Hacienda-Style Beach Resort with Marina and Dive Center

Just off the Belizean coast lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest reef, which stretches from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras’s Bay Islands. From Robert’s Grove Beach Resort in the Belize town of Placencia, those looking to plunge down 100-feet channels and swim past gorgonian coral and schools of fish can start their adventure at the resort’s own marina and dive school. With free rentals of kayaks, surfboards, and snorkel gear, the resort encourages guests to discover the Caribbean on their own, but also offers snorkeling tours and guided visits to nearby Mayan ruins and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

The hacienda-style resort sits on 22 acres of white sand right on the coast. Sunflower-yellow walls create a sunny feel inside the classic vista rooms, complemented by furniture crafted from native woods, woven rugs, and original artwork. The classic family room has similar amenities, but its larger size and separate bedroom makes it better for four-person families.

Two onsite restaurants overlook the Caribbean. Seaside Restaurant serves upscale dishes that Travel + Leisure called “some of Belize’s best cuisine,” while the Habanero Mexican Café & Bar is a casual place to order a margarita or a pitcher of sangria. For more dining options, borrow bikes from the resort and pedal into the downtown area where you’ll find several traditional restaurants cooking Belizean rice with beans.

Placencia, Belize: Resort Town in an Unspoiled Forest

Belize has designated more than 40% of the country as protected parks and wildlife reserves. This unspoiled land presents opportunities for a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and diving. Along the coast, the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world, spans 185 miles and brims with reef sharks, loggerhead turtles, and moray eels.

A day trip to Dangriga, the second-largest town in southern Belize and about 90 minutes north of Placencia, will help to demystify traditional Creole, Mestizo, and Mayan cultures. Dangriga is the birthplace of punta rock, a lively percussion-heavy musical style with some calypso influence. Ask around town about the few dance clubs where you might catch a live show, or at the very least, a cold Belikin beer.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.