Top 3 Tropical Urban Escapes in Belize

by Carolee Chanona

Most people, even dedicated urbanites, need a break now and then from round-the-clock noise of city life. In Belize, tropical escapes in urban settings are seemingly effortless. And with the lowest population density in Latin America and one of the lowest in the world, crowds are one less thing to worry about in Belize. Enjoy the best of tropical and urban delights right at your doorstep with these 3 Belize escapes, offering recreation and natural beauty within reach.

San Ignacio Resort Hotel

San Ignacio Resort Hotel

The balcony at San Ignacio Resort Hotel, overlooking 17 acres of rainforest.

Known as the ‘the only jungle in town’, the hillside location of San Ignacio Resort Hotel on the Macal River in Belize’s Cayo District is an urban escape of your tropical dreams. Centrally located in its namesake town, it’s not often you find a luxury hotel with 17 acres of Belizean rainforest and an on-site iguana conservation project – all while being a short 10-minute walk to the restaurants, bars and shops of San Ignacio. Not to mention, there’s a casino next door. The 26-room accommodations in this family-run resort since 1976 allows travellers to explore the best of both worlds in Belize: lively towns and rainforest adventures.

Ramon’s Village Resort 

Ramon's Grand Suite

Cool, thatched cabanas fill the lush green gardens of Ramon’s Village.

Set within a jungle sanctuary within spirited San Pedro Town, Ramon’s Village Resort is a tropical oasis. With sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea, it’s a 10-minute walk to San Pedro’s shops, restaurants and bars. Additionally, a quick flight to the mainland is just 15 minutes by air. On-site, choose between family-friendly jungle cabanas, cool beachfront thatched bungalows, tropical seaside huts, or colourful colonial-style cottages. Filled with colourful bougainvillea, lilies and hibiscus, Ramon’s offers an enchanted Caribbean experience in the tropics.

Copal Tree Lodge

The definition of agritourism-chic: Copal Tree Lodge is a Jungle Lodge, organic farm, and 12,000 acre nature reserve.

A short 10-minute drive from town lands you in Copal Tree Lodge, a luxury eco-lodge that makes for an excellent base to explore the jungles, rivers and fish-rich waters around Punta Gorda. Expect to be engulfed by the rainforest; the Rio Grande river lies at your feet and howler monkeys call from the trees above. Plus, guests can choose between 17 spacious suites or four signature canopy suites; all of which come with breathless views of the 12,000-acre nature reserve. Two miles on bumpy road in a safari-style car leads to one of Belize’s best tropical, urban escapes.

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