Belize’s shadowy jungle mystique — with its Maya temple mysteries, roaming howler monkeys and jaguars, warm rivers, and miles-deep caves — is harmonized by its easterly Caribbean waters, rich and (mostly) friendly marine life, and sandy resort-speckled cayes. What it lacks in square footage — Belize’s mainland is just 170 miles long, slightly larger than Massachusetts — the tiny independent country makes up for in geographical diversity.
Photo: Courtesy of Muy'Ono Resorts
From Jungle Treehouses to Island Villas, These 3 Resorts Capture Belize's Best
A swift two-hour direct flight from Miami or Houston makes the English-speaking Central American nation an easy pick for a warm-weather vacation. Anytime of year is a tropical treat, but you can beat the holiday and spring-break crush if you visit Belize outside of December, January, and March. My October visit saw short jungle afternoon rain showers and comfortable coastal temperatures in the high 80s, with bountiful sunshine and Caribbean breezes.
Sweet Songs Belize Jungle Lodge Photo: Courtesy of Muy'Ono Resorts
Thatch Caye Resort Photo: Courtesy of Muy'Ono Resorts
Royal Belize Photo: Courtesy of Muy'Ono Resorts
I spent five days exploring a trio of Muy’Ono Resorts properties, spanning from jungle, to beach, to private island. The Austin, Texas-based brand hosts “the largest collection of independent hotels in Belize,” with a total of eight properties that cater to curious and discerning travelers seeking a hassle-free getaway. Muy’Ono has curated all-inclusive vacation packages with names like Sea-to-Tree and Rock-to-Reef for travelers craving a bit of both scenes, so you can hop from a rainforest setting to an overwater bungalow or secluded island — like I did.
All three of beautifully branded and sustainably focused resorts I visited delivered countless pinch-me moments, anchored by land and water adventures and real-deal Belizean culture. And for an added, feel-good bonus, I learned that a portion of every night’s stay with Muy’Ono supports a Belizean non-profit organization. Since 2018, Muy’Ono Resorts has donated approximately half a million dollars to local communities through its Travel Better initiative.
Here’s how to find the right Muy’Ono property for you.
For jungle adventurers: Sweet Songs Belize Jungle Lodge
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
At Sweet Songs Belize Jungle Lodge, six perfectly perched adults-only treehouses set guests up for full forest immersion while a garden house and nine casitas dot tropical-flower-lined pathways. Absorbing the chirps and lullabies of native bugs and birds (and the occasional Jurassic screech of distant howler monkeys) brought me into a deep connection with nature during my stay. I found sanctuary in the eco-lodge’s outdoor soaking tubs, suspended net lounges, and wide jungle views from my private deck and the resort’s secluded riverside beach.
At mealtimes, I lingered over the all-inclusive breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinner package, savoring bites in the open-air Treehouse Bar and relishing in the fact that most of the seasonal ingredients had been carefully sourced from Muy’Ono Farms in the nearby Cayo district. It was comforting knowing that the resort chefs and farm manager had worked hand in hand to build my plate of free-range eggs, mango, rice, and beans, with creamy splashes of coconut milk and puffed-up fry jacks (a Belizean breakfast staple that’s similar to a beignet and ideal for scooping up silky whipped beans or luscious local honey).
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
Sweet Songs also organizes guided adventures that allow guests to get a closer look at Cayo and the areas surrounding the lodge. One day, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into an excursion van on a journey past fields of grazing cattle and horses and through tunneled tangles of vine and palm to arrive at the legendary Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. Life vests and head-lamp-mounted helmets donned, my brave group navigated the sacred cave’s vast network of underground chambers, witnessing Maya sacrifice tombs and oh-so-carefully stepping around the living museum’s calcified skulls.
On days when guided horseback riding and Macal River tubing excursions weren’t on my wishlist, I preferred to cool off at the lodge in the verdantly wrapped infinity-edged pool with a dark rum, pineapple, and mint-laced signature Birds of Paradise cocktail and a good book. Either way, from handing out chilled eucalyptus towels, to providing helpful walking directions to the neighboring botanical gardens, to pointing out night hike bats and tapirs, the Sweet Songs staff ensured that I always felt safe, spoiled, and welcomed — like family.
