Welcome to Chaa Creek, rated one of the world’s best Eco Lodges & a pioneer in adventure travel to Belize since 1981. Wildly civilized sums up the philosophy of our award-winning Belize Jungle Resort, located in the heart of Maya civilization.

Since Chaa Creek’s inception in 1981, owners Mick & Lucy Fleming strove to coexist with nature while creating a true jungle experience & the result is an exquisite blend of natural beauty & man-made comforts.

We are proud that Chaa Creek continues to win recognition as one of the Caribbean region’s best examples of sustainable, Green tourism.

About Chaa Creek – A Pioneer In Adventure Travel To Belize Since 1981

When they began farming on the banks of the Macal River in western Belize, Mick and Lucy Fleming always strove to coexist with nature, and as Chaa Creek grew, so did their appreciation and respect for Belize’s diverse ecology and rich culture.

It was only natural that when the Flemings began taking in guests to create one of Belize’s first eco-resorts in 1981, they combined their love of nature with a desire to give visitors an authentic jungle experience that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and built comforts.

Responsible Travel at Chaa Creek

Our commitment to responsible travel has resonated with guests from around the world, and we are proud that Chaa Creek continues to win recognition as a model of sustainable, Green tourism.

Our 400-acre private nature reserve is one of the most awarded Belize Eco Lodges, and in 2017 took first place honours in its category at National Geographic’s World Legacy Awards presented in Berlin.

Chaa Creek’s Location

Set along the banks of the Macal River and stretching towards the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Chaa Creek continues to provide unique adventure travel experiences for thousands of visitors looking for an in-depth yet civilized Belizean vacation, with a focus on Belize’s ecology, natural history and vibrant multicultural society.

Our location in the “Heartland of the Maya” gives us a special interest and expertise in helping visitors explore the many ancient cities, temples, ceremonial caves and archaeological sites of this fascinating ancient civilisation, and we offer cultural tours that give visitors an insight into today’s Maya, Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole and German Mennonite cultures.

Belize is a place of spectacular beauty, and when sharing our home and our love for what makes it so special, we also wish to share a sense of responsibility towards protecting the country’s vibrant yet fragile ecosystem.

Looking for Where to stay in Belize?

Our wide range of accommodations ensure that guests can choose lodgings best suited to their lifestyle and needs. Twenty-three cottage style rooms nestled amid tropical gardens feature tastefully appointed interiors and airy palm thatched roofs.

We also offer the Garden Suite and Garden Jacuzzi Suite, which, when rented separately or together as the Complete Garden Suite, offer a high degree of flexibility and comfort.

In addition, the Spa Villa, Macal Cottage and Tree Top Villas all have their own style and feature amenities such as private Jacuzzis or infinity plunge pool and stunning garden views.

New for 2017, the Ix Chel Luxury Rainforest Villas blend our environmentally friendly philosophy with clean, elegant design and furnishings, stunning views and expansive, private verandas enclosing personal plunge pools, Jacuzzis, al fresco showers and the services of a personal butler.

The Ix Chel Villas are also designed to be let together or individually to suit families, couples, groups or individuals seeking the highest degree of luxury in a pristine rainforest setting.

Regardless of which option you choose, we hope you’ll sleep better knowing that 10% of all room revenue goes directly towards environmental and community projects under our Chaa Creek Cares initiative.

Luxurious Tree Top Villas in Belize

Belize’s original Tree Top Villas have been extensively refurbished, and the results are as spectacular as the views.

Sharing the forest canopy with toucans, parrots and other colourful tropical birds, looking down upon the Macal River and tranquil jungle setting, the Villas expanded patios now include al fresco showers, private plunge pools and sundecks to create your own personal tree-top Eden.

Stunning views, luxurious amenities and flexible sleeping arrangements ensure that your rainforest idyll – whether a honeymoon, couple’s romantic getaway or family vacation, will be nothing short of magic.

And, after lounging, soaking or stargazing following a day of tours and activities, you’ll sleep better knowing your visit actually benefits Belize’s environment and communities, with one out of every ten dollars spent on accommodation going towards our Chaa Creek Cares initiatives.

The Ix Chel Luxury Villas – Belize’s 180° Experience

Representing an exciting new stage in over thirty-five years of evolution, and catering to those discerning travellers looking for the highest level of comfort in an unspoiled natural setting, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is now offering a luxurious new addition to our range of accommodations – the Ix Chel Villas.

All Chaa Creek lodgings reflect our commitment towards environmental sustainability while providing the very best in quality and service. The Ix Chel Villas take that commitment to a new level by blending contemporary design with stunning views of a pristine Belizean rainforest.

After selecting a location offering tranquillity, privacy and convenient access to our onsite amenities and activities, we worked with our team of Belizean designers, green consultants, artists and builders to create a collection of air-conditioned suites with gorgeous 180° views, luxuriously comfortable interiors and amenities not usually found in such an idyllic setting.

The Experience

Ix Chel guests also enjoy the unobtrusive yet attentive service of a personal butler who will coordinate room service, housekeeping, food, beverage and laundry services, assist with booking your Belize tours and activities, and look after each visitor’s every requirement.

In-room massages and treatments from the Hilltop Spa are also available, and experienced babysitters are on hand to provide responsible child minding.

Situated on a forested bank overlooking the Macal River Valley, the Villas’ floor-to-ceiling glass walls and doors offer spectacular yet private 180° views of the surrounding jungle habitat.

The two Villa plazas contain two suites each – a master bedroom suite that includes a sitting room lounge with convertible furniture to accommodate two extra sleepers, and a junior bedroom suite with a king-sized bed.

An expansive veranda with al fresco shower, private pool and Jacuzzi affords beautiful views during the day and a lovely candlelit ambience accented by the gentle natural music of the river and surrounding jungle during the evening.

The unique Plaza layout allows the suites to be offered as combined or stand-alone bookings ideal for accommodating a range of guests from couples to larger groups and families.

Ix Chel, the Maya moon goddess, was one of the most highly revered deities in the ancient Maya pantheon, and our respectful homage to the local ancient Maya culture extends to the suites, where the celestial hero Kukulcan, the sun king Kinich Ahau, Bacab, the deity of the four winds, and Yaxche, the Maya Tree of Paradise are all represented.

Farm To Table Jungle Dining at Our Mariposa Restaurant

Spoil your taste buds and enjoy delectable ‘Jungle Cuisine’ in our romantic al fresco dining room. Enjoy the sounds of birds singing in the surrounding trees in the daytime, and listen to the symphony of night sounds while you dine under candlelight.

At the Chaa Creek restaurant, we combine modern and ‘old fashioned’ cooking techniques with a wide variety of fresh local produce to create innovative and original, mouthwatering meals.

Start your day light with a selection of tropical fruits and homemade yogurt, or go local and try a more substantial breakfast of refried beans, eggs, and freshly prepared corn tortillas.

For lunch, you can choose from our Mariposa Menu with a choice of international dishes like pizzas and pasta accompanied by some regional favorites like quesadillas and ceviche.

Apart from the a la carte menu at dinner time we highly recommend our Chef’s daily four-course connoisseur menu, which for many of our guests is one of the highlights of the day.

Innovative dishes like carrot and ginger soup flavored with orange peel and lemon grass, Cho Cho and cantaloupe salad with mango and balsamic dressing, or fresh fish fillet wrapped in ‘Santa Maria’ leaves sprinkled with lime butter are just a few examples of what you can expect to find in this menu.

We grow most of our produce at our organic Maya farm and what we cannot grow is ‘hand-picked’ from local producers. Only this way can we guarantee fresh products, the taste of our surroundings, and at the same time support the small farmers in our region.

At the end of your day you may want to try a refreshing Sorrel Flower ice tea, our non-alcoholic signature drink, or any of our wide selection of delicious cocktails at our verandah bar where you can gaze at the stars and share stories with other guests.

Our colorful bartenders will happily entertain you with tales of their beloved country, Belize. Our bar has in stock the best selection of spirits in the country and is open from six in the morning until the last guest leaves at night.

Belize Spa Resort

To truly immerse yourself in the Belizean rainforest experience, take time out to enjoy the benefits of professional spa treatments in one of the most stunning, relaxing settings imaginable.

Our Hilltop Spa at Chaa Creek is set above the winding Macal River with a panoramic view of the Maya Mountains and lush Caribbean Rainforest – an extraordinary, peaceful setting enhanced by the background music of tropical birds and gentle rustling of leaves.

Our professional therapists will help you select from a range of treatments to create a personalised Spa experience guaranteed to put you in harmony with the beautiful natural surroundings – and yourself.

Imagine an al fresco massage as you breathe in deliciously fresh, clean air produced by the vast surrounding rainforest. You’ll find cares and worries slip away into the peace and tranquillity of this timeless environment as our dedicated professionals work their quiet magic.

Over the years, Chaa Creek’s Spa managers have developed a regimen of professional treatments to satisfy anyone, and our therapists will work with you to ensure the most personalised, rewarding experience possible.

You’ll also be happy to know that your Chaa Creek Spa treatments don’t come at a cost to the natural environment. As with all our operations, the Spa lives in harmony with our natural surroundings with scrupulous attention paid to product selection and waste management.

Our natural, herbal based approach sets an example for sustainable, environmentally friendly spas. Naturally mineral rich mud treatments, herbal wraps and carefully chosen botanicals, sourced as locally as possible, enrich you without depleting the earth.

Pamper yourself with a Chaa Creek Spa experience and see what jungle luxury really feels like – it will be another once-in-a-lifetime Belizean experience.

Eco Infinity Swimming

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is making a splash with our beautifully appointed, fresh water swimming pool which is added to the numerous onsite activities that Chaa Creek offers, and combines to make Chaa Creek an extra special holiday destination.

The eco-friendly swimming pool was built with both adults and children in mind. Its bi-level configuration allows for swimming and paddling pools, as well as generous lounging space for dining, sun bathing and relaxation.

The total capacity of the pool is a whopping 46,000 gallons, 45,000 gallons in the main pool area and 1,000 gallons in children’s paddling pool. The size is 60ft long and 20ft wide with a depth of 4.7 ft. The pool’s Green credential is facilitated by the IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine Generator (IECG).

This sanitation system uses a salt chlorinator to create a process known as electrolysis which produces a chlorine gas that immediately dissolves into a solution creating Hypochlorite, a pool and spa water sanitizer.

Hypochlorite kills bacteria, oxidizes organic material, and kills algae, then reverts back to salt. A low concentration of salt added to the pool water is the only sanitizer used. The IECG then reuses the salt and the process starts over again.

Belize Conference Facilities

The right setting can make every meeting more productive and more memorable. The Lodge at Chaa Creek offers a beautiful location with elegant and well-appointed meeting facilities.

The Conference Center at Chaa Creek is the perfect place for a business meeting, group retreat, workshop, wedding or private function. Our newly air-conditioned Conference Center can accommodate up to 100 people auditorium style and 50 people classroom style.

It is equipped with current audio/visual equipment. The light and airy building has highly flexible furniture and comfortable chairs with superior lumbar support. The conference tables can be used to create a variety of configurations within minutes to accommodate the needs of your presentation style.

The podium has a public address system with cordless microphones. A television with VCR over-head, slide and multi-media projectors are available for business meetings.

Our staff are knowledgeable and experts in providing all the planning and services to make any meeting or family function run smoothly.

Our reservations office in San Ignacio will be happy to provide a customized quote to suite your specific needs. Chaa Creek is cradled between the steep forested slopes of the Macal River Valley.

Close to the rainforest of the Maya Mountains and granite uplands of central Belize, it is strategically placed within easy driving distance of the Mountain Pine Ridge, Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and El Pilar Maya Temples, the Chumpiate Cave, Vaca Falls and the 220 square mile Tikal National Park.

Maya Organic Farm

The 33 acre Maya Organic Farm is an integral part of the Chaa Creek Reserve; It provides freshly harvested produce for The Lodge at Chaa Creek and the Macal River Camp.

The farm integrates traditional Maya farming with more advanced systems of irrigated raised beds of composted soil fed with nutrients derived from natures store house. Few people, including our native Belizeans, understand the complexity of the Mayas organic farming techniques.

The indigenous Maya have survived for over 2000 years on subsistence farming for home use, barter, and sale as the backbone of their existence. They have used resources supplied by nature to nourish the soil and protect their crops from insect devastation.

Costly chemicals were simply not an option and their continuing methodology has clearly stood the test of time.. As part of our many onsite activities we offer guided horseback riding tours to the Maya Farm where our guests get the opportunity to experience how the Maya farmed.

You get to see all the different fruits and vegetables that are grown and the different organic farming methods with soil enrichment that are used based on a five-year rotation plan using Makuna beans and Lucina as nitrogen fixers.

Cacao, root crops, and vegetables planted on the farm oftentimes can only be found in the older Mayan settlements. Freshly harvested organic fruits and vegetables from our traditional Maya Farm are complimented by local dairy and meat products to create a distinct flavor of the Caribbean and Latin American region.

Horse Stables

Chaa Creek maintains a stable of well-groomed riding horses that are suited for all levels of riding experience. Our guided rides traverse the trails of the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve through sub-tropical broadleaf forest past ancient Maya sites.

As you ride along, your naturalist guide will highlight the various unique plant and wildlife species native to the reserve. Optional rides to the MAYA ORGANIC FARM may also be arranged.

Horseback riding tours are now offered twice a day; the first at 9:00am and the other at 1:30pm. Whether you’re just out for an afternoon hike or planning a more extensive exploration, our licensed naturalist guides are always ready to make your experience both intellectually and physically challenging.

Private Nature Reserve in Belize

Our Belize Eco Resort has a picturesque trail network that will take you to many different areas of our 400-acre nature reserve. All of the trails are numbered as shown on our comprehensive trail map that can be requested from our concierge office or with any of our friendly members of staff.

For your comfort, we suggest hiking boots or tennis shoes and sunscreen or a cap. Feel free to explore on your own and at your leisure or join a guided tour and interact with an exotic tropical environment. If you wish to venture out on your own we request that you inform our front desk before doing so.

Natural History Center

Situated at the top of the hill behind the cottages, the Chaa Creek Natural History Center takes students and visitors along a fascinating time line, which begins with prehistoric land formation through to the shifting of the continents.

Visitors are able to see the movement of life in Belize through the ages; from Mayan temples in the steaming jungle to modern day traditional healers.

On one hand we provide a comprehensive introduction to the history and geography of Belize while on the other we provide visual displays of archaeological artifacts, butterflies, moths, insects and amphibians that capture the curiosity of young children, students and scientists alike.

The forested area surrounding the Centre has become an educational destination which, combined with the Rainforest Medicine Trail, this offers an excellent opportunity to study medicinal and useful plants.

The Chaa Creek Natural History Centre Provide a comprehensive introduction to the history and geography of Belize. Offers study of medicinal and useful plants.

Blue Morpho Butterfly Exhibit

The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm continues to be a major attraction as people marvel at the splendid iridescent wings of these magnificent butterflies. The “Belizean Blue” can be observed during every stage of their life cycle.

It begins its cycle as a pale green egg, which looks like a dewdrop, soon after it changes into a voraciously hungry caterpillar, then into the bizarre form of a dormant pupa, and finally into a dazzling beauty that delights the public in butterfly houses throughout the world.

At Chaa Creek, our objective is to encourage learning about our environment and to have fun at the same time.

What better way than by illustrating the fascinating sights of an insect’s life cycle to help us appreciate the rich diversity of our natural environment that makes Belize one of the world’s best, and most interesting, destinations.

Woodworking Shop at Belize

The Shop is tucked away along the edge of a copse which gives shade to an old Mayan dwelling area where ancient terraced food gardens can still be seen. Guests are always welcome to drop by and talk with the carpenters and craftsman who are happy to discuss the particular project they happen to be working on.

There are always pieces of exotic wood scraps available for the avid whittler to put in the bottom of their bag to take home for future enjoyment. The wood shop is committed to producing high quality furniture by local craftsmen with an attention to finish and detail for all our guests to enjoy.

On-Site Activities at Chaa Creek

Chaa Creek’s nature reserve offers a wide range of exciting, educational, and healthy activities for adventurers of all ages and abilities. The 400-acre private reserve hosts miles of well maintained trails for horseback riding and hiking.

Our cadre of licensed naturalist guides share their local expertise of Belize’s diverse natural history including the fascinating Maya civilization which once thrived in this area.

Canoe trips down the Macal River are a relaxing way to travel through the jungle and with our Natural History Centre, Butterfly Farm, Rainforest Medicine Trail and numerous activities, your days at Chaa Creek are wonderfully full.

Exquisite pampering complimented by stunning views of the Macal River Valley is always available at Chaa Creek’s full-service Hilltop Spa. Delectable meals are prepared utilizing freshly harvested organic produce from our Maya organic farm and home-baked breads and pastries from our in-house bakery.

For those seeking a true Belizean experience with a range of options for both adventure and relaxation along with award-winning Green practices, Chaa Creek is the recognized destination of choice.

Belize Tours
We offer carefully designed tours that open up the fascinating world of Belize, from inland Mayan archaeological treasures to the stunning Barrier Reef, beautiful cayes and coastal resorts and villages.

Chaa Creek’s 400-acre nature reserve is an adventure in itself and offers a range of exciting, educational and healthy activities for adventurers of all ages and abilities.

Chaa Creek Nature Reserve’s miles of lush, well maintained trails are perfect for horseback riding and hiking, and our licensed guides are here to help you explore Belize’s natural history including the fascinating Maya civilisation, which once thrived in this area.

Canoe trips down the beautiful Macal River are a relaxing way to travel through the jungle, and with our Natural History Centre, Butterfly Farm, Rainforest Medicine Trail and numerous activities, your days at Chaa Creek are wonderfully full.

Organized Adventure Tours in Belize

We also offer carefully crafted Belize adventure tours, including popular Rainforest to Reef surf and turf packages which offer exceptional value for money and a hassle free way to experience Belize from the inland borders to the coast and cayes.

Explore ancient Belize Mayan Ruins in the jungle in the morning, and be snorkeling the great Belize Barrier Reef that afternoon.

Whether within our reserve or enjoying a tour or adventure vacation package, you can also rest assured that you are contributing to the sustainability of Belize’s natural resources and unique culture.

If traveling sustainably is a preference of yours as it is for us, you’ll be happy to know that Chaa Creek was known as an eco resort before the term became popular, and we continue to promote green tourism through our own efforts and public initiatives.

Check with our concierge for specific Go-Green activities you and your family can become involved with.

Whether you’re looking for challenging adventures, exclusive experiences, or quiet relaxation among the sights and sounds of the beautiful Belizean rainforest, we are dedicating to working with you to ensure that your Belize vacation is everything you hope for.

We love Belize – let us show you why, and be prepared for one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable.

Belize Cave Tours
Belize offers a magnificent opportunity to explore “Xibalba”, the Mayan underworld. With a series of ancient ceremonial caves, some featuring human remains, pottery and crystal skulls, Belize has increasingly become the go-to destination for cave tours and cave tubing adventures.

Our Belize Cave Tours include the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (popularly known as the ATM) and regarded as the #1 “Top 10 Sacred Caves in the World” by National Geographic, Barton Creek cave, and Caves Branch. Some cave tours involve hiking, swimming, wading and crawling, proving to be one of the most adventerous things to do while in Belize.

Actun Tunichil Muknal
Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, also known as the ATM, is an ancient Maya ceremonial Belize cave rich in both history and artefacts. One of Belize’s most impressive attractions, it is also one of the newest, having only been open to the public since the late 1990s.

Although featured in National Geographic, History Channel, Lonely Planet and other documentaries, magazines and guidebooks, a visit to this spectacular Belize cave is still an off-the-beaten track adventure that even Indiana Jones would appreciate.

After an hour and half drive from Chaa Creek and a 45-minute walk along a jungle trail fording three river crossings, guests arrive at the ATM camp to rest and enjoy lunch. The real adventure begins with a swim into the cave’s mouth, still partially concealed by the overhanging jungle plants that kept it hidden for so many years.

Actun Tunichil Muknal was perhaps the most important of sacred Belize caves, one in which the ancient Maya conducted elaborate ceremonies to appease their gods, and once inside, visitors wade along a shallow underground river before scaling ladders that lead to sacrificial altars still surrounded by jade axe heads, pottery, blood letting implements and other artefacts.

As you venture deeper, the skulls and skeletons of sacrificial victims compete for space with more artefacts and stalagmites while beautiful, multi hued stalactites adorn cathedral like ceilings.

The highlight of the tour is the famous Crystal Maiden, from which this Belize cave gets one of its nicknames. The intact skeleton of a young sacrificial victim has over the years been coated with a sparkling crystal carbonate, giving her an eerie sparkle that shimmers in the torchlight.

With its combination of natural beauty and the wealth of relics left behind from mysterious Maya ceremonies, a visit to Actun Tunichil Muknal is an experience guaranteed to leave you with unforgettable memories and a rare, in-depth look into the life of Belize’s ancient Maya.

Chaa Creek has been helping visitors discover Actun Tunichil Muknal since it was first opened to the public, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains preserved in its pristine state for the enjoyment of future guests.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal tour requires a reasonable level of fitness, and you will be given headlamps and necessary equipment as well as the help of licenced naturalist guides who will assist you throughout this amazing journey into the fascinating underworld of the ancient Maya.

Pontoon on the Vaca Lake
The Vaca Lake is a man-made reservoir in the upper Macal River Valley a few miles upstream from our Lodge. When the lake swelled into a 6 mile long waterhole, Lazaro Martinez who grew up in the area decided it was time to invite adventurers to his childhood backyard.

Join him on a hilly jungle trek to his pontoon, La Capitana for a tamed loop around the lake. The gentle drift offers a unique opportunity to spot myriad creatures including, Tapirs, Spider Monkeys, Ocelots and a plethora of Birds conveying at this biospheric junction.

La Capitana docks at one of three pristine waterfalls for an exploratory hike and optional swimming. Relax at the water’s edge and enjoy your picnic lunch.

Belize Mayan Ruins Tours
The Maya civilization flourished from 2000 B.C. to about 900 A.D. During the classic period from 250 to 900 A.D.

In this time period they built impressive Mayan Ruins, created beautiful art from stone and jade, made astonishing discoveries in mathematics and astronomy, and devised the most sophisticated writing system in the Western Hemisphere.

They also established a 1500-mile-long trade route running the length of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and continuing through Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.

Speculation varies on what led to the eventual decline of this great civilization, but at the height of Maya civilization the population of what is now Belize may have reached one million – four times what it is today.

Although their population is greatly reduced, the Maya continue to live in Belize, still speaking Mayan dialects, and practicing traditional, ancient crafts and healing techniques.

Regarded as the heartland of the Maya civilisation, Belize contains a number of significant Maya archaeological sites, ancient cities, Mayan Ruins and sacred cave complexes.

The lovely ceremonial centre of Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, with its impressive stone pyramid and stunning views of Belize and Guatemala reveals the beauty of Maya architecture, while Carcol, a sprawling city covering some 55 sq mi, gives a first-hand feel for the sheer size of ancient Maya cities.

The majestic temples of Tikal dramatically rising out of dense jungle have enthralled visitors since they were first discovered.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek invites you to explore the center of the Mundo Maya in Belize, and offers tours to several Mayan Ruins in western Belize and Peten, Guatemala at the ancient Mayan city of Tikal.

Belize Helicopter Tours
Our Belize Resort is located along banks of the Macal River in the foothill of the Maya Mountains; what better way to get there than by a thrilling sightseeing Belize helicopter tour. There are two different routes to choose for the helicopter transfer from the Belize International Airport to the lodge.

Belize Snorkeling Tours
Many people enjoy the ease and freedom of snorkeling and diving in Belize in the warm clear tropical waters of Belize’s Caribbean reef and seacoast, where some of the most beautiful underwater scenes are to be found in the better lit and more abundant shallower waters.

Snorkeling is also an activity that entire families, from young children to grandparents, can enjoy together while more experienced divers can find countless undersea challenges along the Belize reef.

The UNESCO listed the Great Belize Barrier Reef as one of the most diverse eco-systems in the world made up of over 100 coral species and home to some 500 species of fish and hundreds of invertebrates.

As far back as 1842 Charles Darwin called it, “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies”, and it is no less stunning today. Scattered along the 170-mile living coral reef are nearly 200 small islands, or cayes, some just sandy specks and others containing fresh water wells and their own remarkable mini ecosystems.

One experienced diver recently described a visit to them as “stepping back to what exploring the Caribbean must have been like two hundred years ago.” Chaa Creek’s affordable, Belize all inclusive packages are designed to present the best of the Caribbean in exciting, hassle-free excursions.

Our one day snorkeling adventure takes visitors on a drive along the lovely Hummingbird Highway over the Maya Mountains and down to Belize’s southern coast to the traditional Garifuna town of Dangriga, where a boat ferries guests to picturesque and unspoilt South Water Caye for a full day of snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing and delicious island food.

Ziplining in Belize – Calico Jack’s
Zip lining is an exhilarating experience with spectacular views and a perspective you won’t get anywhere else in Belize. It lets you soar through the subtropical jungle of Belize, on the longest aerial runway found in the country, giving you an exciting opportunity to gain a bird’s eye view of the rainforest.

Calico Jack’s is acknowledged as a safe zip line, double cabled, and built to exceed conventional standards. You will have fun and excitement with peace of mind for your safety. Calico Jack’s offers three different tours of different length and difficulty, so everyone can give this a try.

Cave Tubing & Ziplining
Step into a rubber tube and float leisurely into the mysterious subterranean world of “Xibalba” – the mythic underworld of the ancient Maya. Enter an inner sanctum of crystal stalactites, stalagmites, rim stone pools, and ancient Maya artifacts.

