Discover Belize's Best Hotels: A Traveler's Guide

Belize is a small Central American nation with a diverse landscape, history, culture, and people. The country boasts a barrier reef with turquoise and coral hues, Maya temples, lush rainforests, and exotic wildlife. With so much to offer, it can be challenging to find the best hotels in Belize. This guide will provide an overview of the different regions in Belize and recommend some of the top hotels in each area.

Best beachfront hotels in Belize

Belize is a small Central American nation that offers diverse natural beauty, from the barrier reef's turquoise and coral hues to the Maya temples scattered throughout its lush rainforests. The country's landscape, history, culture, and people are all blended together to create a unique and captivating destination. Here is a list of some of the best beachfront hotels in Belize:

Turtle Inn, Placencia

The Turtle Inn is one of the most famous beach resorts in the world and is located in Placencia. It is one of Francis Ford Coppola's esteemed resorts in Belize, with a beautiful beach setting where guests can enjoy sea or lagoon views. The resort sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Placencia Lagoon, offering a unique and tranquil experience. The grounds and rooms feature an eclectic mix of elements from around the world, including curious Asian-inspired bath fixtures and Indonesian artisan sculptures. Daily dive and boating excursions are available to the country's world-famous barrier reef.

Las Terrazas, Ambergris Caye

Las Terrazas Resort & Residences is an intimate resort with just 37 rooms, but it offers a wide range of amenities to ensure guests have everything they need. The hotel boasts a gourmet restaurant, an infinity pool, and a full-service wellness center with a spa. For adventurous travellers, the resort offers complimentary scuba lessons and free use of kayaks, Hobie Cats, paddleboards, and fishing gear. Each "room" is actually a spacious, luxury apartment-style villa with multiple bathrooms, full kitchens, and dining rooms.

El Secreto, San Pedro

El Secreto is an upscale property located just 11 miles north of the popular town of San Pedro. It is set on a secluded and beautiful Caribbean cove, accessible only by boat, making it ideal for travellers seeking a quiet and remote getaway. The hotel offers a casual contemporary island luxury experience, with fresh watermelon juice delivered to your room each morning and a poolside hammock for relaxation. The hotel also provides a range of water-based activities, such as sea kayaking, snorkelling, sport fishing, and overwater helicopter rides.

Victoria House Resort & Spa, Ambergris Caye

Victoria House Resort & Spa is a well-known beachfront hotel in Belize, located in South Ambergris Caye. It offers colonial-style rooms and casitas, an expansive white sandy beach, and several swimming pools. The resort also has outdoor bars and dining options, including the Admiral Nelson Bar, which is perfect for enjoying a rum-infused sundowner while overlooking the waves. It is a great choice for travellers seeking a combination of luxurious accommodations and world-class service.

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins Village

The award-winning Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort is known for its world-class diving and snorkelling adventures. The resort is located in Hopkins, a small quiet village that is ideal for travellers interested in experiencing the unique Garifuna culture and exploring the southern barrier reef. The treehouses at Hamanasi offer a deep-in-the-rainforest feeling while being beachside, providing a unique and immersive experience.

Pelican Reef Villas Resort, South Ambergris Caye

Pelican Reef Villas Resort is a modern, well-equipped beachfront condo located in South Ambergris Caye. It is situated about 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Pedro, making it a perfect setting for families or groups of friends. The resort offers an onsite restaurant, bar, and pool, as well as self-serve laundry and fully equipped kitchens in each condo. Guests can easily access downtown San Pedro and the many attractions in Ambergris Caye by renting a golf cart.

Best hotels in Belize City

Belize City is a popular entry point for travellers arriving by land, air or sea, and there are plenty of hotel options to choose from. The city's hotels typically cater to transient tourists, such as business travellers or those waiting for a connecting flight. Here are some of the best hotels in Belize City:

Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina

This hotel is located near the Caribbean Sea and the Baron Bliss Lighthouse. It offers oceanfront rooms and two restaurants, and boats to the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere depart from the marina across the street.

Seaside Chateau Resort

Seaside Chateau is a small resort near the outskirts of Belize City. It features cosy cabanas, an infinity pool, and free kayaks for exploring the sea and mangrove forest. The on-site restaurant offers delicious meals and the staff ensures a homely ambiance.

Villa Boscardi Bed & Breakfast

Villa Boscardi is a quaint, eight-bedroom villa located in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Buttonwood Bay. It is a safe and comfortable bed-and-breakfast, just a block from the Caribbean Sea.

