Belcampo Belize
Belcampo Belize is a luxurious eco-lodge with 12 private cabanas that open into the heart of the Belizean jungle.
The rooms at Belcampo Belize are elegantly furnished with sitting area, terracotta floors, vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and a terrace with hammocks that make the most of the stunning views of the rainforest. The showers also have floor to ceiling glass, so guests never miss a wildlife spotting opportunity. Panic not - the cabanas are spread out so there is no chance of any peeping toms lurking in the bushes.
The lodge is located in an 11,000-acre private reserve within the Toledo District, and the owners are committed to conservation. The property has developed a research program for jaguars, and the owners are also heavily involved in marine conservation. Clients are welcome to spend time with researchers, and jaguar spotting is carried out on a catamaran river cruise, where infrared is used to seek out the animals by night.
Dining at Belcampo Belize is also driven by an eco-friendly source, and all of the food is home grown in their 3-acre garden, including poultry and pork. Food is dependent on the season, and only the freshest ingredients are put on the plate. Tea is served around a firepit on the lawn, and the restaurant and Maya Bar are down by the waterfront, reached by the hotel's private tram.
The lodge has a swimming pool and small spa, and offers activities such as fishing, kayaking, boat trips and diving. We highly recommend snorkelling over submerged Mayan ruins, which are teeming with fish as the coral has overgrown the ruins. On land, guided excursions are in specialised jungle vehicles or on mountain bikes.
Why We Love It
The lodge's manager has safari experience from Botswana and Uganda, and aims to bring the African lodge concept to Belize.
Turtle Inn
Set on a long, narrow spit of land, just inches above sea level, Turtle Inn is sandwiched between the open ocean to one side and a lagoon, home to manatees, on the other.
Accommodation consists of individual, free-standing rooms or villas, scattered over a few acres of beautifully maintained grounds. Stylish touches include Japanese baths, private walled gardens with outdoor showers, and Balinese style decor and furniture. All the rooms are either on the beach, or a 30-second walk from it, and have views of either the ocean or the palm filled gardens. In addition to the beach, there are plenty of activities for those keen on wildlife, jungle and the underwater world.
Why We Love It
Although the beach is one of the best in Belize, this is not the place to come for miles of idyllic white powder sand. Besides, most guests spend much of their time beneath the surface of the water.