belize resorts

10 Best Belize Resorts For A Dreamy Getaway

Sustainable jungle lodges alongside Mayan ruins, private islands with sandy shores, and colorful boutique hotels with local flare await you in beautiful Belize. A Caribbean and Central American destination all at once, it’s no surprise that Belize has become a favorite getaway spot for travelers in the know.

In this guide to the best resorts in Belize, you’ll find the ten most impressive Belize resorts guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re looking for a secluded beach escape or the adventurous travel experience of a lifetime deep in the jungle, these resorts offer the best of Belize at your fingertips.

Cayo Espanto
Courtesy of Cayo Espanto

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10 Best Belize Resorts

1. Cayo Espanto

Just seven luxurious villas dot the sands at Cayo Espanto, a world-class private island resort set among coral reefs and clear waters off the coast of Belize. Each villa comes with a personal butler to bring tropical getaway dreams to life, from customized meals prepared by the island’s world-renowned chef to oceanfront spa treatments and snorkeling excursions. What are you dreaming of? It’s all possible at Cayo Espanto.

Though the island is small, it teems with activity and excitement for adventurous travelers looking to explore some of Belize’s most pristine waters. Take a private cruise on the resort’s yacht to discover hidden swimming holes and secluded beaches, or depart from the on-island helipad to take in beautiful coral reefs seen through crystal clear waters from the skies above.

If your idea of a dream tropical escape means spending long hours beachside, Cayo Espanto is the perfect spot. Each villa has a spacious private dock, white sand beachfront, and plunge pool; you don’t have to see another guest for the duration of your stay if you don’t want to. Cayo Espanto is a slice of paradise meant just for you.

Gaia River Lodge
Courtesy of Belize Tourism Authority

2. Gaia Riverlodge

Hidden deep in the lush Belizean jungle, Gaia Riverlodge is a gateway to a pristine corner of Belize far too few travelers discover, and a gem you won’t want to miss. Awaiting adventurous travelers are curated excursions to Mayan ruins and hidden caves, exhilarating hikes to natural swimming ponds, and visits to the stunning Five Sisters Waterfall.

Or, relax in the lodge’s intimate spa before digging into local favorite dishes prepared with ingredients from the property’s own garden. Secluded cabanas and villas blend seamlessly into nature with thatched rooftops, palmetto sticks, and local, eco-friendly hardwoods, boasting sleek, contemporary interiors with all the amenities.

The best feature? Stunning mountaintop views from every room, with picture-perfect angles of the jungle, river, or even the plunging waterfalls below. You’ll feel like a bird soaring over the canopy from the moment you wake.

Turneffe Island Resort
Courtesy of Turneffe Island Resort

3. Turneffe Island Resort

Set among the white sand beaches and abundant reefs of the Turneffe Atoll, private island resort Turneffe Island Resort is a haven, miles from the mainland and perfect for a one-of-a-kind escape. Discover this celebrated Belize resort, a tiny hidden gem in the Caribbean Sea, and you’ll soon be a return visitor.

Home to just 22 guest rooms and villas spread around the island, Turneffe Island Resort offers the perfect mix of seclusion and connection. Rooms have cozy, welcoming interiors, but the real highlight is the idyllic Caribbean sea view from every room. Take it in from a private porch or during a tropical spa treatment.

Turneffe Island Resort is also the perfect gateway to exploring the pristine Turneffe Atoll at the heart of the Belize Barrier Reef, with snorkeling, diving, and fishing excursions adventurous travelers will love. Or, take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the nearby Great Blue Hole; it’s a destination you need to see firsthand to believe!

Coco Plum Island Resort
Courtesy of Coco Plum Island Resort

4. Coco Plum Island Resort

From the pure white sands of this tiny cay, you’d never guess that Coco Plum Island Resort is just a thirty-minute cruise to the mainland. Taking visitors a world away to what can only be called a slice of paradise, this private island resort offers the ultimate in laid-back luxury.

Long lazy beach days punctuated by snorkeling excursions and poolside drinks await at Coco Plum Island Resort. Or, opt for a more adventurous getaway and enjoy world-class fishing and diving excursions. This unique destination even brings the lush jungle on the Belizean mainland close, offering excursions to Mayan ruins, hidden caves, and more as easy add-ons to your island stay.

Planning a romantic getaway or the honeymoon trip of a lifetime? Choose the spacious overwater bungalow rising directly from the ocean to be serenaded by the sounds of gentle waves; sea turtles and tropical fish below are your only neighbors. With just 18 private, suite-style cabanas scattered around the 16-acre island, you’ll enjoy a secluded getaway no matter the room you choose.

Manta Island Resort - Glover's Reef Atoll
Courtesy of Manta Island Resort

5. Manta Island Resort

A relative newcomer among Belize resorts, Manta Island Resort has quickly become a beloved favorite, already welcoming return guests looking for more. At this private island paradise, enjoy island-hopping adventures, drinks by the pool, and a sunset cruise with a romantic dinner on the sand; it’s all just day one of a stay at Manta Island Resort.

You won’t find a more pristine spot than this! Manta Island Resort is more than thirty miles from mainland Belize, part of the sought-after Glover’s Reef Atoll in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the greatest diversity of reef types in the Caribbean, the area is a dream for snorkeling and scuba diving, and the resort’s on-site dive shop and personalized excursions make it easy to explore the ocean’s abundance.