Harbour View Boutique Hotel & Yoga Retreat

This simple and intimate hotel is situated at the eastern edge of Belize City, near the Baron Bliss Lighthouse and the Great House Inn. It promises a rejuvenating escape, blending a serene ambiance with unique yoga experiences.

Golden Bay Belize Hotel

The Golden Bay Belize Hotel is situated in a central yet quiet location. It features friendly staff, spacious rooms, and a rooftop restaurant with sea views. The hotel is also less than a 5-minute drive from the iconic Baron Bliss Lighthouse.

Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza

This hotel is located in a quiet area of North Belize City. It offers a full-service spa, a 24-hour gym, a pool, and a restaurant. It also provides first-class amenities for business travellers.

Ramada by Wyndham Princess Belize City

The Ramada by Wyndham Princess is a lively casino hotel set on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. It features a movie theatre, an Olympic-size pool, and a Vegas-style casino. Spacious rooms offer large comfortable beds with sea views, and families can enjoy on-site children's activities.

Best hotels for diving and snorkelling

Belize is known for its snorkelling and diving sites along hundreds of cayes, atolls and a 185-mile barrier reef. The best diving and snorkelling spots in Belize include:

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley: Belize's most popular dive and snorkel spots, located in the north of Belize. Hol Chan opens to deeper waters beyond the reef, so divers and snorkelers will encounter vibrant fish, nurse sharks, rays, turtles and the occasional dolphin.
• Caye Caulker: Tucked away in northern waters, this relaxed cousin to tourist-prone Ambergris offers solid snorkelling and dive sites like Coral Gardens, which are short boat rides away.
• Turneffe Atoll: The largest of Belize's three major offshore atoll reefs, Turneffe is lauded for its varied features, including shallow reefs, wrecks and diverse sea life. More than 200 nearby mangrove islands are home to species like the endemic whitespotted toadfish, reef sharks, morays, turtles and jewfish.
• Lighthouse Reef Atoll: Dozens of Belize's best dive sites are found at Lighthouse Reef, the farthest offshore atoll. One-day dive trips (snorkelers are welcome) hit hot spots like Aquarium, Silver Caves and Tres Cocos.
• Glover's Reef Atoll: Belize's southern reefs are less frequented by northern dive operators, so crowds are fewer and biology more diverse, especially coral growths. Long Caye Wall was reputed to be Jacques Cousteau's favourite dive site in Belize and is considered world-class snorkelling.

Pelican Reef Villas Resort

This resort in Ambergris Caye offers all-inclusive options and is highly rated for diving and snorkelling. The staff can help set up diving and snorkelling activities, and the hotel also offers fishing, partying, relaxing and eating.

Laru Beya Resort & Villas

Laru Beya Resort & Villas offers adventure packages that include meals, transportation, and ticketing fees for activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, jungle river tours, Mayan ruins exploration, ziplining and waterfalls.

Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages

Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages offers great snorkelling, diving and fishing excursions right from its own dock. The hotel also has wonderful grounds to relax in after diving lessons.

Matachica Resort and Spa

The concierge at Matachica Resort and Spa can suggest excursions such as Mayan ruins, scuba diving adventures, sailing and more. The hotel also offers snorkelling and boat trips.

Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton

Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club offers diving and snorkelling activities, as well as a private beach, spacious family cottages with private pools, a taco shack and a 24/7 pool.

Best budget-friendly hotels in Belize

Belize is not a cheap vacation destination, but there are still plenty of budget-friendly hotels to choose from. Here are some of the best cheap hotels and resorts in Belize:

Pelican Reef Villas Resort

Pelican Reef Villas Resort is one of the highest-rated cheap hotels in Belize, offering spacious and clean condos, delicious breakfast, and reasonably priced drinks. It also provides free parking and is located close to the city centre.

Mystic River Resort

Mystic River Resort is a boutique resort located 5 miles from San Ignacio, offering a charming and cosy stay in the rainforest. The resort features a restaurant with farm-to-table food and a good selection for vegetarians.

Tobacco Caye Paradise

Tobacco Caye Paradise offers rustic over-the-water bungalows painted in bright Caribbean colours. The small island is usually home to about 25 people, plus guests, offering a secluded and quiet stay.

Blue Tang Inn

Blue Tang Inn is one of the cheapest beach hotels in Ambergris Caye. Located in downtown San Pedro, it offers comfortable suites with modern amenities, as well as a private beach and pool.

