#HilaryRowland
Beauty in Belize, at Turtle Inn
Escape to Francis Ford Coppola’s resort and discover pure bliss in Belize.
Where to explore…
If you aren’t the type that likes to hang out in your hotel for long periods of time, join the club! This is the perfect place for the adventurer. With a seemingly endless list of things to sign up for, I recommend making sure you’re prepared before you get on your flight to Belize. You can bring wet shoes, pants you can hike in, snorkeling gear, etc. with you but, if you forget, the shop at Turtle Inn has any clothing you might need.
Snorkeling, swimming, fishing, bicycling, sunset cruises and paddle boarding are a few of the many activities offered to guests. Scuba diving is a main attraction in Belize. Its reputation as one of the world’s most desirable scuba destinations is unshakable. Luckily, Turtle Inn is located very close to the Caribbean’s largest barrier reef.
Haney Farms, Belize
I recommend taking a tour of Haney Farms, an organic farm stretching out over 2000 acres slightly north of the Placencia Peninsula. The farmer and owner of Emma’s Garden is originally from the Philippines and has been planting fruit trees and vegetables for the last 25 years. The walk through her aisles of orchids and flowers is nothing short of a treat. Turtle Inn can arrange a picnic basket for you (complete with a bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Winery wine) or Miss Emma can also make a lunch for you in her kitchen; both options are fantastic and it’s a tough choice. The trip out to Haney Farms takes about an hour and we returned just after lunch back to the Turtle Inn.
I highly recommend grabbing a bicycle from near the spa and riding into the nearby town. It’s about a 10-minute bike ride, and the town is super cute and you’re sure to meet some sophisticated international and globe-trotting tourists. Stop by one of the several natural juice bars for a smoothie, go shopping for a cute sundress, or hang on the beach.
Placencia is very cute
Another excursion that’s not-to-be-missed is ziplining and waterfall rappelling with Trip N Travel. Now, I’ve gone ziplining before (in Costa Rica) and was unimpressed, so I expected this to be similar. It wasn’t. This is one of the longest zip lines in the world, and is very exciting. It all takes place in a national rainforest park and jaguar preserve, and the guides are very friendly and taught us a lot about the rainforest. For example, if you get lost, just find a termite nest, rub it until the termites come out, scoop them up and eat them. They’re full of protein and taste like carrots. I should know – I ate a bunch!
Ziplining with my hubby in Belize
Waterfall rappelling was also a lot of fun. It starts with a hike through the rainforest to a stunning waterfall, then you use ropes to climb down it backwards, while leaning back so your body is almost horizontal. It sounds scary but is really safe. The small group we went with had several older people who definitely weren’t in shape, and they did just fine. I recommend being the first to go down, because then you get to hang out and swim in the refreshing water below for longer. Make sure you wear clothing you don’t mind swimming in!
Me, waterfall repelling
May Baker
Well, this is new to me. Will chart this on my checklist of places to visit someday. Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Kim Hartford
One of the reasons why I love the Urbanette Magazine is that this magazine completely away from cliche. You don’t go promoting places you actually don’t like. And you don’t go chasing the trendy places unlike every other magazine. You only write about the places you’ve been to and was satisfied with. For example Turtle Inn. I never heard about the place until I saw this article. I’m glad I did. It’s far from the cliche so called popular places other magazines rave about! The Turtle Inn definitely looks like a place I could have a great time. Thanks for being unigue and geniune. I really appreciate that.
Amelia Beckons
They’re not lying when they say 100% unique content. 😉
Just like you, I love finding out via Urbanette about all these gorgeous places I’ve never been to. Because I trust their reviews, and I know they won’t try to make us believe in something they don’t stand behind.
Honestly, Turtle Innn is ONLY one of the MANY places I found out through Urbanette, and I’m already planing to make a trip as soon as possible. 🙂
Sasha Rosswell
I came across this article while I was looking for information about the Turtle Inn. My fiance booked us a reservation and surprised me with it. Being the control freak I am, I had to see what it’s like and read some reviews. I did come acress some informative reviews on some certain websites, but my god, nobody described it in so much detail like you did! THANK YOU! All thanks to this article I am relieved because I know it won’t be disasterous getaway. I expect it to be rather romantic. 🙂
Jennifer McSween
I took my time, read the whole article and then read all the comments, and all I can say is WOW!! I agree with each commenter. This place is a great get away from the stressful big city life.
Sabrina Grattidge
This is generally not my kind of place. But the way you described it, and the photosyou shared, really made me want to book a vacation there! Well done on another AWESOME article Hilary! You’re so good at this. 🙂
Jennifer McSween
Her writing technique is so unique and creative. You can picture everything in your head as you read it. I think she should write a book! I know I would buy it. 🙂
Diana Hewitt
That’s a very cute resort. Lovely review, very detailed and informative. Thanks for telling us about it. If my road crosses Belize, I will consider staying at the Turtle inn. 🙂
Lynn Hayes
My god… How gorgeous is this place!? Honestly I get a little jealous when you post these travel reviews, but I keep coming back for more, cause on the other hand I really enjoy it. I’m so living vicariously through you! 🙂
Roberta Bennett
Fascinating! Exoticism and luxury met in one place. You’re quite a lucky girl that you get to travel to all these amazing places. Thank you for sharing your travel experiences with us!
Frances Seifert
It has a bit The Sims Castaway Stories vibe to it. Totally my kind of place. I would definitely love to visit if I had the chance one day.
Amanda Roberts
Oh my god! My sister is getting married this summer, and she wants a beach wedding, but she’s so picky that she hasn’t booked a location yet. I’m going to share this article with her. I know she will love it. That’s exactly what she’s looking for.