80 Best Hotels in Belize

From the verandas on the second- or third-floor rooftop terrace of this bright pink, waterfront hotel (beya means beachfront in the Garifuna language, although it isn't much of a beach here) within moderate walking distance of downtown Punta Gorda, you have expansive views of the sea. Despite the name, the hotel has mostly rooms rather than true suites, but they're modern, with tile floors, plaster walls, cable TV, and air-conditioning.

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.

Many of the 30 spotless rooms, all with air-conditioning and all recently refurbished, at this modern concrete hotel have expansive views of the lagoon. There's a two-story main building and an annex next door, covered with bougainvillea and other flowers, and you'll find that the friendly service is consistent with Belize's down-home reputation. The best rooms are the deluxe doubles on the second floor of the original building. Camping is available (BZ$20 per person). The hotel's dining room serves filling Creole and American fare ($$). The lodge also offers many kinds of tours, including a \"birding-by-boat\" cruise on the lagoon (BZ$300 for up to three people), horseback riding (BZ$50 an hour), and a croc-spotting night safari (BZ$450 for up to three). Transportation from the international airport is BZ$90 for up to three persons.

This Belizean-owned resort in a pleasant rural setting northwest of Belize City perches at the edge of the Belize River, where you can launch a canoe or kayak from the hotel's dock, or just laze about the riverside swimming pool and thatch-roof palapa bar. The air-conditioned rooms are large, with custom-made mahogany furnishings (all-inclusive rates are also available). The on-site restaurant serves good Belizean food (dinner around BZ$40). Black Orchid offers occasional web-only discounts.

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. 

At this pleasant small spot overlooking the water, you can settle in and do your own thing in one of the six attractive self-catering flats, with kitchens or kitchenettes, spacious bedrooms, TVs, and verandas with hammocks. Complimentary bicycle use is included in the rate, as is a continental breakfast. If you don't feel like cooking, the guesthouse is within a short walk of several of Punta Gorda's best restaurants.

It may not be as modern as the island's newer resorts, but Caribbean Villas, with its gardens, pleasant beachfront, and fun two-story waterslide, is an affordable and low-key alternative to the glitzier developments. There's a happening pool and the Amber Beach Bar and Grill, which is great for a rum cocktail; mixed results for calamari. Choose from remodeled suites brightened with Guatemalan fabrics or the cheaper standard rooms. An artificial reef attracts fish to the end of the dock.

The low gurgle of nearby Mopan River rapids is the first and last sound of the day at Clarissa Falls Resort. Warm and friendly owner Chena Galvez and her family have spent their lives on a cattle ranch here, a rolling 900-acre expanse of grassy pasture. Over the years Chena and family have built a small colony of homey thatch cabanas for visitors to stay in. If you're on a tight budget, there's camping available and, for students only, rooms in a bunkhouse with three meals daily. The open-air restaurant by the river serves tasty mestizo dishes at modest prices.

This luxe resort gives the impression of a Mediterranean palace---or maybe a fun Las Vegas version---with its colonnades and grottoes rising from the swimming pools. Indeed, the two pools are the real pull at Coco Beach, but this top condotel also has lovely interiors, featuring Balinese rattan furniture and Spanish tiles in the various rooms and suites. Kitchens feature granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Five penthouses boast amazing views of the sea and Barrier Reef. The main restaurant, Cocoblanca, is a baroque display of chandeliers, alcoves, and silken upholstery. Unfortunately, the food is overpriced and underwhelming. Coco Beach and other Sandy Point Resorts often offer deep discounts, so check specials before you book.

If you're looking for an unfussy, homey spot on the beach with personal service, charming Cocotal Inn could be just right. Our favorite unit is the casita, with its vaulted hardwood ceiling (capped with a cute cupola) and four-poster queen bed; it's closest to the beach and overlooks the freshwater pool. Darling cottages also make a pleasant retreat, and all have fully equipped kitchens so you can cook your own meals. Or, hop on a complimentary bike and ride to one of many nearby restaurants. The friendly, helpful owners are on-site. You can snorkel at the small artificial reef, right off Cocotal's enormous 200-foot pier. 

This stylish three-level, nine-room B&B is located in the middle of the somewhat off-the-beaten-path development in the village of Chunox just beyond the Laguna Seca bridge, catering both to the handful of visitors who find themselves on the road to Sarteneja. The air-conditioned rooms are attractively furnished, and there's a great view of Chetumal Bay from the rooftop terrace and bar. A full English breakfast is included (the owners are from England) in the rates. 

Nearly every hotel on Ambergris Caye claims that it can arrange fishing trips, but this resort, opened in 1974, has the best angling resources, plus plenty to do for companions with other passions (half the guests are snorkelers and divers). Ask the folks here about fishing and they'll rattle off lists of pancake flats, back-reef flats, turtle-grass flats, and all their inhabitants. Loosely described as a \"fishing camp,\" the main lodge is actually a handsome white colonial with comfortable rooms and a nice swimming pool. Adjoining the lodge in two groupings, each with a pool, are deluxe private villas. The restaurant has delicious farm-to-table (and sea-to-table) daily menus, with one seating for the prix-fixe dinner. Many guests arrive as part of a fishing package; check the website for package deals. The resort has a fly-fishing shop and offers lessons.

