Turtle Inn – Belize, Central America

October 5, 2010 | Featured Article, Home, Travel | Share |

Luxury And Unspoiled Beauty On A Pristine White-Sand Beach

Turtle Inn is a true labor of love. Less than a year after Francis and Eleanor Coppola acquired this beachside refuge in 2001, it was swept out to sea by the forces of Hurricane Iris. Turning disaster into triumph, the Coppolas led a two-year reclamation project, creating a magnificent resort that is consistently ranked among the best in Central and South America.

Chinese Matrimonial Suite

Are we allowed to love it all? The brightly coloured hammocks slung between slanted palm trees, Balinese-style beach huts capped in thick thatch, and the sun-sparkled waters of the Caribbean add up to a blissful, blue-sky paradise. All of Turtle Inn’s villas and cottages are roomy and boast rustic Balinese decor, but for sheer romantic grandeur, the Chinese Matrimonial Suite is the hands-down winner, with a tranquil setting steps from the sea and a 200-year-old hand-carved four-poster fertility bed.

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Honeymoon Cottages

Steps from a beautiful stretch of beach and the Caribbean Sea, this honeymoon hideaway features Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, a private walled garden with outdoor shower, screened porch and a private bathroom with Japanese bath.

Situated on a stunning white sand beach, our private, beautifully-appointed suites are the perfect romantic hideaway. Unwind beneath shady palms, enjoy the warm Caribbean Sea, or relax beside our swimming pool. This all-inclusive package also features delicious meals in one of our three acclaimed restaurants, rejuvenating couples spa treatments and a pair of exciting adventures exploring the magnificent surroundings of Placencia.

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You’re spoiled for choice in terms of feasting – The Mare restaurant serves up classic Italian dishes and pizza from a wood-fired oven, there’s succulent, char-grilled seafood at the beachfront Gauguin Grill, or Auntie Luba’s traditional Belizean cuisine. Mariachi bands and Garifuna dancers perform weekly. Where to drink will also be a matter of deliberation – the Laughing Fish beside the pool is a laid-back beach bar with a barefoot, sand-floored vibe and the Skip White, attached to the Mare restaurant, is a little more formal, with Coppola’s own wine labels and an array of lime-spiked rum cocktails.

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Map

Things To Do

Local Restaurants

Walk alond the beach front to Placencia village and you’ll come upon De Tatch (+501 523 4011), a popular, laid-back eaterie serving fresh fish and key lime pie. Also in Placencia, Mexican pueblo-style diner Wendy’s is good for Caribbean snacks and latin soap operas.

Local Bars

The Barefoot Beach Bar in Placencia is always buzzing and serves some tasty cocktails.

Worth Getting Out Of Bed For

In Placencia, you can collect wooden handicrafts such as the distinctive ziricote animal masks, jaguar sculptures and coconut mermaids from little stalls along the sandy sidewalk.

Exploring The Underwater World

The Caribbean’s largest barrier reef lies just offshore from Turtle Inn, offering divers a magnificent diversity of coral and marine life to explore. In addition, a number of easily accessible cayes (tiny islands) have their own reefs and underwater ecosystems, cementing Belize’s reputation as one of the world’s great scuba destinations.