together, Ernesto and Aurora seek to strike a balance between holding onto the traditional ways of life while at the same time engaging in the modern world.
Amenities
 | Fan in Room | | Private Bath |
| Hot Water | | 24-hour Electricity |
| Phone on Site | | Laundry Service |
| Meals Available | | Camping Available |
| Snack/Gift Shop | | Wheelchair Friendly |
| Children Allowed |
Tours
| Can Arrange |
Languages Spoken | English | | Spanish |
| Mopan Maya | | Yucatec Maya |
Location & Directions
Cockscomb Road, Maya Center Village
Maya Center is located directly on the Southern Highway, less than 20 miles from the junction of the Hummingbird Highway and Southern Highway. To get to Maya Center, you can drive or take a bus going to Punta Gorda from Dangriga (or vice versa) and get off at Maya Center. It?s also possible to hire a taxi from Dangriga or arrange with someone to be picked up in Dangriga. As you enter the village (marked by speed bumps), turn at the sign towards Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Travel approximately 1/3 mile and you will see the sign for the cottages on the right at the edge of the forest. The world-famous Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve is a six-mile trip away. Local Flavor
Music, Art & Interesting People: Aurora Saqui
Arts & Crafts, Interesting Person - Herbalist, Renowned Cook, Interesting Character
Aurora was born into a family with a legacy of artists and traditional healing. Her family started slate carving in Belize. She is an artist at heart and also enjoys painting, jewelry-making, weaving, embroidery, etc. As the niece of renowned Mayan healer Don Religion Panti, she continues the practice of healing others using traditional herbs and plants that she learned from her uncle.
Ernesto Saqui
Interesting Person - Historian, Interesting Character
With a passion for conservation, Ernesto served as director of the Jaguar preserve for many years. He loves education and continues to strive to find a way to maintain the traditional ways of Mayan life in the context of the modern world.
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