For island lovers: Thatch Caye Resort
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
Allowing me to be barefoot and blissed out for my entire stay, mile-long island Thatch Caye quenched a longtime thirst of mine to experience Maldives overwater bungalow living (minus the 20-plus-hour flight to South Asia). A smiling welcome party — including the island’s house pups, Marley and Pico — met my group’s private boat taxi on the resort’s dock with shots of Copalli rum and cool glasses of fresh watermelon juice. Six cruiser bikes sat on standby, ensuring easy flow from one end of the 11-acre private playground to the other.
Tranquil days brimmed with kayaking and paddleboarding around the island looking for stingrays and nurse sharks (puppies of the sea, I was informed), yoga on the overwater serenity point palapa, and frequent dips into the calm Caribbean waters. The resort’s personalized wellness activity menu meant options were always on tap, and since Thatch Caye tops out at 30 guests, easygoing invites to join new friends for a night snorkel were comfortably common.
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
I accepted the invitation to grab a frosty Belikin beer from the help-yourself beach cooler, kicking back in a hammock swaying between two sturdy palm trees. Afternoon slumber came easily while waves lapped beneath the pristine row of 15 overwater bungalows and oceanfront cabanas. The private island offered chances for connection over long, communal dinner tables, ocean swings, and a buzzy overwater bar. I leaned into shared stories about what a couple from New York saw on their scuba outing, and we cheered as a repeat guest from Texas embarked on her lobster-hunting excursion, all secretly hoping she’d return with a hefty haul for Thatch Caye chefs to grill into a buttery delicacy for dinner later that night.
For ultimate luxury: Royal Belize
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
Nothing says vacation extravagance like an all-inclusive private island with a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio. Royal Belize is a short boat ride from Dangriga and accommodates only one group of 16 at a time. I felt like a celebrity wrapped in secluded exclusivity, settling into my luxury villa and strolling the serene 7.5-acre private island. Mindful details set up every moment for ultimate comfort — cookie jars stocked daily with fresh-baked Belizean goodies, a private chef and mixologist at the ready, hammocks and lounge chairs at every turn, and an impressive cache of water toys to call on whenever the urge struck.
A knowledgeable guide showed me the ropes on a four-person Hobie Wave catamaran, and a smooth stand-up paddle board jaunt revealed orange starfish hugging the sea floor. Royal Belize rests on the edge of the second largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef. A guided snorkeling excursion allowed an unforgettable swim with graceful nurse sharks, stingrays, barracudas, angelfish, and parrotfish. Another outing put my novice flippers to the test while I followed the Belizean guide down, spear in-hand, to prod the colorful coral for lobsters.
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
Back on the island in the grand thatched palapa, the most thoughtful servers shook martinis and poured wine, ringing a mini gong to announce each delectable chef-inspired dinner course. Memorable bites included mushroom risotto, blackened snapper with an ancho chile sauce, lamb chops Milanese, and, of course, our freshly speared lobster tails expertly grilled and poached.
The stress-free island retreat and dedicated concierge service redefined hospitality and took relaxation to a new level. Once the sun settled on the sea-meets-sky horizon in a fiery orange and pink blaze, and Champagne flutes were sipped dry, warm nights ended around the firepit, necks craned from lounge chairs pointing out vivid constellations over the island’s far-reaching tip, appropriately named Land’s End.
How to get to Muy’Ono Resorts
Photo: Courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts
A handful of major airlines fly into Belize City International Airport (BZE), with direct flights offered from US cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Miami. Once in Belize, Muy’Ono Resorts offers guests a 14-passenger tour van option from the airport to Dangriga or Hopkins, or a short commuter flight to their resort destination, along with private boat taxis to Thatch Caye and Royal Belize islands. 