56 Best Hotels in Belize

As you sweep down Blancaneaux's hibiscus- and palm-lined drive, past the big main swimming pool, you may get a whiff of Beverly Hills, and indeed the lodge is owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola. Spread on a hillside above Privassion River, the villas with their soaring thatch ceilings, Japanese-style tile baths, plunge pools, and screened porches have appeared in Architectural Digest and dozens of other magazines. There is a sort of jungle-inspired turndown service, with candles lit in the evenings on your balcony, a \"newspaper\" about the weather and happenings, and freshly baked treats. The filmmaker's own villa, with private pool, is available when he isn't in residence. The main restaurant, Montagna, is one of the best in the Cayo, specializing in Italian dishes and serving wines from Coppola's wineries. A second restaurant serves Guatemalan food, so your taste buds are never bored. The lodge's organic farm supplies about 80% of the vegetables for Blancaneaux and its sister property, Turtle Inn in Placencia. The ceiling fans in the hotel bar appeared in Apocalypse Now, and the massive black slate bar top was carved by the Garcia sisters of San Antonio. You can swim off large boulders in the Privassion River, relax in a giant hot tub, swim in the infinity pool or, if you have a luxury villa, dunk in your private plunge pool. Blancaneaux offers a variety of tours and has a stable of horses for riding trips. There's also a gift shop with high-quality and wonderfully colorful Guatemalan blankets, dresses, blouses, and crafts.

Islanders will tell you that Cayo Espanto, a spectacular private island off Ambergris, is where movie stars stay, and they’re not wrong. Before arrival, you’re asked to detail favorite foods, music tastes, and your daily rhythm, so that staff can craft a highly customized paradise. Then, on arrival, you're met by the uniformed crew, a welcome bottle of champagne, and astonishing vistas of crystalline seas. Architecturally, the turquoise-and-white-tone villas blend in with the sand and sky as much as possible—during the day, the villas aren’t even walled (most have walls folded in at night). Between the architecture and details like alfresco showers and splash pools, you have intimate access to the natural stage around you. Meanwhile, a personal butler, or “houseman,” is on call to take care of every whim. The island chef creates a bespoke menu, while the day's meals are delivered to a waterside table or dock by your villa. A special experience is the private beachside dinner, lit with luminaries and a just-for-you bonfire. For all this intensely personal care, you'll pay a small (or large) fortune. The highly professional service can feel formal, which may discomfort those used to the casual interactions you'll have on Ambergris Caye.

This was the first true jungle lodge in the Cayo, and owners Mick and Lucy Fleming (he's from England, she's from the United States) have spent more than three decades polishing The Lodge at Chaa Creek to a fine, rich patina, while adding features like a gorgeous bi-level swimming pool. The gracefully landscaped grounds, surrounded by 365 acres of rolling hills above the Macal River, are magnificent. All on-site tours are included with your accommodations, including early-morning bird-watching with a naturalist, Belize Medicinal Plants Trail, Natural History Center, Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm, and canoeing or tubing on the river. For an additional charge, there are horse stables and one of the best spas in Belize. The whitewashed cottages with thatched roofs and custom-made furnishings as well as the suites and tree houses are elegantly stylish, but prices can be high. There are all new ultramodern suites at the highest price point. For cost-conscious travelers, there's the Macal River Camp, with small A-frame rooms on raised wooden platforms. At the lodge itself, dinner is a special event, starting with cocktails in the bar and perhaps ending with brandy and a Cuban cigar under the soaring thatched palapa. Chaa Creek's tours, although not cheap, are among the country's finest, and horseback riding is also available.

Queen Elizabeth II once stayed at this resort with well-appointed rooms that have verandas facing a nature reserve, making you feel like you're outside the city environs. Owned by four sisters from San Ignacio, the hotel and its Running W restaurant is a lovely lodging and dining choice at the edge of town. There's an iguana hatchery on the property, which you can tour as a guest. The hotel also has a tennis court and nice swimming pool. Birding and other excursions can be arranged by the friendly staff.

Some 800 feet above limestone cliffs and the Macal River gorge, across from Elijio Panti National Park, Black Rock Lodge has one of the most beautiful settings of any lodge in the country. The well-shaded cabins have stone or tile floors, custom-made hardwood furniture, and stunning views of the Macal River. There's also a spring-fed swimming pool. Savvy, eco-conscious owner Cameron Boyd runs the lodge on hydro and solar power and keeps room rates low. However, because you're a 35-minute drive from San Ignacio (mostly on a narrow, single-lane trail), you'll need to take all your meals here (they don't come with the room rate) and do most tours with the lodge.

