The 10 Best Luxury Resorts In Belize

Set on a small private island close to Ambergris Caye, Cayo Espanto is the ideal spot for an intimate getaway. If your idea of the ultimate Belize luxury vacation includes complete privacy and personalised service, the island’s six villas won’t disappoint—and the overwater bungalow is an especially good choice for a romantic honeymoon.

Cayo Espanto is easily one of the world’s best private island resorts, thanks in large part to its thoughtful design; the villas are spaced out around the island’s perimeter to ensure total seclusion. Each one boasts its own beach, plunge pool and wooden dock.

Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola owns two different luxury hotels in Belize; Turtle Inn is the newer one, located on the sandy shores of the Placencia Peninsula. Its 25 rooms include charming cottages with thatched roofs and Balinese-inspired decor, as well as a two-level bungalow, a family pavilion and a modernist beach house.

For an even more unforgettable experience, you can choose to spend part of your stay on the exquisite Coral Caye: a nearby private island available for exclusive use.

Alaia Belize, an Autograph Collection resort, is among our favourite spots on Ambergris Caye, located in the lovely town of San Pedro. Its studios and suites are bright and modern—but the oceanfront three-bedroom villas are particularly inviting, with private terraces and plunge pools.

There’s also an adults-only rooftop infinity pool with panoramic views. And of course, the nearby Belize Barrier Reef (the second-largest coral reef system on earth) offers plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and diving, as well as boat trips and sunset cruises above the surface.

One of Ambergris Caye’s quintessential luxury hotels, Victoria House is a boutique resort offering an especially long list of accommodation options, dining spaces, activities and excursions. The expansive property includes manicured gardens, a private beach, a 325-square-metre (3,500-square-foot) spa and a dive shop.

Although you definitely won’t run out of things to do on-site, you can also embark on excursions to Maya ruins, bird watching expeditions, caving adventures and fishing trips. Experienced scuba divers can explore the legendary Great Blue Hole on a guided day trip or private charter.

The Turneffe Atoll is situated just south of Ambergris Caye and west of Lighthouse Reef (home to the Great Blue Hole). It’s here that you’ll find Turneffe Island Resort, an icon of luxury travel in Belize. Occupying a 14-acre private island, it promises both peaceful seclusion and a wide array of outdoor adventures, including scuba diving, snorkelling and fly fishing.

Relax back at the resort by enjoying a massage at the Serenity Spa, sunbathing by the pool or napping in a hammock under the shade of gently swaying palms.

Naïa Resort and Spa is almost like its own little village on the Placencia peninsula, with a few dozen beach houses and villas to choose from. It’s an especially great choice for larger groups and families thanks to its three- and four-bedroom options. Their spacious layouts and extensive amenities will make you feel right at home.

Naïa also has a phenomenal spa featuring overwater treatment suites, a private island suite for couples and several other spaces for fitness, yoga and more.

The northern side of Ambergris Caye is home to Matachica, a collection of colourful casitas and villas decorated with vibrant murals and artisanal touches. Some are set mere steps away from the sea, while others are surrounded by the garden’s bright greenery. The whole property only accepts guests aged 16 and older, ensuring a serene and relaxing stay.

Matachica’s Mambo Restaurant deserves special mention. With two world-renowned chefs at the helm, it serves elevated international cuisine made with local ingredients and fresh seafood.

If you’re searching for a luxury family resort in Belize, look no further than Hidden Valley. Located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, it’s surrounded by tranquil woods and waterfalls instead of the sea and sand common to the country’s many coastal retreats.

Settle into a cosy cottage with a wood-burning fireplace or the Valley View Villa, perfect for a family of four. The lodge goes out of its way to provide an unforgettable experience for children of all ages with specially designed activities and amenities.

Copal Tree Lodge is a tropical hideaway hidden among the treetops of Punta Gorda: one of the most laid-back and authentic destinations for Belize luxury travel. Its signature canopy suites are elevated above the foliage to provide sensational views of the rainforest, mountains and sea—just one of many perks that have earned it a place among the world’s best luxury lodges.

Sustainability is a core value here; the lodge grows heirloom crops on its organic farm, operates a rainwater catchment system and runs an agroforestry programme.

The first of Francis Ford Coppola’s luxury hotels in Belize, Blancaneaux is tucked into the pristine nature of Mountain Pine Ridge. Its 20 cabañas and villas feature thatched roofs, warm wood and traditional textiles.

Blancaneaux boasts two restaurants serving Guatemalan and southern Italian cuisine. Make sure to visit the Garden Spot, where you can tour the lodge’s organic garden before enjoying a three-course meal highlighting its fresh produce.