Thatch Caye Resort

We had never been to Belize and this was a dart throw of a honeymoon for us. It never once disappointed. As soon as we got to Thatch, Luis was waiting for us with a drink and cool eucalyptus towel. They take your luggage immediately to your room while you get a quick rundown of the island. After that, you’re free to do whatever you’d like. We have never had a more fun while also relaxing experience in our lives. The food is incredible, which was something we originally thought we might be sacrificing because of the remoteness of the island. Junior and Anivar never let us go thirsty and Shakira and Charles were incredible waiting on us for meals. I cannot stress enough that it was the best staff we have ever had on a vacation. While you’re there you can spend the day relaxing on the beach, paddle boarding, kayaking, and my personal favorite, snorkeling. If you want to chill you’re at the right place, but if you want to do activities they have great ones available. We only did the Island Crawl, which lets you hop around the cayes. Rafi was a great tour guide and they don’t let you run short on shots. We stopped at two local bars for drinks as well. Next time we would really like to take advantage of the amazing fly fishing and night snorkeling. There’s happy hour every night at the over water bar starting at 4:00. We met amazing couples and you get a sense of a new family by the time you leave. While our bungalow was not large, there was plenty of room and it was perfect. The bathrooms are great, the bed was extremely comfortable, and the air conditioning helps you fall asleep immediately after hot days in the sun. If you’re like me you’ll also want to take advantage of the hammock on your deck at night for incredibly bright star watching. This review is genuine and I can honestly say that we can’t think of 1 single thing to complain about or improve. Everything about Thatch Caye was perfect and we know we will be heading back. Now that I think about it maybe I should’ve kept this to myself so we don’t have an issue booking our next stay. Sincerest thank you’s again to the incredible staff. As Luis said, this is a magical island, he’s not wrong. -Ryan and Mackenzie Boyer

Hands down, one of my favorite retreat locations. There are two island dogs, Marely and Pico, that are a dream. They will paddle board/kayak with you and make the island so welcoming. I loved them! The team is extremely accomodating and the food very good. We had a karaoke night and they pulled out all the stops, set up lighting and the mood, fans, and joined us! The water is crystal clear and the island clean and beautiful.

The warmth and hospitality of the service of every single person who made the stay at Thatch Caye the best I’ve ever experienced on any vacation was so unique. Seriously, my best vacation in my life. The pride for their country was contagious… a very happy place. I wish their heart and soul could be captured, bottled up and spread throughout the world.

We had an amazing vacation here, the Conch hunt/spear fishing, and the reef fishing were both incredible excursions we loved our guides, they had us on the fish!! The little island is a paradise, and the people who work there made it even better, we had so much fun with Jackson, Junior, Shakira, Daniel and others I am leaving out I already miss you guys! My husband and I are already planning our next trip back to Thatch Caye!

We spent a week at Thatch Caye and found it to be peaceful, beautiful, and memorable. Here are a few things we wish we’d known in advance—hopefully, this helps others plan ahead. The journey is long. From DC, it took a whole day: international flight, puddle jumper, van, then a 40-minute boat ride. Our Maya Air flight was delayed 3+ hours without notice, causing us to miss our connection home. Trust the resort’s recommendation to leave early—you’ll need the cushion. Bring a bandana, croakies, hat with strap for the windy boat ride. Rooms are rustic, not luxurious. We stayed in an overwater bungalow (“Stingray”) with stunning views and a few quirks: only one outlet, minimal lighting, and little storage (no closet or nightstands, two under-bed drawers). Bring an extension cord, a night light, and pack light. The beach vibe is mellow. Lounge chairs and towels are plentiful. Bring chair clips for windy days. The bar is nearby. For some quiet, walk down the beach. Sandflies and sun can be intense. Bring repellent and sunscreen. Meals were fresh and tasty. Family-style dining made it easy to connect with other guests. The chef handled dietary restrictions well. Breakfast is egg-heavy, snacks between meals are minimal, so bring a Zip-loc. Happy hour is fun, but shade is limited! Shorts/Ts, cover-ups are fine for all meals. Excursions vary. The stargazing cruise was magical. Snorkeling, ziplining, and reef fishing were guest favorites. The island bar crawl is a rowdy option for those looking to party. They take the refund timeline seriously. The staff are warm and welcoming. Because they stay on the island in shifts, you really get to know them. Most guests tip about $10 per person per day. WiFi and Cell WiFi is strong in the lounge, and cell service is available everywhere else. Bottom line: Thatch Caye is peaceful and special—ideal for unplugging. If you arrive knowing it’s rustic and remote (in the best way), you’ll have a lovely time.