Abutting part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, this incredible, one-of-a-kind fishing camp, with its wooden cabins that recall an earlier time, makes room for the real star of the show: outstanding flats fishing. \"The Farm\" gives a highly personal experience. Meals, which are brightened by the island's raised-bed crops, are prepared by a wonderful chef of local renown. All three cabanas, including the larger two-room Bote House, have en suite bathrooms (with standard plumbing), fans, and verandas---they're simple, but charming. Power is solar and the eco-footprint is gentle. Cayo Frances will arrange a fishing guide for you, but you might enjoy a DIY experience. Boat transfers are included. All told, it really doesn't get much better than Cayo Frances. 

Chabil Mar means \"beautiful sea\" in Kek'chi Mayan, and the sea and almost 400 feet of beach are indeed gorgeous at this gated luxury condo-style resort. The villas, inside a walled and gated compound, are tastefully designed and luxuriously furnished. Although each one is different, they're all upscale, with features such as marble floors, original art, and four-poster king beds. There's a great attention to detail here, from topiary figures created from shrubbery to daily scrubbing of the two swimming pools to washers and dryers in every unit. You can take any or all of your meals at Chabil Mar—on your veranda, in your suite, by the pool, or (with reservations) on the romantically lighted pier. If you'd rather sample local restaurants and bars, it's a moderate walk or a short taxi, bike, or golf-cart ride into Placencia Village. You'll find a large portfolio of dive, snorkeling, fishing, and soft adventure tours.

Arguably the most memorable lodge in Belize and one of the top lodges in all of Central America, Chan Chich is set in a remote, beautiful area literally on top of a Maya ruin, with 12 rustic yet comfortable cabanas---the price of a vacation here is similar to a five-star hotel in New York, yet the high cost is worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just outside your door, you're likely to encounter legions of tropical birds and wild animals, even jaguars. The late Coca-Cola, Belikin, and shrimp-farming \"Belizeanaire\" Sir Barry Bowen built this lodge at his large private farm. The cottages have thatched roofs, rich hardwood floors and furnishings, and wraparound verandas. The lodge sits smack-dab in the middle of a Maya archaeological site, and regardless of how you feel about that, Chan Chich has a stunning setting. Expert guides lead wildlife excursions into the thousands of acres of surrounding bush and carefully maintained trails. Howler monkeys welcome you with reverberating bass calls. A gorgeous pool is screened to keep out insects. Delicious meals are served in the dining room in the main lodge building, adjoining the bar. The deluxe cabanas have king beds and huge bathrooms with marble, granite, glass, and even bidets. Standard cabanas are similar, except with less ambitious baths. For families or larger groups, there is a two-bedroom villa with air-conditioning.

The luxury suites, impeccable service, and gorgeous spa here offer a level of indulgence not seen in this part of the country, and the lodge is committed to conservation and sustainability to boot. The lodge is set on a high hill above the Rio Grande, and you can ride a tram car to the bottom. The hilltop setting offers awesome views of the rainforest and, in the distance, the Gulf of Honduras. Howler monkeys troop by regularly. After a day exploring the rainforest, dive into the swimming pool, then dine on fish and fresh vegetables from the lodge's organic farm. Expect vaulted ceilings, tile floors, full baths, air-conditioning, and screened decks overlooking the jungle. The lodge has an agritourism component, with programs on chocolate, rum, coffee, and local foods. Copal Tree also offers fly-fishing, wedding, birding, and other all-inclusive packages.

An exception to the general rule that “there are only budget lodging options in the village” is this snazzy beachfront retreat, smack-dab in the center of Placencia, set off enough to maintain an air of luxurious privacy. Minimalist decor reigns in the studios, one-bedroom suites, and expansive penthouse, with blindingly white walls set off by cool primary-color accents, and huge baths. An on-site spa, rooftop restaurant, and pool round out the offerings.

Grand Caribe's superluxury condos, an unmissable landmark on the North Ambergris shore, are renowned for their seamless glamour: the terra-cotta will put you in mind of a Spanish palace (or of South Florida), and indeed you'll feel like royalty. The suites (one- to five bedrooms) have Brazilian floor tiles, spacious Jacuzzis, and kitchens that will make you want to cook with every appliance. The a/c is famously cold, and sunken ceilings lend every suite a dynamic depth. Six pools and a swim-up bar provide hours of relaxation (though the bunker-like bar is an aesthetic miss). If you can live without views, the studio apartments are by far the best deal. Across the street on the lagoon side, the new Sunset Caribe development offers comfortable but less dynamic condos with sunset views. Two high-profile restaurants, Rain and Aqua, are on-site plus the small grocery Bread Basket and an impeccable spa. 

