Belize by the Water: Private Islands & Beach Hideaways

Turtle Inn

On the Placencia Peninsula, Turtle Inn is film director Francis Ford Coppola’s Belizean hideaway. The property combines Balinese architecture with a Caribbean setting: idyllic thatched cottages, hand-carved furniture, Japanese soaking tubs, and walled gardens with open-air rain showers. There are bright hammocks strung between palms, and porches that look directly onto the Caribbean.

Days here might mean diving or snorkelling on the coral reefs offshore, kayaking from the beach or cycling into Placencia village. Back at Turtle Inn, there’s a small spa, private yoga on the deck and restaurants serving Coppola’s Italian family recipes along with local seafood. His own wines are poured at the bar, and Garifuna performers bring music and dance on weekly evenings.

For couples, Starfish Cottage – complete with its own pool – is a favourite. Families are well looked-after too, with two-bedroom villas and plenty to keep children occupied; kids will happily disappear to the ‘no adults allowed’ gelato bar and spend evenings making s’mores over the fire-pit or sending off wish lanterns across the lagoon, leaving adults free to enjoy a quieter moment on the beach or in the bar.

Matachica

A ten-minute boat ride from San Pedro, Matachica has a younger, more easygoing atmosphere than many of its neighbours. Thatched casitas sit directly on the sand, with bright interiors and porches opening directly onto the beach and the warm Caribbean Sea. Adults-only and deliberately intimate, it’s a natural choice for honeymooners who want something romantic without formality.

There’s a spa, kayaks, paddle-boards, and bicycles if you want them, although it really is the perfect place to enjoy doing very little. Dinner is at Mambo, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, or San Pedro is close enough for an evening out to its local shops and restaurants.

Itz’ana

On the Placencia peninsula, Itz’ana is a spacious, eco-friendly resort with a private stretch of beach. Sustainably-designed luxury accommodation ranges from simple guest suites to magnificent penthouses with with private plunge pools and over-water decks. For couples, the beachfront lofts and waterfront solar cottages offer the most privacy, with sweeping sea views, outdoor tubs and rainforest showers.

The Great House is the heart of Itz’ana, serving rum cocktails and seasonal fine dining. Vegetables are picked from the hotel’s own organic farm and a team of fishermen bring in daily catch for the restaurant and over-water ceviche bar. The Rum Room, hidden behind a muralled doorway, is a highlight, with private tastings guided by the resident “rummelier.”

The beautiful natural surroundings provide myriad adventures to choose from, and the resort aims to give back to the local community through tourism. Set sail on a luxury catamaran and fish for your supper, snorkel among shoals of colourful fish, rays, and turtles, or hike into the rainforest to discover a variety of birdlife. Back at Itz’ana, there’s a Maya-inspired spa, an infinity pool, and yoga classes on the roof terrace overlooking the sea.

Naïa Resort & Spa, Placencia

Spanning 19 acres of waterfront on the beautiful Placencia peninsular, Naïa is intimate and relaxed, making the most of the natural playground of its private beachfront setting.

Accommodation is simple, elegant and homely, with rooms for couples and larger families, ranging from casual-style beachfront studios to ultra-luxurious three-bedroom villas (3,000sqft), each decorated with custom-made, locally crafted furnishings.

Indulge in relaxing treatments at the Naïa Spa, a spectacular retreat within the 2,000-acre reserve, spread out over a collection of small islands atop a freshwater lagoon. Guests are spoilt with three waterfront restaurants to choose from, serving fresh and authentic Belizean dishes using local, seasonal ingredients. Expect the perfect combination of water-based adventures and beach relaxation from a stay at Naïa.