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Some of the Best Places to stay in Belize

Main Pool at Belizean Dreams Resort

Top Resorts in Belize

The majority of people from overseas who are seriously considering investing in Belize, will naturally wish to visit this beautiful country to get a first hand view. We’ve put together a short guide for your convenience.

Belize is not your typical all-inclusive destination, as you won’t find many of the large chain resorts that are popular elsewhere in the Caribbean. But Belize has many unique all-inclusive resorts. We think that an all-inclusive is a good bet as with looking at different properties, it’s a less complicated option.

On a vacation here, you can explore jungles teeming with wildlife, visit Mayan ruins and relax on white sand beaches. As with many other Caribbean destinations, the busiest time of year in Belize is around December to April. Prices will typically be more expensive in this period, and much lower in the wet season from June to November.

Here are some of the resort choices we recommend for an all-inclusive vacation in Belize.

We’ve chosen some of the best, based not just on the quality, but more about the different experience each one offers.

Cayo Espanto

Cayo Esperanto

If you’re looking for an exclusive resort option, Cayo Espanto sits on a private island with only seven private beach villas. To get here, you’ll take a less than 10-minute boat ride from the nearby city of San Pedro – or a private helicopter ride from Belize City’s international airport, if you’re willing to splurge $2,000-plus extra one way!

It’s one of the most highly rated resorts in Belize with a highly personalised take on what you eat, designing bespoke menus for guests.

Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Belize

Deluxe bedroom at Hamanasi Belize

This resort is located right on the Caribbean Sea, accessible by a two-hour drive from Belize City or a short domestic flight to nearby Dangriga Airport. An intimate, lower-key spot with its own nature reserve, Hamanasi has just 30 rooms, including colorful treehouse rooms perched on stilts over mangroves and tiled beachfront suites. The rooms are styled with furniture made by hand on-site, and there are no TVs, making it a great option for those looking to improve their wellness score.

As the name suggests, Diving is the speciality here and they have developed  excellent scuba inclusive packages.

Chaa Creek

Char Creek, a design for Villa Living

Head less than 10 miles out of the city of San Ignacio, and the dense Belizean jungle gives way to this extraordinary ecolodge, which has been in the business for nearly 50 years. Chaa Creek offers a range of rooms in airy, thatched-roof villas and cottages, appointed with tropical-chic furnishings and decor. If you’re willing to pay a premium, consider one of the four-person Tree Top Villas, perched in the jungle canopy with private plunge pools.

Coco Plum Island Resort

Private Island Coco Plum

Couples and honeymooners can have a romantic time at this adults-only all-inclusive resortlocated off the coast. Intimacy and serenity are practically guaranteed, as the resort has just 18 cabanas sleeping no more than 42 guests at a time. The spacious cabanas feature amenities like king-size beds and air conditioning, as well as private decks and hammocks. For extra luxury, consider booking an overwater villa on stilts over the sea, with room for up to six guests.

Copal Tree Lodge

Copal Tree Lodge

Situated on the Rio Grande in southern Belize, this laid-back eco-resort has its own affiliated farm, growing coffee, sugarcane and more. Wild foods such as fruit are foraged from the lush rainforest, so you know the meals at the in-house restaurant are bound to be fresh. Don’t skip the on-site Rum Bar – Copal Tree also has its own distillery. When the rum kicks in and you’re feeling drowsy, rest your head in a suite among the foliage with airy high-beamed ceilings and a king bed. The Signature Canopy Suites even grant access to a semiprivate infinity pool, shared with three other suites – though there’s another pool open to all resort guests as well.

Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas

Manatee Villa at Seenica Bay

This resort, located near the beach town of Placencia, is all about waterfront tranquility – past guests rave about how much they could relax here, especially because of the friendly staff. Choose between an array of all-inclusive bungalows: beachfront, poolside or with beach views. All of them come with king beds, and the capacity ranges from two to six guests. The fancier Pelican Bungalow even includes a balcony pool. Larger villas accommodate groups of up to 14 with a fully equipped kitchen – yet are also all-inclusive. As a bonus, the three villas each come with private pools.

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Belize Tourism Boosted by Hotel Brands

Aerial View of Placencia Residences Belize

The Impact of Big Hotel Brands in the Caribbean

The growth of Branded Hotel Chains in the Caribbean goes back to the mid-20th Century. Tradition held that visitors to the West Indies were wealthy and would visit in the “season” from December to May. However, a growing appreciation that the Caribbean could actually offer an all-year season opened the doors for hotel development.

Hotel chains demonstrated their strategic thinking by swiftly implementing a three-tier pricing structure based on high, low, and shoulder seasons. This approach not only maximised yield and occupancy but also showcased their business acumen.

The presence of famous hotel brands brought numerous positive benefits to the islands.

Industry Growth

Thanks to the presence of famous hotel brands, the increase in room inventory created a surge in local employment. It significantly boosted the local business infrastructure, including the growth of banking, insurance, retail, and duty-free shopping, all of which have seen an upward swing due to the thriving hotel industry. 

This increase in room inventory had to be matched by increased air service and more interest from tour operators to consider the Caribbean for package holidays as well as other favoured destinations in Europe. The more prominent hotel brands wielded the influence and financial clout to ensure these elements happened.

Mariott in Belize

All-Inclusives

The 1970s saw yet another phenomenon: the all-inclusive Resort, pioneered not by the big brands but by regional groups, such as Couples and Sandals out of Jamaica. 

Hotel Brands in Belize

But what of Belize? The first Hotel Group from the US, Marriott, began its presence in Belize with the opening of the Alaia Belize Autograph Collection on May 6, 2021. This marked the first Marriott International property in the country, bringing a new level of luxury to the region. Today, there are also resorts managed by Hilton, Wyndham Radisson, and Best Western.

Wyndham

More recently, Hyatt, one of the more prominent players in Caribbean Resort and property development, announced its participation in the Placencia Resort in Maya Beach.

This new investment is positive for the existing tourist industry and for those considering relocating to Belize.

Think of it this way. The Caribbean Islands had their shot and have done well overall. But Belize is now a place where new things are happening. New investment and opportunities to be at the start of something that’s will grow.