Gallon Jug Agro-Industry
In 1983 Bowen & Bowen acquired the Belize Estate & Produce Company Limited (“BEC”), which had been a neglected foreign-owned company with a dubious history in Belize.
Sir Barry M Bowen, KCMG negotiated the acquisition and made BEC Belizean-owned for the first time in its over 100 years of existence.
History
At the time of Bowen & Bowen’s purchase, Gallon Jug was mostly unexplored territory, and in the mid-1980s Sir Barry led an expedition into the remote, nearly inaccessible jungle of northwest Belize to find the Gallon Jug Estate.
The original plan was to map the area. One of the men in the expedition, an old chiclero named Tenico, mentioned a long-forgotten camp named “Santa Maria,” which became the expedition’s first discovery.
Located next to a creek named Chan Chich (which means “little bird” in Maya) and surrounded by jungle-covered hillocks, after days of brush-clearing, it became clear they had discovered an undocumented archaeological site.
From this expedition, Gallon Jug Agroindustry (“GJA”) was born. GJA went on to experiment with many agricultural endeavors and found Chan Chich Lodge within the archaeological site to prevent site looting. Today GJA’s business ventures include; grass-fed cattle, shade growth bird-friendly coffee, Lissette’s family of sauces, and Chan Chich Lodge, a world-class wildlife and birding lodge.
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History
Since its founding in 1988, travelers staying at Chan Chich Lodge experience what expeditions of past centuries set out to find: architectural wonders of the ancient Maya lost in the jungle.
With an unparalleled abundance of wildlife (and the best chance to see the elusive jaguar in its natural habitat) Chan Chich is a fantastic destination for naturalists, birders, and those seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle.
And, by staying at Chan Chich Lodge, each guest is directly contributing to ongoing efforts to protect both the natural and cultural heritage of Belize.
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Environment
All of the locally crafted cottages in Chan Chich situate in a Main Plaza of a Mayan Temple the property protects. The design of the cottages was inspired by traditional Mayan architecture, with vaulted thatched roofs and wrap-around verandas. The comfortable indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar provides a variety of unique Belizean dishes, as well as an array of international flavors using the finest in local ingredients.
And thanks to its large working farm, Chan Chich sources most of its food products right on the premises.