With beautifully landscaped grounds, top-notch accommodations, and an excellent scuba program, Hamanasi (Garifuna for \"almond\") is among Belize's very best beach and resorts and synonymous with diving here on the Southern Coast. Upon your arrival, you'll notice that the grounds are manicured and the lobby is filled with local artwork, including paintings by the late folklore artist Benjamin Nicholas. The \"zero effect\" pool seems to stretch to infinity. Choose from regular rooms, gorgeous suites with king-size four-poster beds of barba jolote wood, and regular and deluxe \"tree houses,\" which are the most popular accommodations (and the most expensive). These units are not actually built in trees but are set among mangroves and other seaside trees and raised on stilts. Many people come here for the diving opportunities, but you won't feel out of place if you want to snorkel or just laze around the pool. The on-site Singanga restaurant has a romantic outdoor dining area with sea views and serves excellent seafood and other dishes, but dinner can be pricey.

Sitting on 7,200 acres, Hidden Valley has more than a dozen waterfalls, at least two private caves, and 90 miles (150 km) of hiking and mountain biking trails. The entire lodge has an old-school colonial feel, and the estate grounds, including the waterfalls, are exclusively for guests and not open to the public. All the cottages have mahogany furnishings, tile floors, and brick fireplaces. Meals and drinks are served in the lodge's main house, which has vaulted ceilings and four fireplaces. After dinner, sip coffee grown on the premises. There's a full meal plan and all-inclusive packages (three-night minimum) with lodging, meals, drinks, tours, and transfers from Belize City available.

Palm-leaf thatched casitas in shades of mango, banana, and melon, offset by brilliant white sand, give this deluxe resort a Gauguin-like quality. An Ambergris classic since 1996, Matachica deserves its world-class reputation. The resort and its excellent service have a way of making you feel like a honeymooner even when you're not (many guests are). We recommend snagging one of the six beachfront casitas, which command the best views and catch a breeze. Matachica easily has the island's sexiest pier, which features landings with cushy daybeds for two. There's also a stunning swimming pool, kid-free. You'll have access to the pricey but delicious Mambo Restaurant and Bistro. Jade Spa offers treats like papaya facials, coffee scrubs, and chocolate body wraps. The same owners now operate Gaïa Riverlodge in the Cayo District, so jungle-beach packages are offered, among others. Staff members here are famously attentive.

This jungle resort on the Macal River is a step up in luxury, service, and dining from other run-of-the-mill lodges in the area. With lofted ceilings and tile floors, bathrooms with glass-block shower walls, and stylish furnishings, Mystic River's 15 cottages may lure you to lounge in your room or at the pool instead of going on one of the jungle adventures offered by the resort. On cooler winter evenings, you can relax in your king bed, and watch a crackling fire in the stone fireplace. When it's hot, four of the villas have private plunge pools. At the lodge's restaurant, La Ranita (The Little Frog), in a high-ceiling, thatched palapa set about 100 feet above the river, the chef serves an eclectic menu of Belizean and other dishes. The French co-owner/manager also keeps 40 milk goats and makes her own cheeses.

This resort aspires to be the country's ultimate spa-centric seaside luxury destination, and we'd agree it succeeds. Naïa totals three dozen guest villas and houses, including stylish studio units with 13-foot ceilings and one-bedroom villas, some with private splash pools, mostly set in and around freshwater ponds, with a few directly on the seafront. Two-bedroom, two-level villas are set in lush gardens, and three larger houses with three bedrooms are on the water. All have original artwork by Belize's most famous artists. A sparkling, modern new beach house sleeps up to 15. There is a large rectangular swimming pool near the main restaurant and another pool at the spa, and several villas have private splash pools. The resort has three restaurants, focusing on seafood, grilled fish and meats, and healthy, lighter fare. Guests have access to a fitness center, yoga studio, and a long stretch of pristine beach, but the star of the show is the enormous 10,000-square-foot spa complex set among freshwater ponds.

Steps from one of the country's best beaches sits this former-convent-turned-serene-island retreat, a pioneer in Belizean ecotourism since 1971. Run by the old-line Bowman family, Pelican Beach's colonial-era main lodge has a dining room serving fresh seafood and Belizean-style dishes on the ground floor. You can stay in the lodge's rooms, or in a no-frills but pleasant cottage, where the trade winds will lull you to sleep (no a/c at Pelican Beach). Here you can swim, snorkel, and fish to your heart's content right off the shore. The transport to the island from Dangriga is extra. No dive shop here, but staff will arrange trips for you. Power here is solar, showers are rainwater, and toilets are the composting kind.