On this tour, trained guides lead visitors through a living natural cave system to witness the ongoing miracles that created this masterpiece of underground wonders.

The crystal room which is located inside the cave has many beautiful formations that are enhanced by the light of your head lamp. At points within the cave your guide will lead you on foot to further explore the many wonders that await you in “Xibalba”.

After emerging from the underworld the optional Aerial Trek Zip Line awaits to provide you with an exhilarating rush as you zoom through the forest canopy for a true bird’s eye view of the pristine jungle.

The professionally installed Zip Line utilizes a double set of cables for added safety and stretches 80 feet above the jungle floor through five runs from treetop to tree top. For a Grand Finale, this unforgettable experience will top off with an adrenalin rush as you rappel down, once again, to solid terra firma!

San Ignacio Market Tour
Local market days are great opportunities to experience Belizean life and colour, and this is certainly true for Cayo where every Saturday the market area comes alive with its own multicultural blend of colours, sounds, flavours and foodstuffs.

This is the day when farmers and almost everyone comes into San Ignacio town to buy, sell, trade, gossip and generally catch up. If you want to experience real Western Belize life, this is the place, and what a pleasant, heady experience it is.

Vendors from nearby and remote communities contribute to the melodic mix of Maya, Creole, English and Spanish while Mennonite farmers can be heard conversing in German.

Our market day experience begins with a picturesque, downstream canoe trip down the meandering Macal River where a variety of birds and exotic jungle life can be seen along the verdant banks.

The market day experience begins at the canoe landing adjacent to the marketplace where a tour will familiarise you with the area before allowing you to experience everything at your own pace.

In addition to local market staples such as fruits and vegetables, there are also dried fruits, homemade cereals and condiments, Maya herbal remedies, arts and crafts, clothing and tropical plants to be found.

A number of local restaurants, bars and shops are all nearby, so this is the perfect opportunity to shop for a variety of things while absorbing the local colour and discovering for yourself the easygoing friendly warmth of Belizeans.

The day ends with a lovely ride back to Chaa Creek, but this unique experience is guaranteed to stay with you for a long time.

Sustainable Practices at Chaa Creek

Sensitive construction, creative recycling and other green practices have always been part and parcel to our development, and while we are honoured to have been so widely recognized for doing what, to us, comes naturally, we take even greater pride in the overwhelmingly positive comments we receive from visitors.

Our guests say they appreciate Chaa Creek’s eco-friendly blend of pristine nature and a casually luxurious built environment, and enjoy the flexibility and choice we offer in accommodations, amenities, meals, tours and expeditions.

Our wide range of accommodations allow guests to select lodgings that range from the rustic charm of the Belize Rainforest Retreat at Chaa Creek (formerly Macal River Camp) to the unparalleled luxury of the new Ix Chel Luxury Rainforest Villas, whose stunning views, private Jacuzzis, plunge pools and amenities such as the attention of a personal butler have set new standards for excellence in a pristine natural environment.

In addition, our infrastructure and nationwide network of colleagues enable us to offer a range of comprehensive, hassle-free tours and all-inclusive Belize vacation packages that cater to all ages, interests and levels of fitness.

For example, our close relationships with premier Belizean reef and island resorts at Ambergris Caye, Placencia and other Caribbean vacation spots allow us to offer comprehensive, seamless, and surprisingly affordable Belize beach and rainforest vacation packages that combine the best of Belize’s inland and Caribbean attractions.

Our colleagues share our respect for Belize’s environment and communities, so wherever you go on a Chaa Creek package tour, you can be sure that you are doing the right thing and participating in sustainable, responsible tourism.

We hope you’ll sleep better knowing that ten percent of your room revenue at Chaa Creek goes directly into environmental and community projects under our Chaa Creek Cares initiative. and programs such as “Pack-a-Pound”, that provides disadvantaged Belizean school children with personal school supplies and other projects help build bridges between our guests and local communities that leave everyone feeling good.

The Chaa Creek Experience

For anyone looking for physically and intellectually stimulating expeditions, as well as affordable all inclusive family vacations, Belizean destination wedding, honeymoon or Maya adventure vacation packages and cultural tours, or for visitors just wishing to relax in comfort while experiencing one of the world’s most vibrant rainforest environments, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, as Belize’s “Destination Within a Destination”, remains the perfect choice to discover all those things that makes Belize truly special.

We invite you to navigate around our website to learn more – we hope your virtual visit will result in the real thing, and look forward to welcoming you into our extended family in the near future.

Website: www.chaacreek.com

Rooms: 23

Price: from 374 EUR per night

Inspiration comes alive at Ka’ana, a luxe adventure outpost where wandering spirits roam free. Nestled in the heart of the tropical jungle of western Belize, our luxury resort is an oasis of style, culture, and premium amenities for well-seasoned adventurers and tastemakers alike.

At Ka’ana, we offer luxury accommodations, adventure tours, and all-inclusive packages. Our resort in San Ignacio, Belize, is at the doorstep of an ancient Maya city and has been inspired by Ka’ana’s name, which means heavenly place.

San Ignacio is the heart and soul of the Cayo District and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Western Belize. It is the base for exploring Mayan ruins, cave systems, and the lush jungle and rainforest.

Luxury Suites and Villas in San Ignacio
Unwind at our award-winning 5-Star boutique resort offering luxury accommodations in Belize’s Mayan Jungle. Experience the ultimate luxury in our villas and suites, thoughtfully designed to exist in harmony with the property’s natural beauty and lush surroundings.

Our hotel’s aesthetic is defined by its clean lines and modern amenities, which pair beautifully with the Belizean textures, colors, and textiles. Whether planning a romantic escape or an adventure abroad, reserve your stay at our Belize resort and enjoy premium amenities like a spa, swimming pool, and easy access to the area’s endless local adventures.

Balam Suites
Our five graciously appointed luxury Balam Suite is nestled in a hacienda-style home and offers everything you need to feel revitalized and ready for jungle adventures. It features a private entrance and a beautiful outdoor sitting area overlooking the pool or tropical gardens.

Casita Suites
Our elegant Casita Suite strikes the perfect balance between privacy and modern luxury with private garden with outdoor shower, soaking tub, and lounge chairs. Feel the comfort of home in our 400 square feet spacious living space with a private outdoor terrace and balcony. Explore our amenities!

Master Suite
Surround yourself in the jungle wilderness in our 700-square feet home suite with locally inspired décor. This luxury suite features a comfortable king-size bed with individual front and back decks, a private plunge pool in the garden, and a private outdoor shower.

One Bedroom Private Pool Villa
Perfect for a romantic getaway, this poolside villa is positioned off a secluded garden pathway. It has everything from unmatched luxury and comfort to thoughtfully designed open-concept indoor and outdoor space of 1,250 square feet.

Two Bedroom Private Pool Villa
Relax in style in our 2,500 sq. ft two-bedroom plush jungle villa, perfect for friends and family traveling together. It features elegantly designed and luxuriously appointed interiors open to outdoor entertainment, pool and dining with a private garden.

Authentic Belizean Cuisine
Experience authentic Belizean-inspired cuisine in our own La Ceiba restaurant in San Ignacio at Ka’ana Resort. From local, seasonal dishes to signature cocktails, our food, and beverage program is designed to satisfy and inspire every guest.

We feed your appetite not only for adventure but for the finest dining when you reserve your stay in our 5-star boutique resort. Are you ready for a fantastic jungle dining experience? Explore our dining and drink menus at the La Ceiba and Wallace Bar.

La Ceiba Restaurant
Indulge in farm to table jungle-inspired local fare with world-class wine. Our restaurant is celebrated for its farmhouse design and chef-driven menu. Savor local and international cuisine. Our full-service dining room pays tribute to seasonal ingredients, most of which are sourced from our organic garden.

The Wallace
Sip and savor signature cocktails with delectable bites in a jungle-casual atmosphere at the Wallace. Our mixologists take pride in creating unique drinks and refreshing twists on classics for you while you relax by the fireside in our courtyard.

Organic Garden
At Ka’ana, our priorities are scrumptious food and our relationship with the environment. With green initiatives, we have united these two loves in our lovely two-acre organic garden, which inspires our chefs and supplies them with fresh local ingredients.

Destination Dining
A rendezvous with fine food in a lush jungle setting sets the stage for unique special occasions. Allow us to create a custom, private dining experience. Whether feasting al fresco poolside or ensconced in our cozy wine cellar, you will indulge in menus and pairings designed solely to feed your craving.

Events + Private Dinners
If you want to celebrate a small or big event, get in touch with us to share your unique ideas. We’d love to make your vision a reality at Ka’ana.

Captivating Weddings in Belize
Belize is the only country where you can celebrate weddings alongside Mayan ruins for a truly spectacular moment. At Ka’ana, we create every wedding as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your guests in elegant venues, surrounded by a verdant jungle.

We have a six-member culinary team to help you customize menus, and our dedicated wedding planner can help you plan and create the perfect backdrop for your special day. Whether your big day is an intimate affair or a Belizean blowout, we’ll help you realize your dream vision.

Honeymoon in Belize
Celebrate the beginning of your married life with a stay in our private pool villa. Embark on local adventures like horseback riding through Mayan ruins or relax by the spa and enjoy a private candlelit dinner in our wine cellar, or next to our infinity-edge pool. End each night stargazing by the fire.

Meetings & Groups
Host your productive meeting in one of our indoor or outdoor spaces, perfect for small groups. Explore our services and start planning your event.

Outdoor Pool
Take a dip or enjoy cocktails poolside at Ka’ana. Our sparkling pool is an oasis in the jungle with a sunbathing terrace and is a welcome spot for taking it easy after an adventure-filled day.

Spa
Experience the replenishing energy of Belize through traditional spa services and local specialty treatments like Mayan Abdominal Massage. Seek balance in the perfect peaceful setting.

Yoga
Awaken your body and spirit with sunrise Yoga at Ka’ana. Enjoy the perfect Belize Yoga retreat in the serene and beautiful jungle. Choose from various Yoga locations on-site or the nearby Mayan temples.

Adventure Desk
Belize is an adventurer’s paradise surrounded by the majestic jungle and monuments to a rich history at every turn. Take a private guided tour to explore the beauty of Belize, from thrill-seeking to bird-watching, history-craving, or all of the above.

Things to do in Belize
Planning your trip to Belize? Explore our guide for endless adventure. Set out for a day kayaking or spend a few hours cave tubing and climbing some of the most beautiful Mayan ruins. The opportunities for new discovery are limitless.

Ka’ana is the perfect choice for accommodations when visiting Belize. Seek adventure just moments from some of the region’s most breathtaking natural wonders. With our guide to the top things to do in Belize, you will have everything to make the most of your trip.

Belize is an adventurer’s paradise, with breathtaking wilderness and historical monuments around every corner. Whether you are a thrill-seeker, birdwatcher, history-craver, or all of the above, a multitude of exciting adventures await you.

Atm Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal)
Nestled in the heart of the Belizean rainforest and the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, ATM cave was a sacred place to the Mayas of Belize. Start your adventure with a 45-minute trek that includes wading across 3 rivers to get you to the “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher.” It is the place where ceremonies once took place.

Adventure Horseback Riding
Enjoy a horseback ride across an open pasture toward the bank of the Mopan River. A thrilling river crossing takes you off the beaten path and on an eye-opening ride that reveals a slower way of life.

Yaxha Sunset Tour
Yaxche is found just 45 minutes from Belize´s western border. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the horizon framed by the lake on the city’s western side. After this tour, return to back for a delectable dinner at our resort.

The Belize Zoo
Explore 125 species of native Belize wildlife on the 29 acres of tropical savanna; the Belize zoo is just an hour from our resort to Belize City. Learn about the unique qualities of creatures and the importance of protecting their natural habitat. It is a fantastic stop for animal lovers.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
With 300,000 acres of protected pine forests, explore sites from Thousand-foot falls, the largest fall in Belize and the Central American region, and the cave Rio Frio and a quarter-mile cave. Enjoy cool temperatures and see splendid natural monuments at the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

Horseback Riding To Xunantunich
Take a scenic ride to the ruins on horseback in Cayo district, the heart of horse country in Belize. Head off the beaten path to Morningside Ranch, where you will gallop across orchards, jungle canopies, and streams for a 2-hour ride to Xunantunich. Take in the sights and smells of the tropical rainforest on the banks of the Mopan River and see the ancient Mayan Temples.

Helicopter Transfer
Experience a bird’s-eye view of lush jungle reserves, Maya mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. Enjoy the thrilling escape to witness Belize’s diverse landscapes and environments and end your outing with an aerial tour of the ancient Maya city Xunantunich.

Cave Tubing & Ziplining
Spend a few hours cave tubing along the cool waters or enjoy a zipline through the canopy of Belize’s rainforest for an hour. Explore two large chambers with a headlamp, both impressive sanctuaries used by the Mayans for rituals, or listen to the sounds of the cascading waterfalls and bubbling rapids led by your guide.

Barton Creek Cave
Stop by this ancient wonder after a leisurely drive across rivers, jungle trails, orange orchards, and the Mennonite community of Barton Creek. If you dare, go ahead and plunge into the cold underground river for a truly incredible experience of exploring the remnants of an ancient Maya civilization.

Bird Watching
Belize is home to the rare, orange-breasted falcon; this tour will take you to one of only 13 locations in Central America. Spend a leisure day training your eagle eyes by witnessing many interesting birds, wildlife, and flora.

Big Rock Falls
Drive into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve for an intimate experience at one of the most breathtaking sites in western Belize. Enjoy the scenic lunch or relax at swimming spots as you hike down to a waterfall and climb over boulders, led by your adventure specialist.

Private Land Transfer
Experience intimate Belize’s nature, adventure, and culture with our expert guide’s advice on exploring the exciting activities. Our adventure ambassadors welcome you at the airport and will be happy to answer any questions you may have to experience the paradise in Belize.

Tikal Archeological Site
A legendary journey into a storied past! Situated in Guatemala’s largest protected area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it holds ruins comprising over 3,000 astounding structures set in 21 square miles. Tikal (“City of Echoes”) is the largest and most archeologically rich of the ruins left by the Maya.

Xunantunich Archeological Site
Located on a natural limestone ridge is the ancient Maya ruins of Xunantunich. It was home to indigenous people who made art and architectural magic and pioneered clever engineering wonders, leaving archaeologists in awe. You can see the 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and villages bordered by Guatemala.

Caracol Archeological Site
Explore the ancient courtyards, ball courts, residential complexes, and a complete astronomical observatory. See over 100 tombs that have been uncovered to date. Caracol Archeological Site (“snail”) represent the largest Mayan city in Belize and are home to the biggest man-made structure in the country.

Maya Cooking Class
Experience the unique Maya culture with our food rooted in a thousand years of history and tradition. Maya cooks still use ancient methods to prepare flavorful meals for their families. Plan your culture and culinary adventure!

Cacao Farm & Chocolate Making
Explore how to make Mayan chocolate from traditional Mayan Stone to grind organic Cacao Bean into a Paste. We will then mix the paste into a chocolate drink and add spices like the ancient Maya consume.

Ceramic Making In San Antonio
The San Antonio Women’s Group demonstrates the “coil method” to make ceramics by hand. You can make corn tortillas on a traditional fire hearth or walk the rest of the property and learn about the sustainable methods used to fire the ceramic kilns and sustain an organic garden.

San Ignacio Town Market Day
This adventure bundles a visit to San Ignacio’s farmers market, where you will acquaint yourself with local farmers, craft makers, and an array of Belizean-made products and souvenirs. Head off to the Iguana hatchery, practical chocolate making, and a final stop at Cahal Pech Mayan ruin before heading back to the resort.

Website: www.kaanabelize.com

Rooms: 17

Price: from 286 EUR per night

Victoria House Resort and Spa is an intimate and luxurious resort, and is absolutely perfect for couples looking to just get away from it all, or a place to spend that perfect honeymoon. With the gorgeous beaches just outside your door, it’s no wonder many of our guests say that the best part of their trip was, quite simply, the relaxation.

Your luxurious retreat to Victoria House on Ambergris Caye not only includes a relaxing stay in our of our Casitas, Palmetto Rooms, Suites or Villas, but also exclusive access to a wide range of resort amenities.

We offer the Palmilla Restaurant, Poolside Patio, Admiral Nelson’s Beach Bar, tour desk, onsite dive shop, stunning public gardens, an on-site wedding planner, outdoor infinity-edged pools and a spectacular private beach.

Spectacular, private, and perched right at the edge of one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world, the Belize Barrier Reef, Victoria House offers a variety of breath-taking adventures.

Explore ancient Mayan temples, take an exhilarating zip-line tour over the verdant jungle canopy, embark on a rainforest expedition, take a fishing trip or dive the renowned Great Blue Hole.

VILLAS
Looking for luxurious and spacious accommodations for your family or group? Ranging from two to five bedrooms – and up to 5000 square feet – our standalone Villas are sure to impress.

All units feature locally hand crafted wicker and mahogany furniture and private verandahs offering stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Casa Playa Blanca and Casa Azul both have their own private pools.

Discover Casa Playa Blanca, a spectacular Ambergris Caye villa complete with a private infinity edge pool and spacious sundeck over looking the Caribbean Sea. If you want to relax with friends or family, have all the amenities of home, but still have privacy, then Casa Playa Blanca may be the perfect villa for your party.

This 1,442 square foot, single story Ambergris Caye villa features two-bedrooms each with a luxurious king bed draped in delicate linen canopy netting, and bathrooms with large walk in showers. Both bedrooms are connected in the center by a beautiful tiled living room, with a comfortable sitting area and a flat screen TV.

The individual rooms within Casa Playa Blanca can be reserved 60 days prior to arrival if the villa has not been sold in its entirety. Spend you days on Ambergris Caye lounging by your private pool in your luxury villa.

TWO BEDROOMS INFINITY SUITE
The possibilities for rest, relaxation, and comfort are endless in the newest addition to Victoria House, our stylish Infinity Suites. At 1,150 square feet, the Two-Bedroom Infinity Suites feature a spacious living room, dining area, a fully equipped kitchen with deluxe stainless steel appliances, a private entrance, and three verandas.

These suites include a beautiful bedroom with a King bed on the second floor and a second bedroom with a Queen bed on the ground level. The luxurious primary bathroom features a double vanity, and both washrooms have walk-in showers.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Infinity Suites is the spacious and secluded upper terrace. Relax in privacy on your fully furnished and covered balcony, sip Prosecco, and enjoy incredible views overlooking the infinity pool, the beach, and the vibrant blues and greens of the Caribbean Sea.

THE HONEYMOON SUITE
This beachfront villa, often referred to as The Honeymoon Suite, is a standalone private bungalow, approximately 50 feet from the water’s edge. It features a wraparound veranda with relaxing chaise lounges and a very comfortable hammock.

Private and quiet, in the morning, cup of coffee in hand, open the French doors and enjoy a stunning sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. Inside the 650 square foot air conditioned suite there is a magnificent four-poster Mahogany king bed, colorful, Jungle-inspired frescos adorning the walls, only to be outdone by the local flora and fauna outside your door.

CASITAS
Lie in your hammock with your partner, sip an icy tropical drink, and watch a stunning sunrise from the private veranda of your authentic thatch-roofed Belize Casitas at Victoria House Resort and Spa.

At 375 square feet, our tropical Casitas are self-contained and feature a private veranda and hammock for pure relaxation. All seven Casitas face the Caribbean Sea, visible over a wide expanse of verdant lawn, stately palms and a white sandy beach.

Most suitable for two guests, each unit has a private entrance, and includes a queen bed draped in decorative netting, as well as handcrafted mahogany furniture and a bathroom with shower.

All units also feature air conditioning and ceiling fans to help you stay cool, as well as a mini bar for nights when you feel like staying in and a safe so your valuables stay protected. Booking one of our Casitas also allows you to access our complimentary bicycles and kayaks for exploring Ambergris Caye.

STATEROOMS
Ambergris Caye Accommodations, at 300 square feet , our elegantly decorated Staterooms are well suited for a couple looking for an exotic getaway or a first-time Caribbean vacation.

Set above the renowned Palmilla Restaurant in a two-story Colonial style building, these Ambergris Caye accommodations feature a queen bed with decorative canopy netting, a large tiled shower, double bathroom sinks, and Belizean mahogany wood furnishings.

All units also feature air conditioning and ceiling fans to help you and your partner stay cool, as well as a mini bar for nights when you feel like staying in. Also included are plush robes perfect for sitting on the balcony in the morning, a cup of coffee in hand, watching the sunrise over the Belize Barrier Reef.

Booking one of our Staterooms also allows you to access our complimentary bicycles and kayaks for convenient exploration of Ambergris Caye. If you are looking for Ambergris Caye’s best accommodation, look no further than our Staterooms.

DINING
From private candlelit dinners on the pier to a freshly prepared ceviche and a cold beverage at Admiral Nelson’s Bar, dining at Victoria House Resort and Spa can be as casual or luxurious as you like.

PALMILLA RESTAURANT
We invite you to discover the Palmilla Restaurant, Victoria House’s onsite, full-service restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, guests can relax and enjoy world-class dining while taking in beautiful ocean views.

Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned indoor setting or dine under the stars on our veranda. Either way, you’re guaranteed a casually elegant experience.

Our chefs delight in creating exquisite dishes with a local twist. Every evening we feature a different Amuse Bouche to pique your appetite. We prepare each and every meal to order, make our own breads, and all of this to ensure the peak of freshness, quality and flavor.

Start with a fresh conch ceviche, and for a main course, how about cashew crusted grouper, beef tenderloin, or grilled lobster? Or maybe you’d like us to prepare the fresh snapper you caught earlier in the day?

Our vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are made with care and are a refreshing find. We just need a little advance notice. Be sure to ask about the “Chef’s Special of The Day”, as it’s always a sumptuous experience utilizing the best of what is fresh and available locally.

ADMIRAL NELSON’S BAR
Admiral Nelson’s is our palapa style beach bar overlooking the Belize Barrier Reef and the Caribbean Sea. It is a gathering place, offering a fun and laid back atmosphere, where many of our guests meet to share their exciting stories from the day’s adventures in Belize. We also have a wide selection of traditional board games available for your enjoyment.

Admiral Nelson’s is a place to kick back and enjoy some tasty appetizers. Perhaps our delicious fish and chips, some coconut shrimp or a fresh fish tacos and an ice cold beer.

Come dine, or simply try one of our refreshing signature cocktails like our Ginger Lime Aide with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Bar hours are 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, but it has been rumored that this hub of fun does not close until the last guest leaves. So pull up a chair and stay a while!

PRIVATE DINNERS
For that very special occasion, what could be more romantic than a private, candlelit dinner on the beach overlooking the sea and under the stars? Let our staff help you create a magical night where you dine in the seclusion of our pier gazebo or at your private beach table, lit with tiki torches under the tropical sky.

Complimenting this exotic setting, the specialized and highly trained chefs at Palmilla Restaurant will prepare your choice of the culinary delights from the dinner menu, making for a memorable evening. Or maybe you want to enjoy the bounty of your fishing excursion earlier in the day. Either way, our chefs will produce a culinary experience you won’t soon forget!

VICTORIA HOUSE SPA
Known for its stunning beachfront location, personal service, and luxurious accommodations, award-winning Victoria House Resort & Spa now features a full service spa and fitness facility.

At 3,500-square feet., the new facility is the largest of its kind on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Styled in a Caribbean colonial theme, the new building is set amongst coconut palms, flamboyants and bougainvillea, creating a place for relaxation, inspiration, and indulgence.

The centerpiece of the new facility is a 26-foot high central Cupola, with 11-foot high ceilings, hardwood floors and expansive windows that draw in natural light. The spa includes four treatment salons, including a couple’s salon. Three of the rooms feature French doors that open to a private, natural courtyard.

With over 36 different treatments, there’s plenty of options for the expectant mother, bride and bridal parties, and couples. Enjoy a signature relaxation massage or a hot stone massage. Indulge in a coco body polish or a rejuvenating sour cherry antioxidant body wrap.

Treat yourself to a deep cleansing facial or a pedicure. We also offer treatments for your little ones, or romantic couple’s treatments for your and your partner. If you can’t decide which treatment to choose, we’ve created spa packages designed to suit your individual needs.

The facility also includes a 500-square foot fully-equipped fitness center with separate shower rooms for men and women, as well as a reception and spa area with a full range of products, a relaxation room with recliner seating, and a large enclosed courtyard that can facilitate small yoga groups.

In the event you can’t make it to our spa center, we are able to bring our service to you! At Victoria House, we offer outcall spa services to your home, office, or special venue.

YOGA
At Victoria House we encourage your relaxation and balance through our yoga classes. Based on fluid movements and breath control, our instructors invite you to stretch your tired muscles and let your mind be quiet. The stillness practiced through yoga’s restorative poses is rejuvenating from the inside out.

Classes are offered three times a week, or private sessions can be booked for groups. All levels are welcome. If you’re looking for more than a yoga class, our Week Long Wellness Retreat combines yoga classes and spa services for a luxurious week of self-care.

Enjoy a week of wellness services scheduled at your convenience throughout your stay and 8% off any additional spa services. Choose from three yoga classes (at scheduled class time), Relaxation Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Maya Abdominal Massage or Craniosacral session, and Pure Bliss facial.

FITNESS CENTER
Continue your commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle! Your stay at Victoria House includes exclusive access to our fitness facility. Attached to the full-service Victoria House Spa, the 500 square foot fitness center is air-conditioned and equipped with everything you’ll need to stay fit on vacation including:

• Matrix ellipticals
• Matrix treadmills
• Free weights
• Medicine and exercise balls
• Weight-training benches
• Ab-training bench
• Flat-screen television
• Fresh hand-towels provided daily
• Music is provided, but guests are welcome to request that music be changed or turned off if a more peaceful environment is desired.

