Top 5 Adults-Only Resorts in Thailand for a Luxurious and Tranquil Stay
Matangi Private Island Resort Review: First-Hand Experience & Genuine Insights
Welcome to Belize! This beautiful, laid-back country in Central America is truly a wonderful place to experience real Caribbean relaxation in a simple and unpretentious way.
Belize is often overlooked as being a real Caribbean escape because of its more well-known island neighbors such as Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, and places like St. Lucia and Aruba. This little English-speaking country borders Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east which makes it an ideal Caribbean escape.
Since Belize is located in Central America, this might cause many people to question the issue of safety. However, due to the small size of the country’s population, the gap between the poor and the rich is much smaller than in other Central American and Caribbean countries. The population group in the middle is large and is made up of working-class and middle-class people who are from many different ethnic backgrounds. They all share relatively the same standard of living and they largely share the same views regarding education, opportunities in life, social behaviors, and cultural respect. So Belize simply does not have the violence caused by racial and class conflict which unfortunately is so predominant within the borders of its neighbors.
Belize offers breathtaking beauty in both its interior and coastal areas with its lush tropical forests, mountain landscapes, iconic crystal clear blue waters, and amazingly scenic beaches. It is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world which makes it famous for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, and simply being out on the water. This little country is the perfect place to escape large, crowded cities and touristy areas as many of its resorts are located in semi-rural areas or on small islands of their own, away from other businesses and resorts.
1. Matachica Resort & Spa
Matachica Resort & Spa is a peaceful, secluded, adults-only (16+) refuge located on Ambergris Caye, just a few miles north of the town of San Pedro. It is the perfect place to unwind and take in the beachfront beauty of the tropics in a uniquely luxurious Belizean setting. It is privately owned by David Lighter, a former attorney from Montreal who discovered Ambergris Caye in 2000 and immediately fell in love with it. In 2020, Matachica Resort & Spa was named as one of the top 10 resorts in Central America by Travel + Leisure. The intimate and relaxed atmosphere for adults restores and renews guests with tranquility while adventure-filled activities can be found nearby.
Photo Credit: Matachica Resort & Spa
The resort features 30 brightly colored casitas and villas, each with a thatched roof, a private patio, a hammock, and views of either the surrounding tropical landscape or the beautiful calming Caribbean Sea. Light and airy, these accommodations are perfectly appointed with modern luxuries and tropical styling throughout. To help guests focus on relaxation, there are no TVs or phones in guestrooms. Wi-Fi is available in the common areas of the resort. It can be spotty outside of those areas.
Photo Credit: Matachica Resort & Spa
Guests can enjoy a wide range of activities from the onsite spa which provides a full menu of treatments to complimentary bicycles which are great for exploring the island. Onsite golf cart rentals are also available. For those who love the water, scuba diving and fishing trips are available as are kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. Packages for jungle adventures which include zip lining and cave tubing are available as well. Then there are the pool and hot tub for simply relaxing poolside.
Exotic, international flavors and culinary delights can be found at the award-winning, open-air Mambo restaurant. There is also Danny’s Tree Bar, which is the perfect outdoor location for small bites and cocktails during the day. Private dining which offers amazing sunsets is also available on the beautifully furnished pier.
Photo Credit: Matachica Resort & Spa
How to Get Here
After arriving in Belize City, 15-minute connecting flights to San Pedro are available. There is also ferry service or 90-minute water taxi service to Ambergris Caye which includes a stop at Caye Caulker. A taxi ride from the airport in Belize City is needed to reach the ferry and water taxi departure points. The resort is located 5 miles north San Pedro and has speedboat service available from the San Pedro airport to the resort. Prior to arriving in Belize, contact the resort to arrange all transfer services needed to get to the resort.
Contact Information
Phone: +011-501-226-5014 or +011-501-226-5015
Email: info@matachica.com
Website: www.matachica.com
2. Coco Plum Island Resort
Coco Plum Island Resort is a remote, adults-only (18+) tropical resort located on a 16-acre private island about 9 miles off the coast from Dangriga in southern Belize. This resort is a wonderful Caribbean getaway for those seeking peace and privacy.
The all-inclusive resort is locally owned and is the perfect place to take a break from the rest of the world. With room for a maximum of 42 guests, there are no crowds or no long lines. Guests can simply take in the tranquility of nature and the tropical surroundings. The setting is serene and intimate. This resort was rated in 2023 as a top resort in Central America by Conde Nast Traveler Readers and was ranked in the list of top 12 best all-inclusive resorts by Trip Advisor travelers in 2024.
