A Secluded Island Retreat

San Pedro – Ambergris Caye, Belize

I came to Belize in search of adventure and fun, allured by its amazing outdoor and ocean activities. The Portofino Resort is everything that vacationers to Belize are looking for – luxury, seclusion, beach and outdoor amusement  You can do as much relaxing or exploring as your heart desires.

 

Location, Location, Location

The small resort is located six miles North of San Pedro Town on the country’s most popular tourist island. The main mode of transportation to reach the resort is by boat. With a captain and boat waiting for your arrival you’ll feel like a VIP. As you depart town and head out to the more remote side of the island you’ll forget all the stress of civilization for your new secluded paradise.

 

The Rooms

Portofino offers a variety of accommodations from beachfront cabanas, second floor ‘treetop suites’, a mansion, and a honeymoon suite. You might be on a secluded beach but that doesn’t mean you don’t get all the comforts that are expected in a luxury resort. Rooms come with air-conditioning, fans, large flat screen TVs, mini-refrigerators and wifi. It was my pleasure to stay in a spacious treetop suite (pictured above).

Featuring a large balcony with outdoor seating and a hammock it was the perfect place to lounge and relax. Large french doors and huge picture windows in front let in views of the beach and ocean. High thatched ceilings, hardwood floors and a very comfortable king sized bamboo bed gave the room a luxurious and exotic feel.

A spacious bathroom at the back of the suite had a rain showerhead and double sinks. One unique and fun service offered is ‘Soap Butler Service’ offering guests their choice of fresh cut, scented soaps each day.

 

The Amenities

A large and modern pool sits in the center of the resort just steps from all the guest suites. The beach is raked and cleaned every morning. With lots of outdoor seating and hammocks surrounding the pool and the beach it’s never hard to find a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sun. Free books are available for reading and if you really want help relaxing there are massages ready to be given indoors or out.

Bicycle rentals and complimentary boat rides to and from San Pedro Town give the freedom to get out and explore more of the island if you chose. I definitely recommend some time walking around the town to eat, shop and mingle.

 

The Dining

The Portofino Restaurant offers a menu for every meal of the day. A variety of tasty meal options on the menu mean you don’t need to leave to enjoy a snack or fine dining. The chef uses fresh local produce, seafood and imported meats to offer Euro-Caribbean fusion dishes and fresh home made pasta everyday. A wine directory offers imported wines by the glass.

The best dining on site isn’t inside the restaurant, it’s a romantic dinner on the beach under one of the palapas.

 

The Adventure

Portofino knows you haven’t traveled across the world to a beautiful tropical island just to sit on the beach (well maybe some of you have and that’s fine!). They offer scuba diving and snorkeling at their on-site dive shop, fishing adventures and trips to the mainland to see Mayan ruins or explore the jungle. There are also complimentary kayaks to take out right from the beach.

A Beach BBQ – A small group from the hotel went out to snorkel, and we had the opportunity to fish and hunt for lobsters. The reef near the hotel was bustling with sea life and we had a great time catching our lunch. After a couple hours we took our bounty of fresh seafood to a secluded beach and had a picnic. Coconuts cut open right off the palm trees were added refreshment.

Snorkeling at Mexico Rocks – The water is why I love Belize so much. With a kayak and 15 minutes of paddling I was out at a spot named Mexico Rocks for snorkeling. Within just a few minutes I had seen nurse sharks, stingrays and fish all going about their day and I was thrilled to witness it. Read more about the amazing water adventures I had in Belize here.

 

That’s a Wrap

There’s a lot of options for luxury travel in Belize. I can say with confidence that Portofino Resort is a great choice if you want a luxurious accommodation on Ambergris Caye. The secluded location, clean beach and luxurious rooms make for a comfortable and unforgettable time on your trip to Belize.