Hard right angles of concrete make this resort a striking study in geometry, but what's truly unique about The Phoenix are above-and-beyond extras like free rum tastings, painting classes, and s'mores nights. Details are The Phoenix’s forte: you can expect chocolate on your pillow, floral arrangements on your bed, and complimentary lint rollers or bath bombs if you've forgotten yours. The rooms aren't too shabby either, with their silky tropical hardwood furniture, Keurig coffeemakers, Bose speakers, and private verandas with views of the reef. For families, daycare is provided by the Kids' Club––a huge hit with kids and parents alike. Another hit is the split-level pool, which is worthy of a Hollywood mansion. The acclaimed restaurant Red Ginger is on-site. Belize-born owner Kelly McDermott Kanabar and her husband are known for doing many community service works.

This well-run lodge, just off the Hummingbird Highway near the Sibun River, offers luxury in a remote rainforest setting. The luxe earth-tone accommodations are lavished with Belizean hardwoods and sunlit decks, from Spanish casitas to mountain-view suites with plunge pools to a two-bedroom cabana. The second and third levels of the main lodge, used as a bar and dining room, have gorgeous views of the nearby Maya Mountains and the river. There's also a nice pool and well-tended gardens you can wander around for a whole afternoon.

In colonial days St. George's Caye was a British favorite for its proximity to Belize City; today visitors can enjoy the stunning adult-only resort as a rustic venue for adventure. Most rooms are thatch-roofed and spotlight the beauty of Belize's tropical hardwoods; this makes St. George's an atmospheric old-style lodge rich in Belizean spirit. Guests adore the overwater cabanas, on the island's lee side, but the  beachfront cabanas are also lovely and get cooling breezes. Dining is family style and social, but romantic dinners on the dock can also be arranged. The resort offers spa services in a frill-free room, and a nice pool if you want a break from the sea. Take advantage of the complimentary Hobie cats and instruction, along with paddleboarding, snorkeling, and other activities you can do right off the caye. St. George's draws not only experienced divers, but guests eager to leave their comfort zone---or find a new one.

The uniformed staff lined up to greet you upon arrival, the preserved colonial-era buildings, and the oxidized anchor of an 18th-century British warship---all of it sets the tone at this upscale, legend-filled resort that's only accessible by boat. This was Turneffe Atoll's first dive lodge, and it bagged the best spot a few hundred yards from the legendary Elbow. If you came to Belize for the diving, this is an ideal base, though fishing, snorkeling, beachcombing, and in-room massages are also top-notch. The rooms, in palm-shaded, lemon cottages with sea views, have been refurbished without spoiling the cozy feeling created by the varnished hardwood fittings, which envelop you on all sides. Even buildings that are not colonial carry the aesthetic, giving the island a unified feel. The staff-to-guest ratio is among the most impressive in Belize. For some, it can feel a little hoity-toity. Meals, served group style, are quite delicious.

Francis Ford Coppola's second of three lodgings in Belize is nothing if not exotic, with the furnishings, art, and most of the construction materials bought in Bali by the film director and his wife. The entrance, on a footbridge over a small pond, leads you to a gorgeous open-air reception area, lobby, and restaurant. Splurge on a seafront cabana to catch the breezes, as there's no air-conditioning, and the units at the back can be very hot. Two-bedroom villas have not one or two but three bathrooms (two Japanese-style ones indoors and one in a walled outdoor garden). The restaurant, Mare, is great for pizza (baked in a wood-burning oven) and other Italian dishes, plus seafood and Neibaum-Coppola wines; a second restaurant, Gauguin, specializes in beach barbecue and a third in Belizean dishes. Service is warm and welcoming, as it should be for the price you're paying. You're only a short bike or taxi ride into the village to sample the restaurants there. There are two pools and a nice stretch of beach. You can add on a few nights at Coral Caye, an equally sumptuous Coppola property on a private island, eight miles and a 25-minute boat ride away.

New ownership has moved this former fishing lodge far up the scale of luxury by renovating the main lodge, adding a gorgeous spa, redoing the cottages, and adding four new luxury cottages. The lodge is set on a high hill above the Rio Grande River—you can ride a tram car to the bottom. The hilltop setting offers awesome views of the jungle and, in the distance, the Gulf of Honduras. Howler monkeys troop by regularly. After a day exploring the rain forest, dive into the swimming pool, then sup on fish and fresh vegetables from the lodge's organic farm. The renovated cottages have vaulted ceilings, tile floors, new baths, air-conditioning, and screened decks overlooking the jungle. Newly added ridge suites are even more luxurious. A second swimming pool also has been added near the ridge suites. SUVs take guests on safari-like soft-adventure trips in the Laughing Falcon Reserve, a 12,000-acre private nature reserve, and elsewhere. The lodge has an agritourism component, with programs on chocolate, rum, coffee, and local foods. There are fly-fishing, wedding, birding, and other all-inclusive packages.