Photo Credit: Coco Plum Island Resort
There are 18 stand-alone private cabanas and an overwater villa, each only a few steps from the beach and its crystal clear waters. Guests can enjoy lounge chairs and beach beds or they can choose to relax in a swaying hammock. Each cabana features handcrafted mahogany ceilings, open and airy interiors which are casually elegant and decorated with pops of color found in tropical accents and artwork. Each has spectacular island and ocean views.
Photo Credit: Coco Plum Island Resort
The resort features a full service spa and several types of activities for guests to enjoy. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding and Hobie cat sailing are all available as are fishing trips, and bird watching. Tours to visit Belizean cultural sites including Mayan ruins are available as are jungle adventure tours which feature zip lining and cave tubing. Wi-Fi is available however, reception varies on some parts of the island.
The resort recommends that guests download music, books, and movies, prior to arrival so they can enjoy listening, reading, and watching without interruption. It is also advised to let family and friends know that since internet service may not always be available, there may be a delay in replying to emails and texts.
Fine dining is available and is enjoyed under starlit nights on the beach or on the overwater docks. Culinary creations are a wonderful blend of local homestyle recipes and dishes influenced by the rich Belizean heritage of traditional Maya, Mestizo, and Garifuna flavors. Both open air indoor and outdoor dining are available and truly create an amazing tropical dining experience.
Photo Credit: Coco Plum Island Resort
How to Get Here
After arriving in Belize City, you will first need to collect your luggage and clear immigration and customs prior to boarding your 20-minute connecting flight to Dangriga. From there, a driver from the resort will greet you and take you to the boat dock which is about a 10-minute drive. The boat ride from Dangriga to the resort takes about 30 minutes. Prior to leaving for Belize, have the resort assist with scheduling all of your transfers so that when you arrive in Belize City, you can easily get to your connecting flight and then to the resort.
Contact Information
Phone: 011-501-613-9634
Email: contact@cocoplumcay.com
Website: www.cocoplumcay.com
3. PUR Boutique Cabanas
PUR Boutique Cabanas is a smaller, upscale, adults-only (18+) tropical resort which is located about a mile north of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. It is a newer, privately-owned, luxury resort with a rustic feel to it and features only 6 private bungalows. There is also a small pool with a swim-up bar. It is an ideal location to meet and socialize with other guests due to its size and layout. Guests can easily enjoy the lively and more touristy atmosphere of San Pedro with its shops, bars, and restaurants which are all very close to the resort. For those who are looking for more tranquility, privacy, and less of a social scene, we do recommend choosing another resort.
Photo Credit: PUR Boutique Cabanas
Each of the 6 bungalows is designed in a unique blend of modern and rustic tropical and are beautifully appointed with modern amenities, a private veranda and a hammock. Each is air conditioned and has its own TV. 2 of the bungalows are larger “king suites” and have their own private plunge pools.
Photo Credit: PUR Boutique Cabanas
Due to the small size of this resort and its location close to San Pedro, all activities are available offsite. Complimentary bikes and on-site golf cart rentals are available which makes exploring San Pedro very easy. Several services are within walking distance of the resort so guests have access to a full service spa and yoga classes, various adventure tours and excursions, and a wide range of water activities. Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available at the resort’s taco bar. The menu includes excellent local specialties, tacos, burritos, seafood dishes and a wide range of cocktails. Additional dining options are available within walking distance from the resort and range from casual fare to tapas and finer dining.
Photo Credit: PUR Boutique Cabanas
How to Get Here
After arriving in Belize City, 15-minute connecting flights to San Pedro are available. There is also ferry service or 90-minute water taxi service to Ambergris Caye which includes a stop at Caye Caulker. A taxi ride from the airport in Belize City is needed to reach the ferry and water taxi departure points. The resort provides complimentary transfer service from San Pedro airport and the Ambergris Caye water taxi (one round trip). Prior to arriving in Belize, contact the resort to arrange all transfer services needed to get to the resort.
Contact Information
Phone: Tel : 011-501-638-4136
Email: info@purboutiquecabanas.com
Website: www.purboutiquecabanas.com
4. Caribbean Beach Cabanas
Caribbean Beach Cabanas is a smaller and rustic yet luxurious adults-only (18+) tropical resort in the small coastal village of Placencia in southern Belize. There are only 7 casitas and villas which are situated on a half-acre lot on the beach. While it located further away from the more touristy areas of Belize, the resort is only steps away from the lively atmosphere of Placencia where several shops, bars and restaurants await. This resort is the “sister property” of PUR Boutique Cabanas on Ambergris Caye and it is the only adults-only resort in this area.
