Beachfront sanctuary with thatched-roof casitas, treetop bar, spa





Ambergris Caye, 5 Miles North, San Pedro, Belize Get directions
"The 'private by nature' tagline of Matachica Resort & Spa, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, feels supremely fitting for this secluded sanctuary by the water. Thatched-roof casitas set directly on the sand feel like an instant invitation to unwind at one of Belize's best all-inclusive resorts. All that tranquility is met by bold Caribbean flavors at Mambo and happy hours at Danny's Bar, wrapped around one of the property's old-growth trees." - Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, and content marketer. She is an expert on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, as she lived and worked in four different countries in that region. Carley founded the digital travel publications Loosely Local and Home to Havana. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Nestled on Ambergris Caye, this resort is a luxe, seaside retreat where guests often spend time relaxing in thatched-roof casitas or villas, lounging in hammocks, and enjoying cocktails with ocean views from a popular tree-top bar. It caters to snorkelers and divers with complimentary snorkel gear and kayaks, a reef just offshore, and the ability to arrange boat excursions to marine sites such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve—home to a rich diversity of fish and coral—making it a favored base for exploring Belize’s barrier reef." - Sarah Bruning Sarah Bruning Sarah Bruning is the special projects and surveys editor at Travel + Leisure, where she has been on staff since 2018. She assigns stories across the magazine, primarily for the Experiences section and feature well. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A secluded, 'private by nature' beachfront sanctuary featuring thatched-roof casitas set directly on the sand for an immediate sense of relaxation. The property blends tranquil accommodations with bold Caribbean flavors at its restaurant and a lively, music-driven happy hour at a treetop bar built around an old-growth tree." - Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, and content marketer. She is an expert on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, as she lived and worked in four different countries in that region. Carley founded the digital travel publications Loosely Local and Home to Havana. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A beachfront resort that offers curated culinary experiences, including an intimate Captain’s Table five-course dinner for eight guests hosted by rotating resort team members, designed to showcase local ingredients and provide a true taste of Belizean cuisine." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"For more luxury options, you can also stay just north of Caye Caulker on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island, where the chic casitas of Matachica Resort & Spa and Victoria House Resort & Spa await." - Travel + Leisure Editors