We do kindly request that guests mute their phones and handle weights gently so that a relaxed and enjoyable environment can be maintained for all. The fitness center is free for guest use and open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

WEDDINGS IN BELIZE
Winner of the 2020 Condé Nast Johansens “Best for Romance in Central and South America” award, Victoria House Resort and Spa’s white sand beach and world class amenities make for a Belize destination beach wedding to remember.

At Victoria House, we customize every detail of your wedding celebration to your needs, regardless of whether you’re looking for a small, intimate ceremony or an extravagant celebration with extended family and friends.

We offer wedding, elopement, vow renewal, and honeymoon packages so that you can spend your time celebrating rather than stressing over small details. These packages include a professional onsite wedding planner, flowers and décor arrangements, spa services, ceremony setup, your wedding cake, professional photography, and more. They also include a Justice of the Peace or local pastor and arrangements of your legal documents.

Wedding planner services are included in all our wedding packages. Our weddings coordinators look after all wedding details personally to help make your day a perfect day. You’re also welcome to bring your own coordinator if you prefer. Our planners will liaise with them to make sure everything goes according to plan.

With infinity pools, an expansive white sand beach, the warm Caribbean Sea, and an on-site spa, Victoria House is well-suited to a honeymoon or anniversary. Stay in one of our romantic casitas or luxury villas and spend your days lounging poolside with your loved one.

If you and your partner are looking for adventure, we offer countless tours and activities. Get a bird’s eye view of Belize on an aerial tour or dive the second-largest barrier reef in the world. At the end of the day, enjoy a private, romantic dinner on the beach by candlelight.

From our first-class accommodations and catering services to all the finer details that will make your celebration uniquely yours, we take care of everything – all you need to do is arrive on Ambergris Caye.

AMBERGRIS CAYE 
Ambergris Caye (pronounced Am-BUR-gris or Am-BUR-grease Key) is a special and unique part of Belize, Central America and the world. It’s the largest of some 200 cayes that dot the coastline of Belize. Located in the clear shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea just off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Ambergris Caye is 25 miles long, and a little over a mile wide in some places.

This extraordinary caye is approximately one mile from the second largest barrier reef in the world (the Belize Barrier Reef), whose sandy shoreline runs the entire length of the island. Since as far back as the time of the Maya Ambergris Caye was used as a trading ground, due to its amazing geological shape and prominence.

Fishing, coconuts, and chicle were historic commodities used in trade, but the last 30 years has seen a rise in the tourism sector; particularly for diving and snorkeling.

In fact, the island’s largest settlement, San Pedro town, was once a site inhabited by the ancient Maya, and it is now the main hub of Ambergris Caye. With a rich cultural heritage, San Pedro is a focal point of activity; from restaurants, unique shops and nightlife, to a first stop on adventurous excursions into exotic Belize.

Surrounded by the stunning reef system, the diverse cayes in the area have made Ambergris Caye the dive and water sports capital of Belize. Famed locations like the Blue Hole, Turneffe Islands, Shark Ray Alley, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve are all only a short boat ride away.

Ambergris Caye is also home to an amazingly diverse selection of plant and animal life. While the reef system is home to hundreds of varieties of fish and other colorful sea life, on land a large percentage of the country’s area is under protection; as are the hundreds of species of birds, exotic tropical plants, monkeys, manatee, and crocodiles that inhabit the area.

Getting to the resorts and natural wonders of Ambergris Caye is easy, as the island is serviced by two separate airlines from Belize City, as well as a water taxi service. Getting here is seamless and nearly effortless, just like the ebb and flow of daily life here—how your dream vacation should be.

SAN PEDRO
The island of Ambergris Caye is carved like a fine sculpture out of the rest of Belize, and is lined with resorts, such as Victoria House, perched on its shore and sharing the magnificent waters of the Caribbean with its guests.

But only a mile or so inland is the former fishing village of San Pedro, a special place on Ambergris Caye that serves as a common ground for locals and visitors alike.

In fact, the origin of San Pedro, the island’s only town, can be traced back to the days of the ancient Maya. San Pedro is the current home to islanders who have made the town a melting pot of cultures and languages; a mix of ten different cultures includes East Indian, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, Mennonites, and Creole.

This rich and colorful cultural mosaic is reflected in everything, from the languages people are heard to speak on a daily basis, to the menus of restaurants, the goods in grocery stores, to the types of gift shops and businesses.

The people of the island are called “Sanpedranos” and speak English, Spanish, Creole, and Maya all at the same time, making it their own distinct island dialect. Sanpedranos are quite proud of their heritage and are happily willing to share it with visitors.

San Pedro town is about a mile long and encompasses only a few street blocks. But don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with a wide range of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks.

Old world charm meets some modern conveniences; especially if you forgot some of those needed items you like to use back home. The airstrip is also located close to town, so there’s always a buzz of activity gently rolling through the streets.

This is a quaint Central American village where the streets are sandy and unpaved, so it’s not advised to dress in formal clothes or shoes; the use of flip-flops and shorts is strongly encouraged, instead.

There are no traffic lights, no freeways, nor highways nearby, so the main means of transportation are golf carts. However, bicycles, scooters, and some cars and vans are also available and easily rented out for periods of time.

Whether you want to go to the Ambergris Museum and Cultural Centre to learn more about local history, or you want book an adventure tour, or maybe you wish buy some local ingredients to make a feast back at your Victoria House Cabana, there is always lots to see and do while on your exotic dream vacation.

BELIZE
From the sandy beaches and warm tranquil waters of the Caribbean, to the breathtaking Maya Mountains, beautiful and exotic Belize is an exciting adventure waiting to happen. Peaceful Belize can be as intimate as you want, or it can be as expansive and breathtaking as you want to explore. Naturally, it can be all of these things if you want it to be.

You merely have to say the word “Belize” and your mind will be flooded with images of lush rainforests, winding waterfalls, expansive limestone caves, and other-worldly snorkeling and diving along the world’s second largest coral reef system, the Belize Barrier Reef.

At about 8,900 sq. miles (slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts), serene Belize is very accessible. Combine that with temperatures that rarely get lower than 65 F at night and usually no higher than 95 F in the day, and with rainfall not getting much higher than about 8” per month (except in specific areas in the summer), and it’s no wonder Belize is an outdoor activity Mecca.

On a given day, you could be strolling along the beach on Ambergris Caye, and within minutes be snorkeling, diving, zip lining through the jungle, birding, sailing the Caribbean, tubing through ancient caves, or even parasailing.

Belize is often referred to as a cultural melting pot, with seven different ethnic peoples blending and celebrating their diversity, largely in the dozen small towns that are scattered across the country.

That diversity is best found in the languages that are spoken locally and in the cuisine that has developed over the centuries. Diverse and nuanced Caribbean flavors enhance the cuisine’s charm and quality, making fine dining in Belize a unique experience.

The country is known to have one of the most extensive cave systems in Central America. Archeologists have now discovered the remarkable connection between the secrets of the caves and the underworld of the Maya.

The ancient Maya considered the caves the portals to the underworld; a dwelling place for the gods, ancestral spirits, and a source of both good and evil spirits. You can choose to hike, float, or swim through these stunning underground caverns that are sure to leave a lifelong impression.

Belize is also the perfect destination for those fascinated with what moves, flies, and lives in the lush jungle canopy. This is the perfect vacation spot for a season “twitcher,” or a beginning bird watcher. Belize is the ideal place to experience a bird sanctuary.

Although Belize is a tiny country measuring less than 9000 square miles, about 60% of Belize is considered a protected area. The abundance of forest reserve area makes Belize a favourite destination for approximately 500 species of beautiful and exotic birds.

Whether high in the trees, deep in the ocean, or in caves adjoining them both, Belize is a vacation destination steeped in history, rich in culture, and diverse in offerings. It’s waiting for you.

ACTIVITIES
Victoria House Resort and Spa is steps away from the countless adventures that Ambergris Caye has to offer, including the world’s second-largest barrier reef. The experienced and veteran team at our tour desk and PADI-certified Fantasea Dive Shop can arrange a multitude of activities such as diving, snorkeling, fishing, caving or Mayan ruin adventures.

Fantasea Dive Shop is located on the pier at Victoria House, and offers gear rentals, certifications, and offshore dive trips well-suited to the adventurous traveler.

Dive and snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef system in the world, located just minutes away from Victoria House. Stretching 600 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, the reef is home to incredible biodiversity, and is a must-see for adventurous divers.

In addition to diving and snorkeling, Victoria House offers many activities to cater to those who would prefer to keep their feet on dry land. Embark on a walking tour of the ancient Mayan temples in Belize, visit the manatees near St. George’s Caye, take a sunset sail in your own private boat, or get a bird’s eye view of Belize on one of our aerial tours.

We also offer walking tours to see Belize’s incredible biodiversity, or tubing excursions through the Mayan underworld. If you want a more hands-on experience, we offer fishing excursions where you can catch your meal for the evening. At the end of the day, visit our spa for a relaxing massage, or practice some yoga on the beach.

We’ve only listed a sample of what Belize has to offer, and many other excursions are available. Don’t hesitate to ask if there are other adventures that interest you. We would be happy to look into it and offer any advice or guidance you may be looking for.

MAYAN RUINS ADVENTURES
The Maya were the first organized civilization to inhabit ancient Belize, dating back to Classic Period, about 300 AD. Today, the great monuments, Mayan temples, and stone cities of this ancient civilization stand erect and intact in Belize.

Walking amongst the artistic, creative, and detailed remains of the ancient Mayan ruins is at once an awe-inspiring and eerie experience. Belize is the center of the Maya civilization and is known to have the largest concentration of Mayan ruins in Central America. It’s believed this area of Belize may have as many as 1,300 Mayan sites still unexcavated.

Many land-based Maya exploration tours are paired with exciting journeys into the tropical rainforest, caving below the surface, or floating lazily down underground streams or lazy rivers.

Book an exciting and adventurous time exploring the wonders of the cave system through your very own Belize Caving Expedition. Archeologists have discovered the remarkable connection between the secrets of the caves and the underworld of the Maya.

The ancient Maya considered the caves the portals to the underworld: a dwelling place for the gods, ancestral spirits, and a source of both good and evil spirits.

The Mayan ruins of Lamanai are found on the 30 mile-long New River Lagoon banks in North Central Belize. The Lamanai Archaeological Reserve also contains a museum, the remnants of two 16th century Spanish Churches and a colonial sugar mill established in 1860.

Set in a tropical forest and providing a unique experience in Maya culture and the biological diversity of a tropical rainforest. This Mayan Ruins tour departs at 7:00 am and returns at approximately 6:00 pm if traveling by boat. If traveling by air, the departure is at 7:45 am, and the return flight lands in San Pedro at 12:30 pm.

LAMANAI RUINS & RIVER TOUR
Take the 18-minute flight to Tower Hill Airstrip, followed by a 15-minute drive to the awaiting skiff for the 1-hour boat ride on the New River. As the boat winds its way deeper into the jungle, be on the lookout for tropical birds, Morelet’s crocodiles, exotic flowers like orchids, bromeliads, and lily pads on the riverbank.

Once at the site follow your expert guide on the trails leading to the ball court, Jaguar Temple, and other temples of importance; be sure to take your picture by the “Masks”.

While on the trails be on the lookout for occasional troops of spider or howler monkeys and if lucky the elusive national bird of Belize, the Keel Billed Toucan among other birds in the jungle canopy above you. Lunch is served after the tour on site under the jungle canopy followed by the boat ride back for your fight back to the island.

Taxi departs the hotel lobby at 7:15am for the 8am flight and returns around 2pm back at the San Pedro Airstrip for your taxi ride back to the resort. Flight departs the island on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, spaces available depending on aircraft size.

BIRD WATCHING
Birding in Belize offers an impressive variety of birds that may be observed near Victoria House. A forty-minute boat trip to the leeward side of Ambergris Caye will introduce you to many more indigenous species.

This adventure is a half-day trip. The mangroves are home to tropical saltwater birds, both resident and migrant year-round. Bring your binoculars for optimum bird watching. You will leave the Victoria House dock at approximately 7:30 am, and you will return around 11:00 am.

CAVE TUBING / BELIZE ZOO
This jungle adventure begins with a 15-minute flight to Belize City, followed by a 45-minute drive to The Belize Zoo. Rest here for lunch (provided) and enjoy a guided tour of the zoo. Then, you are driven down the Western Highway another 25 minutes to the cave system.

Once on-site, there is a hike to the caves where the tubing begins. The cave tubing lasts about 1 hour. This tour is a full-day trip leaving the island around 7:00 am and returning around 5:00 pm. Continental breakfast is provided if required. Waters, soda, and transfers included. Private tours are available.

CAVE TUBING / XUNANTUNICH MAYA RUINS
You will first take a 15-minute flight to the mainland, then a 1 ¾-hour drive to western Belize and the Maya ruins of Xunantunich. Continental breakfast, water, and sodas are available. You’ll tour through the central plaza and learn of the city’s importance and its surroundings to the Maya, its historical significance, and see the El Castillo temple.

Enjoy lunch at a local Belizean-style restaurant then enjoy a 45-minute drive to the cave tubing site. A 30-minute hike on a jungle trail leads to Xibalba: “the underworld.” Float through the primary cave system for 1 hour and learn the significance of this area to the ancient Maya.

It’s a wet and wild adventure, so be sure to bring an extra set of dry clothes for the boat ride back to San Pedro. Lastly, there is a 1-hour drive back to the flight to take you home. This is a full-day tour from 6:15 am to 5:50 pm. Continental breakfast, water, and sodas are also available.

CAVE TUBING & JUNGLE CANOPY ZIP LINE
The day starts with a 15-minute flight to the mainland followed by a 1-hour drive to the Zip Line/Cave system. On arrival, you hike for 10 minutes to the zip line platforms. The zip-line consists of 8 platforms within the rainforest canopy.

All landing platforms are equipped with safety gear, handrails, and guides to meet you. The platforms are as high as 85ft into the canopy and as far as 250ft!

After lunch, the guides will equip you with a tube and headlights. The hiking takes about 30-minutes to get to the cave itself. Once on the river, lay back as the river takes you inside the caves. You will get to see the crystalline stalactites and other limestone formations.

The cave tubing takes about 1 hour. Changing rooms are on site. Pick-up is at 7:15 am and you will return around 5:00 pm. Continental breakfast, lunch, water, sodas, and transfers are included. Private tours are available.

AERIAL TOURS
Enjoy an aerial tour of the most exotic, eco-friendly country with either an airplane or helicopter ride over the majestic Blue Hole. You’ll get a birds’ eye view of the surrounding mangrove islands, wreck, and reefs.

This tour also takes you over the Turneffe Atoll, the Belize Barrier Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. The ever-changing depths of the sea and sand bars along the reef make for breathtaking pictures!

FISHING TOURS & EXCURSIONS
Belize’s tropical waters offer one of the best year-round sport fishing adventures you’ll find anywhere. Belize’s Barrier Reef is extensive and rich in natural marine habitat, creating a world-renowned fishing destination. Relax with us at Victoria House and let our experienced local fishing guides share their years of experience fishing the waters off of Ambergris Caye.

There’s nothing quite like being out on the Caribbean, under the warm sun and landing one of the multitude of fish that inhabit these waters, like: Bonefish, Tarpon, Snapper, Grouper, Jack, Barracuda, Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, or Wahoo. Whether you are a novice or an expert our fishing guides will assist you throughout your fishing experience on the beautiful Belize Barrier Reef.

If you desire to catch your fish and eat it too… be our guest! Our chef enjoys preparing your catch of the day to your taste, providing you with a delicious dinner.

Victoria House’s fishing guides have lived their lives on Ambergris Caye, and are very knowledgeable about the area, fishing and the species of fish. Price includes the guide, equipment (for the Flats, a fly rod, or for the Reef, a spinning rod), gas, tackle, cooler with ice, sodas and water. Box lunches are available upon request from the dining room for full day fishing trips.

FLATS FISHING
Catch and release fishing is done on our 22-25-foot Fly-Fishing Skiffs. You fish off the bow of the boat for the best visibility. Once on the flats the guides cut off the engine and prepares his guest on the deck to fish while he poles the boat through the flats. The bonefish flats are about 25-40 minutes on the leeward side of the island.

REEF FISHING
Bottom fishing with live sardines for snapper’s, horse eye jacks, mackerel, barracuda, and groupers. After your trip you can bring your fresh caught fish to the dining room and have it prepared for lunch or dinner (fish prep is an additional dining room charge). Boats used are 25-foot skiffs.

DEEP SEA FISHING 
Due to the proximity of the shore to the reef, the boat ride to the deep blue drop off is just a few minutes and a couple miles out to the fishing grounds. We offer trolling with bait and lures and target species like Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Black Fin Tuna, and Barracudas.

Boats available on the island are center console skiffs with canopy tops varying in sizes from 28- 34 feet with a couple offering a locally made “fighting chair” and marine head onboard. Most boats do not offer any of the two. (Fish prep is an additional charge).

SNORKELING
Discover World-Class Belize Snorkeling on the Belize Barrier Reef! In the crystal-clear waters of Ambergris Caye, non-divers and divers alike can enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. Snorkeling tours include several sites to snorkel and scuba dive.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Mexico Rocks and Coral Garden are all within a short boat ride from Victoria House. Equipment can be rented from the Victoria House Dive Shop located on the pier. Snorkel trips run every day at 9:00 am or 2:00 pm and last approximately 2.5 hours.

3 STOP SNORKEL WITH BEACH BBQ
Snorkel North at Mata Rocks and Mexico Rocks and see big Brain Coral, purple sea fans, large schools of small tropical colorful fish grazing on the coral heads. This area is also known for lobsters, squid, and occasional octopus.

We will cook a full lunch on the beach over a grill with local sea food prepared with Belizean condiments and spices. After lunch we will snorkel Tres Cocos where you will see tall Elk Horn coral and schools of tropical fish in shallow waters.

SCUBA DIVING
Scuba diving in Belize is spectacular! Ambergris Caye is located just minutes away from the Belize Barrier Reef – the world’s second largest barrier reef– and boasts a variety of dive sites within a 20-minute boat ride from the pier at Victoria House. Atolls also offer a unique, colorful, and diverse full day of the best diving in Belize.

Most of the dive sites are two-to-three tank multilevel dives. We take weather conditions under consideration for each of the Belize dive sites listed. The Turneffe Atoll area is rich with a vast array of fish that gather between deep canyons and groove reef formations. If it isn’t already, scuba diving in Belize should undoubtedly be on your bucket list of adventures.

Ambergris Caye is located just minutes away from the Belize Barrier Reef – the second largest barrier reef in the world – and boasts a variety of dive sites within a 20 minute boat ride from the pier at Victoria House. Atolls also offer an amazing, colorful and diverse full day of diving.

Most of the dive sites are a two to three tank multilevel dives. Weather conditions are taken under consideration for each of the dive sites listed. The Turneffe area is filled with a vast array of fish that gather between deep canyons and groove reef formations. If it isn’t already, scuba diving in Belize should certainly be on your bucket-list of adventures.

OFFSHORE DIVES TO THE BLUE HOLE 
Dive the famous Blue Hole and other sites at Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Or you can pick the Elbow and other locations at Turneffe Atoll. Departs 5:30 am, and return to San Pedro between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. This is a three-tank dive day tour and includes an open sea boat ride. Lunch and refreshments provided; equipment included.

Website: www.victoria-house.com

Rooms: 42

Price: from 210 EUR per night

Nestled along the glistening, white sand beach and Caribbean Sea, Las Terrazas resort on beautiful Ambergris Caye is pure bliss. Lounge under gently swaying palm trees on your own tropical beach with a Belizean rum punch.

Relax in our 70-foot infinity pool, indulge in a soothing massage by the beach or paddle a kayak over the island’s crystal clear waters. With oversized residences range from 1,000 – 3,100 sq ft, you can expect privacy and seclusion in your home away from home.

A local island favorite for its fusion of international, Caribbean and Central American cuisine, O Restaurant offers seasonal menus showcasing fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Savor our Ambergris Caye restaurant’s signature seafood risotto with fresh shrimp and locally-caught snapper or the filet mignon seared to perfection.

From the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea to the mysterious depths of the Mayan rainforest, Belize is a paradise brimming with adventure, discovery, and mesmerizing natural beauty.

THE RESIDENCE
Imagine relaxing in your own seaside refuge, watching the sun rise over the emerald Caribbean Sea with a tropical breeze to soothe the soul. At Las Terrazas Belize luxury Resort, you’re immersed in the tranquility and natural beauty of the island while enjoying luxury living.

From handcrafted, Belizean furnishings to stainless steel high end appliances and free Wi-Fi, our luxury Belize accommodations offer a blend of island-inspired style and modern amenities.

Although unique in size and views, each of our units are furnished with handcrafted local mahogany hardwood furniture and cabinetry, travertine floors, and granite countertops. In the bathrooms, you will find fine Italian fixtures, plush linens, and lavish bath amenities.

OCEAN FRONT SEA HOUSE
Our two-story Ocean Front Sea Houses provide the ultimate in modern island living at our luxury Ambergris Caye resort. Perfect for families, our resident-inspired Belize Sea Houses offer a peaceful, inviting escape where the sand and sea are your front yard.

The Ocean Front Sea Houses are located directly on the private white sand beach. The upstairs master bedroom boasts a private terrace overlooking the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea and Belize Barrier Reef, king-sized bed, flat panel TV, and en suite bathroom with double jacuzzi tub for two.

The second upstairs master bedroom has striking ocean views with a queen-sized bed and en suite bath. The first-floor bedroom is furnished with two single beds (can be made into a king with advanced notice). It shares a third full bathroom with the oversized living room, fully equipped kitchen, and dining room.

3 BEDROOM TERRAZAS RESIDENCE
The two-story Terrazas Residences overlook the beautiful 70-foot infinity pool and are steps away from al fresco dining at O Restaurant. Walk through the upstairs master bedroom to a private balcony with outdoor living and dining space and a private jacuzzi tub.

The master suite features a king-sized bed, flat panel TV, and en suite bathroom with separate tub and shower. The second upstairs bedroom also features an en suite bath. The first-floor bedroom shares a third full bathroom with the living space.

All residences at Las Terrazas Resort feature a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and full-sized stainless steel appliances plus a full-sized washer & dryer set with supplies available at the Concierge Desk.

Room amenities also include daily housekeeping, in-room safes, zoned air conditioning systems, ceiling fans, personal yoga mat, umbrella, telephone system, and flat screened TVs in the living room and master bedroom.

Guests to Las Terrazas Resort enjoy complimentary non-motorized watersports equipment such as kayaks, paddle boards, and Hobie Cats. Life jackets are available at the Front Desk. Complimentary wifi is available in guest rooms and throughout the resort. Fishing poles are available for fishing from the dock, with bait available for purchase at O Restaurant.

PENTHOUSE
Experience luxurious comfort and island tranquility in our open concept Penthouses. Relax in your personal plunge pool on the balcony while enjoying a handcrafted Signature Cocktail from O Bar.

With two- or three-bedroom layouts and two full bathrooms, these third-floor residences mix handcrafted Belizean furnishings with modern décor to create an atmosphere of unparalleled island elegance.

The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom, and flat screen TV, while the guest bedrooms feature two single beds in the second bedroom and a queen-sized bed in the third bedroom.

Grill your fresh catch in the fully equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar and stainless-steel appliances or gather the family around the dining room table. Ideal for honeymooners, friends, and families, these oversized Belize suites offer luxury, serenity, and true island bliss.

DINING
A local island favorite for its fusion of international, Caribbean and Central American cuisine, O Restaurant offers seasonal menus showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Savor our Ambergris Caye restaurant’s signature seafood risotto with fresh shrimp and locally caught snapper or the filet mignon seared to perfection.

O RESTAURANT
With its sea-inspired décor and sophisticated ambiance, O Restaurant is the perfect San Pedro Belize restaurant setting for a romantic dinner or good food with friends. Enjoy intimate dining on the Rooftop Sky Lounge paired with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea with a glass of wine. Embrace the beauty of the island by enjoying private dining on our beach.

ROOFTOP SKY LOUNGE
Rooftop Sky Lounge at Las Terrazas Resort is Ambergris Caye’s newest scene for authentic dinner specials and handcrafted cocktails. Watch the sun set over the lagoon to the sounds of the island’s hottest DJs and live music. The Rooftop Sky Lounge is perfect for a romantic date or a night out with friends. Be sure to ask us about hosting your next event in the Sky.

JUGO POOLSIDE BAR
Stay refreshed and relaxed with a custom cocktail from Jugo Poolside Bar. In addition to traditional favorites, Jugo Poolside Bar offers freshly squeezed juices from locally sourced organic fruits to quench your thirst.

Stay and chat with our friendly Belizean bartenders or retreat to a private cabana on the private white sand beach or catch some rays next to the 70’ infinity pool.

PRIVATE BEACH DINNERS
Plan a romantic honeymoon dinner on the beach surrounded by the soft, tropical glow of tiki torches. Begin your journey by proposing as the sun sets over the Caribbean with the sound of the surf becoming “your song”.

Or continue your journey with a delectable dinner under the stars, without the distractions of everyday life. Creative Caribbean cuisine made with local ingredients, a comfortable setting, and the natural beauty of Ambergris Caye make it easy to connect and celebrate in Belize.

