Accommodations in Belize

There are many types of accommodations and lodgings to choose from if you're staying in Belize. Whether you're looking for resort pampering or an eco-adventure, you're sure to find it here.

To learn more about the hotel and resort options you'll encounter in Belize, check out some of our pages, which are designed to help you find the perfect spot. If you want to find the very best the country has to offer, look at our Star Ratings, which can also help those travelers somewhat restricted by price. Or search our Best Hotels For pages to find properties that meet your own specific requirements for amenities or services. There are even pages with detailed hotel entries which make it simple to browse. Once you've decided on which style suits you best, all that's left is to find the perfect choice.

Remember, wherever you decide to stay, it's a good idea to book a room ahead of time. You may be able to get a special room rate or other deal when calling ahead. Still, if you're on the go and would rather just stop in without reservations, rooms are generally available, even in high season.

Location

Location is key when it comes to planning your trip to Belize.  The country is so vast in size that you want to make sure you choose to stay in a city close to the activities you want to participate in and the attractions you want to see.

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, as well as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.  Fishing, scuba diving, and eco tours are the top attractions to the area, and San Pedro town is rife with excellent restaurants and a hopping nightlife.  Some hotels in this area include Captain Morgan's Retreat and Seascape Villas.

Just one mile west of the Belize Barrier Reef is Caye Caulker – which means vacationers come here to dive and snorkel for sure.  There is also a marine reserve and a forest reserve in the area, so eco-tourists will have plenty of land to explore.  Perhaps plan a stay at the whimsically named Seaing is Belizing Cabin.

Belize City is Belize's only major urban area, and many vacationers choose to opt out of visiting the city at all.  Yet, there are a few historical attractions that bring visitors to the area for at least a short period of time.  Because this city is not deemed as one of the safest in the country, make sure you read about Crime in Belize when you click here.  It is also important to pick accommodations that make you feel safe, such as D'Nest or Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina.

Placencia is known for its beautiful stretch of beaches – 16 miles of them to be exact, so if your goal is to spend your entire vacation on the beach, Placencia may be for you.  There are also plenty of opportunities to explore nature and get out on the water.  Enjoy a stay at any of the areas lodgings, which include Inn at Roberts Grove, Westwind, and Turtle Inn.

Be aware that if you seek out a travel package at an on-line travel vendor, you may not be getting lodgings where you think you are.  Sometimes hotels are listed as being in large cities that they are near, rather than there actual location.  Do your homework by visiting the hotels official web site, or giving them a call to ensure they are located where you think they are.

Types of Accommodations

Hotels

Although resorts in Belize may be small in size, they're not short on luxury. Some resorts offer all-inclusive plans, although they're not quite the Jamaican-style all-inclusives that some travelers are used to.

If resort living isn't your style, or if you're on a tighter budget, check out any of the smaller hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts in Belize. These accommodations span all levels of quality and price.

Condo & Villa Rentals

If you're vacationing with a large group or plan to stay for an extended amount of time, consider renting a villa, condo, or apartment. Each offers something different, but all generally include rooms separate from the general living space, private bathrooms, and convenient kitchen facilities.

Camping & Eco-Tourism

If you're the outdoors type, look into eco-lodges and campgrounds. Belize has more campgrounds than most Caribbean nations, so vacationers looking forward to getting back to nature will certainly be able to do so.  To learn more about the country's campgrounds, visit Camping and Eco-Tourism in Belize.  There are also numerous nature lodges that are eco-friendly.

Personal Considerations

When searching for lodgings in Belize, there are a number of extras to take into consideration in order to find the best locale for you and the people you are traveling with. 

Party Size

The size and type of the group you are traveling with will directly affect your choice of lodgings.  For starters, if you are traveling with young children, you will want to make sure you choose a place that is family friendly.  Places like SunBreeze Hotel in San Pedro offer babysitting services for parents who need time to get out and explore the island on their own, while locales like the Jaguar Reef Lodge offer free lodging, food, and activities for children under the age of 12.  There is even a nocturnal safari hosted by the lodge that families can participate in.  If your immediate family is very large, or you are traveling with extended family, a villa or condo rental, or a location that has suites large enough to suit you may be a better idea. 

