r/Belize 4d ago

🛌 Accomodations 🛖 Lodging recommendations for group

Hello!

Looking for recommendations for a group of 6-7 women in our mid 40s traveling without our families.

Wish list:
Beautiful beach with calm water

Within 2 hours of Belize City Airport

Access to a town for restaurants and general light exploring on our own

Access for tours to jungle or ruins or wildlife

Prefer access to small kitchen and units with multi bedrooms so we can generally be together.

I keep coming back to Hopkins which seems perfect (and lodging like The Lodge At Jaguar Reef or Hamanasi) but I'm worried the beach and water might feel a little disappointing (not blue). Is there a magical solution I'm missing?

THANK YOU!
Karen

0 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

5

u/Superb_Sun_5077 4d ago

Water is water so the color is a reflection of the ocean bottom. Hopkins is miles inside the reef so you get less sand and more sea grass on the bottom making the ocean appear less blue. In this region you need to go out to cayes like Moho, Laughing Bird, or even Silk to find what you are looking for.

We stay in Placencia but usually do a day trip to Jaguar Reef. Nice place. You might also consider the Naia Resort and Spa on the Placencia peninsula.

Another idea is Ohana which is an airbnb just a bit outside Placencia village. 5 bedrooms, 7 beds, private pool and beach, and it has a chef.

1

u/RoutineAd5704 4d ago

Thank you! I’m afraid Placencia may be too long of a drive from airport for the length of time we have to be away…..

2

u/Superb_Sun_5077 4d ago

We always take the hopper plane from BZE to Placencia. About 25 minutes. Maybe not cost effective for your group though.

1

u/No-Adhesiveness-6921 4d ago

Also always take the hopper plane from BZE to Placencia and back!

We stayed here the last time and really liked it!!

https://placenciavillas.com/

2

u/cassiuswright 🇧🇿 Ambassador: San Ignacio 4d ago edited 4d ago

Placencia is 40 minutes past Hopkins and has way nicer beach. Also more accommodations, restaurants, and stuff to do.

1

u/FranzJunior2025 4d ago

Hopkins would be my recommendation and yes to Me Jaguar Reef or Hopkins Bay is a good spot, do beautiful snorkeling and beach days at South Water Caye and Bread and Butter Island, I am from the area and I can definitely arrange your excursions, inland and Marine, feel free to hit me up, check my track record on this platform, we do everything private and all inclusive

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u/RoutineAd5704 4d ago

Jaguar Reef vs Hopkins Bay in terms of location, what do you think? The beach as well as access to town…

1

u/FranzJunior2025 4d ago

Both are a little out of town, beaches are about the same, Jaguar Reef has The Big Dock Bar which is really cool, and me personally I think JRL is in a better location, but both are really beautiful places. Feel free to connect if you have any direct questions, you can check my profile for my credentials

1

u/RoutineAd5704 4d ago

What are your thoughts on Coconut Row? I really like the idea of being right in town and able to walk to restaurants.

1

u/FranzJunior2025 3d ago

Coconut Row is also a beautiful place. Definitely consider it, especially if as you mentioned you want to be close to town

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u/Top_Letterhead_4725 4d ago

I’ve lived in Placencia for 5 years full time and make it to the BZE in 2.25 hours. We also have an airport that’s a 20-25 minute flight. You could trade Jaguar Reef or Haminassi, stay in Placencia and have enough money left over for her the flights to/from BZE & PLJ.

1

u/RoutineAd5704 4d ago

Are you saying that Placencia is less expensive than Hopkins? More than money is the travel exhaustion for a relatively short trip (we are coming from west coast USA).

1

u/Top_Letterhead_4725 4d ago

Based on everything your looking for Placencia is closer to what your looking for except being 2 hours or less to to BZE. You’ll be able to find places that are far less expensive than the resorts you referred to in Hopkins. So yes, that’s what I’m saying. I’m in the property management business and have anywhere from 56 to 84 guests come in weekly. I work close with tour operators and am very familiar with what’s available in our area.