THE SPA
Indulge the senses and rejuvenate the spirit at onsite Serenity Spa. Ease into Belizean bliss with our ancient body treatments, skin therapies, and organic mud baths. Experience a beachside massage and let your senses drift in the ocean breeze. Decompress after a snorkeling or rainforest adventure with a hot stone massage.

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Think outside of the box – and the boardroom – by planning an inspirational corporate retreat or business conference at our Ambergris Caye, Belize resort. Work retreats are more than luxury, corporate incentives. They are an excellent way to boost morale, attract the best talent, and recharge colleagues.

Plan team-building excursions by sailing and snorkeling the island’s tranquil waters, cave tubing through the rainforest, and diving or snorkeling the world’s second largest barrier reef system.

EXCURSIONS
From the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea to the mysterious depths of the Mayan rainforest, Belize is a paradise brimming with adventure, discovery, and mesmerizing natural beauty.

GREAT BLUE HOLE
The Great Blue Hole is the most incredible adventure Belize has to offer, and you may dive OR snorkel on this adventure. This three-dive trip visits the Blue Hole as well as beautiful Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Snorkel or dive, the trip departs at 5:30 am and returns at 6:00pm.

SCUBA THE BELIZE BARRIER REEF
Experience amazing dives beyond the reef crest during a one or two tank dive, sites which are closely held by our local expert guides. These dives range from 40-80 feet where you will see large grouper, nurse sharks, gliding eagle rays, turtles, and pillar coral formations like sea fans, sea rods, and impressive sponges.

DIVE CERTIFICATION
For anyone who has dreamed of learning to dive but did not have time to attend a local scuba class, e-learning is convenient and in the home at the diver’s own schedule. The PADI certification dive is conducted locally at a shallow water area by an experienced dive master.

HOL CHAN & SHARK RAY ALLEY SNORKEL
Dive into Hol Chan Marine Reserve where you will snorkel amongst fish, turtles, sting rays, and coral pillars like sea fans, brain corals, and sponges. Then hop on the boat and meet a rush of nurse sharks and sting rays at Shark Ray Alley – great photo opportunities and once-in-a-lifetime memories.

MEXICO ROCKS SNORKEL
Mexico Rocks is comprised of boulder-like corals that rise to the surface and clusters of small patch reefs. Ambergris Caye’s newest marine reserve features fewer currents and waves for an easier experience for first time snorkelers. The reserve is only 8-12 feet in depth and is home to fish, turtles, sharks, and an abundance of coral.

REEF FISHING
Travel out on the second largest barrier reef in the world with an experienced local fisherman in search of the day’s local catch. The assortment of fish may include snapper, grouper, jacks, or barracuda. Your guide will provide a rod, reel, tackle, and an ice chest with water.

DEEP SEA FISHING
Ride aboard a tournament boat and troll up to 7 lines at the same time as we go searching for blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin fish, tuna, king mackerel, and black grouper.

FLY FISHING
Explore the endless turtle grass flats, searching for the mighty tarpon, invisible bonefish, and the ever-elusive permit, caught using fly rod or spinning rod. Our guides are masters and have initiated many new anglers into the art of fly fishing.

BLUE HOLE AERIAL TOUR
See the world famous Great Blue Hole the way it was meant to be seen – from the air. Fly to Lighthouse Reef Atoll and make several y-bys of this natural wonder of the world, recently documented by Fabien Cousteau (grandson of Jacques Cousteau) and Richard Branson. Tour by airplane or helicopter.

CAVE TUBING & ZIP LINING
Traverse the Western Highway to a winding path through the Maya Mountains and numerous ancient caves once inhabited by the Maya Indians. Upon arrival, you will start with the Zip Line Tour and soar through the jungle above the broadleaf forest door.

After lunch, take a 45-minute hike down a jungle trail to the entrance tunnel leading into the underground cave system that is the start of your cave tubing adventure.

LAMANAI RUINS TOUR
Encounter Belize wildlife at its best – many species of birds, monkeys, crocodiles, interesting plant life, and culture – with an early morning boat ride along the Northern River and New River Lagoon. Once at Lamanai, enjoy lunch (and rum punch!), tour the museum, and explore the Lamanai Mayan Temples with a tour guide.

XUNANTUNICH & CAVE TUBING
Travel along rolling hills, winding rivers, and the ancient land of the Maya on your way to Xunantunich. The partially excavated and 130-foot pyramid El Castillo offers an impressive panoramic view of Belize and Guatemala.

Then a drive and 20-minute hike through exotic plants will lead you to a knee-deep river. Once you have arrived to the mouth of the caves, you will then tube through the river and stalagmite formations.

ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL CAVE
Travel the vast network of underground chambers, a treasure trove for archaeologists and visitors. In the jungle, take a swim into caves about 15 ft long and 15 ft in depth and walk through water which is about ankle height to chest deep.

Then crawl and hike up into different chambers. You’ll see Mayan skeletal remains, potteries, stone tools, and beautiful formations before savoring a traditional Belizean lunch.

SUNSET BOOZE CRUISE
Sail south towards Hol Chan Marine Reserve where you will sit back, relax, and watch as the sun sets on the Caribbean. While on the cruise, enjoy Belize’s best Belikin beers, rum punch, and snacks, and dance to the local sounds of the Caribbean.

SEA’S D DAY SUNSET CRUISE
Meander through the leeward lagoons to watch the sunset over the Caribbean. Enjoy beer, rum punch, mojitos, and appetizers on this air conditioned 58-ft beach house before returning to San Pedro.

SUNSET DINNER CRUISE 
Enjoy cruising the Caribbean Sea on a comfortable catamaran with two bathrooms and a convertible top with plenty of cushioned seating area and space for dancing. Enjoy the limitless open bar as you wait for dinner, including appetizer, buffer dinner, and dessert. Relax and toast the end of another day in paradise or dance the night away.

PRIVATE SNORKEL
Start your day with a beautiful sail on the Caribbean waters south of San Pedro to visit our famous Hol Chan Marine Reserve. This reserve is home to abundant colorful fish, eagle rays, and beautiful coral formations like sea fans, brain corals, and sponges. Your second and final snorkel stop is at Shark Ray Alley where you will be greeted by a gang of friendly nurse sharks and graceful sting rays.

BELIZE FOOD TOUR
Taste the flavors of Belize as we explore our favorite “mom and pop” kitchens and San Pedro institutions of downtown San Pedro. From Mayan tacos to Mestizo soups and the dessert of the gods, this is the perfect way to learn about the island, one bite at a time.

Website: www.lasterrazasresort.com

Rooms: 36

Price: from 247 EUR per night

In the early 1980s, Francis Ford Coppola visited Belize, immediately fell in love with the location, and purchased the abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge. For more than a decade the hideaway was used as a family retreat before Francis opened his tropical paradise to the public in 1993.

Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury hideaway where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. Its remote mountain setting allows guests to explore the ancient civilization of the Maya and to return to their own thatched roof dwelling, rich with Guatemalan décor and nestled in the foliage of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve.

Blancaneaux Lodge is a luxury hideaway hotel in Belize located in the northwest corner of the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in western Belize’s Cayo District. The lodge itself is nestled on the banks of Privassion Creek and is set among tropical pines, oaks, palmetto, craboo, and ancient melastome shrubs.

Within a few miles of our boutique hotel in Belize you will find the steep limestone hills and valleys of the 13,000-acre Noj Kaax Meen Elijio Panti National Park. The dense jungle, steep ravines, spectacular waterfalls, and fast flowing rivers are home to many rare or endangered species of flora and fauna.

Beyond the Mountain Pine Ridge lies the vast uninhabited network of 14 protected areas that comprise the 1.2 million acre Maya Mountain Massif. Less than an hour drive along dirt roads to Guacamallo Bridge, the granite bedrock and red soils of the Mountain Pine Ridge meet the limestone and moist tropical broadleaf forests of the 264,000-acre Chiquibul National Park and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Villa
Enjoy dramatic views from the elevated open-plan living area, take a dip in the private plunge pool, or relax on the hardwood sun deck set in a lush tropical garden. This Villa features a small kitchen with an Illy espresso machine, refrigerator, and wet bar.

A hand-carved antique dining table with seating for up to 14 people overlooks the tumbling waterfalls and deep rock pools of Privassion Creek. Our luxury accommodations in Belize include two large bedrooms, each with a spacious bathroom featuring showers with hand-painted tiles and a Japanese tub.

The eclectically furnished Villa combines regional antiques, Guatemalan fabrics, artisan masks, and hand-carved figurines. Francis’s personal art and antiques are displayed throughout, adding a unique touch to an already comfortable and stylish environment.

The Coppola Villa also features luxury in-room amenities including monogrammed bathrobes and wine glasses, locally produced organic bath products, goose down or hypo-allergenic pillows, iPod docking station, Wi-Fi Internet access and a Shellphone intercom system linked to the hideaway’s front desk.

The Francis Ford Coppola Villa has a full-time attendant to anticipate your every need or to arrange an evening barbeque next to the pool. The attendant is on-call using a walkie-talkie radio system.

Book Francis Ford Coppola’s Villa for an unforgettable luxury vacation in Belize. Upgrade your stay to our finest accommodation – the Enchanted Cottage. This Belize luxury dwelling is the ultimate retreat, with spectacular panoramic views and an emphasis on luxury.

Family Cabaña
A queen-size bed, sleeper sofa and a twin bed highlight the spacious Family Cabaña. A large screened-in porch overlooks the beautiful gardens of our Belize family hideaway, which may also be viewed while idly swaying in the room’s hammock.

Riverfront Cabañas
All Riverfront Cabañas at Blancaneaux Lodge feature an expansive deck ensuring a spectacular view of the Privassion River.

Our Belize luxury accommodations are elegantly themed with native art and local textiles, and offer a queen-size bed and hand-painted tile bathroom. Also, be sure to check out our Garden View Cabañas to enjoy the beautiful nature and lush vegetation of Belize.

Honeymoon Cabaña
Perched over Privassion Creek waterfall, the Honeymoon Cabaña offers the ideal getaway for a romantic Belize honeymoon. The cabaña has a huge private deck overlooking the falls, and stairs allow you to walk down closer and relax in private lounge chairs.

Once you reach the banks of Privassion Creek, stop at our Belize spa for a rejuvenating massage. This cabana features a queen-size bed, ceiling fan, sofa, and Guatemalan décor.

Montagna Ristorante
Enjoy classic Italian cuisine in a tropical setting at our Belize restaurant. Our menu features traditional Italian dishes with a special focus on Coppola family recipes, drawn from their history in the southern region of Basilicata, Italy.

Pastas, fresh fish, and braised or grilled local meats are all prepared with herbs and vegetables from our own Belize organic garden. Our Montagna restaurant also offers made-to-order pizza, cooked in an authentic brick oven.

Our dining room sparkles from candlelight and is decorated with handmade wooden furnishings, colonial era antiques, and Guatemalan fabrics. An open veranda offers moonlit views of Privassion Creek.

Guatemaltecqua Restaurant
Our poolside Belize restaurant specializes in the cooking of Guatemala, a mildly spiced cuisine that draws on Mexican, Caribbean, and Maya traditions.

Local favorites include Salpicon, shredded beef salad flavored with sour orange and cilantro, Jocon, chicken cooked with green herbs and spices, and Rellenitos, a delicious dessert consisting of plantains filled with sweetened black beans.

Jaguar Bar
After a day of Belize vacation tours and activities, the Jaguar Bar is a perfect place to relax. The hand-carved slate bar, ceiling fans from the set of Apocalypse Now, framed photos of archaeological digs, and handmade furnishings create a truly eclectic atmosphere.

The Jaguar Bar offers a selection of fine wines and classic cocktails including favorites such as mojitos and daiquiris, as well as our very own Jaguar Juice, a potent concoction of local craboo liqueur, aged rum, and fresh pineapple juice.

Garden Spot
For a truly unique dining experience, join fellow guests for a “convivial dinner” offered twice weekly in the organic garden. The experience starts with cocktails offered upon arrival at the garden to sip and savor while touring with the head gardener to learn about the organic farming practices and to see all that uniquely grows here in our verdant environment.

Then join other guests at a communal table located on the open-air porch of the thatched roof kitchen within the organic garden. There you will dine on a three-course meal that is completely vegetarian featuring a soup course, salads and stir fry dishes.

Even omnivores have expressed that they fell in love with the vibrant flavors found in the freshest of ingredients harvested minutes before serving. The only decision to make is what wine to have pre-ordered to enhanced this delicious meal shared among new friends.

Waterfall Spa
Set on the banks of Privassion Creek, our Waterfall Spa offers a variety of treatments, wraps, and massages, as well as access to our rejuvenating hot pool overlooking cascading waterfalls.

At the request of Francis Ford Coppola, our Belize spa specializes in the art of Thai massage, and features a professionally trained staff that has studied ancient techniques at the Sacred Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok.

With a hot pool heated solely by hydroelectricity, spa treatments that use locally sourced organic ingredients, and an open building design utilizing natural light, the Waterfall Spa is eco-luxury at its best. Find out more about our Belize conservation efforts today.

Papaya Body Polish
The naturally occurring fruit acid within the papaya gently removes the dead skin cells from the body leaving it feeling refreshed. The body is covered in the warm fruit while enveloped with fluffy towels which allows the body heat to encourage the exfoliating benefit of the treatment.

Essential Oil Massage
Blends of essential oils extracted from plants release their soothing properties into the skin during this face, scalp, and body massage. This eases muscle tension and releases energy with acupressure movements, which is perfect for easing stress.

Natural Waters & Pool
Over a thousand streams begin their journey in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve while smooth granite boulders, sandy beaches, and waterfalls of Privassion Creek provide some of the Reserve’s best natural Belize swimming holes.

Swim in the deep, cool pools close to the lodge or explore the hidden rock pools leading to the stunning Big Rock Falls, a must see for the adventurous. Our fresh water infinity pool is decorated with brightly colored ceramic tiles and surrounded by a stone patio.

Handmade mahogany sun loungers surround the edge of the pool while our ‘Captains’ are on-hand to provide towels and take drink orders from the bar. We additionally have a hot pool adjacent to our spa; a quiet, adults only place to view the creek and unwind.

Organic Garden
At Blancaneaux Lodge the produce is truly local. Our gardening staff grows all the organic vegetables and many of the fruits used at the lodge. Despite the challenges presented by gardening in the jungle, Francis and Eleanor Coppola feel that fresh, flavorful produce is worth the effort. “

We want to offer our guests the best there is, and by growing it ourselves we can guarantee the quality,” says Francis. “Besides, what’s a good brick oven pizza without fresh basil?”

Guests who visit the garden will see familiar backyard varieties growing next to exotic fruits and vegetables. Blancaneaux’s elevation and cool evening temperatures make it possible to grow a myriad of leaf lettuces, radishes, beans, carrots, and beets as well as fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, cilantro, and dill.

Our gardener and chef consult daily on what is available for the day’s menu and what will soon be ready to make an appearance. The year-round growing season and careful crop rotation means there are always fresh tomatoes for salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas.

Horse Stables
Explore horseback riding at Blancaneaux Lodge and enjoy an equestrian sightseeing tour through the lowlands of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Our own horse stables allow you both convenience and the assurance that your riding adventures meet Blancaneaux standards.

We invite you to explore the surrounding area on horseback. Our tours are ideal for all riders, regardless of skill level. We take care to match the rider with the most suitable horse to ensure comfort and safety.

Gift Shop
Explore the crafts of Belize and its neighboring countries in our gift store. Hand-carved and painted wooden masks, which are featured in our room decor, are available for purchase and make an impressive display. Our boutique hotel in Belize also has an excellent collection of one-of-a-kind hand woven huipils bought directly from weavers in Guatemala.

Full Day Jungle Hike
Follow fresh jaguar tracks with our expert guide through the jungle-clad hills of the Elijio Panti National Park. Marvel at delicate orchids and observe charismatic bird species such as the keel-billed toucan. Discover medicinal plants used by the ancient Maya and learn their secrets.

After lunch beside a cooling waterfall, conclude the day by meandering along old logging trails in the tropical pine forest. Departs: 9:00 am. Length: 5-6 hours. Level of difficulty: Moderate to high

Hike to Big Rock Falls
Begin your adventure following a trail overlooking the creek and waterfalls. Admire the abundant brightly colored orchids adorning granite rock outcroppings and relax at one of the many streams crisscrossing the trail.

Dip into the creek to be energized by the cool mountain water and receive an invigorating massage provided by the massive waterfall. Departs: Anytime before 5:00 pm. Length: 2.5 hours roundtrip. Level of difficulty: High

Orchid Heaven Trek
Our unique region provides world-class orchid hunting opportunities with approximately 150 orchid species found in a 10-mile radius of Blancaneaux Lodge.

Follow orchid trails close to the lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge along a landscape of tumbling waterfalls and granite outcroppings where trees often have five or six different orchid species, complemented by a wide array of ground orchids. Departs: Anytime before 5:00 pm. Length: 30 minute walk. Level of difficulty: Low

Sunset Horseback Riding
As the sun dips towards the horizon we ride east into the Noj Kaax Meen Elijio Panti National Park. Continue to a vantage point in the moist tropical broadleaf forest, home to jaguar, tapir, and ocelot. Enjoy the evening chorus of birdsong as the sun sets over the Maya Mountains on the ride back to the lodge.

Chiquibul Night Expedition
Departing the property before sunset, arriving at the Chiquibul Forest, where you can hike to an amazing birding tower. Here one can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the thick luscious rainforest. This is the perfect time as it is a relaxing experience to watch the sunset along with different species of birds making their way back to their nests.

As darkness covers the rainforest, the predators start to roam their kingdom in search of prey. As most of Belize’s large mammals are nocturnal this is your best chance to actually see them in their natural habitat. Driving from the pine forest to the rainforest at a slow and quiet pace, we stealthily search the forest for gibnut, armadillos, peccaries and other wildlife.

Although seldom seen, the elusive jaguar leaves enough tracks behind for us to understand that this is his realm. Keep an open eye for our national animal the Tapir, who forages on trail-side vegetation. After a couple hours silently exploring the jungle, we have a snack by the creek under the forest canopy.

On our way back, we keep vigilant for signs of a white tailed deer or the arboreal Mexican porcupine. As we slowly drive back to the lodge, there is time to marvel at the magnificent clarity of the night sky. Departs: 3.30pm. Duration: 3-4 hours.

Guided Mountain Biking
There’s no better way to explore the diverse ecosystems of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve than a bike tour. Guided bike trips will take you on scenic routes and trails around the Reserve. Check with the Concierge to discuss departure times, difficulty, terrain, and desired length of trip.

Swimming
Over a thousand streams begin their journey in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve while smooth granite boulders, sandy beaches, and waterfalls of Privassion Creek provide some of the Reserve’s best natural swimming holes. You can swim in the deep, cool pools close to the lodge or explore the hidden rock pools leading to the stunning Big Rock Falls, a must see for the adventurous.

Our fresh water infinity pool is set between the main lodge and the Guatemaltecqua Restaurant and is decorated with brightly colored ceramic tiles. Handmade mahogany sun loungers surround the edge of the pool which has ‘Captains’ on-hand to provide towels and your desired beverages.

Sunrise Bird Watching
As the sun rises at Blancaneaux Lodge, the forest is alive with the sound of exotic birdlife. Take a short walk around the property’s gardens and trails, and let your guide point out the well-camouflaged birds hiding in the nearby forest.

Explore sunrise bird watching and learn about our migrant species and the many secrets of our feathered friends. With almost 600 species documented in Belize, this walk is an excellent introduction to the birds of the region. Departs: 6:00 am. Length: 1 hour (Concierge can arrange for a half-day or full-day birding as well.). Level of Difficulty: Easy

Maya Ruins Caracol
Discover the history of the Maya with our exciting Caracol tour. Situated high on the Vaca Plateau deep in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the most extensive Maya site in Belize and was only rediscovered in 1936.

The site of Caracol covers over 80 square miles with 30,000 structures, and at its peak supported a population of more than 150,000 people. Situated 1,600 feet above sea level w ith no natural body of water nearby, it remains a mystery how such a huge population was able to survive there.

At the heart of the site lies the massive pyramid of Caana (Sky Palace), which is now almost fully restored and reaches over 135 feet high. From the top you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the forest-clad mountains.

Xunantunich
Explore Xunantunich which flourished during the Classic Period (250-900 A.D.) and is believed to have survived the Maya collapse to remain an important population center until the 11th century.

Our tour begins with a drive down the mountain to the village of San Jose Succotz, to take a hand-cranked ferry over the Mopan River to the site of Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). The site has five main plazas, although only three plazas are evident to visitors today.

Dominating the site is El Castillo, rising over 120 feet. A steep but short climb to the top is highly recommended for the panoramic views of the surrounding Mopan and Belize River valleys, as well as Guatemala to the west.

In addition, the visitor center and museum are excellent and there are many small restaurants in the area serving authentic local food, or, you may choose to bring along a picnic lunch and eat at the site.

Tikal, Guatemala
Consider crossing the border into Guatemala to spend a full day touring perhaps the most visually stunning of all Maya sites. Tikal’s five monolithic temples pierce the jungle canopy (Temple IV reaches a height of almost 230 feet) and ancient plazas, steles, and ball courts tell of a rich and powerful history when Tikal’s population reached almost 100,000.

Today the site is recognized as one of the archeological wonders of the Americas. Its unspoiled jungle setting within the Tikal National Park makes it a paradise for birders, nature lovers, and amateur archaeologists.

Cave Explorations – Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)
Explore Actun Tunichil Muknal, notably ranked as one of the ‘Top 10 Sacred Caves in the World’ by National Geographic Magazine. The cave trip starts with a 70 minute drive from Blancaneaux Lodge followed by a 40 minute trek through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve to the cave entrance.

The underground stream flows out of the cave and it’s necessary to take a short swim into the cave (water depth is about 12 feet). About three hours is spent inside the cave, where you will squeeze through tight spaces and climb over rocks. The rewards are worth it.

Two small carved stelae are located above the stream, one in the shape of an obsidian blade and the other a stingray spine. On the next level lies the cave’s most famous occupant, the Crystal Maiden, a victim of ritual sacrifice from the Late Classic Period. ATM Cave in Belize is only recommended for those of an adventurous spirit with a good level of fitness.

Barton Creek Cave
Explore Barton Creek Cave, a remote cave once used by the ancient Maya as a burial site. Adorned with amazing stalactites and stalagmites, the guides will tell stories of civilizations past as they use spotlights to point out Maya pottery shards and remains in the depths below. This journey is enjoyed in a canoe as your guide paddles you through the dramatic cave.

Barton Creek Cave PLUS Intermedio Zip Line
The Intermedio zip line is a 45-60 minute tour that offers 2,573 feet of line separated in 7 runs and 12 platforms. This tour includes a short 10 minute hike through the forest and crosses a hammock bridge.

Caves Branch Nohuch Che’en Reserve Cave Tubing
Blancaneaux Lodge offers a daily early morning transfer option for all guests traveling to Belize Municipal Airport or Turtle Inn Resort. The transfer stops at the Nohuch Che’en Reserve for an hour long float along the Caves Branch River and a gentle jungle walk to reach the starting point for cave tubing.

Each participant has a special ‘tube’ for the float, a headlamp, life vest, and ‘water shoes.’ The float goes through a series of huge interconnecting caves separated by open sections where the river is flanked by high jungle.

Caracol, Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools
This is an ideal combination of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve and Caracol tours. After a picnic lunch at Caracol, enjoy a stop at the Rio Frio Cave, and finish at the Rio On Pools, where you can indulge in a refreshing swim.

Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, & Green Hills Butterfly Farm
Located on a hill overlooking San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is a small but significant Maya center. Situated atop an acropolis on the Macal River, the center of Cahal Pech consists of 34 structures on only two square acres. A visitor center contains artifacts and a reconstructed model of the site.

The Green Hills Butterfly Farm features dozens of different species of Belizean butterflies. There are many small restaurants in the area serving excellent local food, or you may choose to bring along a picnic lunch.

Mountain & Beach
From the shores of Placencia Lagoon to the natural serenity of the Maya Mountains, we are reminded that paradise can exist in more than one location. This 7-night experience showcases both of our luxury hideaways in Belize.

You’ll stay three nights in a stylish Riverfront Cabaña at our mountain hideaway, Blancaneaux Lodge, where you can swim underneath cascading waterfalls and explore the exotic flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest.

The second half of your holiday will be spent in a beautifully furnished Seaview Cottage at our beachside hideaway, Turtle Inn, where you will have the opportunity to snorkel along the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and witness the spectacular sunset on Placencia Lagoon with hor d’oeuvres and wine from the Francis Ford Coppola’s Winery.

Included in this package are meals from our restaurants, offering a variety of local cuisine as well as traditional Italian dishes.

Deluxe Honeymoon
Imagine a honeymoon like no other, set in luxury amidst the rainforest of Belize in our Honeymoon Suite at Blancaneaux Lodge. A private, beautifully appointed cabaña and friendly, attentive staff allow you to experience all our romantic oasis offers.

Our Belize honeymoon package includes decadent meals at our restaurants, rejuvenating spa treatments for two, amazing views of waterfalls from your own private deck, and much more. To satisfy your adventurous spirit, we’ve also included three unique excursions certain to create memories for a lifetime.

Four Night Exclusive Adventure
Adventure-filled days, luxurious accommodations, and authentic local cuisine are some of the highlights of the Belize travel packages at Blancaneaux Lodge. During your stay, you’ll journey into the past with a canoe trip into ancient caves, discover natural swimming holes on horseback, and explore the secrets of the mystical Maya culture.

With nights spent in a beautifully appointed Riverfront Cabaña set among lush, landscaped gardens and overlooking cascading waterfalls, you’ll swear paradise is located under the rainforest canopy of Belize.