Belize Rainforest Retreat

Belize Rainforest Retreat provides guests with an affordable glamping experience in the Belizean jungle, with access to many of Chaa Creek Resort's luxury amenities. Lodging options include 10 Eco-Pods located within a secluded area of the 400-acre Chaa Creek Nature Reserve.

Colinda Cabanas

Colinda Cabanas is a great affordable place to stay in Caye Caulker, offering beachfront cabanas with basic, comfortable accommodations. Several amenities are included with your stay, such as free use of bicycles, kayaks, and snorkel gear.

Laru Beya Resort & Villas

Laru Beya Resort & Villas is an all-inclusive resort offering a great bargain. The package includes drinks and meals, so you don't have to worry about exceeding your budget.

Caribbean Villas Hotel

Caribbean Villas Hotel offers comfortable beds, great air conditioning, and reasonably priced spa treatments. You can also rent kayaks and take advantage of the complimentary taxi to and from the airport.

Xanadu Island Resort

Xanadu Island Resort is located within walking distance of a grocery store and offers drinking water and a well-equipped kitchen. The suites are spacious, clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated.

Belizean Shores Resort

Belizean Shores Resort offers delicious room service and a quiet location. The units include a compact kitchen and are well-stocked with necessary items like coffee and sugar.

Royal Caribbean Resort

Royal Caribbean Resort provides clean and cozy rooms with great air conditioning and convenient access to the busy area of San Pedro Town.

Barefoot Beach Belize

Barefoot Beach Belize offers clean and comfortable cabins at an affordable price, as well as a convenient location on the beach.

Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages

Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages is an affordable option, with accommodations starting at just $25 for a week.

Best hotels in Belize for families

Belize is an excellent destination for families, offering a unique blend of Caribbean and Central American cultures. The official language being English adds to the convenience of tourists visiting the country. The country has a range of family-friendly resorts, lodges, and hotels, with a variety of amenities and activities for all age groups. Here are some of the best hotels in Belize for families:

Grand Caribe Belize Resort and Condominiums

Located in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Grand Caribe is one of the larger properties on the island, with 72 one- to five-bedroom condos. The decor includes high-end finishes such as Brazilian tile floors, mahogany wood, and granite countertops. All units have private terraces with pool or ocean views, fully equipped stainless steel kitchens, and separate dining and living areas, perfect for families. The resort features three swimming pools, loaner kayaks and bikes, and a beautiful beach. Family-friendly snorkelling tours and day trips can be arranged through the concierge. Grand Caribe also offers family-friendly condos with units ranging from one to four bedrooms, accommodating various family sizes. There are five pools, including a large shallow area for toddlers and deep pools for teens. The resort also provides family-size golf carts, which are a fun way to explore the town.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Located in the Cayo District, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a luxury jungle lodge offering modern accommodations and a range of eco-adventures tailored to families. The lodge has a butterfly farm, archaeological sites, and an on-site organic garden, ensuring that every family member remains engaged and active during their stay. The Lodge at Chaa Creek is highly recommended for families, especially those seeking a combination of adventure and comfort.

Almond Beach Resort at Jaguar Reef

Almond Beach Resort, part of The Belize Collection, is located in Hopkins and offers two adjacent resorts sharing the same scenic beach. Families can find private casitas and family suites equipped with amenities catering to all ages. For a more luxurious experience, the Lodge at Jaguar Reef provides modern luxury accommodations, including family suites with private plunge pools, ideal for family-friendly fun in a secluded setting.

Robert's Grove Beach Resort

Robert's Grove Beach Resort is a laid-back, 52-room property in Placencia, Stann Creek. It offers one- to three-bedroom units, many of which are equipped with full kitchens. The resort features an extensive range of family-friendly amenities, including three outdoor ocean-view pools, fun tours, and three restaurants with kids' menus. The beach, the palapa bar, the spa, and the babysitting services are additional perks for parents. Kids under 12 stay free when sharing a room with their parents.

Xanadu Island Resort

Xanadu Island Resort is a simple and relaxed property located on a beautiful stretch of beach along Ambergris Caye, just minutes from central San Pedro. While there is no on-site restaurant or bar, the condo-style rooms come with fully equipped kitchens. The resort offers a small freshwater pool surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, free kayak and bike rentals, and a range of excursions that can be arranged through the on-site tour desk.

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