Photo Credit: Caribbean Beach Cabanas
With only 7 individual tropical retreats to call home, a wonderful variety of form and function are available to choose from. There are the smaller cabanas and casitas which feature bamboo design elements, large verandas with hammocks, and outdoor conch shell showers with spa-quality bathrooms and showers inside, to the larger villas and haciendas with separate bedrooms, private rooftop verandas with beach beds, and third floor decks which offer sweeping ocean and village views. All accommodations feature colorful Caribbean styling throughout with mahogany ceilings, tropical artwork, kitchen amenities, and luxurious bedding.
Photo Credit: Caribbean Beach Cabanas
Due to the small size of this resort and its location close to Placencia, many activities are available offsite. The resort does have paddle boards and kayaks available for guests in addition to beach games. There is also a pool with floats, loungers, beach beds and hammocks. Complimentary bikes and golf cart rentals are available which makes exploring Placencia very easy. Several services are within walking distance of the resort so guests have access to a full service spa and yoga classes, various adventure tours and excursions, and a wide range of water activities.
Photo Credit: Caribbean Beach Cabanas
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are available at the resort along with a bar and cocktails. Many options for dinner and other choices for breakfast and lunch are available offsite. Several great restaurants ranging from more casual options to higher-end dining are all available within walking distance from the resort.
How to Get Here
After arriving in Belize City, 40-minute connecting flights to Placencia are available. The resort provides complimentary transfer service from Placencia Airport to the resort. Prior to arriving in Belize, contact the resort to arrange all transfer services needed to get to the resort.
Contact Information
Phone: +011-501-614-22396
Email: info@caribbeanbeachcabanas.com
Website: www.caribbeanbeachcabanas.com
5. St. George’s Caye Resort
St. George’s Caye Resort is an adult-friendly (15+) rustic yet elegant beach resort which offers privacy and relaxation in true Caribbean style. It is an excellent place to stay when planning trips centered around scuba diving or just for getting away when an escape to a tropical island is all that is needed. It is located 7 miles offshore from Belize City International Airport which makes this the closest and most easily accessible island resort in Belize.
Photo Credit: St. George’s Caye Resort
The resort features 6 garden view and oceanfront cabanas, each with its own covered porch and a hammock. There are also 6 overwater cabanas situated on a horseshoe-shaped dock. All cabanas are wonderfully designed with a thatched roof, Belizean hardwoods and are decorated in local tropical styling. They are air-conditioned but it is important to note that while guests will enjoy the cool air, the cabanas will not stay chilled because the thatched roofs are not sealed.
There is also a large villa that contains 3 private suites which makes it the perfect place for a family or group of friends to enjoy this tropical paradise. Each suite is air conditioned and features a private bath and shower, a king size bed, and beautiful Belizean hardwood floors. While these suites are private, they share a single oceanfront living room and a single veranda which has a porch swing and a hammock. There are no TVs at this resort.
Photo Credit: St. George’s Caye Resort
There are a number of activities which guests can enjoy from scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing to kayaking, paddle boarding and Hobie cat sailing. There are also adventure excursions available which include zip lining, cave tubing, and tours of Mayan ruins. Guests can also enjoy visiting the town of San Pedro on neighboring Ambergris Caye. A spa is available which provides soothing massages and a limited number of relaxing treatments. Wi-Fi service is available but only in the main lodge and in the outdoor dining area.
Photo Credit: St. George’s Caye Resort
Dining is a farm-to-table experience and the menu provides a wonderful combination of traditional Belizean and Caribbean cuisine, Latin dishes, and favorites from America and Europe. There is a meal plan which includes made-to-order breakfasts and then separate menus for lunch and dinner each day. Guests can enjoy the company of fellow guests on the covered dining porch where they can get to know each other. For those who want a more romantic setting, private dining is available.
How to Get Here
All ground and boat transfers costs are included in the resort’s rates so there are no transportation costs charged to guests. Resort staff will greet guests both at the airport and elsewhere in Belize City as needed if guests are joining the resort after having explored other parts of the country. When picking up guests at the airport, staff members will escort them on the 20-minute van ride to the marina. From there, it is a 20-minute boat ride to the resort.
Contact Information
Phone: 1-800-813-8498
Email: reservations@belizeislandparadise.com
Websites: www.st-georgesresort.com
Why Belize is the Perfect Choice for Your Adults-Only Resort Experience
Belize is a beautiful and relaxing place to have that tropical escape experience. While many luxury tropical resorts around the world which are located in places like Fiji or Bali may have a more upscale atmosphere with more formality in dinner dress codes and higher levels of service and amenities in their spas, these Belizean resorts offer the same levels of tranquility and comfort even though they are more casual and have a more simple, laid-back lifestyle. They truly are not lacking in what they offer for peace of mind, relaxation for the body, and rejuvenation for the soul. Belize definitely has everything needed for visitors to indulge in wonderful and awesome tropical experiences.