Blancaneaux Lodge & Turtle Inn Honeymoon
Experience Belize with this weeklong Belize Honeymoon Package showcasing both of our award-winning tropical hideaways. Our Belize luxury hideaway package features three nights amidst the lush landscape and sweeping vistas of our remote mountain escape, Blancaneaux Lodge, before continuing your romantic holiday at our beachside paradise, Turtle Inn.

Whether under the secluded canopy of the rainforest or mere steps from the seashore, you’ll enjoy luxurious accommodations and unparalleled service.

Indulge in the delicious and varied cuisine in our several restaurants, rejuvenate with couples’ spa treatments, and thrill with four adventurous excursions that will take you into the heart of our magnificent surroundings.

Website: www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com

Rooms: 20

Price: from 339 EUR per night

Francis and Eleanor Coppola acquired this beachside hideaway in 2001 and created an idyllic refuge for those seeking a relaxing or adventure-filled getaway to Belize.

This 25-room seafront escape delights guests with individual thatched cottages, decorated with handcrafted Balinese furnishings, naturally cooled by the ever-present sea breezes. Just steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean Sea.

In addition to offering an ideal location to experience the sea, Turtle Inn is located a short bicycle ride or walk from the charming sea-front fishing village of Placencia, where local artisan shops and dining spots can be enjoyed.

Turtle Inn is located between the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight and the charming Creole fishing village of Placencia, at the tip of a narrow 26-mile long sandy peninsula. To the east, the Caribbean Sea is studded by a patchwork of coral cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage site.

Directly behind Turtle Inn to the west lie the calm waters of the Placencia Lagoon and spectacular views of the Maya Mountains and Victoria Peak. South of the Placencia Peninsula is the Monkey River, formed from the Swasey and Bladen rivers that flow from the jungle-clad peaks of the Maya Mountains.

Poolside Garden View Cottage
Nestled in our lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, each Poolside Garden View Cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower.

All Belize dwellings feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, and ceiling fans. Our luxury hotel resort in Belize also offers tranquil Seaview Cottages, with partial views of the Caribbean Sea.

Poolside Seaview Cottage
Each Poolside Cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All our luxury Belize hideaway dwellings feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, and ceiling fans.

Seafront Cottages
Just steps from a beautiful stretch of beach and the Caribbean Sea, the Seafront Cottages at Turtle Inn are our most desirable dwellings for couples or individuals.

Each includes a private garden with an outdoor shower, screened porch, and a bathroom with a Japanese bath. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, ceiling fans, and thatched roofs that naturally cool the cottages.

For a more spacious and secluded accommodation, our Belize luxury beach hideaway also offers two-bedroom Garden View Villas, nestled in our lush gardens and only a few steps from the Caribbean Sea.

Seafront Villas
The most desirable villas at our Belize luxury hotel are just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea. These Balinese themed 2-bedroom/2-en-suite bathroom villas provide luxurious proportions with a living room, separate sitting rooms, and an extended screened porch surrounded by a private walled garden with an outdoor shower.

Ceiling fans and thatched roofs naturally cool the villas, as do the sea breezes. Turtle Inn prides itself on being one of the leading family hideaways in Belize, even offering a large Balinese-inspired Family Pavilion large enough for the whole family to enjoy.

Roman’s Lagoon Bungalow
Roman’s Lagoon Bungalow features a full kitchen, an expansive living room and bedroom, and a private pool and large deck offering spectacular sunset views. The house is cleverly designed with a mirror and wall which open up on either side of the bedroom for an open-plan feeling (but can be closed for privacy).

Should the creative spirit move you during your getaway, there is a very spacious desk with plenty of room for a writing project or an afternoon of watercolor painting.

There are many areas inside and out to curl up with a book–and when you are ready for a change of scenery you can wander across the street to the two resort pools and beach.

The Lagoon Bungalow is best suited for 2 adults and 2 children, as the second small bedroom features bunk beds. Continental breakfast is included in the nightly rate. A portable A/C unit is available for the bedroom upon request.

Francis’ Family Pavilion
This exclusive Balinese-inspired pavilion, located at the southern edge of the property and surrounded on three sides by a high walled garden, is designed to maximize privacy. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a third loft bedroom accessed by a ladder.

Francis’ Family Pavilion features antique hand-carved wooden doorways and detailing, stone sculptures, and artwork selected by Francis and Eleanor Coppola.

The two spacious bathrooms feature indoor showers and beyond the airy bathrooms are private walled gardens with outdoor showers. The two bedrooms flank a living area and screened porch with comfortable sofas, writing desk, and wet bar area with an espresso machine and refrigerator.

Overlooking the pool is an open air, thatch-roofed dining terrace with a spectacular view over the beach to the Caribbean Sea. Below the dining terrace is the private pool crafted with original tile art and surrounded by a tropical walled garden.

Guests at Francis’ Family Pavilion also enjoy luxurious bathrobes, locally produced organic bath products, goose down or hypo-allergenic pillows, an iPod docking station, Wi-Fi Internet access, and our Shellphone intercom system linked to the resort’s front desk.

Francis’ Family Pavilion also has a full-time butler to anticipate your every need. The butler is on call using a walkie-talkie radio system. As one of the top luxury beach hideaways in Belize, Turtle Inn offers several types of accommodations that are sure to fit your specific needs.

Coral Caye – Your Own Private Island

Imagine slowing down time and inhabiting an intimate island where your only neighbors will be your traveling companions, exotic birds, and attentive caretakers to prepare your meal, pour your wine or chop a fresh coconut.

Your trip to Belize and Turtle Inn will be an even more exquisite memory when you add on a few nights on our two acre, isolated, private island, just a 25 minute (8 mile) boat ride from the resort.

Sheltered behind the world famous Belize Barrier Reef, Coral Caye is a completely private island that can be yours alone for a romantic, restorative or adventurous get away. You and your lucky travel companions will feel like you are castaways with all the comforts needed to leave all of your cares behind.

The island features a small coral sand beach and fascinating mangrove ecology. Once used as a commercial fishing camp, it has now been enhanced for travelers who want a once in a lifetime experience, while still preserving the natural, local flavor.

Your dwelling will be a comfortable, rustic cottage that suits the untouched nature of your surroundings. A true sanctuary that is eco-conscious in every way and allows the soothing sounds of the Caribbean sea to lull you to sleep or beckon you to spend your afternoon snorkeling directly from the island.

Do as much or as little as you please in complete privacy and solitude among your loved ones. Your meals will be prepared daily by the island caretakers whether that be a morning coffee, fresh fruit or egg breakfast, a refreshing light salad or sandwich lunch and a fresh caught seafood dinner – BBQ Creole style.

Robinson Crusoe would be challenged to find a more exquisite retreat and we’ve added all the extra touches so that you may truly unwind.

We can also customize your experience with add-on items (at extra charge) such as al-fresco massages, a private chef and private attendant for a more elaborate meal, a guided fishing tour, pre-ordered specific grocery items, a cake or special treat to celebrate an occasion. The options are only as limited as your imagination.

The coastal decor consists of airy fabrics, open space, seaside-inspired colors, beachy accents, sturdy woods to withstand sandy feet and salty air, and tones to reflect the sea and sky. Two dwellings and a great house are the only buildings on the island and can accommodate from two to ten guests.

The Coral Cottage, our newly built dwelling, is ideal for a couple or family with young children. It has a king bed and a sleeper sofa in the cozy living area, front porch, hammocks and full bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower.

The Seahorse Cottage, ideal for extended family or additional friends, is situated near the Mangrove Cove where one can find many seahorses. It features two queen beds, two twin beds and in-cottage bathroom plus an outdoor shower.

The Great House is a charming sand floor indoor/outdoor living room space with amenities including a full bar, music system, half bathroom, kitchen, dining table, board games, dart board and more this space for celebration or family meals. Additionally, there is a full-size day bed for napping or an optional additional overnight stay accommodation.

Mare Restaurant
Fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking come together at Turtle Inn’s flagship restaurant. Local fish is brought in daily from the fertile reefs just offshore and fresh vegetables are delivered from our organic garden.

Our changing daily menu offers such dishes as ceviche and gazpacho, fish cooked in a sea-salt crust, and a selection of pizzas made to order in our wood-burning oven.

On Monday and Thursday evenings a traditional Dutch Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner is served (as pictured above). The Mare offers a relaxed dining experience beneath the towering vaulted thatch roof, with incredible views out to sea.

Wine Cellar
Turtle Inn now offers an exciting new wine tasting package in our brand new “wine aquarium,” designed by Laurent Deroo and built by local Belizean builder & architect Margarito M. Ortiz.

The “wine aquarium,” which features a wall-to-wall glass-encased wine cellar, holds more than 1200 bottles of award-winning selections from Francis Ford Coppola’s two wineries in Sonoma County (Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Virginia Dare Winery) as well as his Inglenook estate in Napa County, along with many other vintages from Chili, Argentina, Italy, France and the US.

Gauguin Grill
Our beachfront restaurant features fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood including lobster, jumbo shrimp, and snapper all served on woven plates accompanied by a choice of Balinese-inspired sauces and spices.

Tables are set just a few feet from the sea, affording fantastic views of the offshore cayes (tiny islands) and starry night sky. The sandy-floored bar and lounge also offers an excellent selection of Belize-brewed beer, wine, and cocktails.

Auntie Luba’s Kitchen
Our own authentic Belizean diner, Auntie Luba’s, overlooks the calm, shallow waters of Placencia Lagoon. The menu of our rustic-style restaurant is filled with regional fare like curry chicken, coconut shrimp, seasonal conch fritter, beef stew, and the best home-baked key lime pie.

The atmosphere is casual yet festive and a memorable event may include finishing the evening with s’mores made over the firepit and sending off wish lanterns over the lagoon.

The Laughing Fish Bar
Just steps from our luxurious infinity pool, a towering thatch roof provides a shady retreat to enjoy a wide selection of drinks.

Bar stools sit directly on the golden-sand beach, offering panoramic views over the sea to the offshore cayes (tiny islands). You may even catch your bartender preparing your cocktail in a coconut, picked from the palms above.

Skip White Bar
Named after the charismatic original owner of Turtle Inn, the Skip White Bar displays antique microscopes used by Skip and his marine biology students.

This open-air bar offers an excellent selection of drink options throughout the day and into the evening, and is an ideal place to chat about the day’s adventures over a glass of wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery or a Belize-brewed beer.

Kid’s Gelato Bar
Neatly tucked to the side of the Skip White Bar hangs a sign ‘Gelato Bar – No Adults Allowed.’ Superb local gelato that changes seasonally makes this a favorite hangout for children of all ages.

Sunset Spa
Set in an open-air Balinese Rice House featuring hand-painted murals inspired by ancient art, the Sunset Spa relaxes those who’ve spent a full day touring, swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

All treatments use locally-sourced organic ingredients. At the request of the Coppolas, our Belize spa hideaway specializes in traditional Thai massage, practiced by a professional staff that has studied these ancient techniques at the Sacred Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok.

Beach & Pool
The sandy beaches of Placencia and calm waters create perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling, as well as a host of other water-related adventures. Visit our Dive Shop for more information on renting sailboats, snorkel gear, kayaks, water bicycles and paddle boards.

Turtle Inn also has two infinity swimming pools. Our oval-shaped infinity pool is highlighted by views of the sea and is enjoyed by all of our guests, while our triangular infinity pool is available to adults only.

Scuba Diving
The Caribbean’s largest barrier reef lies just offshore from Turtle Inn, offering divers a magnificent diversity of coral and marine life to explore.

In addition, a number of easily accessible cayes (tiny islands) have their own reefs and underwater ecosystems, cementing Belize’s reputation as one of the world’s great scuba destinations.

We are dedicated to providing you with the best diving experience possible, regardless of skill level. In addition to our selection of tours, we also offer a wide range of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification courses.

Snorkeling
Clear, calm waters combined with an abundance of fascinating coral and fish make Placencia a premier spot for snorkeling in Belize. Spend a full or half day exploring exotic coral species and keep an eye out for the dazzling stoplight parrotfish, queen angelfish, squirrelfish, and the great barracuda.

Trolling the Reef
Troll, spin-cast, or drop-fish in some of the most populated waters of the Caribbean. Barracuda, king mackerel, snapper, grouper, tuna, and snook are among the many species that thrive here. Tour includes all necessary fishing gear. (Please note this is not ‘blue water’ fishing for pelagic species.)

Salt Water Fly Fishing
The productive sand and coral flats off Placencia combine to offer the chance of salt-water fly fishing’s grand slam: permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook.

Our waters provide some of the best fishing in the Caribbean and we offer experienced and professional local guides. Select fly fishing gear is available to loan from our tackle shop.

Swimming
Our sandy beach and calm waters create perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling as well as a host of other water-related activities. Visit our Dive Shop for more information on renting sailing boats, snorkel gear, kayaks, water bicycles and paddle boards.

Turtle Inn also has two infinity swimming pools to enhance your stay. Our oval-shaped infinity pool is highlighted by views of the sea and is enjoyed by all of our guests, while our triangular infinity pool is available to adults only.

Birding
Whether you are an amateur or professional birder or have not even considered this as an activity while on vacation, joining our on-site ornithologist Melvin on a guided bird watching experience at Turtle Inn will delight you.

Enjoy the morning sun rising over the Caribbean Sea while strolling through the grounds of the resort with Melvin who will ensure you don’t miss seeing a large variety of beautiful birds. More experienced birding enthusiasts may want to schedule an adventure further with our guide.

Of the country’s 590 recorded species, some of the most spectacular, and some of the rarest of species can be seen here versus elsewhere: the Lovely Cotinga, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Rose-throated Tanager, as well as a host of colorful toucans, parrots and hummingbirds.

Yoga
Stephanie’s deep passion for yoga infuses every aspect of her life. Her teachings are full of joy, compassion, and an authentic desire to help students connect to their own limitless potential.

What Stephanie loves most about yoga is the balance between physical and spiritual – the opportunity to transcend the physical body and find a deeper truth. Yoga classes are adapted depending on the ability and needs of the person, from gentle flow to a fun and challenging Vinyasa.

Sunset Cruise
The sunset over the distant Maya Mountains is nothing short of spectacular and there is no better place to see it than from the calm waters of the Placencia Lagoon.

The cruise generally lasts from 60 to 90 minutes and includes hors d’oeuvres and wines from Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Stay on the lookout for dolphins and manatees that are often visible from the deck of the boat!

Placencia Village
In many ways the Placencia Peninsula presents a microcosm of the best Belize has to offer. The beach view is of the enchanting cayes, barrier reef and beyond. It is an ideal base for amazing diving, snorkeling, and world-class fly fishing.

The village of Placencia has maintained its charming appeal with annual events such as the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival, and Lobsterfest.

A rich multi-cultural utopia awakens in the night at local bars and clubs where free spirits can opt to dance barefoot to the rhythms of Garifuna drums, electrifying riffs of guitars, or dance tunes from beloved local DJs.

Bicycling
We offer complimentary beach cruisers to guests who wish to pedal around the beautiful surroundings. To explore bicycling at Turtle Inn, please ask our concierge upon arrival for more information, including trail maps and other related equipment.

Paddle Boarding
The often calm waters in front of Turtle Inn provide an ideal opportunity for beginners to try stand-up paddle boarding for the first time. It is also perfect for the seasoned paddler to go for a long ride to one of the Mangrove Islands, or try to spot manatees in the lagoon.

Zip Lining
Bocawina Adventures boasts the longest zip-line in Belize and is the hotspot for waterfall rappelling. We offer day or night zip-lining with 12 platforms, and one of the longest zip-line runs is 2,300 feet long!

Located in the saw-toothed Maya Mountains in the Mayflower Bocawina National Forest, the park is outside of Silk Grass Village on the Southern Highway, and takes about 75 minutes to reach from Turtle Inn. We also highly recommend this as a stopover when coming from or going to Blancaneaux Lodge.

Organic Farm Visit
Miss Emma of Emma’s Gardens is a warm and welcoming farmer, originally from the Philippines, who has been planting fruit trees, vegetables, orchids, and flowers for the last 25 years, in her garden covering over 2000 acres.

A picnic basket can be packed for you (complete with a bottle of wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery) or Miss Emma can cook lunch for you in her kitchen. This is a wonderful, authentic Belize Farm experience that even includes all the fruit you can carry.

The transfer to the farm takes about an hour and you will return right after lunch. Fruits are seasonal, but a visit is worthwhile year round.

Nim Li Punit Maya Site and Blue Creek Cave
Located in the beautiful rainforest of the Toledo District in Southern Belize, an hour’s scenic drive from Turtle Inn leads you to the late-classic ceremonial site of Nim Li Punit.

After a fascinating guided tour of the ruins and small but informative museum, we’ll quickly drive to Indian Creek Village for a short demonstration of traditional corn tortilla making. Following an authentic Maya lunch, there will be a demonstration of traditional Maya weaving using a back-strap loom.

Lubaantun Maya Site and Rio Blanco Waterfalls
Excavated Maya ruins looming above the subtropical jungle, Lubaantun (Place of the Falling Stones), is a spectacle to behold. With three plazas and rounded walls made in the distinctive Maya style, you can enjoy a picnic lunch and then venture to the Rio Blanco Waterfalls where water cascades 20 feet from a cliff into a large blue-green pool below, making it perfect for an afternoon swim.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve
The world’s only jaguar preserve is a superb place for birding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Hiking trails are well marked and range from easy to more challenging, and it’s possible to see howler monkeys, agouyi brocket deer, and peccary.

The 128,000 acre wildlife sanctuary is a jaguar hotspot and provides a critical habitat for an estimated 80 jaguars. Take a picnic lunch, float down the river in an inner tube, and then cool off under refreshing waterfalls.

Monkey River Wildlife Adventure
Explore Monkey River by boat, observing howler monkeys, tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and many other species of wildlife.

Our experienced guide will take you through mangrove estuaries at the edge of the lagoon, home of the manatee, and you’ll hike trails through the rainforest to view families of howler monkeys. On the return downriver, you will stop in the village of Monkey River for a traditional Creole lunch.

Cassa Zenda
As an extension to your journey in Belize and Guatemala, consider this exclusive use, waterfront villa, perched on the banks of Lake Izabal, in Guatemala’s stunning Rio Dulce region.

With four elegantly- appointed suite bungalows accommodating a maximum of 16 guests, Cassa Zenda is ideally situated where the fresh waters of the Rio Dulce meet the vast expanse of Lake Izabal, Guatemala’s largest lake.

Guests experience unparalleled service at their fingertips with a concierge and house manager, house butler, private chef, housekeeping service and boat captain. The villa’s staff will tailor adventure experiences — adding to the sense of exclusivity.

Guests can customize itineraries that include exploration of Cassa Zenda’s jungle ecology and immersion in the local Izabal culture; water sports adventure with water skiing, kayaking and hydrofoiling; hiking to nearby thermal pools; restorative yoga under a palapa; or lying by the saltwater Jacuzzi pool while sampling Guatemalan cuisine al fresco.

Cassa Zenda is ideally situated for a two- three or four-resort getaway together with Turtle Inn, Blancaneaux Lodge and Coral Caye in Belize and/or La Lancha, Guatemala.

Guests will embrace the highlights of these two countries’ greatest features – the Barrier Reef in Belize, Rio Dulce in Guatemala and Tikal in Guatemala.

For a stunning sense of arrival, guests ideally travel by boat from Turtle Inn to Cassa Zenda, first taking in the coastal views of the Belizean great barrier reef dotted with famous local cayes and islands, passing to the coastal town of Livingston where a seamless passport check in is handled by the captain of your vessel.

Next is the breathtaking views on the winding Rio Dulce river approach, flanked by verdant green cliffs teaming with bird life (egrets, pelicans, cormorants) – perhaps the tallest living wall journey to any vacation experience one might find outside of Vietnam.

For a two-resort stay combined with La Lancha, guests may opt for a road, helicopter or private charter flight transfer.

Website: www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com

Rooms: 25

Price: from 417 EUR per night

Welcome to Chaa Creek, rated one of the world’s best Eco Lodges & a pioneer in adventure travel to Belize since 1981. Wildly civilized sums up the philosophy of our award-winning Belize Jungle Resort, located in the heart of Maya civilization.

When they began farming on the banks of the Macal River in western Belize, Mick and Lucy Fleming always strove to coexist with nature, and as Chaa Creek grew, so did their appreciation and respect for Belize’s diverse ecology and rich culture.

It was only natural that when the Flemings began taking in guests to create one of Belize’s first eco-resorts in 1981, they combined their love of nature with a desire to give visitors an authentic jungle experience that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and built comforts.

Our commitment to responsible travel has resonated with guests from around the world, and we are proud that Chaa Creek continues to win recognition as a model of sustainable, Green tourism.

Our 400-acre private nature reserve is one of the most awarded Belize Eco Lodges, and in 2017 took first place honours in its category at National Geographic’s World Legacy Awards presented in Berlin.

Chaa Creek’s Location
Set along the banks of the Macal River and stretching towards the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Chaa Creek continues to provide unique adventure travel experiences for thousands of visitors looking for an in-depth yet civilized Belizean vacation, with a focus on Belize’s ecology, natural history and vibrant multicultural society.

Our location in the “Heartland of the Maya” gives us a special interest and expertise in helping visitors explore the many ancient cities, temples, ceremonial caves and archaeological sites of this fascinating ancient civilisation, and we offer cultural tours that give visitors an insight into today’s Maya, Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole and German Mennonite cultures.

Belize is a place of spectacular beauty, and when sharing our home and our love for what makes it so special, we also wish to share a sense of responsibility towards protecting the country’s vibrant yet fragile ecosystem.

Sustainable Practices at Chaa Creek
Sensitive construction, creative recycling and other green practices have always been part and parcel to our development, and while we are honoured to have been so widely recognized for doing what, to us, comes naturally, we take even greater pride in the overwhelmingly positive comments we receive from visitors.

Our guests say they appreciate Chaa Creek’s eco-friendly blend of pristine nature and a casually luxurious built environment, and enjoy the flexibility and choice we offer in accommodations, amenities, meals, tours and expeditions.

Our wide range of accommodations allow guests to select lodgings that range from the rustic charm of the Belize Rainforest Retreat at Chaa Creek (formerly Macal River Camp) to the unparalleled luxury of the new Ix Chel Luxury Rainforest Villas, whose stunning views, private Jacuzzis, plunge pools and amenities such as the attention of a personal butler have set new standards for excellence in a pristine natural environment.

In addition, our infrastructure and nationwide network of colleagues enable us to offer a range of comprehensive, hassle-free tours and all-inclusive Belize vacation packages that cater to all ages, interests and levels of fitness.

For example, our close relationships with premier Belizean reef and island resorts at Ambergris Caye, Placencia and other Caribbean vacation spots allow us to offer comprehensive, seamless, and surprisingly affordable Belize beach and rainforest vacation packages that combine the best of Belize’s inland and Caribbean attractions.

Our colleagues share our respect for Belize’s environment and communities, so wherever you go on a Chaa Creek package tour, you can be sure that you are doing the right thing and participating in sustainable, responsible tourism.

We hope you’ll sleep better knowing that ten percent of your room revenue at Chaa Creek goes directly into environmental and community projects under our Chaa Creek Cares initiative. and programs such as “Pack-a-Pound”, that provides disadvantaged Belizean school children with personal school supplies and other projects help build bridges between our guests and local communities that leave everyone feeling good.

The Chaa Creek Experience
For anyone looking for physically and intellectually stimulating expeditions, as well as affordable all inclusive family vacations, Belizean destination wedding, honeymoon or Maya adventure vacation packages and cultural tours, or for visitors just wishing to relax in comfort while experiencing one of the world’s most vibrant rainforest environments, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, as Belize’s “Destination Within a Destination”, remains the perfect choice to discover all those things that makes Belize truly special.

We invite you to navigate around our website to learn more – we hope your virtual visit will result in the real thing, and look forward to welcoming you into our extended family in the near future.

BELIZE ACCOMMODATIONS
Our wide range of accommodations ensure that guests can choose lodgings best suited to their lifestyle and needs. Twenty-three cottage style rooms nestled amid tropical gardens feature tastefully appointed interiors and airy palm thatched roofs.

We also offer the Garden Suite and Garden Jacuzzi Suite, which, when rented separately or together as the Complete Garden Suite, offer a high degree of flexibility and comfort.

In addition, the Spa Villa, Macal Cottage and Tree Top Villas all have their own style and feature amenities such as private Jacuzzis or infinity plunge pool and stunning garden views.

New for 2017, the Ix Chel Luxury Rainforest Villas blend our environmentally friendly philosophy with clean, elegant design and furnishings, stunning views and expansive, private verandas enclosing personal plunge pools, Jacuzzis, al fresco showers and the services of a personal butler.

The Ix Chel Villas are also designed to be let together or individually to suit families, couples, groups or individuals seeking the highest degree of luxury in a pristine rainforest setting.

Regardless of which option you choose, we hope you’ll sleep better knowing that 10% of all room revenue goes directly towards environmental and community projects under our Chaa Creek Cares initiative.

BELIZE IX CHEL VILLAS
Representing an exciting new stage in over thirty-five years of evolution, and catering to those discerning travellers looking for the highest level of comfort in an unspoiled natural setting, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is now offering a luxurious new addition to our range of accommodations – the Ix Chel Villas.

After selecting a location offering tranquillity, privacy and convenient access to our onsite amenities and activities, we worked with our team of Belizean designers, green consultants, artists and builders to create a collection of air-conditioned villas with gorgeous 180° views, luxuriously comfortable interiors and amenities not usually found in such an idyllic setting.

