My Belize Experience: Where to stay + What to do
I have just returned from Belize, and couldn’t be happier with my time spent there. Not only was it an opportunity to check out some incredible experiences I can’t wait to match up the right clients for, I also got to do a little pre-birthday celebration with my husband, and introduce him to a destination I discovered about 4 years ago and immediately fell in love with.
You might be wondering who’s the right type of traveler for a place like Belize? That’s a great question. Belize is an adventure lover’s playground, giving you access to some incredible opportunities by both land and water. It’s also full of cultural experiences and gives you access to some of the area’s best Mayan ruins.
Practically speaking, you can think of it as similar to Costa Rica before that became the cool kid on the block. Don’t get me wrong — you know I LOVE me some Costa Rica, but it’s no hidden gem anymore. Belize still possesses a bit more of that undiscovered charm. Trips here can easily go off the beaten path, are a little more rustic in nature, and not many places besides Ambergris Caye seem touristy at all.
My last trip here I had the opportunity to stay at Victoria House on Ambergris Caye, and Chaa Creek Lodge up in the Cayo District. This adventure gave me the opportunity to have 3 different and unique experiences and I’d love to help paint the picture of my time at each and see if you can picture yourself there.
Copal Tree Lodge
This property is perfectly suited for those looking for a bit of adventure and who also have an appreciation for nature and the beautiful surroundings that come with staying in the middle of the jungle. The lodge is at the heart of an organic farm, which also means that your inclusive meals are true farm-to-table.
Let me also assure you that I had the best meals in Belize here at this lodge. Yvette works magic in the kitchen, as well as on the back of a boat if you happen to take them up on their “Snorkel with a Chef” activity. (and you totally should — it was a highlight!)
Here your delicious meals can be included in the rate, along with local beverages — meaning that the Copolli Rum that is made at the onsite distillery is yours to enjoy day and night from the comfort of the Copal Tree Rum Bar.
The best part? You don’t skip a beat when it comes to luxury, and that is sometimes hard to find at lodges in the jungle. My signature canopy suite was to-die-for, and the private bath overlooking the rainforest was probably the highlight of the trip for me.
Who’s it for: Everyone. I love it for couples on a romance/adventure trip — splitting part of your time here and part of it relaxing by the beach if you have the time for it. However, 5 days or less and I would max it out here in a heartbeat.
Royal Belize
Forget a private villa for you and your closest loved ones, what about an entire private island?!
Royal Belize is your perfect paradise, giving you the very best of an island experience in Belize, with the uniqueness of having an entire island for just your group.
Your stay not only includes 5 beautiful master suites with incredible views from every room (and a room of bunk beds if kids are in tow), but all your food + drink, water activities, and an entire staff that is literally available for anything you could possibly need.
No joke, a sweet young man stood on the deck as I laid on a floating unicorn in the ocean and made himself available to simply change out my beer for a cold one and offer me more sunscreen as needed the entire afternoon. The service here is impeccable.
On your first night, all guests are treated to a special sunset experience with drinks and snacks to welcome them to the island. Ours was one for the books, somehow combining the most incredible sunset with a rainbow to boot.
Who’s it for: If you have 5 couples that like to vacation together, this is your spot. I would love to spend a week here with my best pals and their significant others. Or, perhaps your family does a big multi-gen trip and you want to create memories that will last a lifetime — it wouldn’t get much better than this.
Naia Resort and Spa
If you are looking for the best beach in all of Belize, this is probably it. Naia has about a mile of private beachfront, and due to the layout of their villas, it feels like you have the beach all to yourself for the most part.
I love the layout of this property as they make use of all their beautiful space, and each villa (studio, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom) sits on a prime beachfront location with all the space and privacy you could hope for.
While it’s perfectly acceptable to gather and mingle by the pool, visiting the beach just requires you to ask for beach chairs or a hammock to be placed wherever you feel like lounging that day.
You also have the country’s biggest spa and an incredible yoga studio, so if wellness if your jam this would totally fit the bill.
Location-wise, here is why staying in Placencia makes all the sense in the world — particularly if you are short on time. Because it is a beach destination that is also part of the mainland (unlike Ambergrise Caye or Caye Caulker), you are able to still experience most of the land adventure activities people come to Belize for without having to stay in two different destinations with just an easy day trip.
Who’s it for: Couples will love it here for the privacy and the fact that it’s a true luxury hotel. It’s also great for larger groups because of the multi-bedroom villas.
While Belize is surrounded by spanish-speaking neighbors, this central american country is primarily English speaking. Even better — you can find direct flights from 9 US cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Houston, LA, Miami, and NYC. From Belize City it’s just a quick commuter flight to any of these above destinations.
The fact that I could take a nonstop red-eye from Los Angeles and put my feet in the Caribbean before lunch makes me incredibly happy.
If you are ready for a little thrill seeking and action, mixed in with some quality relaxation, Belize is a country that will fit the bill on all fronts. It is an adventure lover’s perfect playground, but the hammocks work quite well here also. Contact me to plan your perfect combo.