Belize Island Getaways: Where To Stay

Belize is a small country known for its stunning beaches and amazing water sports. It is a tropical paradise with interesting history, unique culture, marvellous cuisine and incomparable nature.

Belize is divided into six districts and has an incredible amount of things to do. Belize City is the largest city in the country, located on a small peninsula. It is home to a variety of historical, cultural and architectural attractions, as well as great food and vibrant nightlife.

Caye Caulker is a small island located off the coast of Belize, less than two kilometres from the Barrier Reef. It is a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers.

San Pedro, the main town in Ambergris Caye, is a top tourist destination offering a laid-back atmosphere, stunning views and lively bars and restaurants.

Corozal, on the mainland near the Mexican border, is a small and friendly town with plenty to see, do and eat. From Mayan Ruins to golden sand beaches, this town caters to all kinds of travellers.

San Ignacio is a small town in central Belize, near the Guatemalan border. It is a great base for outdoor adventurers and travellers looking to visit Mayan Ruins.

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

San Pedro is a top destination for tourists, offering a laid-back atmosphere, stunning views, and plenty of lively bars and restaurants. It is also a great place for budget travellers, with amazing hostels and a range of accommodation options. The town is named after the patron saint of fishing, St. Peter, and fishing, along with diving and snorkelling, are some of the most popular activities in the area.

The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is less than a mile offshore, making San Pedro a top spot for diving, snorkelling, sailing, and fishing. Four of the top five best diving sites in Belize are nearby, including the famous Great Blue Hole. The reef is the largest in the Northern Hemisphere and the second-largest in the world.

The island is also home to a range of luxury beach resorts, excellent restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife scene that is unmatched elsewhere in Belize. The best time to visit is during the dry season from December to April, coinciding with the high tourism season. However, the island maintains a low-key, laid-back vibe and is not overly commercialised or overrun with tourists.

There are plenty of things to do in San Pedro besides water activities and lounging on the beach. Visitors can rent a golf cart or bike and explore the island, go bar-hopping, visit art galleries, and enjoy the local cuisine. Ceviche is a popular dish, showcasing the freshness of the local seafood.

Some of the top hotels in San Pedro include:

• Ramon's Village Resort: One of the oldest and most popular resorts in Belize, located in downtown San Pedro, with beachfront thatched cabanas.
• Pelican Reef Villas: Modern and well-equipped beachfront condos located 10 to 15 minutes from downtown San Pedro, offering a perfect setting for couples and families.
• Victoria House Resort: A beautiful British colonial-style resort located a short distance south of downtown San Pedro, known for its elegance, luxurious accommodations, and world-class service.
• The Phoenix Resort: An award-winning beachside resort located near the downtown core, offering deluxe condo-style accommodations and refreshing pools.
• Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club: An exclusive village located 15 minutes from downtown San Pedro by golf cart, with chic restaurants, a private beach, friendly staff, and gorgeously decorated cottages and villas.

Caye Caulker

• Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages: One of the nicer beachfront hotels on the island, offering modern rooms with views of the Caribbean Sea and amenities including air conditioning, WiFi, and cable TV.
• Colinda's Cabanas: Beachfront cabanas with basic, comfortable accommodations and complimentary use of bicycles, kayaks, and snorkel gear.
• Jan's Hotel: Located on the main street, across from a small public beach, Jan's Hotel offers clean, modern rooms and friendly hospitality. It is within walking distance of multiple restaurants, shops, and "The Split". Complimentary bikes and kayaks are also offered to guests.
• Sea Dreams Hotel: A small boutique hotel next to "The Split", offering well-appointed rooms, apartments, and cabanas.
• Bella's Backpackers: One of the most popular hostels in Caye Caulker, offering clean accommodations, a continental breakfast, a shared lounge, a shared kitchen, a garden, a private beach, evening entertainment, and free bike rentals.

The best time to visit Caye Caulker is during the dry season from January to April, which is also the high tourism season. This period offers sunny days and clear blue skies, but it can be more expensive. The offseason, from May to November, often has discounts and fewer crowds, but be aware of the wet season, which typically brings rain for brief periods during the morning or early afternoon.