Six high-rise towers dwarf the island's townscape at this condo complex by Marriott Autograph Collection, which features an exclusive beach club, gorgeous design, and a swanky but closed-off air that might make you forget you're in Belize altogether. There is so much to do at Alaia that, in theory, you don't even need to leave: several restaurants serve food ranging from sushi to pizza, the bars serve mixologist cocktails (at twice the normal price), and the pools are made for all-day lounging and selfie-taking. You can even reserve a poolside pergola for a cool BZ$150–BZ$350 a day. Such costs make Alaia feel a little nickel-and-dimey, but for many guests Marriott Bonvoy points decrease the hotel's sticker price. The huge apartments are all stunningly tiled in limestone travertine, and most have balcony living rooms. A major shortcoming is that the grounds are all but bald of trees or foliage. Just next to the tower development is the more human-scaled Reef House (formerly Banyan Bay), whose grounds have winding paths and mature vegetation. These family-friendly apartments feature interiors, designed by Débora Aguilar, which evoke the sandy environment. Grand Colony Villas has also been acquired by Alaia and is now available for booking. For what it's worth, Alaia has Belize's only suspended rooftop pool, so you can peer a dizzying six stories down through glass in the pool's floor. Note that the party atmosphere here can make Alaia feel like an upscale spring break scene.

Beautifully designed, modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas dotted along the riverside at the foot of the Maya Mountains, each with its own courtyard and plunge pool, offer tranquility and privacy. When you feel like being around others, join them at the giant shared pool surrounded by upscale loungers. To get back to nature, the hotel provides kayaks and tubes to hit the river, or bikes to explore the trails. Eating at the beautiful river-view, open-air restaurant for every meal can get pricey, so stock up on groceries in Belmopan, and you can cook some of your meals in the full kitchen.

This collection of seaside villas is among the most upmarket accommodation choices on the Southern Coast. All villas have the same floor plans and furnishings, but some of the villas are directly on the beach, and the others have sea or garden views. The units, with hardwood and natural stone floors and custom-made cedar and mahogany furniture, can be reserved as a complete three-bedroom, three-bath villa or as a single bedroom or two-bedroom suite. All-inclusive packages with meals, some tours, and transfers also are available. The resort's Caribbean-style Woven Palms restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, although many guests enjoy the variety of dining choices in Hopkins too.

A patch of coral the shape of a pancake and not much bigger, Bird Island is a self-catering, real-life private island where the solitude and starry skies are exquisite. This \"Robinson Crusoe Adventure\" island is ideal for those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Belize's ancient atolls. You'll need to bring your own food and drinks; the colorful cabins are otherwise well stocked. Housing a maximum of eight people, Bird Island won't be visited by anyone else during your visit, so it gets quiet. Take advantage of the complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and other gear. Boat transfers are included.

The first traditional resort on this low-key island, Blu Zen sits on Caye Caulker's quiet north side and consists of starkly white, modern buildings, each filled with minimalist condos in gray and white tones. Some will love the clean lines and urban design, while others will find the units cold. With their vast square footage and full kitchens, the apartments let families and groups spread out. There's even a five-bedroom (ultra-expensive) penthouse for you and 15 friends! The resort boasts the fantastic global fusion restaurant Lotus, which serves creative dishes all day (at a high price point). There is also the new La Fogata serving wood-fired pizzas. At the high-end convenience store Mercado, you'll find wine, imported cheeses, local meats, and yummy snacks from the smoothie bar (an outpost of Namaste Café). A scheduled boat runs several times daily to shuttle you to and from the village. Though it’s not for every audience, Blu Zen offers a unique, luxury option on casual Caye Caulker. 

Located within the beautiful Mayflower Bocawina National Park, the Bocawina Rainforest Resort has comfortable accommodations that include four spacious deluxe suites (with two queen beds, a table and chairs in a sitting area with jungle views through large windows), two thatched casitas (one has two bedrooms that can be rented together or as individual units), and six standard rooms that share a single veranda. A combination solar, wind, and hydro system generates the lodge's electricity. The lodge's zipline complex contains 12 platforms, and the tour division offers a wide range of trips and tours including visits to the nearby Mayflower archaeological sites and miles of jungle trails and waterfalls.