How far would you travel for a margarita? If you’re a ‘parrot head’, then your answer should be, “to another country.” With National Margarita Day celebrated on February 22, we’re reflecting on the well-crafted cocktail. Tequila, lime, a touch of orange: the Margarita is a perfect mixture, with or without salt. Three simple ingredients transport you to some seclusion from the world in the form of a beachy escape or an island, for blissful beach bumming. And often, it’s a state of mind. With my first sip, I picture salt spray and a glowing orange slice melting into a warm horizon ahead. And by the last sip, I start relating to Jimmy Buffett—the song “Margaritaville” forever solidified his persona as the king of the beach bums. In fact, it only took seven years between the release of “Margaritaville” the song (1977) to the opening of Margaritaville the restaurant (1984). Now, I can picture myself on the beaches of Northern Ambergris Caye, where ‘island time’ starts the second you step into the boat transfer to Margaritaville Beach Villa Resort in Belize.
It’s 5’Oclock Somewhere
The tropics-themed hospitality empire inspired by one of Jimmy Buffett’s most popular songs is escapism personified, and one is opening on the Caribbean Sea-lapped coast of Northern Ambergris Caye in late 2022. Margaritaville Beach Villa Resort found 13 miles north of San Pedro Town will have amenities like a 10-seater swim-up bar, pickleball court, dog-friendly park, and 500 feet of beachfront property. It’s also one of the only resorts on Ambergris Caye that’s closest to the Belize Barrier Reef—the second largest in the world—and borders the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. Here, the Caribbean Sea sits practically at your feet. 
But what sets Belize’s Margaritaville Beach Villa Resort apart is the opportunity of owning a condominium within the resort, making it a turn-key property that’s fully managed. Instead, owners can enjoy ‘changes in latitude’ as second homeowners in Belize while earning passive income when away.
Onsite, there’s a lush feeling of space: ten acres spread out ahead of you with 155 units as one-, two-, and three-bedroom fully-furnished rooms. It’s an island oasis that almost insinuates a private island feel—echoed by the private boat transfer from San Pedro Town that, yes, included 2 dolphin escorts for our site visit.
And the resort comes ready and standard to the branded Margaritaville concept too; modern design, Margaritaville bedding (which includes discrete parrots embedded within the white linens), oversized bathrooms with rainfall showers, smart TVs, and a soon-to-be signature Margaritaville Provisions grab-and-go retail store.
Discovering a Change in Latitude with Belize
On a discovery tour, Property Manager Mike Fields of The James Group takes care of your flight to Ambergris Caye from Belize’s International Airport (BZE), overnight accommodation in San Pedro Town, all meals, and the Margaritaville Property Tour & Island Tour by boat, with a Snorkel Tour to Belize’s Barrier Reef for an all-inclusive price of US$799 per person. Margaritaville Beach Villa Resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize is set to debut in Winter 2022.
So until you can relish with one on-the-rocks or frozen while poolside overlooking the Belize Barrier Reef at Margaritaville Beach Villa Resort, we’re leaving you with the perfect Margaritaville Classic Margarita recipe. After all, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere—National Margaritaville Day or not.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gold tequila (Cuervo Especial)
- ½ ounce tequila (Cuervo Silver Especial)
- ½ ounce triple sec
- 1 splash orange Curacao
- 1¼ ounces lime juice
Instructions
If you would like to salt the rims of your glasses, simply run a juicy lime wedge around the rims and then dip the rims in coarse Kosher salt. Set the glasses aside until ready to use. Shake all ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice until cold, and pour over (fresh) crushed ice in the rimmed glasses. Enjoy!
