Exploring Belize: Our Curated List of the Top 5 Resorts
Being a producer at Travelzoo certainly has its perks. Recently, I took a six-day trip to Belize, traveling all over the country to get a feel for it -- the geography, the culture, the people and, of course, the best resorts to stay at while on a Belizean vacation.
I found out that there is something here for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure, a good beach or a dose of history, Belize has it all, along with a resort suited for your intended trip. I visited more than 20 resorts -- here are my top 5 spanning from the jungle to the Caribbean seaside.
1. Belize Ocean Club
Located on the peninsula of Placencia, Belize Ocean Club houses 60 spacious guest rooms, making it one of the biggest resorts in the area. All the rooms are actually suites with a full kitchen and living room and either one or two bedrooms. All rooms have a view of either the Caribbean Sea or the lagoon.
Immaculately manicured grounds are lush with flowers, trees and other jungle plants, and the resort’s large pool overlooks the beach making it a prime spot to lie out or belly up to the swim-up Tiki bar for rum punch, reggae tunes and a day full of relaxation.
The resort has its own PADI dive shop and runs its own adventure tours, which include day trips out to its private island, Ranguana Caye, where you can snorkel, swim and kayak or even spend the night.
Travelzoo Tip: You can save nearly 50% on a One-Bedroom Sunset Suite at Belize Ocean Club with our deal for $119 per night.
2. Chaa Creek
This eco-lodge’s tagline is “Wildly Civilized,” which seems highly appropriate. Set on a 400-acre private nature reserve on the Macal River, it’s located just outside the village of San Ignacio and near historic Mayan ruins. A bit off the beaten path, but still close to civilization, this resort offers the best of both worlds -- rustic nature with upscale modern design and amenities.
Stay in a popular thatched-roof Treetop Suite (with only two on site, they’re often sold out) or one of the other rooms and villas that are furnished with handcrafted furniture and decor (but no AC) for a more authentic jungle stay. For those seeking the utmost in luxury accommodations (and air conditioning), the new Ix Chel Villas have a sleek modern design and private plunge pool that creates a beautiful juxtaposition with the jungle landscape.
The vast property also boasts an on-site farm that produces the resort’s farm-to-table dining, as well as a butterfly farm and an infinity pool.
3. Jaguar Reef Lodge & Spa
Just down the road from the small fishing village of Hopkins, rich with the native Garifuna culture, this resort is located right on the beach. The gorgeous open-air main building houses the on-site restaurant, which looks out to the water, while the lodgings, including suites and cabanas, are scattered along the stunning and immaculately kept beachfront property.
Spacious rooms are modern in design, decked out with local artwork and photography and the comforts of home -- air conditioning and TVs. There’s a full-service spa here, a heated infinity pool with a swim-up Tiki bar and a PADI dive center, and guests can rent out Hobie Cats, kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles to cruise around the village.
4. Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
You’ll understand the name of the resort once you climb up the 70+ cliffside steps leading to the suites -- the view from the top shows off the stunning “Sleeping Giant”-shaped mountains. The lush property is filled with colorful flowers, water features and ponds full of fish and even ducks and peacocks milling about.
The 20 guest rooms are modern in design, with local artwork, rooftop skylights and air conditioning. Many have balconies with hammocks, and some have outdoor showers. Mountain View suites have their own plunge pools with sweeping views of the rainforest canopy and mountains. The one thing they’re missing -- TVs. But you won’t need that noise here -- the expansive resort offers plenty to do, including tours of its on-site cave filled with Maya skeletal remains and geological formations, hikes, a pool and spa services.
5. Victoria House
Ambergris Caye, the largest of Belize’s islands and probably the most popular, is home to this idyllic boutique hotel. The well-manicured grounds and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea create a dream setting for honeymoons and weddings. But it’s also a great spot for any kind of vacation, especially for those looking to explore the nearby Belize Barrier Reef (the second largest in the world) and take part in water sports.
There’s a variety of different room types to choose from, but the beachfront villas with a private infinity pool and sundeck caught our eye. On site there’s a dive shop, restaurant and bar, lush gardens, a full-service spa, infinity pools and a private beach. And for those with marriage on their mind, there’s an on-site wedding planner.
