13 Best Hotels in The Cayes and Atolls, Belize

A collection of sturdy, sand-color buildings fanned by mature palms, Iguana Reef Inn is one of Caye Caulker's most upscale lodgings. Tropical-toned paintings animate the well-appointed rooms, and outside the footbridged pool is a peaceful place to cool off. Across from main buildings is the hotel's lively beach bar, which sits right on the lagoon. Its lounge chairs and small walk-in beach attract scores of tourists all day.  Travelers aren't the only ones drawn here: pelicans frequent the dock; a tiny seahorse "reserve" lies below it; and southern stingrays gather in the shallows in late afternoon. Because the inn is on the island's lee (west) side, you'll enjoy sunset views from your veranda, but you won't get the Caribbean Sea vista. But you may find you prefer the lagoon side.

Reopened in 2023 with a new look and feel, Bananas is often booked as a hotel "just for sleeping," but still boasts two pools, a bar, and a spa. It was acquired by Caribeville (management for Grand Caribe and Sunset Caribe). The hotel positions itself as "affordable luxury," and despite being on the south side of San Pedro, it is still close enough to highly reviewed eateries like La Fonda De Nilo and Robin's Kitchen. One perk is that the hotel offers golf carts for booking starting at BZ$118. It may be pricier than your other rental agencies, but the convenience is worth it. 

If you want to forgo island charm in favor of sleek, modern comfort, this striking hotel right in the heart of town might be for you. The minimalistic rooms are styled with a gray palette, Edison light bulbs, and hardwood headboards. The decor isn't the only thing that feels urban: the property itself is quite compact. But, a lovely pool and breezy rooftop round out the atmosphere, upping its tropical feel. Some rooms have ocean views, some more modest “island views.” Barefoot has an experienced team, a strong point of the hotel. 

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.

A practical, recently updated option with decent rates, this classic hotel hosts mainland businesspeople and foreign embassy workers. Belizean hardwood headboards and uplighting boost the rooms from superbasic to more contemporary. Rare on Caulker, the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day. The rooftop terrace boasts a great panorama of the island and horizon; now morning yoga classes are held there.

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. 

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.

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. 

Sitting pretty and pink in the middle of town, this long-established seafront hotel has basic but pleasant efficiency apartments, lacking only a pool to make it a perfect mid-level choice. French doors open onto verandas with hammocks, where you can eat meals prepared in your well-equipped kitchenette. Some furniture is dated and nothing is fancy here, but you'll still enjoy the friendly service and beautiful views of a nicer resort. All units are oceanfront. Just a few steps away is one of the island's best dive shops, Amigos del Mar. 

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.

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.

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.

This cluster of turquoise cottages, each with a hammocked porch, is steps from the sea, and while accommodations are simple---just above backpacker level---the Caribbean is your playground. Here, there's a bit more room for stretching out than at other lodges on Tobacco Caye, as the property extends from the sea on the east to the island's back side. A bar is set away from the cabins. Rates do not include Marine Reserve fees or transportation.