Tropical hideaways – top luxury resorts in Belize

The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of Belize are beautiful beaches, but there is much more to this fascinating country. It is a melting pot of cultures from Mayan and Mestizo to Garifuna and Creole. This cultural diversity makes it a very enriching place. Belize is home to several amazing Mayan ruins such as Xunantanich, Caracol and Lamanai. These sites and many others provide insight into the Mayan history of Belize and the vast number of people who inhabited the country.

For nature and wildlife lovers, Belize is an important destination, especially for bird lovers. The rare jaguar is present, although very difficult to spot along with ocelots, jaguarundis and pumas. The beach is a very important part of Belize and there are several good options on the mainland and a network of cayes and private islands along the coast. Here you can find a variety of marine life, thanks to the second largest barrier reef in the world.

Belize has a great selection of luxury hotels that match its beauty and diversity. Read on for our pick of the best hotels in Belize.

Victorian houses

Located on Ambergris Caye, Victoria House is a short hop from one of the many ‘pond-jumper’ flights from Belizean country. There is no doubt that this is one of the best boutique resorts in Belize. Located on the coast just outside the town of San Pedro, this beach resort perfectly captures the essence of Belize. Time doesn’t matter here, and your days are filled with blue seas, white sands and swaying palm trees as you soak up the friendly vibe and attentiveness from the staff.

Accommodation ranges from rooms to suites, villas and casitas. For a more exclusive option, choose a beachfront suite. The resort is equally suitable for tourists and families. It has a relaxed, romantic feel and the private villas sleep up to 10 in lager groups. Guests spend their days relaxing on the beach, taking a golf cart to explore the local town or enjoying a variety of water sports.

The food here is delicious with fresh local fish and seafood and traditional Mayan and Creole flavors.

This is truly one of the stars of Belize’s luxury portfolio.

Copal Tree Lodge

The far south of Belize is known as the Toledo Region. This is one of the most remote and unexplored areas in the country. It is famous for its Mayan culture, lush forests and biodiversity. It is home to Copal Tree Lodge, a luxurious jungle resort and one of the most unique places in the country.

This property has developed the concepts of sustainable food production and agritourism, developing a luxury tourism offer that welcomes visitors from all over the world. The suites are beautifully decorated and offer floor to ceiling windows to the jungle vistas that reach far. The Canopy Suites share a private infinity pool, with views over the rainforest and the Maya Mountain range.

Guests have a variety of activities included during their stay from kayaking and canoeing to guided hiking, biking and yoga. Additional activities can be arranged including different types of fishing (Copal Tree is an Orvis certified fly fishing spot), snorkelling, chocolate classes and much more.

This is truly a place to relax and reconnect with nature be it a hike in the jungle, a kayak down the Rio Grande or a spa experience overlooking the jungle. Copal Tree offers the best of this hidden part of Belize.

Ka’ana Resort

Ka’ana Resort is a luxury jungle resort in the heart of the Cayo region, Belize’s largest region and one of its most popular. This is often the starting point for many visits to Belize, especially for travelers crossing the border from Guatemala and Ka’ana is a great place to visit. Surrounded by lush greenery, it is a place of peace and tranquility in an area that has a lot to offer from recreational activities to cultural and archaeological tours.

Ka’ana means ‘heavenly place’ in the Mayan language, and this is an appropriate name for such a place. The rooms are divided between suites and villas. The suites are built in a hacienda-style building and each overlooks its own private garden. The villas offer private pools and a very exclusive and secluded location.

The property has a two-hectare natural garden that provides many of the ingredients for the hotel’s restaurant. Farm-to-table dining is important here and guests can enjoy delicious Belizean cuisine made using fresh ingredients.

With a luxury resort that offers something for everyone, Ka’ana is the perfect choice for a vacation to Belize.

Itz’ana Resort

The sister property of Ka’ana Resort, Itz’ana is located in Placencia, between the rainforest and the Caribbean Sea. From the moment you enter the resort, you are greeted with a refreshing towel and a good drink in the Great Hall as a wave of relaxation washes over you as one of the hosts talks to you about the beach and the surrounding forest.

The accommodations at Itz’ana are bright and elegant with touches of Caribbean-inspired decor. They range from rooms to suites and beachfront villas complete with private plunge pools.

Itz’ana cuisine reflects Belize’s melting pot of diverse cultures, and flavors in restaurants and bars. Enjoy locally inspired, seasonal cuisine made with ingredients grown in the hotel’s natural garden and caught fresh from the Caribbean Sea.

The hotel benefits from its own marina with a water sports center, gas station, and convenience store. Visitors can dock their own boats there if they wish. Apart from the resort area, Placencia is an interesting beach town and a great jumping off point for a variety of water sports including sailing and snorkelling.

For a resort that captures the best of Belize through its luxury, service, cuisine and style, Itz’ana is an obvious choice.

Cayo Espanto

Cayo Espanto is a luxurious private island resort located off the coast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. For an exotic Caribbean experience, this is a great option and Cayo Espanto offers the kind of peace and quiet you get in the most exclusive island hideaway. The property is spread across seven stylish wooden houses nestled amongst palm trees. Each comes with its own private plunge pool, cabins to snooze in, and a dedicated ‘housekeeper’ to make sure you’re treated to whatever you want, whenever you want. From the ingredients in the kitchen to the music playing on the built-in iPad, everything is designed to your liking.

Days here are spent in pure relaxation, sunbathing and the relaxed atmosphere of the Caribbean. There are a variety of activities on offer from snorkeling and diving to kayaks, rowboats, fishing and even canoes. Guests can enjoy spa services in the comfort of their villa from massages to aromatherapy.

The restaurant at Cayo Espanto is an award winner and for good reason. The chef uses fresh ingredients to create Belizean inspired dishes with influences from around the world.

For luxury in a great location, Cayo Espanto is an excellent choice.

Blancaneaux Lodge

Nestled in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge is Blancaneaux Lodge. Part of Francis Ford Coppola’s hotel portfolio, this is a luxury resort nestled in the wild and remote hills. Here, waterfalls tumble into green pools and the river water is pure enough to drink.

20 Lodge villas and cabanas dot the banks of the flowing Privasson River. Each is decorated with Guatemalan prints and fabrics in the polished black wood common to all Coppola resorts. Each room allows guests complete privacy where they can enjoy a breathtaking view over the dense forest, waterfalls, rivers and canyons.

Activities here include exploring the jungle on horseback, visiting ancient Mayan ruins, or just relaxing in a hammock and watching the hummingbirds. Sustainability is at the forefront of much of what they do at Blancaneaux Lodge. The hotel is powered by its own hydroelectric plant, sources its food from a natural garden and orchard, and the air conditioning system is replaced by an open air cooling system.

This is a true hideaway with all the amenities of a luxury hotel.

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specializing in tailoring vacations to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to become a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog to raise your profile, please contact us.