Ix Chel guests also enjoy the unobtrusive yet attentive service of a personal butler who will coordinate room service, housekeeping, food, beverage and laundry services, assist with booking your Belize tours and activities, and look after each visitor’s every requirement.

In-room massages and treatments from the Hilltop Spa are also available, and experienced babysitters are on hand to provide responsible child minding.

Situated on a forested bank overlooking the Macal River Valley, the Villas’ floor-to-ceiling glass walls and doors offer spectacular yet private 180° views of the surrounding jungle habitat.

The two Villa plazas contain two suites each – a master bedroom suite that includes a sitting room lounge with convertible furniture to accommodate two extra sleepers, and a junior bedroom suite with a king-sized bed.

An expansive veranda with al fresco shower, private pool and Jacuzzi affords beautiful views during the day and a lovely candlelit ambience accented by the gentle natural music of the river and surrounding jungle during the evening.

The unique Plaza layout allows the suites to be offered as combined or stand-alone bookings ideal for accommodating a range of guests from couples to larger groups and families.

Ix Chel, the Maya moon goddess, was one of the most highly revered deities in the ancient Maya pantheon, and our respectful homage to the local ancient Maya culture extends to the suites, where the celestial hero Kukulcan, the sun king Kinich Ahau, Bacab, the deity of the four winds, and Yaxche, the Maya Tree of Paradise are all represented.

BELIZE TREE TOP VILLAS
Belize’s original Tree Top Villas have been extensively refurbished, and the results are as spectacular as the views.

Sharing the forest canopy with toucans, parrots and other colourful tropical birds, looking down upon the Macal River and tranquil jungle setting, the Villas expanded patios now include al fresco showers, private plunge pools and sundecks to create your own personal tree-top Eden.

Stunning views, luxurious amenities and flexible sleeping arrangements ensure that your rainforest idyll – whether a honeymoon, couple’s romantic getaway or family vacation, will be nothing short of magic.

And, after lounging, soaking or stargazing following a day of tours and activities, you’ll sleep better knowing your visit actually benefits Belize’s environment and communities, with one out of every ten dollars spent on accommodation going towards our Chaa Creek Cares initiatives.

BELIZE SPA VILLA
The spacious three-bedroom Spa Villa is set within a tropical hillside garden and features a master bedroom with a king size bed and en suite bathroom. A second bedroom containing a queen and single bed and a third bedroom with a queen canopy bed share a full sized bathroom.

Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the lush jungle surrounds of the Macal River Basin from the generous glass-walled living room and large wrap-around veranda with outdoor Jacuzzi. Professional massage treatments are also on offer in the comfort and privacy of the Spa Villa lodging.

The air-conditioned Villa contains a full kitchen and guests also have the choice of ordering a variety of delicious meals prepared by the lodge’s resident chef at the Chaa Creek restaurant.

Cocktails are offered all day long at Chaa Creek’s verandah bar while guests can also enjoy beverages available in the villa’s own stocked bar.

With other amenities including fresh flowers and tasteful art, the luxurious Spa Villa raises Chaa Creek’s international reputation for jungle luxury to a new level. The Spa Villa is a short walk away from the main cottage plaza, dining room and bar.

MACAL RIVER VIEW SUITE
The Macal Cottage is a starring attraction in Chaa Creek’s award winning cottage colony. Perched on the edge of a grassy knoll overlooking the sleepy Macal River, the cottage blends stylish simplicity and elegant furnishings to create a romantic ambiance in a stunning rainforest backdrop.

Nestled amidst tropical gardens, the spacious accommodation with its king-sized bed, oversized day bed and leisure furniture also includes two private terraces for relaxing in hammocks or enjoying the outdoor Jacuzzi al fresco. Naturally perfect for families this charming cottage colony is just as popular with couples.

THE COTTAGE COLLECTION
The Collection has grown to include something for everyone, from that long awaited family adventure vacation to couples and honeymooners looking for something special, singles seeking new experiences, or friends sharing an adventure.

Our individually designed palm thatched cottages are furnished with a tasteful, casually elegant mix of hand crafted furniture, fine fabrics and local and international art, all designed to blend in with the exquisite rainforest surroundings and local culture.

We strive to have our cottage interiors compliment the natural beauty of the jungle surroundings. The spacious cottage rooms all feature private sundeck verandas from which to enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of the rainforest, and dazzling hummingbirds are frequent visitors.

With only twenty-three cottage accommodations, our staff can show that they value your stay as much as you do, and friendly service is always available without being obtrusive.

And at Chaa Creek, you’ll discover how we practice green sustainable practices while still offering full amenities and wildly civilised, rustic elegance.

BELIZE ON A BUDGET – ECO PODS
Groups with an affinity for natural surroundings now have a new rainforest venue in which to meet, teach, learn, socialise, or just relax in a pristine jungle environment. Welcome to the Belize Rainforest Retreat at Chaa Creek.

For nearly forty years, Chaa Creek’s Macal River Camp has accommodated a variety of groups, organisations, family get-togethers and other gatherings.

This nature-based venue has been refreshed as the Belize Rainforest Retreat at Chaa Creek, focused on providing group accommodations and activities that combine back-to-nature simplicity, excellent service and access to casually luxurious amenities.

DINING IN BELIZE – MARIPOSA RESTAURANT
Spoil your taste buds and enjoy delectable ‘Jungle Cuisine’ in our romantic al fresco dining room. Enjoy the sounds of birds singing in the surrounding trees in the daytime, and listen to the symphony of night sounds while you dine under candlelight.

At the Chaa Creek restaurant, we combine modern and ‘old fashioned’ cooking techniques with a wide variety of fresh local produce to create innovative and original, mouthwatering meals.

Start your day light with a selection of tropical fruits and homemade yogurt, or go local and try a more substantial breakfast of refried beans, eggs, and freshly prepared corn tortillas.

For lunch, you can choose from our Mariposa Menu with a choice of international dishes like pizzas and pasta accompanied by some regional favorites like quesadillas and ceviche.

Apart from the a la carte menu at dinner time we highly recommend our Chef’s daily four-course connoisseur menu, which for many of our guests is one of the highlights of the day.

Innovative dishes like carrot and ginger soup flavored with orange peel and lemon grass, Cho Cho and cantaloupe salad with mango and balsamic dressing, or fresh fish fillet wrapped in ‘Santa Maria’ leaves sprinkled with lime butter are just a few examples of what you can expect to find in this menu.

We grow most of our produce at our organic Maya farm and what we cannot grow is ‘hand-picked’ from local producers. Only this way can we guarantee fresh products, the taste of our surroundings, and at the same time support the small farmers in our region.

At the end of your day you may want to try a refreshing Sorrel Flower ice tea, our non-alcoholic signature drink, or any of our wide selection of delicious cocktails at our verandah bar where you can gaze at the stars and share stories with other guests.

Our colorful bartenders will happily entertain you with tales of their beloved country, Belize. Our bar has in stock the best selection of spirits in the country and is open from six in the morning until the last guest leaves at night.

BELIZE SPA RESORT
To truly immerse yourself in the Belizean rainforest experience, take time out to enjoy the benefits of professional spa treatments in one of the most stunning, relaxing settings imaginable.

Our Hilltop Spa at Chaa Creek is set above the winding Macal River with a panoramic view of the Maya Mountains and lush Caribbean Rainforest – an extraordinary, peaceful setting enhanced by the background music of tropical birds and gentle rustling of leaves.

Our professional therapists will help you select from a range of treatments to create a personalised Spa experience guaranteed to put you in harmony with the beautiful natural surroundings – and yourself.

Imagine an al fresco massage as you breathe in deliciously fresh, clean air produced by the vast surrounding rainforest. You’ll find cares and worries slip away into the peace and tranquillity of this timeless environment as our dedicated professionals work their quiet magic.

Over the years, Chaa Creek’s Spa managers have developed a regimen of professional treatments to satisfy anyone, and our therapists will work with you to ensure the most personalised, rewarding experience possible.

You’ll also be happy to know that your Chaa Creek Spa treatments don’t come at a cost to the natural environment. As with all our operations, the Spa lives in harmony with our natural surroundings with scrupulous attention paid to product selection and waste management.

Our natural, herbal based approach sets an example for sustainable, environmentally friendly spas. Naturally mineral rich mud treatments, herbal wraps and carefully chosen botanicals, sourced as locally as possible, enrich you without depleting the earth.

Pamper yourself with a Chaa Creek Spa experience and see what jungle luxury really feels like – it will be another once-in-a-lifetime Belizean experience.

INFINITY SWIMMING POOL
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is making a splash with our beautifully appointed, fresh water swimming pool which is added to the numerous onsite activities that Chaa Creek offers, and combines to make Chaa Creek an extra special holiday destination.

The eco-friendly swimming pool was built with both adults and children in mind. Its bi-level configuration allows for swimming and paddling pools, as well as generous lounging space for dining, sun bathing and relaxation.

The total capacity of the pool is a whopping 46,000 gallons, 45,000 gallons in the main pool area and 1,000 gallons in children’s paddling pool. The size is 60ft long and 20ft wide with a depth of 4.7 ft. The pool’s Green credential is facilitated by the IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine Generator (IECG).

This sanitation system uses a salt chlorinator to create a process known as electrolysis which produces a chlorine gas that immediately dissolves into a solution creating Hypochlorite, a pool and spa water sanitizer.

Hypochlorite kills bacteria, oxidizes organic material, and kills algae, then reverts back to salt. A low concentration of salt added to the pool water is the only sanitizer used. The IECG then reuses the salt and the process starts over again.

BLUE MORPHO BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT
The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm continues to be a major attraction as people marvel at the splendid iridescent wings of these magnificent butterflies. The “Belizean Blue” can be observed during every stage of their life cycle.

It begins its cycle as a pale green egg, which looks like a dewdrop, soon after it changes into a voraciously hungry caterpillar, then into the bizarre form of a dormant pupa, and finally into a dazzling beauty that delights the public in butterfly houses throughout the world.

At Chaa Creek, our objective is to encourage learning about our environment and to have fun at the same time. What better way than by illustrating the fascinating sights of an insect’s life cycle to help us appreciate the rich diversity of our natural environment that makes Belize one of the world’s best, and most interesting, destinations.

NATURAL HISTORY CENTER
Situated at the top of the hill behind the cottages, the Chaa Creek Natural History Center takes students and visitors along a fascinating time line, which begins with prehistoric land formation through to the shifting of the continents.

Visitors are able to see the movement of life in Belize through the ages; from Mayan temples in the steaming jungle to modern day traditional healers.

On one hand we provide a comprehensive introduction to the history and geography of Belize while on the other we provide visual displays of archaeological artifacts, butterflies, moths, insects and amphibians that capture the curiosity of young children, students and scientists alike.

The forested area surrounding the Centre has become an educational destination which, combined with the Rainforest Medicine Trail, this offers an excellent opportunity to study medicinal and useful plants.

CONFERENCE CENTER
The right setting can make every meeting more productive and more memorable. The Lodge at Chaa Creek offers a beautiful location with elegant and well-appointed meeting facilities.

The Conference Center at Chaa Creek is the perfect place for a business meeting, group retreat, workshop, wedding or private function. Our newly air-conditioned Conference Center can accommodate up to 100 people auditorium style and 50 people classroom style.

It is equipped with current audio/visual equipment. The light and airy building has highly flexible furniture and comfortable chairs with superior lumbar support. The conference tables can be used to create a variety of configurations within minutes to accommodate the needs of your presentation style.

The podium has a public address system with cordless microphones. A television with VCR over-head, slide and multi-media projectors are available for business meetings.

Our staff are knowledgeable and experts in providing all the planning and services to make any meeting or family function run smoothly. Our reservations office in San Ignacio will be happy to provide a customized quote to suite your specific needs.

Chaa Creek is cradled between the steep forested slopes of the Macal River Valley. Close to the rainforest of the Maya Mountains and granite uplands of central Belize, it is strategically placed within easy driving distance of the Mountain Pine Ridge, Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and El Pilar Maya Temples, the Chumpiate Cave, Vaca Falls and the 220 square mile Tikal National Park.

BELIZE NATURE RESERVE
Our Belize Eco Resort has a picturesque trail network that will take you to many different areas of our 400-acre nature reserve. All of the trails are numbered as shown on our comprehensive trail map that can be requested from our concierge office or with any of our friendly members of staff.

For your comfort, we suggest hiking boots or tennis shoes and sunscreen or a cap. Feel free to explore on your own and at your leisure or join a guided tour and interact with an exotic tropical environment. If you wish to venture out on your own we request that you inform our front desk before doing so.

MAYA ORGANIC FARM
The 33 acre Maya Organic Farm is an integral part of the Chaa Creek Reserve; It provides freshly harvested produce for The Lodge at Chaa Creek and the Macal River Camp.

The farm integrates traditional Maya farming with more advanced systems of irrigated raised beds of composted soil fed with nutrients derived from natures store house. Few people, including our native Belizeans, understand the complexity of the Mayas organic farming techniques.

The indigenous Maya have survived for over 2000 years on subsistence farming for home use, barter, and sale as the backbone of their existence. They have used resources supplied by nature to nourish the soil and protect their crops from insect devastation.

Costly chemicals were simply not an option and their continuing methodology has clearly stood the test of time. As part of our many onsite activities we offer guided horseback riding tours to the Maya Farm where our guests get the opportunity to experience how the Maya farmed.

You get to see all the different fruits and vegetables that are grown and the different organic farming methods with soil enrichment that are used based on a five-year rotation plan using Makuna beans and Lucina as nitrogen fixers.

Cacao, root crops, and vegetables planted on the farm oftentimes can only be found in the older Mayan settlements. Freshly harvested organic fruits and vegetables from our traditional Maya Farm are complimented by local dairy and meat products to create a distinct flavor of the Caribbean and Latin American region.

HORSE STABLES
Chaa Creek maintains a stable of well-groomed riding horses that are suited for all levels of riding experience. Our guided rides traverse the trails of the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve through sub-tropical broadleaf forest past ancient Maya sites.

As you ride along, your naturalist guide will highlight the various unique plant and wildlife species native to the reserve. Optional rides to the MAYA ORGANIC FARM may also be arranged. Horseback riding tours are now offered twice a day; the first at 9:00am and the other at 1:00pm.

Whether you’re just out for an afternoon hike or planning a more extensive exploration, our licensed naturalist guides are always ready to make your experience both intellectually and physically challenging.

WOODWORKING SHOP AT BELIZE
The Shop is tucked away along the edge of a copse which gives shade to an old Mayan dwelling area where ancient terraced food gardens can still be seen. Guests are always welcome to drop by and talk with the carpenters and craftsman who are happy to discuss the particular project they happen to be working on.

There are always pieces of exotic wood scraps available for the avid whittler to put in the bottom of their bag to take home for future enjoyment. The wood shop is committed to producing high quality furniture by local craftsmen with an attention to finish and detail for all our guests to enjoy.

ORGANIZED ADVENTURE TOURS IN BELIZE
We also offer carefully crafted Belize adventure tours, including popular Rainforest to Reef surf and turf packages which offer exceptional value for money and a hassle free way to experience Belize from the inland borders to the coast and cayes.

Explore ancient Belize Mayan Ruins in the jungle in the morning, and be snorkeling the great Belize Barrier Reef that afternoon. Whether within our reserve or enjoying a tour or adventure vacation package, you can also rest assured that you are contributing to the sustainability of Belize’s natural resources and unique culture.

If traveling sustainably is a preference of yours as it is for us, you’ll be happy to know that Chaa Creek was known as an eco resort before the term became popular, and we continue to promote green tourism through our own efforts and public initiatives.

Check with our concierge for specific Go-Green activities you and your family can become involved with. Whether you’re looking for challenging adventures, exclusive experiences, or quiet relaxation among the sights and sounds of the beautiful Belizean rainforest, we are dedicating to working with you to ensure that your Belize vacation is everything you hope for.

We love Belize – let us show you why, and be prepared for one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable.

LEARN ABOUT THE BIRDS OF BELIZE AT CHAA CREEK
With over 350 species of resident and migratory birds, the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve features some of the best birds of Belize.

Our early morning Bird Watching tour will take you around our common grounds at the lodge where our professional naturalist guides, who are highly trained and knowledgeable birders, will assist you in spotting many of the tropical avian species that abound in western Belize.

The varied topography and vegetation of her Central American home makes Belize abundantly rich in a variety of ecosystems that provide sustainable habitats for an enormous number of local and migratory bird species.

BELIZEAN RAINFOREST RTV SAFARI!
We are happy to report that new & exciting Rainforest RTV Safaris have been added to our list of jungle exploits.

Just the very word Safari evokes adventure and romance, and while things have changed since the early days of big game hunters, with images of Ernest Hemingway traipsing around the African bush, there’s still something about the notion of setting off to explore the wilderness in a rugged four wheel drive vehicle with a local guide that captivates the imagination.

And for us, the beauty of Chaa Creek’s Rainforest Safari is the convenience and affordability of this rather awesome motorised trek into Belizean landscapes not often visited by the casual traveller.

This is a jungle experience not to be missed, with an RTV carrying guests along rainforest trails to a cohune ridge and through broadleaf forests that support a wide variety of wild and bird life.

We remember seeing a tapir near there years ago, and you’ll definitely want to pack a camera and binoculars, as Chaa Creek’s guides have an uncanny knack for spotting things most people would miss.

BELIZE BOTANIC GARDENS
Guided and self-guided tours wind gently above the bank of the Macal River past medicinal plants and introduce visitors to many of the plants and herbs used in traditional Maya medicine. The Maya were masters at utilizing the jungle’s natural resources for their practical and medicinal needs.

Here you will see and learn about vines that store drinking water, plants that helps abate malaria, aid diabetics, cleanse the blood, plus many more. The trail’s most remarkable feature is that all the plants and trees were already there.

The fact that none were planted is a testament to the natural diversity found in the rainforest. Whether you’re just out for an afternoon hike or planning a more extensive exploration, our licensed naturalist guides can show you the jungle in a way you’d never see by yourself.

HIKING IN BELIZE
Our Belize Eco Resort has a picturesque trail network that will take you to many different areas of our 365-acre forest reserve. All of the trails are numbered as shown on our comprehensive trail map. For your comfort, we suggest hiking boots or tennis shoes and sunscreen or a cap.

Feel free to explore on your own and at your leisure or join a guided tour and interact with an exotic tropical environment. If you wish to venture out on your own we request that you inform our front desk before doing so.

CANOEING IN BELIZE
You may rent a canoe for exploring the Belize Macal River. Take a trip upstream, paddling up as far as you wish before leisurely drifting back to Chaa Creek.

Then there’s the downstream option of paddling and floating to San Ignacio for approximately two hours. Tie up near the historic Hawkesworth Bridge where we’ll pick you up for the drive back to the lodge. Our concierge will advise you on what to bring, best times to leave and sights along the way.

Head downstream on the pristine Macal River as it flows from its headwaters in the Maya Mountains on its endless journey to the Caribbean Sea. Paddle and explore on your own or relax and enjoy the wonders of nature with a professional naturalist guide.

The verdant banks of the Macal River are home to numerous species of tropical birds as well as giant Green Iguanas . . . and don’t forget to take a refreshing swim along the way. Hungry? Stop for lunch at “Faldy’s” in the village of Cristo Rey. Ask the Concierge to call in advance.

We also offer optional tours upstream to the Belize Botanic Gardens, Black Rock Canyon down to Chaa Creek, Clarissa Falls to Branch Mouth on the Mopan River, Iguana Creek to Banana Bank on the Belize River and multi-day expeditions on the Belize River. Kindly get in touch with our concierge for details.

BELIZE JUNGLE TOURS IN THE DARK!
Join the creatures of the night tour and experience the undiscovered side of the rainforest! Our experienced and knowledgeable naturalist guides will take you through trails populated by Ocelots, Howler Monkeys, Tarantulas, Patoos, Jaguarundis and many more intriguing rainforest residents.

The exotic beauty of the tropical night comes alive with troops of fireflies dancing through the trees, decorating the river valley below. The light from your head lamp may capture a surprised inhabitant, while a special ultraviolet light illuminates phosphorescent insects busy at work!

Nature’s orchestra performs a live concert that promises to heighten your senses. When the lights go off the night comes to life.  Look out for Armadillos scampering through the bushes searching for food.

Listen up for the chirping of Crickets, the hooting of the Owls in the distance, toads croaking nearby, and the distant barking of the Kinkajous. Go ahead and dare to take a night walk on the wild side – it’s a jungle experience you’ll never forget!

BELIZE RIVER TUBING ADVENTURE
Your Macal River Tubing adventure begins with a short scenic drive from Chaa Creek to duPlooys where a tour of the Botanical Gardens will educate you on the diverse cornucopia of Belize’s rich botanical world.

Put on your life jacket and head down to the refreshing waters where you will then board your inner tubes for a self-guided float down the meandering Macal River where you will meet a fascinating assemblage of riverine creatures and beautifully adorned fine-feathered friends!

THE ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL CAVE
Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, also known as the ATM, is an ancient Maya ceremonial Belize cave rich in both history and artefacts. One of Belize’s most impressive attractions, it is also one of the newest, having only been open to the public since the late 1990s.

Although featured in National Geographic, History Channel, Lonely Planet and other documentaries, magazines and guidebooks, a visit to this spectacular Belize cave is still an off-the-beaten track adventure that even Indiana Jones would appreciate.

After an hour and half drive from Chaa Creek and a 45-minute walk along a jungle trail fording three river crossings, guests arrive at the ATM camp to rest and enjoy lunch.

The real adventure begins with a swim into the cave’s mouth, still partially concealed by the overhanging jungle plants that kept it hidden for so many years.

Actun Tunichil Muknal was perhaps the most important of sacred Belize caves, one in which the ancient Maya conducted elaborate ceremonies to appease their gods, and once inside, visitors wade along a shallow underground river before scaling ladders that lead to sacrificial altars still surrounded by jade axe heads, pottery, blood letting implements and other artefacts.

As you venture deeper, the skulls and skeletons of sacrificial victims compete for space with more artefacts and stalagmites while beautiful, multi hued stalactites adorn cathedral like ceilings.

The highlight of the tour is the famous Crystal Maiden, from which this Belize cave gets one of its nicknames. The intact skeleton of a young sacrificial victim has over the years been coated with a sparkling crystal carbonate, giving her an eerie sparkle that shimmers in the torchlight.

With its combination of natural beauty and the wealth of relics left behind from mysterious Maya ceremonies, a visit to Actun Tunichil Muknal is an experience guaranteed to leave you with unforgettable memories and a rare, in-depth look into the life of Belize’s ancient Maya.

Chaa Creek has been helping visitors discover Actun Tunichil Muknal since it was first opened to the public, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains preserved in its pristine state for the enjoyment of future guests.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal tour requires a reasonable level of fitness, and you will be given headlamps and necessary equipment as well as the help of licenced naturalist guides who will assist you throughout this amazing journey into the fascinating underworld of the ancient Maya.

BELIZE PONTOON TOUR
The Vaca Lake is a man-made reservoir in the upper Macal River Valley a few miles upstream from our Lodge. When the lake swelled into a 6 mile long waterhole, Lazaro Martinez who grew up in the area decided it was time to invite adventurers to his childhood backyard.

Join him on a hilly jungle trek to his pontoon, La Capitana for a tamed loop around the lake. The gentle drift offers a unique opportunity to spot myriad creatures including, Tapirs, Spider Monkeys, Ocelots and a plethora of Birds conveying at this biospheric junction.

La Capitana docks at one of three pristine waterfalls for an exploratory hike and optional swimming. Relax at the water’s edge and enjoy your picnic lunch.

Website: www.chaacreek.com

Rooms: 23

Price: from 375 EUR per night

Hosting an exclusive number of guest at a time for over 30 years, Blue Marlin Beach Resort is an iconic off-the-beaten-path path island resort with a focus on authentic and personalized Belizean hospitality.

Blue Marlin is a locally-owned, family business with a cozy, private, and comfortable historic charm. Discover nature and adventure like no other here in a pristine outdoor setting directly atop the Belize Barrier Reef.

Enjoy life’s simple pleasures, feel the culture and experience the thrill of doing everything or nothing at all! Here at Blue Marlin our dedicated team of staff will be attending to all your needs as you combine adventure with pure relaxation.

Discover your own little corner of paradise here on South Water Caye, 14 miles (23 km) off the mainland coast of Belize. Adventure. Relax. Eat. Drink. Stargaze. Laugh. Romance. Family. The choice is yours! Come as strangers, leave as family!

Unique island location
Blue Marlin Beach Resort is located on one of the most beautiful pristine islands in the Caribbean. South Water Caye, a 15-acre sub-divided private island less than one mile in length and 160 yards at its widest point, is rated by Rough Guides as “one of the most beautiful and exclusive islands in Belize”.

It is located in the middle of its namesake Marine Reserve which is one of the largest protected marine areas along the 190-mile long Belize Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef System was first inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 in recognition of the site’s incredible biodiversity and cultural significance.

Authentic family experience since 1987
As one of the original Belizean family-owned island resort properties with over 30 years of serving guests from around the world, we offer a unique guest experience. Enjoy the luxury of private all inclusive island comfort without losing the authenticity of a true Belizean ambiance.

The resort has been operated as a fishing and diving lodge by the same family for three generations, with the original owner, Ms. Rosella Zabaneh and her daughters and grandchildren all still actively involved in the daily operation of the business.

You will taste the home goodness in the fresh meals served at Charlie’s Dining. Ms. Ros is often in the kitchen along with the Chefs, putting her special “Mom’s Touch” to our traditional Belizean family-style Sunday dinners.

