The Resort and Rooms, Turtle Inn

Southern Belize

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Building on their achievements at the spectacular jungle retreat Blancaneaux, Francis and Eleanor Ford Coppola acquired this beach-side refuge in 2001, creating a magnificent resort that’s consistently ranked among the best in Central and South America.

So many activities are on your doorstep at Turtle Inn: submerge yourself in the some of the best scuba diving in the world, hike to hidden lagoons, canoe up the Monkey River or ride a bike to nearby Placencia, AB’s favorite fishing village.  In Placencia, go native with the sleepy Caribbean vibe and hang out with locals for a game of dominoes, or up the style ante at a handful of unique, upscale and creative establishments.

Turtle Inn’s facilities and amenities include a pristine white sand beach, two infinity pools, two restaurants, beach bar, spa, dive shop, gift store and a ‘no adults allowed’ kids’ gelato bar. Take our word for it, Turtle Inn is a special place and has a sense of magic about it.

Turtle Inn is a perfect outpost to explore all the gems of the region.

Facilities include:

  • A postcard perfect white sand beach, with luxury hardwood loungers and sun shades.
  • Two infinity pools – one is located between the Mare Restaurant and the Laughing Fish Bar and the other, with its striking ceramic turtle tiling, is located to the north of the property, conveniently close to the Gauguin Grill.
  • A gift shop, featuring an assortment of items that are used throughout the resort, such as Balinese hanging textiles, handcrafted decor items, sarongs, tabletop linens and more. It’s a great way to take a little piece of Turtle Inn back home with you.
  • Set in an open-air Balinese Rice House and featuring hand-painted murals inspired by ancient art, the Sunset Spa boasts Turtle Inn’s best views of Placencia Lagoon. The spa specializes in traditional Thai massage and all treatments use locally-sourced organic ingredients.
  • A dive shop offers scuba diving and snorkelling as well as a wide range of PADI certification courses for both the beginner and more experienced.
  • A ‘no adults allowed’ kids gelato bar features hanging Chinese lanterns, plenty of open space and superb ice cream, making this a favorite hangout for children of all ages.

For tours and adventures, Turtle Inn offers something for all interest and activity levels, using professional and knowledgeable guides. The all-encompassing list of things to do includes:

  • Diving and snorkelling
  • Fishing
  • Sunset cruises
  • Biking
  • Excursions to ancient Mayan cities
  • Visits to wildlife sanctuaries
  • Jungle river expeditions

The Beach House

The Beach House is a modernist-tropical hideaway, tucked away and just steps from the ocean, comprising an open-plan main house and two guest bungalows.  The house shares the beach and all the luxury amenities of Turtle Inn, yet is private enough to create the sense you’re in your own luxury villa – a stylish and soothing getaway.

The Family Pavilion

This exclusive Balinese-inspired pavilion is located at the southern edge of the property, surrounded on three sides by a high walled garden. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a third loft bedroom. The Pavilion features antique hand-carved wooden doorways and detailing, stone sculptures, and artwork selected by Francis and Eleanor Coppola, creating that personal touch.  Between the two bedrooms is a living area and screened porch with comfortable sofas, writing desk and wet bar area with Delonghi espresso machine and fridge. Overlooking the private pool is an open air, thatch-roofed dining terrace with unbroken views over the beach to the Caribbean Sea. The Pavilion also has a full time attendant to anticipate your every need.

Seafront Villas and Sea View Villas

Carefully placed on a beautiful stretch of Caribbean Sea, these Balinese themed 2-bedroom/2-bathroom beachfront and beach view villas provide luxurious proportions with a living room, separate sitting rooms, and an extended screened porch surrounded by a private walled garden with outdoor shower.

Garden-View Villas

Nestled in the tropical gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, these 2-bedroom/2-bath villas feature a large living room, separated seating areas and an extended screened porch. Each is surrounded by private walled garden with outdoor shower.

Honeymoon Cottages

Steps from the Caribbean Sea, across a beautiful stretch of beach, these honeymoon hideaways feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, private walled gardens with outdoor showers, screened porches and a private bathroom with deep Japanese baths.

Seafront Cottages and Sea View Cottages

Either beachfront or with beach views, these cottages feature a private garden with outdoor showers, screened porches and bathrooms with Japanese baths.

Garden View Cottages

Positioned in the lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, each Garden View cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with Japanese bath, and private walled garden with outdoor shower.

Lagoon Bungalow

Enjoy complete privacy in the comfort of a handcrafted, nautically-themed cottage set on the shores of the Placencia Lagoon. Features include a full kitchen, an expansive living room and bedroom as well as a private pool and deck offering spectacular views of the sunset.

Poolside Seaview Cottages

With views of the Caribbean, each poolside cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathrooms with Japanese bath, and private walled garden with outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.

Fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking come together at Turtle Inn’s flagship ‘The Mare Restaurant’. Local fish is brought in daily from the reefs just offshore and fresh vegetables are delivered from the resort’s own organic garden.

The beachfront ‘Gauguin Grill’ features fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood including lobster, jumbo shrimp and snapper all served on woven plates accompanied by a choice of Balinese-inspired sauces and spices.

Named after the charismatic original owner of Turtle Inn, the ‘Skip White Bar’ displays antique microscopes used by Skip and his Marine Biology students.

Venturing out into Placencia village, AB has some top pics of places not to miss.  For a rustic beach setting, serving local treats including freshly caught fish dinners, seafood gumbo and the completely addictive coconut shrimp, head to ‘De Tatch’ seafood restaurant, located right in the sand on the Placencia beach.  For more upscale surroundings, a fun crowd and innovative creations (lobster flatbread, seafood mac n cheese, divine ginger mojitos) head to Rumfish Y Vino, located opposite the soccer pitch. And we can’t leave out the adorable Secret Garden, set in a bohemian garden oasis in the center of the village. The owners hail from the culinary world of San Francisco and serve well-executed local and international dishes using the freshest local produce.

If you’re in the mood for some banter, head to Yoli’s Bar, in front of the Paradise Resort.  Yoli herself is an entertaining host and serves the feistiest bloody mary in Placencia.  The bar has a regular crowd of locals and long standing expats, making a popular spot for a sundowner.

Rates start from US $319 per night for a Garden View Cottage to $3,129 per night for The Beach House, plus 9% tax and 10% service charge are applied. Rates vary according to time of year.

Please contact us for room availability and more detailed pricing.

Please view our booking terms.

 

Without Exception, Outstanding! – “Without exception, the staff at Turtle Inn has been outstanding.  All have been friendly and knowledgeable. Ragner was frequently our server and he was exceptional. Francis was our guide at Cockscomb and he was extremely knowledgeable re flora and fauna. The entire boat staff that escorted us on the snorkel was terrific and knowledgeable. It was a delightful excursion. We try to patronize eco-friendly establishments. Turtle Inn uses efficient lighting and teaches about conservation of the reef”. Nancy and William F of Austin, Texas

Turtle Inn is Paradise – “Dive shop – the excursion guides are very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our stay. Turtle Inn is paradise! We loved the relaxation of not having TV. Our children did not miss TV at all. They loved playing the board games – how thoughtful of you. You have the greatest staff ever. They are very friendly and attentive”. Mark and Rhonda H of Abindon, Virginia