Nine colorful cabanas with spacious verandas sit among palm trees on the island’s white sand beaches, with waves lapping just steps away. It’s a dreamy spot for an island adventure or a relaxing vacation spent enjoying one of the most beautiful corners of Belize.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Courtesy of Belize Tourism Authority

6. The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Located in Belize’s far western jungle, at the heart of the Maya Civilization, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is regarded as one of the best ecolodges in the world. A pioneer of adventure travel in Belize, this eco-friendly, luxurious property is the perfect gateway to this rich and diverse region of the country, where unforgettable experiences await.

Choose from rooms with private jacuzzis, plunge pools, or terraces with jungle views, all comfortable and modern with unique personal touches that bring the outside in. Whatever lodging you choose, 10% of all accommodation revenue is donated back to environmental and community projects through the Chaa Creek Cares initiative.

Guests can enjoy countless activities while staying at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, though perhaps the most thrilling is exploring the 400-acre private reserve with professional naturalist guides, along trail networks, by canoe, and even by innertube down the river through the pristine jungle. Learn about the traditional medicinal plants used for centuries by the Mayas before exploring nearby ruins that soar above the jungle treetops. It’s sure to be a thrilling stay no matter how you spend it.

Read More: These 25 Incredible Ecolodges Are Worth Traveling For

Alaia Belize
Courtesy of Belize Tourism Authority

7. Alaia Belize

In the heart of historic San Pedro on a stretch of the stunning beaches of Ambergris Caye, Alaia Belize is a resort for travelers looking for a dreamy Caribbean escape with a local flare. Unending amenities await: from a full-service spa and wine bar to a curated collection of scuba and snorkeling excursions departing from the resort’s dock, Alaia Belize has a little something for everyone.

Its location at the heart of lively yet charming San Pedro makes it the perfect vacation destination for travelers who bristle at the thought of some of the more remote resorts in faraway cays. Choose from the resort’s six restaurants, four bars, and three swimming pools, or visit nearby local eateries and shops before retreating to the hotel’s suspended rooftop pool and lounge with ocean views.

Laru Beya
Courtesy of Laru Beya

8. Laru Beya

With hammocks strung up on every balcony, Laru Beya is a laid-back and family-friendly resort located on an enviable stretch of beach just outside of Placencia. Quiet and understated, this resort offers big travel experiences that families (or couples!) will love.

A small and intimate resort, Laru Beya offers personalized service and attention while being large enough to provide an array of accommodation options and an incredible menu of excursions and activities to keep even the most adventurous traveler busy. Choose from excursions to Mayan ruins deep in the forest, guided snorkeling and diving on the Belize Barrier Reef, or ziplining above the jungle canopy.

If you’re looking for a taste of local flare, Laru Beya is the perfect place to find it. The resort is just a short walk or bike ride from the Garifuna village of Seine Bight, or a few miles from the buzzy beach town of Placencia with its array of restaurants, shops, and activities. Whether you prefer to stick to the resort or just use your room as a place to rest your head, you’ll love your stay at Laru Beya.

Belizean Dreams
Courtesy of Belizean Dreams

9. Belizean Dreams

This is the beachfront resort in Hopkins that everyone has been raving about! Casual and friendly yet with all the upscale amenities you could want for a dream beach vacation, Belizean Dreams is a favorite Belize resort with frequent return guests to prove it.

Though the resort is home to just nine villas and seven rooms for personal boutique attention and service, it offers an array of rooms, suites, and private villa layouts for families and friend groups of all sizes. However, with the ocean, pool, and spa just steps from your doorstep, you might prefer to spend your days anywhere other than your room!

Belizean Dreams is located close enough to Hopkins for easy access to this cultural capital, yet far enough from town to enough the stunning beaches and lush property as if you have this slice of paradise all to yourself. It makes for easy excursions, both on land and on water, with the very best of Belize’s verdant jungle and world-class barrier reef at your fingertips.

Another bonus? Belizean Dreams is one of four sister resorts in Belize, including Coco Plum Island Resort, Manta Island Resort, and Laru Beya. Split your vacation among any of these fantastic Belize resorts for an unforgettable trip, with booking, transportation, and payment made easy.

Matachica Resort & Spa
Courtesy of Belize Tourism Authority

10. Matachica Resort & Spa

Located along some of Belize’s most beautiful beaches on Ambergris Caye, Matachica Resort & Spa is a boutique beachfront resort you just won’t want to leave. Colorful casitas and villas directly on the white sand await, perfect for either lazy beach days or for making the most of the unending watersports and activities on offer.

Redesigned and renovated in 2019, casitas and villas feature a sleek, modern design with eco-friendly details while capturing the vibrance of the resort’s surroundings. Handpainted murals, unique in every room, are the centerpiece of the design and bring the vibrance of this hidden gem resort to life.

Matachicha Resort & Spa is the beachy sister destination to Gaia Riverlodge in Belize’s interior. For a perfect trip to Belize, consider staying at both unique spots for a few days to see the best of both sides of Belize. Customizable packages make it affordable and hassle-free.