Casa Santo Domingo

Francis and Eleanor Coppola acquired this beachside hideaway in 2001 and created an idyllic refuge for those seeking a relaxing or adventure-filled getaway to Belize. This 25-room seafront escape delights guests 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. In addition to offering an ideal location to experience the sea, Turtle Inn is located a short bicycle ride or walk from the charming sea-front fishing village of Placencia, where local artisan shops and dining spots can be enjoyed. You can be as active as you'd like here on land or in the sea or just chill out. It's your vacation.

Fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking come together at Turtle Inn's flagship restaurant. Local fish is brought in daily from the fertile reefs just offshore and fresh vegetables are delivered from the organic garden. There are also more casual eats, a wine cellar and kid’s gelato bar.

Cottages & Villas

Take your pick of cottages and villas at this luxury hotel hideaway in Belize. Each has a screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, ceiling fans, and thatched roofs that naturally cool the cottages. There are poolside garden and seaview cottages as well as seafront cottages if you prefer your Belize hideaway dwellings to look out over the Caribbea and just steps away from beautiful stretch of beach.

Family House

This exclusive Balinese-inspired pavilion, located at the southern edge of the property and surrounded on three sides by a high walled garden, is designed to maximize privacy. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a third loft bedroom accessed by a ladder. Francis' Family Pavilion features antique hand-carved wooden doorways and detailing, stone sculptures, and artwork selected by Francis and Eleanor Coppola. The two spacious bathrooms feature indoor showers and beyond the airy bathrooms are private walled gardens with outdoor showers. The two bedrooms flank a living area and screened porch with comfortable sofas, writing desk, and wet bar area with an espresso machine and refrigerator.

Overlooking the pool is an open air, thatch-roofed dining terrace with a spectacular view over the beach to the Caribbean Sea. Below the dining terrace is the private pool crafted with original tile art and surrounded by a tropical walled garden.

Guests at Francis' Family Pavilion also enjoy luxurious bathrobes, locally produced organic bath products, goose down or hypo-allergenic pillows, an iPod docking station, Wi-Fi Internet access, and our Shellphone intercom system linked to the resort’s front desk. Francis' Family Pavilion also has a full-time butler to anticipate your every need. The butler is on call using a walkie-talkie radio system.

Scuba Diving

At Turtle Inn we specialize in attentive, professional dive services, dedicated to safety and our guests’ individual needs. We offer Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and a wide range of PADI certification courses for both the beginner and the more experienced diver. Scuba diving tours are conducted either at inner or outer reef and atoll locations, along the Belize Barrier Reef.
Diving Inner Reef: includes Silk & Pompion Caye.
Diving Outer Reef: includes South Water Caye, Glovers Reef.

Snorkeling

At Turtle Inn, we specialize in attentive, professional dive services, dedicated to safety and guests’ individual needs. Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and a wide range of PADI certification courses for both the beginner and the more experienced diver are offered.

Fishing

Trolling the reef – Half Day or Full Day
Troll the reef in some of the most productive waters in the Caribbean. Barracuda, king mackerel, snapper and grouper are among the many species that thrive here. Tour includes all fishing gear. Please note this is not ‘blue water’ fishing for pelagic species.

Salt Water Fly Fishing – Full Day Only
Placencia is a haven for even the most experienced fly fisherman. The productive sand and coral flats off Placencia combine to offer the chance of salt water fly fishing’s ‘grand slam’ of permit, bonefish, tarpon and snook. Our waters provide some of the best fly- fishing in the Caribbean and we offer experienced and professional local guides.

Birding

Whether you are an amateur or professional birder or have not even considered this as an activity while on vacation, joining our on-site ornithologist Melvin on a guided bird watching experience at Turtle Inn will delight you.  Enjoy the morning sun rising over the Caribbean Sea while strolling through the grounds of the resort with Melvin who will ensure you don’t miss seeing a large variety of beautiful birds.  More experienced birding enthusiasts may want to schedule an adventure further with our guide.

Of the country’s 590 recorded species, some of the most spectacular, and some of the rarest of species can be seen here versus elsewhere: the Lovely Cotinga, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Rose-throated Tanager, as well as a host of colorful toucans, parrots and hummingbirds.

Sunset Cruise

The sunset over the distant Maya Mountains is nothing short of spectacular and there is no better place to see it from than the calm waters of the Placencia lagoon. The cruise is generally an hour to an hour and a half long and includes hors-d’oeuvres and your choice of red or white wine. Stay on the lookout for dolphins and manatees!

Placencia Village

In many ways the Placencia Peninsula presents a microcosm of the best Belize has to offer. The beach view is of the enchanting cayes, barrier reef and beyond. It is an ideal base for amazing diving, snorkeling, and world-class fly fishing. The village of Placencia has maintained its charming appeal with annual events such as the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival, and Lobsterfest. A rich multi-cultural utopia awakens in the night at local bars and clubs where free spirits can opt to dance barefoot to the rhythms of Garifuna drums, electrifying riffs of guitars, or dance tunes from beloved local DJs.

Bicycling

Complimentary beach cruisers are available to guests who wish to pedal around the beautiful surroundings. To explore bicycling at Turtle Inn, please ask our concierge upon arrival for more information, including trail maps and other related equipment.

Paddle Boarding

The often calm waters in front of Turtle Inn provide an ideal opportunity for beginners to try stand-up paddle boarding for the first time. It is also perfect for the seasoned paddler to go for a long ride to one of the Mangrove Islands, or try to spot manatees in the lagoon.

Ziplining

Soar with the birds through the pristine canopy on the longest Zip Line course in Belize and Central America: approximately 2.5 miles. They have 12 platforms, 3 zip line courses over 2000 feet with the longest being over 2,300 feet; all set in the pristine jungle in the Mayflower Bocawina National Forest.