And you will feel the love in the care and thought put into how each and every guest is made to feel at home here on our island paradise. Come join us and become part of our Blue Marlin family!

Island Accommodations
At Blue Marlin Beach Resort we offer the best in island accommodation with our charming and comfortable private cabanas, family cabanas, and standard rooms.
All of our rooms are fully air conditioned with private bathrooms.

Our serene setting makes you feel like you are in your own little corner or paradise. Choose the accommodation that best suits your individual needs or ask our reservations desk for more information about renting the entire property for groups.

Seafront Private Cabanas
Imagine waking up to mesmerizing sunrise views! Or falling asleep to the sound of the waves lapping the shores!

Your Private Cabana, built on stilts facing the east, offers the best views from your private verandah and hammock overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef. And, as the day winds down, firm orthopedic pillow-top mattresses and evening air-conditioning ensures a comfortable night’s rest.

Seafront Family Cabana
Specially designed for a small family, this Cabana is spacious with extra bedding and a small seating area. Enjoy its premium location near the water’s edge overlooking the seafront.

Garden Family Suite
Enjoy privacy and space in our most spacious accommodation with a king size bed, a double sleeper futon couch, a double bed, and room for an additional rollaway to sleep up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children.

This is perfect for an active family looking for adventure and comfort. This suite is truly a home-away-from-home for you and your family to enjoy the beauty of the island with all the comforts.

With views of our gardens, coconut palms, and the sea on both sides, you are at the center of the property close to the clubhouse and our wi-fi hotspot under the pergola.

Sea View Standard Rooms
Seeking group accommodations for your family or friends? The Standard Rooms are adjoining and you have the choice of upper or ground level.

Originally built when the Lodge opened its doors, these rooms maintain the original charm with updated amenities including tiled floors, walk in showers, orthopaedic mattresses, and air conditioning.

Situated in the center of the island as well as near the resort entrance, you will enjoy panoramic views of the palm-covered island grounds and the Caribbean Sea from your shared verandah or patio.

Charlie’s Dining & Bar
Charlie’s Dining, overlooking the clear Caribbean turquoise waters as far as the eye can see, offers fine dining with true island ambiance.We offer outdoor dining at our over-the-water deck, al fresco dining on the beach, or indoor dining in our dining lounge.

Local, fresh, and creative
Home-style cooking is our specialty featuring a delightful blend of Belizean, Latin, Caribbean, and American cuisine. Utilizing the best local ingredients and spices.

All meals are freshly prepared and served from the farm and sea to the table. Don’t be afraid to ask for seconds. Our all-inclusive packages include all your fresh, healthy meals and daily snacks.

Delicious steaks, seafood, fresh tropical fruits, organic veggies, salads, coconut rice, fish, shrimp, conch and lobster, pastas, Belizean style BBQ and Sunday dinner, homemade breads and desserts, will grace your table. Fruit juice and water is included with all meals.

Special diet or allergies? No problem
Special attention is always given to individual dietary needs or restrictions and we cater to vegan, vegetarian, and restricted diets. We want the best for our guests and every meal is prepared from scratch with love and with attention to detail.

Charlie’s Bar
No Shoes – No Problem! Charlie’s Bar is the fun meeting spot for our guests to exchange experiences on their adventure of the day over afternoon snacks and a chilled tropical cocktail or cold Belikin Beer.

Offering a variety of local cocktails, beers made in Belize, imported wine, rum, and liquors, as well as non-alcoholic juices, smoothies and sodas, we aim to satisfy all our guests’ needs.

Perched over the water, you can simply walk directly unto the outer deck to capture stunning sunsets, and on a clear day, the amazing silhouette of Victoria Peak. Charlie’s Bar is also the hotspot for WIFI connection so you can check your e-mails while chillin’ on your cold Beliken.

And, if you prefer to capture the east side view from your private verandah in the cool of the evening, our Bartender will provide room service, or a stocked mini-bar is available upon request.

Breakfast
Cooked-to-order Breakfast is available from 7AM to 9AM. You may choose to have eggs, homemade fried beans, bacon, ham, or, sausages, hash browns, and fresh bread (flour or corn tortillas, johnny cake, fry jacks, pancakes, waffles, toasts).

Seasonal fruits are standard fare along with freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea and milk. A variety of cereals and oatmeal products are also available upon request. A Coffee & Tea Station is available complimentary throughout the day starting at 6:00 AM.

Lunch
Lunch is available from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and will feature one dish from our menu. This is typically a salad or pasta dish, or a Belizean specialty dish, including a variety of seafood, poultry or meat options. Lunch snacks include cookies or fruits.

Evening Snacks
Evening snacks are also prepared from scratch served at 4:00 PM, just in time for your sunset cocktail hour. Chef’s choice may be fish panades, beans & cheese garnaches, guacamole, pico de gallo, conch fritters, shrimp ceviche and other Belizean favorites.

Dinner
Dinner is normally served at 7:00 PM but you may request anytime between 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Dinner is a 3-course meal and will feature one dish from our menu including freshly baked dinner rolls, soup of the day or garden salad, main entrée featuring fish fillet or whole fish, shrimp, conch or lobster when in season, chicken, steaks or pork, Chef’s dessert is cake, pie or ice cream.

Private Sunset Cruise
Enjoy stunning Caribbean sunset views on a private evening cruise with your sweetie – this is a perfect surprise and an amazing way to propose, celebrate an anniversary, or just enjoy each other’s company.

Private Romantic Dinner
Enjoy a magical dinner under the stars while you create new memories with your sweetie. Whether in front of your Cabana with the sound of the waves gently lapping the shores, or near the water’s edge on the western shoreline with tiki torches, this will be a night to remember and cherish for years to come.

Things to do at Blue Marlin
We are known for our fishing, diving, and snorkeling tours but sometimes you just want to spend the day hanging around the island. Below are some of things you can do and explore during your stay.

Unlimited DIY opportunities
The resort’s unique location atop the Belize Barrier Reef offers you unlimited opportunities for do-it-yourself activities right off the island including chasing the bones by just wading into the water off our dock, or snorkel around the dock any time of the day to check out visiting marine critters.

Kayak & Paddle Board
Kayak or paddle board to the beach on the south side of the island for amazing views, snorkeling, and photo opportunities

Dock Patrol
Our dock extends 400 feet into the Caribbean Sea and serves as a great vantage point for watching the marine life swim by.

We regularly see bonefish, rays of all kinds (including sting rays, Spanish rays, and spotted eagle ray), sea horses, octopus, and many other species of sea critters. Take an early morning stroll before breakfast, or grab a flashlight and take a nighttime dock walk.

Beach Volleyball
The perfect way to have some fun in the sun. Grab your friends and a volleyball and go chill by our outdoor beach bar, the “Mike’s Tiki Thatch”, right next to our island volleyball court.

Massage
Our certified massage therapist will treat you to a much-needed pampering either on the beach or on the verandah of your private cabana. We also offer couple’s massage.

Yoga
Each of our private cabanas is equipped with yoga mats. Nothing starts the day right like a sunrise yoga session over the reef before a healthy breakfast.

Island Walk
Take a tour of our beautiful island. Ask our concierge for more information. One of our staff will take you on a 20 minute tour of the island showing you the natural and cultural history of this iconic Caribbean island.

Bird Watching
Numerous shore bird species call our little island “home”. From darting terns, to pirating frigate birds, to prancing sandpipers, to prowling ospreys, to stalwart herons, and entertaining pelicans, birdwatchers don’t have to go far to see a variety of birds in their natural habitat.

A trip to Bird Island also gives the onlooker a chance to see Brown Footed Boobies and other bucket-list species.

Unparalleled SCUBA Diving
For those with Vitamin Sea on their minds, look no further. Discover the wonders of South Water Caye Marine Reserve with our licensed captains, guides, and divemasters. Marine adventures abound and are available right at your front door.

The Blue Marlin Beach Resort operates as a full service PADI dive resort (R-2354), conveniently located in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Belize, a diver’s ultimate playground. We offer everything from snorkeling to advanced diving.

Join our dive master on two daily tank dives, departing from the Blue Marlin dock in the morning and afternoon; or schedule a certification course with our dive instructor through our dive shop.

There are numerous dives sites to explore from the Tobacco Caye range all the way to the Sixth Cut. Most of our dive sites are within 5-10 minutes boat ride of the resort.

Belize Diving Tours
We specialize in drift diving along the reef wall at our local barrier reef. Deep dives are planned “over the wall”, with both the wall and the deep blue at your sides, and a view of the abyss below you.

Shallow dives are conducted at the top, or just inside the outer reef crest, providing amazing diversity and color. A unique feature of Blue Marlin diving is the very generous dive profile; dives start deep and ending shallow, allowing for about 50 minutes of average bottom time per dive. Computer diving is encouraged.

You may also opt to up the level of adventure and add on a specialty dive to Glover’s Reef, Turneffe Atoll, or the Great Blue Hole.

Experience a dive vacation of a lifetime and stay with us on one of our packages for the best in personalized service including accommodations, meals, boat transfers, and daily dives. Choose from Belize Dive Package or Belize Dive & Snorkel Package.

Largest living coral reef system in the world
It is estimated that only 10% of the species have been discovered because of 90% of the reef is yet to be researched.

Oceana Belize, Fragments of Hope, Southern Environmental Association, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Belize Audubon Society are all non-governmental organizations that are involved in studying and protecting the barrier reef ecology.

The Abyss
This impressive wall dive is one of the best in southern Belize. From about 40 feet a vertical wall drops into the deep blue abyss. Overhangs can be seen with beautiful black corals and several species of gorgonians.

Visibility is excellent and can be up to 100 feet. Depth can be deceiving as some dips are deeper than they appear in some areas, so it is good to keep a close eye on your depth gauge on this dive.

Sightings here can include eagle rays, turtles, lobsters, nurse sharks, and schools of blue wrasse , horse eye jack and Atlantic spadefish. This dive is best in mornings at high tide.

Rosella’s Garden
This site got its name from long- time resident of South Water Caye, our very own Ms. Rosella, the owner of Blue Marlin Resort. The dive is between two reef structures at depths ranging from 45-60 feet/14-18 meters.

This site is well known for ray sightings, including southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays and nurse sharks. There is also a wide variety of tropical reef fish and a healthy population of corals. Night dive is possible in this area and would give divers the opportunity to see the splendid toafish and octopus.

The Great Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is an oceanic sinkhole that has intrigued and captured the imagination of explorers for centuries. First documented by the Spanish colonialists, the Blue Hole was later visited by Charles Darwin in the 1830s, who deemed it the most “remarkable reef in the Caribbean”.

Later, in the 1970s, the renowned explorer and marine biologist Jacques Cousteau, put the Blue Hole on the world map with his visit to Belize and underwater exploration of the area.

If you are an experienced diver, come see why the Blue Hole has been ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Come experience what these first revolutionary explorers discovered here– pristine natural beauty and amazing geology.

In 2012, Discovery Channel ranked the Great Blue Hole as the #1 Amazing Place on the Planet. A nearly perfectly circular body of water, the Belize Blue Hole is surrounded by the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Divers can use the shallow waters of the atoll’s lagoon to begin their descent to the now-flooded cave that contains stalactites and stalagmites up to 40 feet in length.

Shallow patches of colorful coral give way to deeper water descending nearly 400 feet to the sea floor. There are numerous flooded caves and this vertical descent brings you to a surreal environment with an impressive array of underwater formations and wildlife, including schools of hammerhead sharks.

The most recent exploration of this mysterious place was done by Charles Branson and Fabien Cousteau in an aquatica submarine.

Our private island Belize resort is an ideal jumping off point for the dive of a lifetime! This is not a tour for novice divers. Divers must be sufficiently experienced (minimum 24 dives) and must have recently been diving as well.

Glover’s Reef Atoll
Glover’s Atoll is located 28 miles off the coast of Belize and is a string of sandy, palm- fringed islands and reefs surrounding a pristine lagoon.

It was named after the English pirate, John Glover, who used this area as a base for his plunderings in the 1600s. The area was designated a marine reserve in 1993 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve is approximately 86,653 acres and encompasses the marine portion of the oval-shaped Glover’s Reef Atoll. The Atoll is about 20 miles long and 7 miles wide and is considered as the best developed biologically and has the greatest diversity of reef types (Dahl et. Al.1974).

Glover’s Atoll deep lagoon system is dotted with about 850 patch reefs and pinnacles that rise to the surface. It is a critical nursery and feeding ground for many species of sharks, rays, and turtles along with hundred of reef fish species, including a spawning ground for the increasingly rare Nassau Grouper.

This is a diver’s delight and we offer two-tank day trips to Glover’s Reef for a diving adventure of a lifetime. We also offer snorkeling and fishing trips. The atoll is home to several Belize private islands, resorts, and research stations, including Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

Lionfish Hunting
Lionfish is an invasive species that is threatening the local populations of reef fish. Lionfish are predatory and feed on juvenile native fish at mind-boggling rates. They can deplete local populations in just a matter of months.

The Government of Belize, along with private dive shops and conservation organizations, is battling this problem by allowing lionfish hunts in a comprehensive lionfish management plan.

Visitors are encouraged to remove lionfish from the reef with special sling spears. Participation on activity is subject to guide’s judgement on the ability level of the diver with handling Hawaiian sling and potentially dangerous fish.

Discover SCUBA
PADI Discover Scuba Diving is the perfect quick intro into breathing underwater and your first exposure to the equipment and theory of SCUBA diving. If you want to try scuba diving, but aren’t quite ready to plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba is the best option for you.

Our instructor will guide you every step of the way– from familiarizing yourself with scuba equipment to the first time in shallow water right in the Caribbean Sea off of our dock.

Discover Scuba is a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world and might open the door to a full certification course which would allow you to dive anywhere in the world.

Bubblemaker for Kids
Bubblemaker gives children as young as 8 the opportunity to use scuba gear (mask, fins, tank, BCD with low-pressure inflator, regulator, and submersible pressure gauge) in a confined-water environment and, literally, make bubbles.

The water should be no deeper than six feet (2 meters). We do our Bubblemaker course right off the Blue Marlin dock in the warm, clear Caribbean Sea. We require your child to be comfortable in the water before beginning, although they don’t need any prior scuba exposure to participate in the class.

How about a Bubblemaker birthday party? We can have up to 6 students per instructor. What better way to introduce your child to a healthy, productive, exciting hobby that will last a lifetime?

Let us teach your child how to dive and introduce him or her to the amazing world of Nemo, instilling in them a lifelong love and respect for the sea. The course is approximately an hour long and, after completing certain skills sets, your child will receive a certificate of completion and card.

Snorkeling
Whether you are just trying on a snorkel and mask for the first time or whether you are an experienced underwater adventurer, there is something for everyone in South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

Our licensed snorkel guides and boat captains will take you to the best spots on the reef to see a diversity of marine life both under the sea and in the mangrove islands dotting the marine reserve.

Turtles, rays, manatees, numerous sea birds, aquatic plant life including mangrove nurseries, a plethora of corals, a dazzling array of fish, and much more await you on your snorkelling and island adventures.

Marine Reserve Discovery Tour (Island Adventure)
This half day tour will introduce you to the diversity and natural history of our beloved South Water Caye Marine Reserve. There are groups of small islands within the reserve, each with their own unique habitats.

Visit Bird Island, or Man O’ War Caye, a nesting site for osprey, frigate birds, brown footed boobies, and various other marine bird species. Search for manatees in the shallow seagrass beds and discover the importance of mangroves for the health of the reef and as marine nurseries.

Learn about the history of the islands from pirate days, the daily life on a fisherman’s camps, Caribbean ghost stories, and the effect of hurricanes on the geography.

Our neighboring island, Carrie Bow Caye – Smithsonian Research Station, is dedicated to studying coral reef ecology and rehabilitation. Learn about the plethora of marine life and end your tour with a snorkel in the translucent Caribbean waters, where fish and coral create a colorful and diverse underwater world.

Snorkeling Tour
There are countless opportunities to be thrilled and amazed at the natural beauty and diversity of our marine habitats.

Blue Marlin Resort is one of Belize’s best snorkeling and diving resorts located just a few minutes away from the Barrier Reef in the middle of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, with rich biodiversity and ecosystems. .

Let us take you to the best snorkeling sites in Belize. Both the spur and groove fore reef formations of the Belize Barrier Reef and the numerous patch reefs of the lagoon display vibrant, healthy coral colonies. In addition to the pristine coral formations, you will see a large variety of fish and invertebrates.

Blue Marlin Beach Resort visits snorkel sites that demonstrate healthy diversity to satisfy the experienced snorkeler, yet are quite safe for the novice. We are in a truly fantastic environment surrounded by warm shallow water teeming with life!

You will have a chance at seeing many colorful corals, an abundance of reef fish (including brilliant parrot-fish, regal angelfish, a variety of snappers, and grunts) moray eels, lobsters and conch, anemones, nurse sharks, and several species of sea turtles, including loggerhead and hawksbill.

South Water Caye is a known nesting sight for sea turtles. We might even get lucky and have a pod of dolphins follow the boat back home to the resort. Trained staff accompanies all snorkel tours.

Fly Fishing – Guided & DIY Tours
Blue Marlin Beach Resort is situated right in the middle of what we estimate to be the best permit fisheries and bonefish in the world with the bones hanging out directly off our docks. The flats extend both north and south of the South Water Caye with over 200 miles of coastline flats.

Our location consistently delivers permits and bonefish. Bonefish are found in large school all along the lagoon side of the island, just feet from shore in the seagrass beds. Add tarpon to that for a Grand Slam. Or go for the extreme challenge and add snook for a Super Slam.

There are several good permit grounds to the north of South Water Caye, starting in the Sand Fly Range, as well as in the Blue Ground Range, which is located directly to the west.

To the south, the countless saltwater permit flats are the finest in the world. Anglers get numerous shots while wading in the flats or right off the boat at the edge of the island.

The permit fishing in this area takes place on tidal flats in about 1-3 feet of water and guests will be casting to tailing permit in much the same way they have for tailing bonefish in other locations.

Guests can see 25-40 or more tailing fish per day and most permit fishing is done by wading making this an angler’s challenge and wonderland at the same time. Migratory tarpon that run the reef are available at the channels off Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye, which are feeding zones.

These are best visited in spring and early summer, starting in April. We work with licensed and experienced fly-fishing guides from Hopkins, Dangriga and Placencia.

Inner Reef Bottom Fishing
Our bottom fishing trip usually starts with cast netting for sprat in the shallow mangrove lagoons of the inner reef and then moves to deeper patch corals for drop line fishing — either by traditional handline or a spinning rod.

We typically go out on our skiff which can take 2-4 anglers for an adventure that starts in the sea and ends in the dining room, with your catch freshly prepared for dinner by our Chefs.

We use spin reels and rods with multiple hooks to catch more than one at a time, or try out the traditional Belizean handline something to check off your bucket list. This is fishing for smaller species such as yellow tail, silk snapper, mutton snapper, black snapper, grunt, and porgy.

Outer Reef Bottom Fishing
We pass through the channel and into the deep for some fantastic opportunities to fish along the drop offs with an electronic rod in depths of 400 – 700 feet.

This is fishing for the larger species such as yellow eye snapper, queen snapper, black wing snapper, deep sea grouper, rockfish (black grouper), vermillion snapper, and champagne snapper.

Outer Reef Trolling
This is fishing directly off the reef wall for larger species including barracuda, king mackerel, jacks, cubera snapper, wahoo, tuna, mahi mahi (dorado).

Deep Sea Fishing Tours
Deep sea fishing for large game fish is a favorite at Blue Marlin Resort. The name for the lodge originated when a blue marlin was caught right in front of the island years before the caye became a tourist destination.

In addition to blue marlin, many other pelagic species are caught close by, including yellowfin tuna, mackerel, bonito, wahoo, and sailfish.

At the atolls, such as Glover’s Reef, waters plummet thousands of feet only 200-300 feet from the reef crest on all sides of the atolls making these areas oases in a desert of deep blue ocean.

Fishing here offers something for everyone and packs an amazing punch of excitement and challenge! Sharks, mackerel, barracuda, dorado (also known as mahi-mahi and common dolphin), wahoo, and kingfish are all plentiful and readily caught on a good day of trolling.

Jungle Zipline, River Tube & Waterfall Tour
Enjoy the incredible views while soaring 400 feet above a valley in the Maya Mountain foothills. Our panoramic zip line experience consists of 7 lines and 11 decks, and the longest zip line in Belize!

From January to March, endangered Scarlet Macaws will join you, flying by at the same height as the zip lines. Scared of heights? There’s nothing to fear, our staff will walk you through all of the safety precautions and be at your side every step of the way.

The zipline is safe for all ages and experienced guides make sure everyone is taken care of every step of the way. Cool off in the refreshing waters of the South Stann Creek River while listening to the sounds of the jungle!

For almost 2 miles, you will enjoy the thrills of rushing over small (Class 2) rapids and the relaxation of the slower parts of the river. Our knowledgeable guides can point out hard-to-spot birds and identify their calls while you sit back and enjoy the ride.

We believe in safety first! All participants will be provided a life jacket and helmet. Before leaving this splendid private adventure center, we take a stop at the hidden falls and swim in the clear water pool at the base nestled in the heart of Belize.

We will take care of the hassle of driving on bumpy dirt roads to get there, and you just enjoy the trip! Or go explore the waterfall by horseback for a truly unique adventure (must make special arrangements and additional charge for horseback riding to waterfall).

After a full day of adventure we have a nice meal at a nearby restaurant to sample some local Belizean cuisine before heading back to the island.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve
Feel the richness of the jungle environment, with its lush foliage, hidden waterfalls, and impressive diversity of wildlife. This is all possible at Cockscomb Basin, the world’s first jaguar reserve.

This rainforest preserve not only houses a healthy population of jaguars but also is home to countless medicinal plants cool streams and rivers, four other species of wild cats, millions of insects, including Blue Morpho butterflies, howler monkeys, and vast variety of bird species.

This is truly a naturalists delight for hikers, conservationists, botanists, birders, and lovers of all things wild. Cockscomb is also said to be home to Sisimito, a folkloric Big Foot or Sasquach, and Tataduende, a mythical creature that is the goblin-like spiritual guard of the forest.

Antelope Falls Waterfall Hike & Rappel
In the heart of Bocawina National Park you will find a stunning waterfall hidden in the depths of the jungle. This is a rigorous 45 minute to 1 hour hike uphill involving some rock scrambling and some rope climbing but there is no climbing experience required.

Follow the Antelope Falls up the hill until you reach a refreshing hidden natural pool where you can relax and swim, snack, take photos, and take in the impressive scenery of the valleys below.

After a swim break, hike back down the hill to the base of the reserve entrance where you will also find a partially excavated Maya ruin and beautiful jungle flowers and plants lining the driveway out of the reserve towards the village of Silk Grass, with numerous orange orchards along the way.

Or for the real adventurers you can arrange to rappel down the waterfall as you make your way back to the ranger station. Lunch will be picnic lunch or we will stop at a local restaurant for a true Belizean experience. Difficult Hike.

Day Trip to Placencia Village
Placencia is a small Creole fishing village at the tip of an 18 mile peninsula. The famous Placencia Sidewalk, a boardwalk that runs along the beach, also known as the smallest street in the world, was traditionally used by fishermen to carry their fish in wheelbarrows to sell.

Nowadays the sidewalk is lined with numerous art and gift shops, restaurants, bakeries, BBQ stands, gelato shops (Tutti Frutti is a must-try), cafes, and bars. But you can still see fisherman loading up their catch and bringing it to the fisherman’s coop for the freshest in conch, lobster, grouper, snapper, crab and more.

The charm of the seaside community can be seen in the colorful buildings, beautiful white sand beach, smiling and friendly residents, lively beach bars, and the original families of Placencia still holding strong to their seafaring traditions.

We stop for lunch at Omar’s (local seafood grill), a fisherman-owned Belizean restaurant (BYOB), followed by Rum Flight Tasting at Afrodite Cafe, where they handcraft their own line of local rums/ Then you have some time to explore the village on your own.

On our return journey we take a stop at the hidden falls and swim in the clear water pool at the base nestled in the heart of Belize.

Dangriga Cultural Tour
Get to know the Garifuna Journey and culture, view paintings, murals and thread art portraying all aspects of Belizean culture at a colonial era gallery. November 19th, Garifuna Settlement Day, is a national holiday in Belize and a great time to visit and explore the culture.

Following the visit at the gallery you will visit the quaint workshop of legendary drum-maker, Austin Rodriguez, who manually carves Garifuna drums from mahogany, cedar and mayflower wood.

Practice some basic drum rhythms and learn about punta rock and punta history. You will have an introduction to the four major Garifuna rhythms: Jankunú, Punta, Hungu Hungu, Chumba.

Lunch is a traditional Garifuna delicacy of hudut, cooked on a fire hearth. Relax under shady coconut trees and listen to the sound of nature. Then it’s onto Marie’s Sharp’s Pepper Factory. Who would have thought that carrots could make such a wonderful impact on hot sauce?

If you’re remotely into hot sauce, you won’t be disappointed to visit the place where Belize’s best known export is made. Marie’s Sharps is a household name in Belize and found on many dining tables and is now making its way around the world as an original Belizean specialty.

Maya And Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Tour
Garifuna Cultural Culinary Adventure and Maya Chocolate Making Tour Combo. Discover the deep history of two unique cultures, the Maya and the Garifuna on an adventure of the mind and of the taste buds. Our journey starts on the island by boat to Hopkins Village along the coast.

