43 Best Hotels in Belize

An upmarket alternative to fancy jungle lodges is this resort in Bullet Tree Falls, on the banks of the Mopan River. The eight rooms and suites in the three-story mansion (built fairly recently but designed to look like a colonial building) have polished hardwood floors, high ceilings, lots of rich wood trim, and perhaps the coldest air-conditioning in Belize. You can dine, at relatively spendy prices, on the veranda overlooking the small pool and the river.

Four elegant cabanas ring a glittering plunge pool at this stylish B&B just north of the bridge. In a cool palette of blue and gray, the small hardwood cabanas are beautifully textured with plush towels, polished wood, and shark-fin-smooth ceiling fans. Everything down to the shower tiles has been carefully considered. Take a decadent breakfast in your room or on the shady deck. The size of the rooms and distance from the beach might suggest a cheaper price, but it is, after all, Ambergris---plus, Daydreamin' is a welcome counterpoint to the gargantuan developments elsewhere on the island. 

If diving is your reason for the season and you don't want to blow the bank, this beachfront inn at the north end of town is a solid launchpad for undersea adventures. Poolside daybeds under shady pergolas are a nice place to unwind after a dive, maybe with a rum from the outdoor bar, The Lazy Pelican. As for the building itself, the three-story wood-frame structure recalls a time before everyone built with reinforced concrete. Top picks here are the second- and third-floor rooms, with balconies overlooking the beach, but all rooms have sea views. Ocean Tide remains a moderate value in pricey San Pedro Town. Located at the north edge of town, you can stroll along the beach to San Pedro's bars and restaurants.

With the caveat that we recommend taking a taxi at night—you should do that in Belize City anyway—we also recommend this new entry into the city’s lodging scene, a 1902 house that’s been converted into a charming downtown inn. The house contains bright rooms with tiled floors, hardwoods, and tropical colors. Fuel up for a day of sightseeing with breakfast here—it’s extra—and some snacks to go at the small on-site Meg’s Café. While you might shy away from staying in the center city, with standard precautions, this neighborhood is fine.

Hugging the Corozal Bay in the Orchid Bay area, Orchid Bay Resort boasts silky-soft sands, a tranquil sea view, and 18 thatched-roof cabanas all artfully decorated with local wood decor. The property itself is known for the tropical gardens that house 200 species of orchids. Perhaps the resort's most alluring feature is that it's directly in front of the water. While there may not be much to do, the hotel can arrange fishing or snorkeling tours to the reef. Orchid Bay Resort sits an hour's drive away from Corozal in a secluded area of Chunox Village. 

This small beachfront resort with rooms in earth tones arranged around a courtyard with a pool is an attractive option if you don't need all the amenities of the larger resorts but want an excellent restaurant. Chef Rob's Gourmet Café, with multiple dining concepts, is one of the best restaurants in the entire country. Parrot Cove also has two two-bedroom units in a beach house next door.

This waterfront hotel on the north end of Dangriga, near the airstrip, is the best the town has to offer. Most rooms are in a two-story colonial-style building with a veranda. Some have porches with sea views. The restaurant has dependable food and service—the French fries are great—and the open-air terrace seating is a delightful spot to enjoy a meal. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Though there's a pier and small beach area, the water's not always the best for swimming. It's about a half-hour walk to the center of town, but your own vehicle or a taxi is best for making that excursion.  The hotel offers frequent Web-only specials.

If you love design but don't need the spacious grounds of a resort, you might try out one of these six adults-only cabanas, which have hip luxury on a fun-size scale. PUR has a social atmosphere that can brew up a party scene; while honeymooners love the hotel's intimacy, if you're looking for a private getaway look elsewhere. But, the textured and trendy hotel doesn’t skimp on amenities or personal service. PUR Habaneros Bar, which serves the biggest burrito on the island, is the buzzing on-site restaurant.

Robert's Grove is one of the largest (44 units including standard rooms, suites, and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and lagoon-side villas) and most complete resorts in southern Belize, with kayaks, windsurfers, small sailboats, and boats for diving. Or, you can laze on the beach, check out the gym, relax at the spa, take a yoga class, or swim in one of the three beachside pools. The resort has a dive center and marina. There are three restaurants: the main hotel restaurant, Seaside; Habanero at the marina on the lagoon side; and Sweet Mama's, a Belizean-style eatery. All-inclusive and other packages are available.

This roadside hotel just west of San Ignacio provides a pool, an affordable restaurant and bar, and a convenient location, all at moderate prices. The 11 rooms all have air-conditioning, cable television, and Wi-Fi. An on-site tour company, Go Maya, offers tours and trips to surrounding areas, with a discount to Rumors guests.

The folks at the Coral House operate these fully equipped apartments three blocks away, including an upper and a lower flat. The one-bedroom upper unit is decorated in subdued tans and mauves and comes with a spacious veranda and wonderful views of the Caribbean Sea. The brighter two-bedroom lower unit can sleep up to four. Both come with full kitchens, but breakfast at the Coral House is included in the rates if you desire. Discounts are offered for long-term stays.

A Spanish arcade makes a pleasant passageway between the rooms and courtyard of this waterfront hotel on the busy southern side of town. Among SunBreeze's virtues are that it's trusty, tasteful, and well-managed, having been successful since opening in 1980. Some remodeled rooms have upscale touches like whirlpool baths and mahogany moldings; most are simply unfussy and fresh in cream and burnt-sienna tones. Some units are equipped for guests with disabilities, a rarity in Belize. Just oceanside of the pool is the noteworthy Blue Water Grill. You can have a coconut-honey scrub (or ear candling) at the spa or get underwater with Ambergris Divers. Also under the same ownership is SunBreeze Suites at the north end of town. Both are part of the Roe Group, a prominent Belize City company that also operates the Biltmore Plaza in Belize City and Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge.

Relax beside a meandering jungle river, listen to otters splash, and admire colorful tropical birds and butterflies at this small lodge on 30 placid acres beside the Rio Grande. This is a birder's paradise: 350 species have been recorded within 5 miles (8 km) of the lodge. There's a pool, six original thatch cabanas, and three newer hardwood cabins with a/c, with or without kitchenette. You can take meals in the main lodge for an additional fee.