The Top All-inclusive Belize Resorts

A charming, intimate resort including just nine standalone villas divided up into one, two- or three-bedroom suites, this spot focuses on package deals for families and couples. If you don’t mind sharing your meals with pretty much the same crew during the duration of your stay—there’s only one restaurant and one bar—there are plenty of great packages, such as one that includes cave tubing, zip-lining, snorkeling, Mayan ruins, and a waterfall hike. Take the edge off all that activity with an unlimited local bar tab and carb-load over three included meals and a snack daily. We also like that family packages boast options for the diving family, the activity-crazed family, and the family that just likes to chill out.

Tucked away at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, an island to the east of the Belize mainland, this plantation-esque luxury resort is not technically an all-inclusive, but features a few stellar meal packages—and its unhurried vibe is ideal for those who don’t mind a splurge. Renowned for its luxe spas, gorgeous rooms (think: rich mahogany trim, four-poster beds with gauzy curtains, and blonde dressers made from local wood), and very attentive service, this is the sort of place where if you catch a few fish, the kitchen will serve them to you three ways for dinner. Note: This is not a hyper-connected spot. Wifi can be scarce in some rooms, and you won’t necessarily have a television in your room. Call in advance to be sure your room will get a wireless signal; sometimes the main desk can accommodate you with a MiFi device.

Ah, a true, adults-only all-inclusive resort dotted with colorful little houses, tucked away on a remote private island. It requires a bit of work to get to—a separate flight, a boat ride—and then most don’t want to leave. Those who love it rave about the cuisine; seafood on a private island is tough to beat! Local spirits and beers are included along with kayak use and taxes, and there are snorkeling options for those who want it. There’s a bit of a beach party vibe here, man, thanks to those included beverages. (The tipoff will be the presence of a drink called the “Panty Ripper” on the cocktail menu.) But for those who like their holidays vivacious, it’s tough to beat—as are those ocean views.

El Pescador, located on the north end of Ambergris Caye island, is renowned for its aquatic culture, which include private fly-fishing lessons, scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. If you have a fisherman or woman in your family, this is the spot to go, as its packages include one tailored to the fisherman. Here, the daily rate includes taxes, local rums, beer, and soda, three meals daily, and a full eight-hour long fishing trip. (For the person who feels most at home on the water, it doesn’t get much better than that!) The laidback vibe is the opposite of see-and-be-seen, but it’s still the sort of place where you can request a coconut and someone will acquire one, split it open, and serve it to you with a straw.

Ecologically sensitive, adventure-loving travelers and those who love to snorkel tend to land here, a five-star PADI dive resort with a plethora of packages. Boasting a lovely freshwater infinity pool, super-fresh, not-too-greasy food, and staffers who know you by your first name within days, Hamanasi’s fans tend to become super fans. The grounds are immaculate, the food is top-notch, and if you don’t mind a splurge, the deluxe “tree houses” on stilts boast knockout views. Read the fine print closely, as always; although air and ground transfers from Belize International are included, bar bills and departure tax are not. But for thrill-loving tourists, few resorts are better fits.

The Viva Belize family of resorts includes five options: Almond Beach, Jaguar Beach, Sleeping Giant, Villa Margarita, and the Belize Tree Houses. They are almost uniformly well regarded, with the first trio being at the top. The chain boasts packages galore, but call in advance to make sure you’re picking the right package for you. (The Romantic Getaway, for example, includes local beers, rum, juice, and soda only at Sleeping Giant.) That said, a ton of activities tend to be included along with meals; up to five adventure tours in one “Multi-Adventure Package” include tubing through a jaguar preserve, hiking to see a waterfall, seeing birds of paradise, kayaking, and cruising a nearby river. If you and your partner or family like a bunch of activity options when you travel, one of these should fit the bill.