Placencia is a favorite for a reason—sun, sea—it has a great vibe! But if you’re looking for something quieter, more personal, and a bit off the beaten path, you might want to check out Exotica Jungle Lodge. Tucked away on a … Read More
Read More
BIG SPRINGBOARD
All details
SEARCHABLE MAP
Get map direction and GPS ways for your NEARBY ACTIVITIES or RELAX PLACES to explore Southern Belize
WHAT TO SEE
Visit national parks and other sites
WHAT TO DO
Diving, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, horsebackriding, etc
WHERE TO EAT
From local cuisine to gourmet meals
Main Points of interest
We are a 25 minutes’ drive to gorgeous beaches and less than one hour drive to the resort towns of Placencia and Hopkins.
Your base of operations
from which to explore Southern Belize
These are easy day trips or half day trips:
🥾 Within a one-hour drive you will also find activities galore!
- Scuba diving, snorkeling
- Mayan ruins
- National Parks (guided only)
- Spice farm tour
- Cacao tour
- Butterfly farm
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Caving
- River | Marine fishing
- Horseback riding
- Tubing
- Zip-lining
- Bowling
- Mini-golf
⛱️ Should you wish to enjoy a beach, we have also arranged access for our guests to a seaside resort only 25-minute drive away.
✔ Your host will be glad to help advise on activities and recommend tour guides!
✔ Dozens of great restaurants – happy to share our favorites!
✔ Experience from 15 years of living and touring Belize at your disposal.
Beach resorts
Activities and Touring
Restaurants
Nearby Shops
Our stay was amazing. Just perfect. Already planning our next trip back!
Amy Johnson
Adventurer
Adventurer Blog
...
Brief summary of Belize
Location Belize is a small country on the east coast of Central America, next to the Caribbean Sea. It is the only official and practically English-speaking country in Central America. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language, followed by … Read More … Read More
Read MoreReviews
We just had an absolutely amazing time in this tropical paradise! The house is incredibly comfortable and spacious, with large, cozy beds and beautifully designed rooms. The décor is breathtaking, with every corner thoughtfully arranged in a tropical style. I couldn’t stop admiring all the stunning artwork and pictures throughout the house!The kitchen was a dream—fully equipped with all the modern amenities you could ask for, making our 10-day stay feel like home. Every room has a fantastic ventilation system, so we barely needed the air conditioning. The natural airflow kept everything cool and fresh.One of the most charming touches was arriving to find gorgeous exotic flower arrangements in both the bathroom and kitchen. It was such a thoughtful, welcoming detail!The absolute highlight of the house was the pool area. It’s incredibly spacious, with plenty of lounge spots to relax in. The pool itself was pristine, always the perfect temperature, making it an ideal spot to unwind at any time of the year. Surrounded by lush gardens filled with vibrant flowers and exotic birds, it felt like a slice of paradise.We were also greeted with a fresh fruit basket upon arrival, which was delicious and a lovely touch. Chalet, our guide, took us on a tour of the garden, and he was excellent! He gave us such an insightful, enjoyable walk through the property, showing off all the natural beauty it had to offer.Les, the host, provided an incredibly detailed guidebook with recommendations for the best restaurants, activities, and attractions in the area. Even though we were nestled in the heart of the jungle, Placencia was just a quick 30-minute drive away, so we were able to easily explore the Caribbean coast as well.In short, this place was pure magic. If you ever get the chance, don’t hesitate—stay in this paradise. It’s an unforgettable experience!
This is the type of place that AirBnB was designed for! The rental offers an absolutely unique and pleasurable experience. If you care about what you eat, then this is like renting a hacienda with a pool in the Garden of Eden.Each morning the hosts brought us a variety of exotic fruits and veggies straight from their trees, plants, and vines. I recognized many. Some were absolutely new to us, like “apple bananas” which might bring me back to Belize just to have them again. We also had things like fresh coconut water from actual coconuts every morning.Les and Julia were exceptional hosts! They were very attentive. Les fulfilled each and every request we had. He did a grocery shopping and stocked up our fridge with food. He was very responsive and resourceful. He organized a monkey river tour for us at half the price with an experienced guide. He provided detailed information about the area, things to do and explore, suggested best restaurants and offered to make reservations. He was “on call” for us 24/7. We couldn’t ask for more.Most afternoons we were out exploring or playing in the pool, which is brand new and gorgeous. Sometimes, we’d walk the trail into the jungle or explore the plantation. I had to pinch myself at times that this was real.At night, we would cook our own dinner, sometimes using the new grill out on the deck. The stars and planets are extra clear out here. For dinner out, we would drive 10-15 mins away and eat at Happy Ranch, which has a full menu and a friendly staff. There is also a Taco place nearby in the same little town that my boys loved. We had many lunches there.There are many things to do from the plantation. We did the following: the Monkey River jungle cruise (45 mins away), a day at the beach (20 mins), and Zip-lining + river tubing + ATV riding (30 mins). There are a lot of options out there. We also explored Independencia and another smaller town, which are off the beaten track and offer a glimpse of the non-touristed Belize. Everybody was very welcoming.We left after 5 nights to head up to San Ignacio. We wish we had stayed a total of 10 nights at the plantation. We would definitely come back.The only negatives I can think of:
1) There is a cell tower nearby, but we forgot about that once we settled in.
2) The No-See-Ums bugs are a pain. Bug spray keeps them away.P.S. The photos do not do this place justice. The size is not captured well. Things are bigger and more spread out in person.
One couldn’t ask for a more beautiful serene place to just sit back relax,read a book,walk the gorgeous grounds of this pristine62 acre estate, or take a dip in the lovely waterfall pool after a day of sightseeing. Just a short drive to Hopkins or Placencia Village and excursionsThe porch swing is a great place to listen to the birds in the early morning while eating the freshly picked fruit provided daily.Les and Julia have gone beyond in making their place feel like home and treating you like family. The well appointed kitchen provides you with everything you need and the comfortable beds are a definite plus for any air bnb. Plenty of room inside and out for a family or large group makes it so inviting.Once you’ve been, you will long to return.
