If you are looking for miles of white sand beaches, a small rustic style inn on the beach, yet with all the luxury amenities you need, PLUS it has to be in The Caribbean, AND it mustn’t be mass market, then look no further than The Turtle Inn in Belize. The Turtle Inn offers both privacy and convenience. The palm-roofed cabanas, a beach house, and a bar and restaurant comprise the resort, and there are never more than thirty guests at any one time
The Turtle Inn is owned by Francis Ford Coppola, and the Italian influence, especially in the kitchen is noticeable!!
Location
Turtle Inn is on the southern coast of Belize, just north of the Creole fishing village of Placencia, which is located at the southern tip of a narrow 15-mile peninsular in the Stann Creek District. Separated from the mainland and the Maya Mountains by a pretty lagoon, the miles of white sandy beach considered the finest in Belize face due east toward the spectacular coral reefs and cayes.
Getting here
Belize is less than two hours by air from Houston, New Orleans and Miami.
The Sofia, a private Islander aircraft, can transport you from Belize City to Turtle Inn in less than an hour. Buses and commercial airlines also fly between Belize City and Placencia
Accommodation
Turtle Inn is a small and intimate inn on a big beach.
There are 18 bungalows, all right beside the beach, which are built in the style of traditional Balinese thatched huts, with large screened decks, ample living spaces, and ornate carved doors. Built by Mayan Indians they provide just the right amount of tropical ambience. Each is comfortably rustic and has a private bath with hot water, 110 volt electricity, ceiling fans and tropical hardwood interiors, with hammocks slung on the verandas. The two bedroom fully equipped beach house is ideal for honeymooners, couples and families desiring a little more independence.
Why Come Here
As total capacity is less than thirty, each guest is assured of receiving just the right amount of personalized attention. Individuals, couples, families and small groups return to The Turtle Inn year after year.
The inn provides a casual, warm atmosphere, great excursions and outstanding meals. Added to that the miles of white sand, the azure sea, the superb reef, fine dining, attentive staff……………… Your own Caribbean paradise
Dining
There are two dining choices.
Firstly the open air dining room, sheltered under a palm thatch roof, and cooled by sea breezes, is very comfortable and relaxed. Here you can enjoy food which has a genuine Italian Caribbean twist, including genuine pizzas prepared in a wood burning oven, and a wide variety of pasta and other traditional Italian Specials. The vegetables are all organic, and I’m not forgetting the abundant freshly caught seafood. Dining under lantern light is so romantic, and not to forget the menu changes every day. The lovely Belizean wait staff wear white linen shirts and sarongs.
In addition to the main restaurant, there is dining right on the beach under umbrellas. Plates are traditional wooden platters covered with banana leaf. In an all seafood menu you can choose your lobster (in season), prawns, river lobster and fish, conch cooked on the beach over glowing coconut husks and served to your table at the water’s edge.
The sand floor sunken “Pirate” bar is a fun place full of relics and tradition from Turtle Inn’s rich and quirky history featuring Southern Belize’s widest range of enticing cocktails, traditional Belizean favorites such as draft Belikin beer and fine Niebaum-Coppola’s wine selection.
What to do and see
Watch the sun slowly rise above the Caribbean, relax in a hammock.
Rent a kayak.
Read a book.
Organize a game of beach volleyball.
Stroll along sixteen miles of white sand beach.
Take a dip in the Caribbean.
Watch the waves.
Stargaze.
Check out the excursions and activities the inn can provide.
Everything from snorkeling
to bird watching
to SCUBA diving
to hiking in the rain forest
to sport fishing
to kayaking
to swimming in waterfalls
Visit Mayan families and the cities built by their ancestors.
Even visit the world’s only jaguar reserve,
cruise up the Monkey River and observe tropical birds, iguanas, mana tees, crocodiles, and black howler monkeys.
Or you could just just sip a limon fresca and enjoy a siesta.
The choice is yours, from scenic strolls to scuba diving, the Turtle Inn staff will provide the region’s most knowledgeable and trusted guides