Join us on a culinary journey through time and discover the traditional cooking techniques and dishes of these two cultures as they have survived the centuries. Our cultural and cooking class is guaranteed to be highly educational, entertaining, interactive, and delicious.

Come journey with us through our historical stories. We are glad to share the tremendous cultural value of our coconut trees engaging you in the interactive process of coconut harvesting, husking, tasting, grating and milk extraction.

Learn about the history of farming and fishing in the Garifuna communities and some of the tools to process and prepare traditional foods such as cassava. Learn about and sample a staple food for the Garifuna people, hudut which is fish in coconut broth and veggies with mashed plantain dumplings.

Delicious and nutritious! Our next stop is at Maya Center Village Cacao Factory Be with a master chocolate maker who offers two-hour farm-to-factory tours including a trip to the cacao plantation.

The full process is explained right through to the finished bar of dark chocolate in this indigenous, grassroots, family-run business. Try your hand at making your own chocolate from some of the best quality beans in the world.

Learn about the symbolism, meaning, value, and history of chocolate in the culture of Central America dating back thousands of years.

Xunantunich Maya Temples
The ancient Maya city of Xunantunich, meaning the “Stone Maiden”, dates back to the Pre- and Post-Classic periods. The “Stone Woman” refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site in the 1890s.

She is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of the temple of “El Castillo”, ascends the stone stairs, and disappears into a stone wall. (from Wikipedia)

This spectacular archaeological site is just minutes from the bustling town of San Ignacio and minutes from the Guatemalan border. The site was first discovered in the 1800s and hosts of archaeologists have excavated over the years to uncover the layers of history and culture hidden below the dense rainforest.

Once overgrown by the jungle, the site has now been cleared and the main plazas and temples restored. This is a magnificent and significant site in Maya history and you can climb to the top of the aged temples that are still standing after thousands of years.

The ancient Maya were a complex civilization with a refined system of astronomy, their own complex calendar, writing in the form of hieroglyphics, and a complicated social caste system.

The site served as a Maya civic ceremonial center and was inhabited by over 200,000 people. There are two ways to access the western part of the country, the Cayo district.

One is a private plane charter from Dangriga and flightseeing tour to Maya Flats airstrip where you will be met by a licensed guide to take you to the site by air conditioned vehicle with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant and possibly a quick tour of the town and farmer’s market. The flight is about 45 minutes and is in a Cesna single prop airplane.

The other option is driving all the way from Dangriga with our in-house guide. This is a scenic drive with opportunity to stop at the inland Blue Hole, a lovely freshwater cenote, along the way.

The drive is about 2.5 hours and takes you through the Hummingbird Highway, lined with orange orchards, jungle, and small villages and the Western Highway, the heart of the Mennonite farming traditions and home to many cattle ranches and farms.

Blue Hole & Reef Tour by Helicopter
Soaring within the Lighthouse Reef you will now see the Great Blue Hole surrounded by hard corals that borders it with only two small channels. As you go across this spectacular hole, you will be dazzled by its impressive size and color.

Cockscomb Basin Tour
This spectacular journey takes you along the southern coast and the stunning Cockscomb Basin in the Maya Mountains. This is part of the Meso-American Corridor System, a series of protected areas running through Central and South America.

Get a one-of-a-kind view of the highest peak in Belize, Victoria Peak, that has it’s own micro-ecosystem and a dwarf forest, the lush jungle valleys below, and the beautiful Davis Falls Waterfall from above the rainforest canopy and orange orchards which nestle this hidden scenic site.

Belize Water Falls and Xunantunich Tours
A one-of-a-kind tour tracing freshwater rivers into the untouched tropical evergreen interior, soaring through the incredible Maya mountain landscape, and offering breath-taking views of Five Waterfalls, including the largest waterfall in Central America.

Soar over the ancient Maya City of Xunantunich to get a truly bird’s eye view of these magnificent temple structures rising out of the jungle.

 

Website: www.bluemarlinbeachresort.com

Rooms: 14

Price: from 375 EUR per night

Discover your own private island at Cayo Espanto, Belize, where paradise and luxury come together as one. Our five-star, world class resort offers travelers the best life has to offer.

We invite you to spend your evenings enchanted and your days engulfed in the Caribbean waters that surround each private villa. Located three miles off the coast of San Pedro, Belize, Cayo Espanto is truly an unforgettable private island retreat.

VILLAS
When you arrive at Cayo Espanto, your only worry will be where to relax first: in the plunge pool, at the water’s edge, or on the twin lounge chairs at the end of your very own dock.

No worries about jockeying for position on the sand; the seven beach villas are situated so that you may not see another guest for the duration of your stay. Cayo Espanto distills the Caribbean dream to its purest, simplest form – just you, alone with the elements.

CASA VENTANAS
Our one bedroom, over-the-water bungalow is designed in the same style as all of our other villas. It is thoughtfully appointed with every imaginable comfort, custom-crafted furnishings and amenities.

This unique bungalow is the most intimate, romantic and most popular accommodation on the island. Casa Ventanas is at the end of a dock that stretches over 150 feet off the island for the ultimate in privacy.

Surrounded on all sides by the beautiful, turquoise blue Caribbean Sea, Casa Ventanas is a picture perfect window into the exotic water world of Belize. Guests are always enchanted by all of the sea life swimming right past or under their bungalow. One bedroom (1,100 square feet).

DINING
Once you arrive at Cayo Espanto, the award winning chefs leave no decisions for you to make. A new menu is created daily to perfectly suit your tastes, based on a survey you are asked to fill out before you even arrive on the island.

Winners of awards from all over the globe, Cayo Espanto’s master culinary artists prepare the most succulent dishes with the freshest tropical ingredients in the world.

Whether it is breakfast in bed or a candle lit dinner on your personal veranda, the epicurean cuisine at Cayo Espanto is nothing short of tantalizing. The personalized creations are an awakening to the palate.

Tailored Culinary Experience
Our team of hardworking Island Chefs will tantalize your taste buds with delectable cuisine that will surpass your every expectation. Our Chefs are masters at tailoring every morsel to your personal liking.

We take great pride in offering culinary treasures to our guests while using the amazing local products Belize offers. Upon request, chefs can also assist in the art of food and beverage pairing to heighten your total culinary experience.

SPA
We built our reputation on luxurious surroundings and personal attention. So it’s only natural that we would provide spa experiences worthy of the name Cayo Espanto. Relax and rejuvenate with spa treatments in your own private oasis.

Enjoy the luxury services of an on-site massage therapist. Our spa menu offers manicures, pedicures, facials, scrubs, ear candling, aromatherapy and more – all in the comfort and privacy of your own villa.

EXPERIENCE
Cayo Espanto, a luxury island beach resort off the coast of Belize, is elevating the private-island experience to a higher plane. Cayo Espanto is all about pampered relaxation, privacy and service, as the guest book, replete with honeymoon testimonials, affirms.

As a landmass, there isn’t much to Cayo. A sandy path winds through a forest of palms down the center of the 4-acre island, branching off to each breezy, mahogany detailed villa, which is screened from its neighbors by silver-trunked black mangrove trees.

The focus is on the spectacular villas. And their focus is on the outside world of turquoise and royal blue. The island rises just a foot or two above the surrounding waters, which are the favorite haunt of bonefish.

The elusive speedsters are sport fishing’s most prized catch, and Cayo Espanto, Spirit Island, could be named for these silver ghosts of the flats. But it isn’t really about the fish.

The Ultimate Retreat
World class snorkeling, Scuba diving, catered meals, attentive staff, and massages are all a little piece of wonderful which awaits you at Cayo Espanto. Anglers come from all over the globe for the unbelievable fly fishing and climate.

Whether it is bonefish, tarpon, barracuda, parrot fish or snappers, the chase is all around. Graced with an average temperature ranging from 23C (73F) in the winter to 29C (84F) in the summer, Cayo Espanto has the perfect weather for a dream vacation.

Your Undiscovered Paradise Awaits
Located three miles from San Pedro in the calm waters of the Western Caribbean, off the coast of Belize, Cayo Espanto is truly a spectacular and private retreat. Although Belize is less than two hours from Miami and Houston, it remains virtually undiscovered.

ACTIVITIES
A stay at Cayo Espanto is about discovering the tropical islands and enjoying the water. Although most of our guests come to Cayo Espanto to relax in privacy, there are others who spend their time exploring – by land or sea.

You can choose to explore the world’s second-largest barrier-reef system, where the diving is exceptional. You can also go bonefishing, partake in water sports off the beach, like windsurfing or catamaran sailing. We also offer bird watching tours, private cruises, picnic excursions or exotic jungle tours.

SCUBA DIVING CHARTERS
Scuba Diving the second largest barrier reef in the world is not to be missed. Cayo Espanto is within 15-20 minutes of some of the world’s best and most famous dive sites. Private trips are easily arranged.

Guests who wish to dive the Blue Hole should choose a private charter that our staff will be happy to arrange for you. Our Dive Masters are available for private charter trips all along the reef.

FISHING TRIPS
Fly fishing is always a favorite activity for guests of Cayo Espanto Hundreds of bonefish have made their home around Cayo Espanto, and with your houseman spotting fish for you, we gurantee great success all around the island.

The hard sea-bottom immediately around the island provides for unusually easy wading. In addition to wading around the island, guests may hire a guide and boat for some wonderful flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit.

PRIVATE SNORKELING CHARTERS
Snorkeling in Hol Chan, Belize’s National Marine Park, has been named by USA Today as one of the world’s top ten snorkeling sites. Private charters to Hol Chan are available and our staff is happy to plan every detail.

This is a must do when at Cayo Espanto. This is a truly unforgettable experience with our dive guides exploring the amazing underwater world below.

BIRD WATCHING TOURS
Trips to nearby protected islands, Cayo Rosario and Bird Caye, are amazing experiences for all. These islands are very close to Cayo Espanto and are home to many types of birds. (spoonbill, pelican, frigates just to name a few).

The adventure allows guests to walk around and through mangrove. This tour is highlighted by the Belize Audubon Society.

EXPLORE BELIZE TOURS
Daily excursions to the mainland of Belize offer fantastic adventure opportunities. Mayan ruins include Altun Ha, Caracol (pictured), Lamanai, and Xunantunich, and are a must see.

River trips and visits to inland spas are included along the way. The incredible mayan civilization left huge remains that are accessible through incredible jungle forest. Visitors will find many types of birds, reptiles, and plants and flowers of incredible diversity.

DAY AT SEA WITH LUXURY
Start your day with private-guided snorkeling amidst the colorful tropical fish along the barrier reef. Afterwards, your guide will help you catch your own lunch (fish, conch and or lobster).

Then you head to the beach where your guide will cook the “catch of the day” while you enjoy a cold beverage of your choice and relax in your shaded lounge chairs.

BELIZE
SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR AWAY
The country of Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, below Mexico and next to Guatemala. It is a small, stable country covered with exotic rain forests and some of the longest white sand beaches in the world.

Just off Belize’s 280 kilometer Caribbean coastline is the second largest barrier reef in the world, along with a network of over 200 coral cays and atolls. Tropical Fish of every imaginable populate the placid aquamarine waters off the coast.

Gentle Nurse Sharks average 4-6 feet in length and dive masters often feed them small fish. Rays, which have a “wing span” of 2-4 feet, swim directly towards the divers.

Tourists will have great delight in the Manatee, Grouper, Snapper and all of the other marine life. Most of the creatures in this area have great tolerance for divers and seem to enjoy human interaction.

Visit the excavated remains of the ancient cities of Altun Ha and Lamanai, which attest to the wealth and sophistication of the Mayans’ glorious past.

Near the Guatemalan border, the Cayo region encompasses nature sanctuaries, the majestic Hidden Valley Falls, the lively town of San Ignacio and many splendid Mayan ruins.

Some Travelers have claimed to have experienced nirvana from the summit of the main pyramid of Xunantunich, which offers a sweeping vista of the Mopan Valley and Guatemala.

Like most of the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize was part of the Mayan Kingdom from 300 B.C. to 900 A.D. Close by in Belize’s Inland, ruins of the vast Mayan civilization protrude from the depths of the rain forests.

Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 16th Century but were lured away by the immense quantities of gold found in Mexico, making room for the British to move in.

Though Belize gained its independence in 1981, English is still the official language and elements of the British culture are still intermingled with those of the Caribbean.

Getting to Belize is easier and faster than traveling to most any other major Caribbean destination. On the mainland, there is plenty to experience and explore in this eco tourism-friendly country – Mayan ruins, the Jaguar Preserve, countless birding expeditions, and world-class scuba diving and snorkeling.

But with little effort – a 20-minute plane ride to Ambergris Caye and a 3-mile boat ride – you can bask in beauty and end-of-the-world-style luxury at Cayo Espanto resort.

GETTING TO CAYO ESPANTO
Cayo Espanto is located on its own private 4-acre island, 7-minutes by boat from San Pedro. American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest, Copa Airlines, Aeroméxico, Avianca, Sun Country, WestJet, Air Canada and Delta Airlines offer service to Belize City.

Guests arriving at the Phillip S W Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City will be greeted by our resort representative, where they may board a local flight to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye for approximately $160 round-trip, or helicopter transport directly to Cayo Espanto island for approximately $1,200 (US) one-way or $2,400 round-trip, plus tax, for up to 4 passengers.

Flights from Miami or Houston are a mere 2 hours. For guests traveling by local airline, on arrival at San Pedro airport you will be met by our hotel staff and transferred to the resort.

Website: www.aprivateisland.com

Rooms: 7

Price: from 1.336 EUR per night

Isla Marisol Resort is a 5-star PADI dive resort located on Southwest Caye of Glover’s Reef Atoll, 36 miles from the Dangriga, Belize coastline.

Situated amid an idyllic UN World Heritage Site and Protected Marine Park, Isla Marisol is perfectly positioned to offer unparalleled island and ocean tours suited to all levels of experience.

Unrivalled Belize SCUBA diving, incredible snorkeling, and world-class saltwater fishing are just steps away from private beach cabañas and oceanfront reef houses.

Comfortable, Rustic Island Living
Drift off to sleep amidst the gentle sounds of waves lapping the beach and of palm leaves in the tropical breeze. Rise in the morning surrounded by white sand, turquoise water, and anticipating the adventures of a new day. Isla Marisol Resort hosts 35 guests in 12 cozy beach cabanas and 2 sizable oceanfront reef houses.

Accommodations are comfortable, equipped with hot and cold fresh water for bathing, and include daily housekeeping. Electricity is available around-the-clock and air conditioning is available on request.

Whole Island Rental

Isla Marisol Resort offers a unique opportunity to rent the entire 18-acre island for private use. Enjoy the beauty of Southwest Caye privately, in the company of selected friends, family, or business associates.

Ideal for weddings, honeymoons, company retreats, and family reunions. Contact Isla Marisol directly for details and rates.

GLOVER’S REEF RESTAURANT
Isla Marisol’s philosophy of Island Dining is simple… Kitchen staff prepares a variety of Belizean and American influenced dishes from fresh ingredients that highlight local and traditional specialties.

Meals are served in the communal atmosphere of the dining room, and the dining experience is often mentioned as a vacation highlight. Attire is casual, and it is culturally appropriate to wear cover-ups at mealtimes.

BREAKFAST is served at 7:30AM and includes coffee, tea, fresh juice, tropical fruits, and some assortment of eggs, bacon, sausage, homemade tortillas, fry jacks, or johnny cakes. Coffee and tea are ready as early as 5AM.

LUNCH is served at 12:00PM and involves an entree such as Belizean garnaches or grilled fish sandwich on homemade bread, paired with a side like soup, salad, or ceviche. Packed lunches are provided for guests on tours.

DINNER is served at 6:00PM and features an entree such as grilled lobster, a local favorite like fresh hogfish fish balls, or a traditional Belizean meal like stewed chicken with rice and beans, various sides like potato salad, sweet plantain, or mixed vegetables, and dessert such as coconut pie made from island grown coconuts.

SNACKS including fresh fruits are always available between meals.

KID FOOD is available as needed and kitchen staff will happily work with kids and parents to prepare whatever it takes to keep everyone happy.

FOOD ALLERGIES AND DIET RESTRICTIONS are generally easy to accommodate. When making reservations, inform the Isla Marisol representative of any dietary allergies, restrictions, or strong preferences.

Advance notice is essential to ensure the kitchen is equipped with whatever special ingredients are needed to meet dietary requests.

SCUBA DIVING TOURS
Isla Marisol Resort is a certified PADI Belize Diving Resort offering unbeatable and unforgettable local dive excursions.

Glide alongside eagle rays, peek into massive sponges, smile at a turtle swimming by. Local dives feature spectacular walls with prominent coral heads, huge schools of reef fish, and colorful creatures in every nook and cranny.

Local dives are scheduled every day in the waters surrounding Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, a protected marine park and UN World Heritage Site. Most local dive sites are only 5-15 minutes from the resort, allowing for short boat rides and long, luxuriating dives.

Isla Marisol Resort is a certified PADI Dive Resort offering 3 dives every day and night dives each night.

BELIZE DIVING

Isla Marisol Resort leads diving tours geared toward protecting marine life on Glover’s Reef. More info coming soon.

Diver Expectations

• Divers must present a dive certification card and complete a liability release prior to diving.
• Divers are required to demonstrate the ability to set up a full set of gear prior to the first dive.
• Divers are asked to rinse personal gear, including wet suits, fins, mask and snorkels at the end of the dive day. BC’s, regulators, tanks, and weights will be taken care of by Isla Marisol staff, who will set up and break down equipment and prepare gears for subsequent diving.
• Divers should pay attention during all dive briefings and adhere to the dive profiles and time limits outlined by the Divemaster. Divers who use a personal dive computer are asked to consult first with the Divemaster if planning to dive a different profile.
• Divers are responsible for checking dive tables, and staying within the limits of the dive table. No decompression diving. If a diver enters decompression, they may not be able to dive again for the remainder of the day.
• Divers are expected to utilize the buddy system. If a diver has no buddy then they will dive with the Divemaster. No solo diving.
• All dives are drift dives with boat and captain above following the divers’ bubbles.

Great Blue Hole Diving
Blue Hole trips are full-day excursions to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is approximately 50 miles by boat from Isla Marisol Resort. The first dive at the Great Blue Hole is a maximum depth of 130 feet. During the surface interval, participants are brought to Half Moon Caye for lunch.

The second dive is at Half Moon Caye Wall. For those not up for a second dive or snorkel, there is the option of exploring the island and its nesting colony of Red Footed Booby Birds. Half Moon Caye was designated a bird sanctuary in 1928, making it Belize’s oldest site for wildlife protection.

The Blue Hole Excursion is two dives suitable for intermediate and experienced divers. A local check-out dive at Isla Marisol is required before participating in the Blue Hole Dive.

Snorkelers of all ages and abilities are welcome. A minimum of 6 participants are required to make the trip to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is approximately 2 hours away.

Guided Whale Shark Diving
As with any wildlife excursion, sightings are likely but not guaranteed. Whale shark trips are half-day excursions to Gladden Spit Marine Reserve, and include 2 blue water dives suitable for intermediate to advanced divers.

A local check-out dive at Isla Marisol is required before participating in whale shark Dives. A minimum of 6 participants is required to make the trip to Gladden Spit, which is approximately 40 minutes away. Trips may be postponed or cancelled due to inclement weather or unsafe sea conditions.

Strict regulations exist to protect both the whale shark and the snapper during this sensitive time. Whale shark tour operators require special licensing and tour guides are required to participate in specialized training.

Access to the area is restricted to a certain number of boats and only during certain hours. For a complete list of rules, click here.

Gentle Giants
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea and can grow up to 60 feet in length. Though they are huge, whale sharks are gentle and curious and pose no threat to humans.

These slow-moving fish are filter feeders, eating plankton that is made up by tiny plants and animals. Whale sharks are easily identified by white spots that cover their skin.

Like a fingerprint, the patterns are unique and can be used to identify individuals. These gentle giants may live to be over 100 years old! During the full moon from March to June, cubera snapper group together and spawn in Belize.

Whale sharks visit Gladden Spit Marine Reserve to feed on the freshly released, nutrient rich, cubera snapper spawn. Divers and snorkelers visit from around the world to witness this amazing spectacle.

BELIZE FLY FISHING TOURS

Isla Marisol Resort offers full-day and half-day guided fly fishing trips and instruction suitable for all ages and abilities. At Isla Marisol Resort, fishers only travel short distances to expansive reef flats ideal for spotting bonefish and permits.

Experienced guides assist fishers in locating the target, and it is certainly possible for anglers to hit a “grand slam”, landing permit, bonefish, and tarpon in just one day.

Deep Sea Fishing
Due to the unique underwater topography of Glover’s Reef Atoll, serious anglers do not need to travel far to find their target fish. Troll outside the perimeter of the atoll for kingfish, wahoo, and barracuda, among others.

Try for snapper, grouper and tuna with live bait, lionfish and hogfish on spear, and marlin and sailfish with the right gear. Trolling is typically best in the morning starting around 5am and in the afternoon starting around 4am.

Fishing packages include a boat with fuel, guide, and lunch on request. Rental equipment is available, though experienced fishers often prefer furnishing their own.

Guided Paddling Packages
Welcome to a paddlers paradise! Explore Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve atop a kayak or paddle board. Isla Marisol Resort welcomes all paddlers, whether novice or experienced, to explore above and below the sea. 2 guided local paddle trips are scheduled each day to explore different parts of Glover’s Reef Atoll.

Paddlers can also set out on their own and enjoy free use of our small fleet of single and tandem kayaks and paddle boards for use inside the lagoon and around the island.

Guided Snorkeling Packages
Isla Marisol Resort offers 2 guided snorkeling trips each day, suitable for all ages and abilities. With over 700 patch reefs to explore at Glover’s Reef Atoll, a UN World Heritage Site and protected marine park, snorkelers typically never visit the same site twice.

Snorkelers will see stunning coral gardens, schools of colorful fish, turtles, lobsters, flamingo tongues, and a variety of other sea creatures at an average depth of 5-15 feet. Most snorkel sites are only 2-10 minutes from the resort, allowing for short boat trips and long luxurious snorkels.

Snorkelers always have a dedicated snorkel boat and in-water snorkel guide. Packages do not include snorkel gear rental.

Great Blue Hole Snorkeling
Blue Hole trips are full-day excursions to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is approximately 50 miles by boat from Isla Marisol Resort. The first snorkel is at the Great Blue Hole National Monument.

Participants then visit Half Moon Caye for lunch. The second snorkel is done near Half Moon Caye Wall. For those not up for a second snorkel, there is the option of exploring the island and its nesting colony of red footed booby birds.

Half Moon Caye was designated a bird sanctuary in 1928, making it Belize’s oldest site for wildlife protection. Snorkelers of all ages and abilities are welcome. A minimum of 6 participants are required to make the trip to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is approximately 2 hours away.

BELIZE GLOVER’S REEF ATOLL

With so many wonderful places to explore across Belize and around the world, Glover’s Reef is certainly a “bucket list” destination. Designated as a UN World Heritage Site and Protected Marine Park, Glover’s Reef Atoll encompasses some of the best diving, snorkeling, paddling, and fishing across the entire Caribbean.

Glover’s Reef Atoll is the southernmost of the three atolls found in Belize and is located approximately 30 miles off the Belizean coastline. Isla Marisol Resort is situated on Southwest Caye, which is one of only four inhabited islands on the Atoll.

Glover’s Reef Atoll is an elliptical-shaped reef (20 miles long by 7 miles wide) that encircles a shallow lagoon with more than 700 coral patch reefs.

The calm and protected lagoon provides nursery and feeding habitats for sea turtles, sharks and rays, small and large reef fish, and numerous species of coral and other invertebrates.

Glover’s Reef supports extraordinarily high biodiversity, and according to the neighboring Glover’s Reef Research Station, the Atoll boasts the greatest range of coral reef types in the entire Caribbean Sea. Full-color photos and field guides to Glover’s Reef Atoll are available on the Glover’s Reef Research Station website.

In the 1970’s, Glover’s Reef Atoll was identified by a team of renowned scientists as the best site in the Caribbean to carry out “long-term, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional investigation of coral reef ecosystems.” In 1993 the Atoll was designated as Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve (GRMR) by the Government of Belize.

In 1996, the Reserve was designated by the United Nation’s Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a UN World Heritage Site.

The same year, Glover’s Reef Research Station was opened, with the goal of promoting the long-term conservation and management of the Belize Barrier Reef through research, cooperative management, training, and education.

Glover’s Reef Highlights
The northeast corner of Glover’s Reef Atoll is the site of one of the Caribbean’s largest and last remaining Nassau grouper spawning aggregations. Nassau grouper are a protected species in Belize. Many other grouper species can be seen spawning across the Atoll at different times of the year.

Sea Turtle Monitoring
In 2007, Glover’s Reef Research Station partnered with the Belize Fisheries Department to begin a sea turtle monitoring program. The program’s goals are to increase knowledge related to sea turtle movements and habitat use, study growth rates, and assess the genetic stock.

Belize Shark Conservation Research
The Glover’s Reef Atoll Shark Survey gathers scientific information to improve shark conservation in Belize. The shark conservation project has been going on almost two decades and has located critical habitats such as breeding grounds and monitored population trends.

BELIZE BEACH WEDDING & HONEYMOON

Isla Marisol Resort is an idyllic location to host a destination wedding. The team will work with the wedding party to arrange all the details of the ceremony and reception, including food, drinks, music, dancing, photography, flowers, cakes, and anything else.

Whether it’s small and intimate, or an entire island rental, Isla Marisol Resort is prepared to host the perfect wedding. Every wedding is unique.

Website: www.islamarisolresort.com

Rooms: 12

Price: from 408 EUR per night