Yucatec Mayan for \"coming of the rising sun,\" Hok'ol K'in, founded by an American Peace Corps veteran and now operated by Belizeans, is a friendly small budget hotel on the Corozal bayfront. It has 11 basic but comfortable and very clean rooms with cable TV. All rooms have air-conditioning, but they still enjoy a nice breeze from the bay most of the time. Rare for Belize, some of the rooms are wheelchair accessible. There's also a two-bedroom apartment for longer-term rental. Free Wi-Fi is available in different sections of the property.

Thoughtfully designed apartments are ideal for family retreats at this well-run \"condotel\" in quiet southern Ambergris Caye. The spacious two- and three-bedroom units are quite luxurious and have full kitchens and comfortable furnishings. The balconies, rooftop, and glassy pools are undoubtedly the highlights of the hotel. As there's no dining on-site---not even a shop for snacks---this is a truly self-catering location. Conveniently, a \"pool bar\" is about a mile away---you can place your order with the bartender and it will be delivered directly to your condo. The nearest grocery store is even farther, so renting a golf cart is a must. The friendly concierge and staff can help you with such details of your vacation. One thing that makes Hol Chan Reef a rarity? There's an elevator. 

Teardrop spindles and icing-like trim give this heart-of-town hotel a modest colonial style; indeed, it’s San Pedro’s first inn and a dependable place to sleep between the water and the bustle. Opened in 1965, its simple, clean rooms have sweet paintings of parrots and toucans, as well as balconies where you might spot live birds. You can lounge in a beach garden enclosed by a white picket fence. The lobby leads to breezy La Sanpedrana Bar & Grill, which offers nice seafood dishes, though many more options are within a short stroll. Holiday Hotel is nothing glamorous, but it has a historic charm and remains an excellent value on an expensive island. 

This adventure lodge has gone upscale, adding hillside \"treehouse suites\" with jaw-dropping views, a multilevel swimming pool with whirlpool, and a botanical garden featuring orchids and bromeliads. Less-expensive cabanas with outdoor showers are offered, too, along with suites and bungalows. Manager Ian Anderson and his highly trained jungle and cave guides offer more than 20 wilderness adventures in a 58,000-acre private reserve. On the River of Caves trip, you spend hours floating around underground lakes and crawling past stalagmites into dry chambers.

This unpretentious, pleasant bed-and-breakast in Belmopan offers affordable, comfortable rooms with televisions, fans, and refrigerators, plus the bonus of two swimming pools. It's convenient to the University of Belize Belmopan campus and most government offices in the capital, so it's often filled with government workers or U.S. officials.

With light seafoam or teal accents, these rooms are dependable; but the more seductive places to spend time are the swinging deck chairs, your private balcony, or the coral-pink loungers beside one of the island's nicest pools. The Magic Grill, where you can eat on swinging wooden loveseats, makes a choice spot for lunch. The liberal use of concrete gives Island Magic an unfortunately imposing presence. For Caye Caulker hotels, it's higher end; however, it's still not the fancy brand of resort one finds in San Pedro.

Sister property to Island Magic Resort in the heart of Caye Caulker, Island Magic Villas offers a more upscale and luxurious stay away from the hustle and bustle of town. Situated less than half a mile from the Split, the teal-and-white-hued lodgings sit on the northern side of the island. That doesn't mean it's a trek to the resort, however. A lightning-fast ferry across the Split followed by a three-minute golf cart ride north will have you sipping by the idyllic property's pool in no time. Island Magic Resort is ideal for families, even boasting a master villa that sleeps up to eight. This oceanfront gem is ideal if you want to party in town, then retire in tranquility. 

If you're longing to hearken back to a simpler time and immerse yourself in nature, you can experience the jungle with a luxurious cabana and some of the comfiest beds in Belize at this eco-resort. They are situated on 300 acres of primary forest, with three swimming holes, hanging bridges, and farms, not to mention a Maya site to explore. Dinner is communal and lit with oil lamps. Although there isn't Wi-Fi in the rooms, there's plenty to keep you busy, including birding, hiking, Maya cooking classes, and yoga classes, all included with your stay.

About 3 miles (5 km) from La Milpa Maya site, this field station is a combination lodge and summer camp; stay in rustic thatched cabanas with a private bath or in a dorm that sleeps up to 30. Since you're in a remote area, you'll likely want to eat all your meals, generally simple Belizean-style dishes such as rice and beans with stew chicken or pork, at the field station; you can book a room without meals. Hiking trails are maintained around the lodge, and guides are available to take you to La Milpa and other Maya sites. In spring and summer, you can visit archaeological teams working at La Milpa. You'll likely see lots of wildlife, including spider and howler monkeys, ocelots, peccaries, deer, and possibly even a jaguar.

