One Week in Belize: From the Jungle to the Beach
Beach in front of our room at Turtle Inn Belize
Belize is a wonderfully easy country to travel to from the United States. There are direct flights from several cities, including Denver, it’s safe, beautiful and everyone speaks English. You can also quickly travel between the beach and the jungle, allowing you to pack a lot in over a short period.
REGIONS TO VISIT
We chose Placencia and the Cayo District in the jungle so we could experience both the beach and the jungle. For being only a two hour drive from one another, the differences between these regions were stark. The jungle has a huge Mayan influence, and most of the people we met had Mayan heritage. The beach, however, had a completely different cultural influence with lots of Afro-Caribbean influence.
We chose to stay at both Turtle Inn in Placencia and Blancaneaux Lodge in the jungle, as they are both owned by The Family Coppola and can often be booked together in a package. This allowed us to experience both the jungle and the beach.
Our first stop was Blancaneaux Lodge in the middle of the Belizean rainforest. The setting was beautiful, if not slightly rustic. Our room overlooked the river, and since we were traveling with small children, the room balcony was set up with extra safety fencing before we arrived. There were lots of stairs and loose rocks, so this probably isn’t the best option for those with strollers or with mobility issues.
We ate all of our meals on-site at Blancaneaux Lodge and were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food. Guatemaltecqua Restaurant had Guatemalean food in a beautiful setting by the pool. Montagna Ristorante was a delicious Italian food, think wood-fired pizzas and fresh pastas.
WHAT TO DO IN CAYO DISTRICT
Swimming in the waterfall near Blancaneaux Lodge
Tubing-Guided river tubing was included in our stay at Blancaneaux lodge and a wonderful way to explore the area and learn more about the local flora and fauna.
Hiking-There was a beautiful waterfall and natural swimming hole within a short hiking distance of the hotel.
Explore Mayan Ruins-The Caracol ruins can be found in his district, and contain the largest man-made structure in Belize, the Caana pyramid. Bring tons of water, as this excursion can be very hot and humid.
Butterfly Farm- Our girls loved seeing the most beautiful butterflies in all stages of life at this butterfly farm a short drive from Blancaneaux lodge.
Guided river tubing is included in the rate at Blancaneaux Lodge
WHERE TO STAY IN PLACENCIA
Charming beach-front bungalows at Turtle Inn
Turtle Inn- This boutique hotel in Placencia had been on my bucket list for quite some time, so I had very high expectations. The rooms were beautiful and had the same rustic charm as it’s sister property, Blanceanaux Lodge. The location is so close to the ocean that the waves put you to sleep at night and wake you in the morning. The beach here is not the prettiest in Belize, but it was quiet which we appreciated.
There was also an incredible breakfast spread that was delivered to our room every morning. There was also a kids club for an hourly fee that our kids really enjoyed. A small ice cream shop was definitely a highlight for them as well. A small spa on the other side of the road from the hotel was a nice feature, and I enjoyed a peaceful massage one afternoon.
WHAT TO EAT IN PLACENCIA
De Tatch Restaurant-Casual seafood restaurant right on the beach by Placencia Sidewalk.
Rumfish y Vino- Amazing seafood restaurant. Don’t miss the crudos.
Gauguin Grill-We loved this toes-in-the-sand beachfront restaurant at Turtle Inn. Think simple, grilled seafood in a beautiful setting.
WHAT TO DO IN PLACENCIA
Fishing off the boat while exploring the Cayes.
RENT A GOLF CART
Turtle Inn is close to Placencia, but you need a golf cart to make it easily accessible. There are few things more fun than driving a golf cart in a foreign beach town. My parents flew into Placencia to meet us on our vacation, and I even picked them up from the airport in the golf cart.
EXPLORE THE CAYES
As I said, the beach in Placencia is good, not great. The real showstopper beaches can be found on the Cayes ( small islands) a short boat ride away. There are tons of tourist operations, but we chose this one and enjoyed our captain and the wonderful lunch they prepared once on the island.
WALK THE PLACENCIA SIDEWALK
Rumored to be the narrowest street in the world, the Placencia sidewalk is a charmingly funky stretch in the middle of Placencia village flanked by touristy shops and restaurants. Definitely worth a stroll up and down to immerse yourself in the village life.
