St. George’s Caye, Belize, is a scenic private island with overwater bungalows near the Caribbean’s largest, and the world’s second-largest, barrier reef.
We think it offers adventure and excitement on the one hand (it is a popular vacation spot for divers, for example) and peace and tranquility on the other (honeymooners come here a lot too).
The food is highly praised, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the room rate. The service is great and the atmosphere is relaxed, warm and friendly.
It sells itself as a luxury resort but we think the overwater bungalows, though charming and comfortable, might be a little underwhelming, though their pricing is reasonable.
St. George’s Caye Resort at a Glance
- Location: Private island off the coast of Belize City
- Accommodation: Overwater, beachfront and garden bungalows
- Best for: Both active travelers and romantic escapees
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Activities: Snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, fishing and scuba diving
- Getting there: Around 20 minutes by boat from Belize City
Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation
There is a choice of broadly similar thatched-roof cabanas in three locations: Overwater, Beachfront and Garden.
Oceanfront accommodation is the most expensive, Garden is the cheapest, and the Overwater bungalows sit in the middle price range.
Unlike at most resorts, the overwater accommodation is not the most expensive option.
We imagine this is partly because the bungalows are quite closely huddled together in a half circle facing the sea, and so they offer less privacy than you might expect.
If you’re looking for a romantic and private stay, we’d actually favor a Garden or Oceanfront Bungalow, with the latter being our favorite.
The cabanas are roughly 380 sq ft. and have a rustic, romantic design with thatched roofs and native wood furniture.
They include air conditioning and a mini fridge, while Wi-Fi is available only in the main building.
Each cabana has a veranda with seating and a hammock. The overwater bungalows sit just offshore and do not have private water access, although you can simply step outside for a swim.
Food, Facilities & Things to Do
The island has two beaches, with the larger eastern beach being where most guests spend their time. The resort also has a saltwater swimming pool.
Snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, Hobie Cats and other equipment are free to use, and guests are entitled to one free scuba diving session.
The resort can arrange reef excursions, boat trips, island tours and cultural excursions on the mainland. There is also a small spa offering treatments including Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone massages.
We think you’ll like the food here, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the room rate. Meals have a communal atmosphere, making it easy to meet other guests.
Dinner may sometimes be a beach barbecue, although St. George’s overall is certainly not a party resort.
Location: Getting There & Away
St George’s Caye is about 7 miles off the coast of Belize City, a journey of around 20 minutes by boat.
When flying into Belize International Airport, a resort representative will meet you and escort you to the marina for your free shuttle boat transfer.
If you’re already in Belize, the resort can arrange to meet you anywhere in Belize City.
Guests Reviews
“From the moment we arrived we were treated with kindness and a genuine sense that the staff primary focus was ensuring we had a great time at their resort. Your days belong to you, you can do as much or as little as you want.”
See all guest reviews on Booking.com
Our Verdict
St. George’s Caye is a desert-island escape that lies somewhere between a luxury resort and a laid-back-to-nature lodge. The private island setting, Belize Barrier Reef access, great meals and laid back atmosphere make us recommend it.
The overwater bungalows are charming and comfortable, but don’t completely live up to the luxury positioning of the resort, though their rates are reasonable.
If privacy is important, we’d actually choose the Garden or Oceanfront Bungalows over the more closely grouped together overwater accommodation.
