The new Turtle Inn is a personal joy, it was built out of the rubble of a hurricane's wrath and rose up entirely under Francois Ford Coppola's supervision it features any number of original ideas and details which, he confess continue to delight him.
He made a resort as rustic as he loves and as luxurious as he could, so that his family would join him there.
Explorations:
Monkey River Explore Monkey River by Boat for the chance to observe howler Monkeys, tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, manatees, and many other species of the wildlife. On the return trip downriver, a stop to the Village of Monkey River for a lunch of local Creole Cuisine.
Cookscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary The world's only Jaguar reserve is a superb place for birding, hiking and wildlife viewing. Take a picnic lunch and cool off under refreshing waterfalls.
Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit Mayan Sites Located in the beautiful rainforest in the Toledo District of Southern Belize the ruins of Lubaantun feature a host of archaeological treasures such as pictorial stelae. Nearby, the mysterious Mayan Underworld of the the Blue Creek Caves is a fascinating area for swimming and hiking. Enjoy lunch with a Mayan family.
Sport Fishing Troll, spin, cast or fly fish in some of the most productive waters in the Caribbean. Barracuda, King Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper, Tarpon, Snook, Bonefish and Permit are among the many species that thrive there.
Lagoon Kayaking Enjoy a guided tour through the unique mangrove estuaries in the Placencia lagoon. Search for manatees, dolphins and a variety of birds.
Windstar Rental Enjoy the fun and freedom of sailing your own personal trimaran.
Scuba Diving at Turtle Inn’s TIDES Dive Shop
Instructor/Divemaster/Tour Guides All Turtle Inn dive trips will be lead by a licensed Tour Guide who is also a PADI Divemaster or a certified PADI Instructor. The snorkel guides are all intimate with the local marine environment and conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. A licensed boat captain will also accompany each trip and remain on board the boat at all times.
Equipment Turtle Inn uses only name brand, well maintained scuba equipment. The state of the art air compressors are inspected regularly and the filters are changed ahead of the manufacturers’ recommendations. If you have your own gear, we will wash it, store it and set it up for you (if you wish) for the next trip at no cost.
The Boats We believe that the dive boats are meant to be filled not full. Safety and comfort are not only important under the water. Getting there and back is at the top of the list. The boats are all equipped with VHF marine communication, first aid kit, life support oxygen, life vests, diver down flag, and more importantly, a captain that knows and respects the sea.
DiveTraining/Certifications Turtle Inn is a proud member of the PADI International Resort Association, the world’s leader in scuba diving. All of the courses offered by Turtle Inn are conducted by professional PADI Instructors who follow standards set by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Courses include Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Review/Scuba Tune-Up, Open Water Diver and Adventure Diver/Advanced Open Water.
Water Temperature It’s warm - rarely below 80°f. We recommend some sort of wet suit or dive skin, though.
Visibility 40 - 100+ feet is the norm. Visibility varies due to current, weather and dive location.
Departure All dive and snorkeling trips have specific departure times. Please meet at the dive shop at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. If you are going on your first trip with us please allow 30 minutes for equipment fitting and a brief orientation of the procedures.
- Featuring Italian Cuisine, Fresh Seafood, local specials, the Mare Restaurant procures most of its produce from the massive organic garden at Blancaneaux Lodge the gourmet pizzas are baked to order in the brick pizza oven, a kitchen feature that while commonplace in many parts of the world, is an anomaly in Belize. Dine while gazing out the Sea.
- The Skip White Bar creates refreshing beverages and cocktails throughout the Day and into the evening.
- You may also enjoy a cool drink a few stpes from the Sea at the Laughing Fish Bar
- Special arrangements are necessary for late check outs
- Reception hours - 7am to 9:30pm daily
- The Mare Restaurant features Italian cuisine and is open:
- The Gauguin Grill (charcoal grilled seafood) is open 12 noon to 9pm
- Auntie Luba’s Kitchen serving traditional Belizean cuisine is open 12 noon to 3pm for lunch and 6pm to 9pm for dinner.
