A Diver's Paradise in Belize, Las Terrazas Resort

Island getaway a short flight from Belize City, with townhouse-style digs just steps from a white sand beach

The Look

A short flight from Belize City to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye — the only real town on Belize’s largest island — it’s a 10-minute boat ride across the blue Caribbean water to the dock at Las Terrazas. Rows of oversize lounge chairs, kayaks and Hobie Cats line the wide expanse of beach, with the Mediterranean-modern buildings of the main resort just beyond the palm trees.

Bed and Bath

All 37 rooms are housed in low-rise whitewashed buildings that overlook the beach and dock, or the 70-foot lap pool, which is dotted with semi-submerged lounge chairs. Room layouts vary throughout the property, but some are split-level, with a living room (complete with two sofas and a flat-screen TV), a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen and a kingsize bedroom upstairs. Although the look is decidedly modern — lots of sleek black and white — Belizean artwork on the walls and colorful furnishings add some local flair. The large, furnished terraces overlooking the resort grounds are welcome spots for afternoon sun worship in private.

Beyond

For a boutique hotel, Las Terrazas offers myriad water sports and outdoor activities, from diving and snorkeling excursions to the Blue Hole and Shark Ray Alley (there’s an on-site PADI five-star dive shop), to bike tours and horseback riding in Bacab Eco Park. Meals are served in the chic O restaurant, which has a high-ceilinged dining room and a breezy terrace overlooking the pool. The menu has an international bent (pizza, pasta, wraps and Mexican favorites), fresh fish dishes and Belizean classics. Opt for the typically Belizean fry jacks in place of toast at breakfast — they’re especially good with butter, honey and the strong coffee.

In the Area

In addition to the resort’s O Restaurant, the island has many fine eateries such as Palmilla Restaurant, Wild Mango's, Caliente,Blue Water Grill and Red Ginger in San Pedro and Rojo and Mambo Restaurant to the north of the resort. For a fascinating history lesson, head to Laminai  (the submerged crocodile) on the New River, a temple complex surrounded by dense rainforest that's filled with wildlife. The resort’s concierge can also arrange diving, snorkeling and fishing trips to Hol Chan Marine Preserve, Shark Ray Alley, the Blue Hole and more.