8 Best Hotels in Belmopan City, The Cayo District

These 12 bright and airy wooden cabanas connected by a boardwalk are a true haven nestled within 700 acres of jungle. Wake up to the sounds of the birds, relax in the hammocks, sample some Belizean cuisine at the restaurant, or take advantage of the nature trails to see wildlife. There is plenty for everyone to do, from unplugging and relaxing to hiking and adventuring. The charming bungalows are tastefully decorated, have very comfortable beds that can be hard to find in the rainforest, and nice en suite bathrooms with lots of hot water.

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.

Set on the banks of the Belize River, this lodge is a good spot for families, especially those who like to ride horses, as equestrians of all skill levels have a choice of horses from their herd of about 100. Owners John and Carolyn Carr and daughter Leisa Carr-Caceres arrange canoe trips and hikes on the lodge's 4,000 acres. Naturalists may disagree with the lodge's policy on keeping wild animals, but you'll get the chance to see deer, a jaguar, and a spider monkey on the lodge grounds, along with many birds in an aviary. A bar and grill, conference area, art studio, and art gallery are in a building next to the swimming pool.

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.

With somewhat eccentric decor and televisions in every room, Dream Valley is not quite luxurious and not quite rustic, but guests enjoy its intimacy and quiet location right at the jungle's edge. Raised wooden walkways lead you between zinc-roofed cabins, a spa, and the main lodge. The location is removed enough that trips into Belmopan are challenging without a rental car, so your main dining option is the on-site restaurant, which serves tasty burgers but little Belizean fare. However, the staff is welcoming, views of Belize River are beautiful, and the best adventure tours of Cayo are within reach.

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.

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.