Expansive villas command the beachfront, all named after precious jewels like Opal and Emerald---and they really do dazzle. The design is inspired by Mexican, Moroccan, and Maya traditions, evident in the arches, alcoves, rugs, and sensuous tones of rose and mango. Hand-hewn furniture and deluxe kitchens enhance the spaces. The villas range from two to five bedrooms; with a group, they can be more affordable than a hotel. Plus, you’ll still enjoy concierge service and a shared pool. A few restaurants are within walking distance or, more comfortably, golf-cart distance.

With balconies perched above the New River, this Belizean-owned resort gives guests the feeling of being in the jungle—keep an eye out for the river crocs that often spend the night under the hotel—while conveniently located just south of Orange Walk Town. The private balconies and riverfront views create a secluded ambience and Sal y Spice, the hotel's newly revamped restaurant and renamed restaurant, is housed in a thatched pavilion. Signature dishes include smoked wings and an assortment of tapas. The restaurant's skilled bartenders are often adding creative cocktails to the menu. Board a boat here and in 1½ hours you're at the Lamanai Maya site.

The all-white dazzle of Las Terrazas will make you want to don your chicest beachwear---but even if you can’t rival the style, this is a welcoming luxury resort. You can enjoy complimentary extras like Hobie Cat sailing, kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes. The spacious condo suites boast travertine tile floors, granite countertops, and handcrafted Belizean furnishings. A glassy infinity pool makes a gorgeous property centerpiece. If there's room in your vacation budget, Serenity Spa offers special treatments like Belizean chocolate facials. At the water, an unusual, two-level curved pier, which sweeps out into the sea, makes an ideal spot to watch the waves break over the Barrier Reef. Take bait and rods to the pier for $10 and the chef will cook your catch.

At Hopkins' original upscale resort, Jaguar Reef's original whitewashed duplex garden and beachfront thatched cabanas is supplemented with newer colonial suites with local artwork, salt-tile floors, and custom-made hardwood furnishings. Although the beach here is good (for Belize), there's a nice pool with swim-up tiki bar. Meals are served in a beautiful glassed-in beachside palapa with a soaring ceiling set off by locally made basket lights.

Jaguar Reef offers frequent summer (July--August) web-only specials.

The pulse of south Ambergris is changing with this 60-acre townlet of white, colonial-nostalgic villas by Hilton's Curio brand, complete with boutique shopping, a clubhouse, a taco truck, a spa, and all the trappings of a planned community in the States. Rooms, including cute garden cottages, are chicly designed. Think distressed wood and strong contrasting lines, offset by white fabrics that give the spaces a signature freshness. The development faces the lagoon, not the sea, but a complimentary boat runs on the hour to ferry guests to the \"Private Beach Club\" on the back side of Ambergris (note that sometimes there's a line for the boat). There you'll find a glittering beach where you can order expensive cocktails from an over-the-water daybed. Being on the lagoon, the beach has no sargassum seaweed but there are occasional annoying \"sea lice\" in the water. Mahogany Bay's tremendous Great House holds the restaurant Verandah and a deck-side bar, Shaken, and there are plenty of other places on-site to drop loads of cash. Overextended staff means service is far less personal than that found at smaller resorts. Mahogany Bay has something for everyone, but the massive resort isn't for everyone. It's easy to forget you're in Belize. This property has met controversy over its dredge-and-fill practice when making the mangrove habitat ready for construction. 

With clean rooms, a good restaurant, and convenient tours, the four-story Martha's Guesthouse provides just about everything you need right in the heart of downtown San Ignacio. The regular rooms are a bit smaller, but for a little more money, you can get a larger room with cable TV, a refrigerator, and a balcony. An annex called the Inn at Martha's about a block away adds six rooms. Martha's Restaurant, with local art on the walls and a sweet garden patio, is open every day, serving pizza and local dishes.

A bright white building, giving the impression of a ship at sea, houses stylish rooms at this friendly boutique hotel south of San Pedro. The fresh, squeaky-clean rooms have beautiful locally carved bed frames and white walls accented with handmade decorations. Outside, a small swimming pool is ringed by pleasant deck chairs, and the sea (with a sea wall) is steps away. With new owners in 2024, Mata Rocks now has the beach bar and the restaurant, which channels Caribbean culture via its dishes. Several good restaurants are a stroll away. Although not a large resort, Mata Rocks has personal service and amenities like complimentary bikes and kayaks. An added bonus: Mata Rocks has Belize's second pickleball court, which guests are invited to use. 

This is the kind of small, unpretentious beachfront hotel that many come to Belize to enjoy, but few actually find. Rooms are simple and small but pleasant, with polished wood floors, and the rates are highly affordable. Most are only steps from the water, and many have views of False Caye and the sea. There's a swimming pool, on the beach. In addition, the hotel rents several apartments and houses nearby. Some have minimum-stay requirements. A big plus here is the on-site restaurant, one of the country's best.