Alternately, couples looking for a romantic getaway should be on the lookout for intimate  retreat such as Mopan River Resort, where couples can book a private cabana, or Casa at Last, a small couples-only resort.  On that same thread, if you are traveling with a group of adults who may get wild, find an adults-only hotel such as Coco Plum Island Resort.

Interests

Belize has a lot of hotels and resorts that cater to the specific interests of their guests – especially with regard to watersports and eco-tourism.  There are more than half a dozen resorts that offer fishing getaways, like Belize River Lodge and Tarpon Caye Lodge (for a complete list, visit our guide to Fishing and Chartering in Belize).  Likewise, if you plan to spend a good deal of time diving, you can book a dive vacation at a resort specializing in the sport.  Journeys End Belize Resort and Hamanasi Dive and Adventure Resort are two such locales.  Make a list of the activities you'd like to participate in on your vacation.  You may find that there are hotels that offer packages that include these activities in the price.

Length of Stay

The amount of time you spend in Belize may make a difference in the type of lodgings you choose.  The longer you stay in the country, the more likely it is that you will want to look into a rental property like a villa or condo.  These properties often have kitchens and separate bedrooms, making you feel more at home and allowing you to prepare meals yourself, thus saving you money (especially if traveling with a large group).  However, if you are staying for around a week, or will be traveling throughout the country and staying in many different locations over night, choosing hotels will be in your best interest.

Quality

When it comes to choosing a quality hotel, many vacationers automatically assume that the more you spend, the better the lodgings.  This is not always the case – especially in Belize where it is not uncommon to find rooms in all Star Ratings for between just $10 and $100(USD) a night.  More often, it is the location of the property and the amenities offered that factor into the price, while the Star Ratings take these things into consideration, plus many more like quality of service, the building's upkeep, and the décor. 

One and Two Stars

Accommodations rated with between 0 and 1 Stars may not have the most generous amenities, they do the trick for vacationers who are just looking for a place to sleep at night for a low price.  If you'll be out exploring the country, and only returning to the hotel to sleep at night, a 1 Star property will probably make sense to you – this is equally true of vacationers who will be hotel hoping.  Some 1 Star lodgings in Belize include Global Village Hotel in Belize City, Blue Crab Resort in Placencia, and Tio Pil's Place in San Pedro Town.

Rooms rated with 2 Stars in Belize may still not have the luxury amenities that the higher rated properties do, but will still often be nicer and more comfortable than the 1 Star properties.  Two of the country's many 2 Star properties include Renaissance Tower in Belize City and Martha's Guest House in San Ignacio.

Three Stars

Right in the middle of it all are the 3 Star properties, which most often offer the highest quality for the best value.  Not yet considered high end, these properties will still have more comfortable furnishings, and include some luxury amenities in the price of the room.  Among Belize's 3 Star facilities are Midas Tropical Resort in San Ignacio and El Pescador in Ambergris Caye.

Four Stars

As you hit the 4 Star properties, you begin to experience much more indulgent surroundings.  Soft linens, spacious rooms, and a staff prepared to pamper are usually on the list of things to expect at a 4 Star hotel.  Check out The Phoenix and Grand Colony Island Villas in San Pedro Town, as well as Coco Beach Resort in Ambergris Caye.

Five Stars

While in most settings, one might expect that only the most affluent travelers will be able to afford a 5 Star Resort, in Belize this is not always the case.  For between $100 and $700(USD) you can find a range of 5 Star hotels in Belize, like Mystic River Resort in San Ignacio and Pelican Reef Villas in San Pedro Town.  These 5 Star accommodations have beautifully appointed rooms, impeccable service, food that melts in your mouth, and many other extras included in the price.  If you're going to splurge in a 5 Star resort, do it in Belize, where you're still saving a great deal of money.

Hotel Search

Don't get bogged down searching through pages and pages of sites that give you descriptions of hotels.  If you know what you want in your Belize vacation property, visit our advanced hotel search tool.  After entering in a few details about your preferences, you will receive a listing of only the properties that match your criteria. Here you can also check availability during your projected stay, and even book your room.

While prices in Belize are higher than the average for Central America, many travelers will find them quite affordable. Keep in mind that while lodging costs in Belize City and Ambergris Caye will average a little higher, stiff competition for tourist business generally increases the quality of these hotels as well.