7 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Belize

A three-story boutique hotel, two octagonal cottages, and various "tree houses" (really just cabins among trees at the back of the property that accommodate up to five people) make up this popular laid-back, family-run beach spot. The beachside restaurant, Barracuda, which specializes in seafood, pizza, ribs, and smoked meats, is one of Hopkins's best eateries. The affordable rates include complimentary use of bikes and kayaks.

A step above the mostly budget options in Placencia Village—but nowhere near as pricey as The Ellysian—is this all-blue-on-the-outside collection of condolike units. It lets you partake of all the in-town fun in a bit more style. Rooms are a mix of studios, and one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites. All rooms have a balcony, and suites come with full kitchen and make a great option for a housekeeping holiday with everything in the village close by.

This resort has Mennonite-built cottages along a nice stretch of beach, each with a kitchenette and dining area. The sleeping quarters are upstairs in a loftlike space with a pitched wooden roof. One nifty feature is an octagonal wall panel, operated by pulleys that you can open for a bedside view of the ocean. Smaller thatch cabanas are a bit more rustic and have outdoor showers. There's a beachside restaurant and bar. Minimum multiday stays are imposed during certain seasons of the year.

A condo colony whose name means "on the beach" in the Garifuna language, Laru Beya sits on seven beachfront acres, with well-priced rooms and suites that are bright and sunny. The contemporary tropical design includes tile floors and rattan and bamboo furniture. The larger villa units, with up to three bedrooms, have full kitchens, and some have rooftop Jacuzzis and verandas with sea views. Dive, fishing, and adventure packages are available. There's a pleasant on-site restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and a bar. The Moorings and Sunsail yacht charter operations are based at the Laru Beya marina on the lagoon side. You may choose from rates that include all meals or none.

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.

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.