The Maya Beach Mystery: Why Belize's Hidden Gem Is Worth The Visit

Maya Beach in Belize is a small, quiet beach community on the Placencia peninsula, known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful stretch of coastline. Visitors come here to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy the local seafood offering. Maya Beach is a great choice for those seeking a secluded getaway, with beachfront hotels, guesthouses, and cabanas available. The area also offers plenty of outdoor activities, including kayaking, snorkelling, and diving.

Maya Beach is located 130 miles south of Belize City and is easily accessible by road or daily flights from Belize City and other parts of Belize. It is also a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions, such as the Cockscomb Wildlife Basin and southern Maya ruins.

With its tranquil setting, outdoor adventures, and delicious cuisine, Maya Beach is an ideal destination for travellers seeking a peaceful and authentic Belizean experience.

Maya Beach's dining scene

Maya Beach, Belize, is known for its dining scene, with some of the best restaurants in the country. The village has a handful of restaurants, which attract locals and visitors alike.

The Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro is a beachfront resort and restaurant, awarded "Restaurant of the Year" by the Belize Tourism Board. It serves meals all day on the beach and by the pool, with an extensive menu featuring unique sauces and contemporary, tropical-themed flavour combinations. The Bistro offers indoor and outdoor seating, with a casual atmosphere, and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its menu includes seafood, international, and Caribbean options, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices also available. The bar serves wine, local beer, and rum drinks.

Mango's, owned by American expat Frank DaSilva, is another popular choice, especially among the expat community. It offers a large menu of international and Belizean dishes, specialising in local seafood and custom-made pizzas.

The Bonefish Grille at Singing Sands Inn provides a tropical, upscale dining experience with ocean breezes, soft music, and fine dining. The menu features local seafood with an Asian influence, an open bar, and an impressive wine list.

Azure Del Mar is an open-air, thatched-roof restaurant with a well-stocked bar, offering daily drink specials and light fare throughout the day. Its menu includes Asian-influenced dishes and tabletop Korean BBQ, the only one of its kind in Belize.

Adventure activities

Maya Beach in Belize is a great destination for those seeking adventure activities. Here are some of the options available:

Water Activities

Maya Beach offers a variety of water-based activities due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea. The calm waters around the peninsula make it ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. The nearby cayes are also popular for snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing. Maya Beach is a great place to start your snorkelling or diving adventure, with tours available to Gladden Spit and Silk Caye Marine Reserve, or Laughing Bird Caye National Park, where you can explore an abundance of marine life.

Exploring the Maya Mountains

The Maya Mountains are visible from Maya Beach and offer a range of outdoor activities. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, operated by the Belize Audubon Society, is a great option for those interested in wildlife and nature. Additionally, there are ancient Maya ruins nearby, such as Lubaantun Mayan Ruin, providing an opportunity to explore the history and culture of the region.

The Living Maya Experience

For a unique cultural experience, you can participate in The Living Maya Experience tour. This tour takes you to the traditional Maya village of Big Falls in Toledo, where you can actively engage in daily village life. Activities include building a traditional thatch house and making corn tortillas.

Other Outdoor Activities

Maya Beach also offers other outdoor activities such as jungle hiking and spelunking (cave exploration). There are organised tours available, including inland adventures and cultural tours. The Placencia Peninsula is also known for its excellent seafood, so be sure to indulge in the local cuisine during your stay.

With its serene setting, range of water activities, and proximity to cultural and historical sites, Maya Beach, Belize, offers a well-rounded adventure experience for visitors seeking an active and immersive holiday.

Maya Beach accommodation

Maya Beach in Belize is a quaint, quiet destination located on the Placencia Peninsula in the Stann Creek District. The beach is known for its calm waters, making it a great spot for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, and kayaking. The nearby cayes are also popular for water activities, and the area offers excellent seafood and beach bars. Maya Beach has a range of accommodation options, from beachfront hotels to boutique resorts and villas. Here is a detailed list of some great places to stay in Maya Beach:

• Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro: This small beachfront resort offers a range of accommodation options, from standard rooms to a 3-bedroom villa. All rooms have WiFi, air conditioning, and beach/ocean views. The on-site restaurant, Maya Beach Hotel Bistro, has been awarded "Restaurant of the Year" by the Belize Tourism Board. The hotel also offers free kayaks and paddleboards.
• Umaya Resort & Adventures: Located on the beachfront, just a 20-minute drive from Placencia, this resort offers a wide variety of food options.
• Ceiba Beach Resort: This resort provides concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a terrace, free WiFi, and a restaurant. It is located right on the beach.
• The Placencia, a Muy'Ono Resort: This resort is located in North Maya Beach and offers free WiFi access in the lounge area, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and a spa and wellness centre.
• Mariposa Belize Beach Resort: Featuring an outdoor pool and a seafront restaurant, this resort is located right on the beach in Placencia, offering immaculately decorated and spacious rooms.
• Itz'ana Resort & Residences: This beachfront resort in Placencia Village features a bar and a garden.
• Naïa Resort and Spa: Located in Placencia Village, this resort offers free WiFi throughout the property and is known for its exquisite property and peaceful atmosphere.
• Coral Cove Inn: Located in Seine Bight Village, a few steps from Seine Bight Beach, this inn offers accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace, and a bar.
• Inn The Trees Cabañas: Providing garden views, this vacation home in Placencia offers accommodations with a private entrance and a garden.
• Seabird Luxury Dwellings: Located 1.2 miles from Seine Bight Beach in Placencia, Seabird Luxury Dwellings provides access to spa facilities and wellness packages.

Wildlife and nature

Maya Beach in Belize is a great destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Located on the Placencia Peninsula in the Stann Creek District, this quaint and quiet beach community offers a range of outdoor activities and opportunities to explore the natural surroundings.

The calm waters of Maya Beach are ideal for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba diving. The nearby cayes are particularly popular for water activities and offer a chance to discover the diverse marine life of the region. Maya Beach is also a great starting point for exploring the Maya Mountains, which offer a breathtaking view from the beach.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Laughing Bird Caye National Park is a short distance away and is named after the laughing gull, one of the many bird species that call this place home. The park offers an opportunity to dive, birdwatch, and observe various other species. Another nearby attraction is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, operated by the Belize Audubon Society, which provides a safe haven for a variety of wildlife.

Belize is also home to the Maya Forest, which harbours rich biodiversity and is crucial for climate action. This forest is the largest contiguous block of rainforest north of the Amazon and supports a diverse range of wildlife, including the endangered black howler monkey and the majestic jaguar. The efforts to protect and conserve this forest highlight its significance as a "last-chance ecosystem", providing essential ecosystem services worth trillions of dollars annually.

Maya Beach in Belize truly offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife, with a range of activities and attractions that showcase the beauty and diversity of the region.

Transport to Maya Beach

Maya Beach, Belize, is a small, quiet beach community on the Placencia peninsula. It is located 130 miles (209 km) south of Belize City, and the road was recently redone in 2008 and is currently in good condition.

If you are driving to Maya Beach, you will find it is the first beach town you come to when driving south on the Peninsula.

For those who prefer to fly, there is a domestic airport 6 miles (10 km) south, near Placencia Village. Maya Island Air operates daily scheduled flights to Placencia from Belize City and other parts of Belize. The flight takes around 40 minutes. It is recommended that you book a minimum of 24 hours in advance, and a minimum of three hours if you are using Maya Island Air as a transfer before an international flight.

Once you are in Maya Beach, it is easy to get around by kayak or beach cruiser, and many of the hotels have these available to rent.

Frequently asked questions