Why Your Next Group Holiday Should Be This Tropical Vacation Rental On This Belize Island

by Larry Waight

If you’re a trend tracker and have often thought about how great it would feel to take a Caribbean vacation with friends and family but the cost of resorts and impersonal nature of these venues has stopped you from getting the ball rolling, you’re not alone. According to travel researchers, one of the biggest trends to come along since lifting COVID-related travel restrictions is vacationing in a private home so well-appointed that guests feel like they’re in a resort, minus the crowds and price tag!

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Welcome to the Caribbean side of Belize. Aerial via Casa Al Mar/Duarte Dellarole

Where to find this idyllic escape? In Belize where the exchange rate is simple, everyone speaks English and nobody in your party will have to deal with jetlag because flights south to this nation’s international airport can take less than three hours. That’s a third of the time it takes to get to Hawaii from the Midwest, and you’ll spend a lot less money coming to Belize.

Where you sojourn makes all the difference

At the tropical rental of Casa Al Mar located on the lush island of St. George’s Caye, everything you seek in an island holiday (and lots of things you didn’t expect!) await your group. Whether this is a family reunion, a company retreat, or a place to commune with your closest friends, this private house hosts up to 16 guests (8 guests minimum) and for the ecologically minded, Casa Al Mar will feel like Valhalla. The house is powered by a combination of solar panels and generators, and it’s located far enough away from other houses to offer an abundance of privacy.

What can you do for fun during your sojourn? A better question would be what can’t you do? From snorkeling and fishing to kayaking and swimming, the Caribbean Sea welcomes everyone in your group and each of them will find exactly the respite they crave; be it days spent in a hammock, walking the beach, or adventuring in the aqua-hued waters, you’re sure to meet every guest’s wish list of things to do.

Don’t lift a finger – unless you want to!

Because this tropical haven has three floors, guests enjoy unfettered access to everything within the home including a private boat that gives your party access to a licensed boat captain plus an assortment of tour activities, some of which are included with your all-inclusive stay. Peek at your options, because the itinerary you build is attached to Casa Al Mar’s all-inclusive package choice.

That stated, the reason most guests choose St. George’s Caye over Caye Caulker and San Pedro can be summed up in one word: Tranquility. There are no shops or eateries on the island and reasonable cellphone service can be iffy. Wi-fi is available – though you can decide not to take advantage of it! And that lack of restaurants won’t concern you because a private chef specializing in exotic cookery will make sure you and your fellow travelers are well fed and supplied with water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and fruit punch throughout your stay.

Every advantage under the sun

Having already determined that your voyage from North America to Belize takes so little time, you’ll want to bring a magazine rather than a book for the flight. On arrival, Casa Al Mar staff will meet you at the airport in Belize City, transport you directly to the dock, and help you board the boat. Next stop: St. George’s Caye. Settle into the digs that are ideally suited to your party’s size and get the lay of the land with a refreshing welcome drink in hand.

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Snorkelign the Belize Barrier Reef. Image courtesy Casa Al Mar/Duarte Dellarole Photography

Explore the private east and west side docks – there’s even a deck to sunbathe on the east side after you unpack at your leisure. After all, everything about your stay, including cleaning services, is taken care of. And because your party will have access to a fully equipped kitchen, large dining room, living room, bar, study, and front balcony with hammocks, finding plenty of private space won’t be a problem for folks who have come to the island as much for community fun as down time.

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How do you like your Belizean cocktail? Ice cold! Image via Casa Al Mar.

We don’t have to tell you that COVID has changed everything about the way we vacation and after a long hiatus away from people you care most about, there is no better way to reunite than at a magical venue where every amenity is at your fingertips, where luxury is redefined and where privacy is prioritized. Share these photos with the folks you intend to invite and be prepared for lots of enthusiasm in addition to the most-asked question of all, “When do we leave?”

All images courtesy Casa Al Mar.

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