Placencia

Chabil Mar Villas

Chabil Mar is a beachfront resort with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. It offers many amenities, including a gorgeous garden, and is very private. It is a short bike ride from downtown Placencia, where there is plenty of action.

Turtle Inn

Turtle Inn is one of Francis Ford Coppola's luxury Belize hotels, frequented by celebrities. It is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Placencia Lagoon, with seafront cottages just 10 minutes from downtown Placencia.

Robert's Grove Beach Resort

Robert's Grove is one of the oldest beach resorts in Placencia. It is located minutes away from downtown Placencia, yet it feels miles away. It boasts a pool and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Belizean Nirvana

Belizean Nirvana is a small boutique hotel with five suites, offering simple, elegant, and comfortable beachfront accommodations in the heart of Placencia. It is rated as one of the best-located hotels in Placencia.

Naia Resort and Spa

Naia Resort offers luxurious accommodations in Seine Bight Village, including a stunning five-bedroom beach house with an elevator and wheelchair accessibility. There are also smaller beach bungalows and villas.

Caribbean Beach Cabanas

Caribbean Beach Cabanas is an adults-only, small, rustic-luxury resort with seven beachfront casitas and villas on a half-acre beachfront property near the famous Placencia Sidewalk. It is just steps away from lively bars, restaurants, and shops.

San Ignacio

Hotels

First, there is the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, which offers 27 luxury rooms and suites with views of the rainforest, hillside and gardens. The hotel is designed with exotic local art and furnishings made from Belizean hardwood and sustainable mahogany. The hotel also offers all-inclusive packages for those who want to eliminate the hassle of planning tours, accommodations and meals.

Next is the Maya Mountain Lodge, a quiet nature-filled lodge with small pool, lush gardens, and hiking trails. It offers spacious cabins and apartments, Caribbean cuisine, and nearby dining options. It is also close to San Ignacio town.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is another option, located in a 400-acre private nature reserve half an hour away from San Ignacio. It is the oldest jungle lodge in Belize and has won many international awards for its eco-friendly status.

The Mystic River Resort is an adventure-focused resort with diverse on-site and off-site activities, including jungle and river explorations, and balcony views. It also offers morning coffee delivery, a fireplace in the rooms, a yoga deck, and archaeological tours.

The Vanilla Hills Lodge offers serene accommodations with excellent hospitality. It features unique, elegant rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, hammocks, and outdoor showers. The lodge also provides top-notch cuisine and dining experiences, as well as exciting tours and treehouse stays.

Hostels

For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, there is Bella's Backpackers, a basic hostel with good-quality rooms. It offers a treehouse room, which is considered the nicest spot in the hostel.

Airbnb

For those travelling with family, renting an entire Airbnb apartment might be a good option. One such option is a traditional cottage with a Latin twist, an authentic colonial villa decorated with local curiosities.

Belize City

If you're looking for a hotel in Belize City that is located near the airport, The Great House Inn is a great option, as it is just a 10-minute drive from the Belize City Municipal Airport. The hotel offers a business centre and an airport shuttle. The Golden Bay Belize Hotel is also located less than a 5-minute drive from the iconic Baron Bliss lighthouse.

For those seeking a beachfront property in Belize City, the Costa Blu Beach Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, and the Seaside Chateau Resort are ideal choices.

If you're travelling to Belize City for business and need a hotel with a business centre, The Golden Tree Hotel and The Great House are perfect options.

For those travelling with children, there are several hotels in Belize City that offer pools, including The Caribbean Hotel, The Red Hut Inn, and The Harbour View Boutique Hotel & Yoga Retreat.

If you're interested in gambling during your trip to Belize City, the Ramada Belize City Princess Hotel offers a Las Vegas-style casino.

For those travelling with pets, the Bachelor Inn Hotel is a pet-friendly option.

• Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina
• Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza
• Fort George Hotel and Spa
• Ramada by Wyndham Princess Belize City
• Easy Inn Hotel
• Harbour View Boutique Hotel & Yoga Retreat
• The Red Hut Inn

Frequently asked questions