by Paul Heney
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Sun October 15, 2023
Some people say that Madonna’s 1980s hit, “La Isla Bonita,” was based on Ambergris Caye, a gorgeous strip of island along Belize’s sunny Caribbean coast. Whether true or not, the caye is a fantastic vacation destination for anyone looking for white sand beaches—or water adventures along the world’s second longest coral reef system. The newest resort here, which just celebrated its grand opening, is the Margaritaville Beach Resort Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Getting to the resort takes a bit of travel, but the seclusion is part of the point. After flying into Belize City, several small airlines (I took Tropic Air) fly you to adorable San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. The flight is short—14 minutes and 35 miles—but the scenery of small islets dotted against the blue and green waters of Belize proved mesmerizing. Once to San Pedro, I was met by Margaritaville representatives, who took my luggage and transported me via golf cart to the dock, about a minute away. Here, you take one of the resort’s three boats to the property, about a half-hour ride. If your timing is off and the boat isn’t leaving right away, there’s a relaxing, air-conditioned lobby for Margaritaville guests to lounge in—very smart!
The resort itself is comprised of 55 suites, including one- and two-bedroom suites. There’s also a magnificent Penthouse Suite that features a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and a 360° wraparound terrace, ideal for watching both the sunrise and the sunset. Most of the accommodations are arranged into two-story buildings of eight suites. The buildings are sprinkled across the lush grounds, giving the feel of being nestled into the jungle.
Two freeform pools give guests options. The rear one is focused on families, while the beachfront adults-only pool has a swim-up bar; it was very popular during my visit. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center and a St. Somewhere Spa here. The spa has five treatment rooms set in adorable bungalows along a jungle path that floats above a shallow waterway.
For dining, the resort has a bright, airy, three-meal-per-day restaurant called Riddles in the Sand, which features a lovely mix of seafood, pasta, and local favorites—along with kid-friendly options like hamburgers and chicken. There’s an attached bar, The Sandbar, which proved to be exceptionally popular in the evening hours. And in front of both is a large circular space that can function as outdoor seating for the restaurant and bar or as a place to enjoy the nightly live music and fire pit. Additionally, the resort has four well-stocked BBQ picnic areas called “Sun Baked BBQ” that can be reserved. Guests can either cook their own food or arrange to have a chef do the grilling for their family.
The resort is part of the Karisma Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The goal from Karisma is unique experiences with a local flavor. The Margaritaville goal, according to Dan Leonard, President of Margaritaville Hospitality Group, is “to deliver fun and escapism. We’ve always looked at ourselves as a collection of hotels and resorts” instead of simply a prototype, he said.
While Margaritaville Beach Resort Ambergris is not set up as an all-inclusive resort, for guests who want that sort of vacation, there’s an optional chef’s package that includes food and drinks. And for animal lovers, the resort sells day passes to the public areas—and pets are then allowed in those public areas free of charge (but not overnight).
One of the draws to Belize is its 185-mile barrier reef, the world’s second-largest after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Visitors can book excursions right through the front desk, making it easy to sample the area’s attractions. I opted for a daylong aquatic adventure to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where I was able to experience snorkeling along the stunning coral reef.
Our knowledgeable guide pointed out different kinds of fish, as well as barracudas and rays. Later, we stopped to swim with nurse sharks in Shark-Ray Alley, a fun and fascinating but also slightly terrifying experience. We also fed a school of huge tarpon and then had lunch on a laid-back Caye Caulker before heading back to our little slice of Belizean paradise.
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