Turtle Inn

Stann Creek District, Belize

Refined, unspoiled beauty on a white-sand beach.

Who recently checked in

Property Overview

Francis Ford Coppola's seafront hideaway, located in Placencia, Belize, is a perfect resort to combine with the Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize for a ridge-to-reef experience. Turtle Inn is a private, secluded, and intimate escape with an ideal location to explore all water activities from snorkeling and diving to paddle boarding, sailing, and of course, hammock time. The dwellings range from stylish one-bedroom thatched-roof cottages to multi-bedroom villas, enjoyed by couples seeking romance, families, and those seeking adventure. The thoughtful layout, with a family pool, adults-only pool, and five dining venues, allows all guests to spread out comfortably. Belize features the second-largest barrier reef in the world, so it remains a top destination for diving and snorkeling; PADI certification is available on-site along with dozens of other local cultural and adventure experiences, including waterfalls, hikes, zip-lining, Maya ruin explorations, monkey sightings on Monkey River, chocolate making, and world-class birdwatching. The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed with a close attention to detail in the design of the accommodations and a reputation for warm, inviting service from the local and engaging staff. Amenities are plentiful.

VIEW MORE

SmartFlyer Exclusives

  • Early check in and late check out: subject to availability
  • Upgrade at check in – subject to availability
  • Full breakfast for up to two per bedroom, daily
  • USD 100 Tour Credit only (not applicable/transferable to meals, beverages, transfers, spa treatments, other incidentals) – per room, once per stay.)

VIEW MORE

Agent Tips

  • Hop on a complimentary bicycle and head into Placencia Village to enjoy local artisan shops and dining spots.
Accommodations

Just steps from the clear Caribbean Sea.

This twenty-five-room seafront escape delights you with individual thatched cottages, decorated with handcrafted Balinese furnishings, naturally cooled by the ever-present sea breezes. Just steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean Sea.
Pool + Gym

To infinity and beyond.

Turtle Inn has two infinity swimming pools, including an oval-shaped infinity pool highlighted by views of the sea, which is enjoyed by all guests, and the triangular infinity pool, which is available to adults only.
Spa

Specializing in traditional Thai massage.

Set in an open-air Balinese Rice House featuring hand-painted murals inspired by ancient art, the Sunset Spa relaxes those who’ve spent a full day touring, swimming, snorkeling, and diving. All treatments use locally sourced organic ingredients. At the request of the Coppolas, this Belize spa hideaway specializes in traditional Thai massage, practiced by a professional staff that has studied these ancient techniques at the Sacred Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok.
Restaurant + Bar

A different dining experience every night of your stay.

From authentic Italian cuisine to local seafood and traditional Belizean fare, Turtle Inn offers a wide variety of dining options. With four restaurants on-site, you can delight in a different dining experience each night of your stay. Mare Restaurant offers fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking, and on Monday and Thursday evenings, a traditional Dutch Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner is served. Gauguin Grill is the beachfront restaurant, featuring fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood. Dine on the beach, under the starry night sky, with a fantastic view of the offshore cayes. Auntie Luba's kitchen overlooks the calm, shallow waters of Placencia Lagoon, where regional fare is served. The Pizzeria is located in the organic garden, where expert pizza makers serve up Napoli-style pizzas out of a wood-burning oven.

Named after the charismatic original owner of Turtle Inn, the Skip White Bar displays antique microscopes used by Skip and his marine biology students. This open-air bar offers an excellent selection of drink options throughout the day and into the evening, and is an ideal place to chat about the day’s adventures over a glass of wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery or a Belize-brewed beer. Just steps from the sparkling infinity pool, a towering thatch roof provides a shady retreat in which to enjoy a wide selection of drinks at the Laughing Fish Bar. Bar stools sit directly on the golden-sand beach, offering panoramic views over the sea to the offshore cayes (tiny islands). You may even catch your bartender preparing your cocktail in a coconut, picked from the palms above.
  • Vibe
    The atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxed, laid-back, but elevated, with close attention to details, and warm, inviting service from the local, engaging staff.
  • Who's it for?
    We're smitten with Turtle Inn for families, multigenerational groups, wellness enthusiasts, adventure seekers, couples, and anyone celebrating a milestone, from graduations to anniversaries.
  • Location
    Turtle Inn is located between the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight and the charming Creole fishing village of Placencia, at the tip of a narrow, twenty-six-mile-long sandy peninsula. To the east, the Caribbean Sea is studded by a patchwork of coral cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage site. Directly behind Turtle Inn to the west lie the calm waters of the Placencia Lagoon and spectacular views of the Maya Mountains and Victoria Peak. South of the Placencia Peninsula is the Monkey River, formed from the Swasey and Bladen rivers that flow from the jungle-clad peaks of the Maya Mountains.

Connect with a SmartFlyer agent to plan your next trip.