- Bars - Skip White Bar at the Mare Restaurant and The Laughing Fish Beach Bar is adjacent to the pool.
- The Grill serves draft and bottled beer, wine and its signature cocktail the lime dacquiri.
- Auntie Luba’s serves beer and wine only.
- In room safes are available in all rooms with an additional larger safe in reception.
- Shell phones (intercom system linking rooms with reception) in all rooms.
- TV and E-mail room – available in the main lodge 7am to 9pm daily.
- Charges apply for desk top e-mail access but not wireless access with the clients own laptop. Wireless internet is available in the Pavilion House.
- Mini-bar – all rooms have a mini-bar, bottled water ceiling and floor fans.
- Laundry service is available 7 days a week, same day service if laundry submitted by 9am.
- Two fresh water infinity pools and safe beach swimming directly in front of the lodge
- Pavilion House has its own private pool.
- Complimentary use of sea kayaks and beach cruiser bicycles for guest.
- Sun fish sailing craft and motor boat rentals are available.
- Tutti Frutti gelato bar (kids only) available for kids all day and for parties.
- Equipment rentals for scuba, snorkeling and sport fishing.
Gift Store The Gift Store features informative materials and treasure keepsakes. It also carry practical items and sundries that you may have forgotten to pack.
Turtle Inn Dive Shop Belize is considered one of the top diving locales in the world. At Turtle Inn they specialize in attentive, professional dive services dedicated to safety and the guests individual needs. They offer Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, and a wide range of PADI certification courses for both the Beginner and the most Experience Diver.
Turtle Inn Spa Luxuriates with a soothing Spa experience replete with relaxing Thai massage.
White Sand Beaches and Pool Bask in the sun dip in the Pool, or dash into the warm Sea. Complimentary Kayaks and Beach bicycles are available.
Garden View Cottages
Nestled in lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, each Garden View cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with Japanese bath, and private walled garden with outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.
Poolside Seaview Cottages
With a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea, each poolside cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathrooms with Japanese bath, and private walled garden with outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.
Seaview Cottages
With a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea, each Seaview cottage has a screened porch, spacious bathrooms with Japanese bath, and private walled garden with outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.
Seafront Cottages
Just steps from a beautiful stretch of beach and the Caribbean Sea, each cottage has a private garden with outdoor shower, screened porch and bathroom with Japanese bath. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.
Honeymoon Cottages
Steps from a beautiful stretch of beach and the Caribbean Sea, this honeymoon hideaway features Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, a private walled garden with outdoor shower, screened porch and a private bathroom with Japanese bath.
Chinese Matrimonial Suite
The suite features a 200-year-old hand-carved Chinese Fertility Bed, private screened porch, roomy bathroom with Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with outdoor shower. Appointed with Balinese hand-carved doors and décor throughout and mere steps from the Caribbean Sea.
Garden View Villas
Nestled in lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, these 2-bedroom/2-bath villas provide luxurious proportions with living room, separated seating areas, and extended screened porch. Each is surrounded by private walled garden with outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.
Seaview Villas
With a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea, these Balinese themed 2-bedroom/2-bathroom villas provide luxurious proportions with living room, separated seating areas and an extended screened porch. Each is surrounded by private walled garden with outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor.
Seafront Villas
Carefully placed on a beautiful stretch of Caribbean Sea beachfront, these Balinese themed 2-bedroom/2-bathroom villas provide luxurious proportions with living room, separate sitting rooms, and an extended screened porch surrounded by private walled garden with outdoor shower.
The Family Pavilion
This exclusive Balinese-inspired pavilion is designed to maximize privacy and is located at the southern edge of the property, surrounded on three sides by a high walled garden. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a third loft bedroom accessed by a bamboo ladder. The 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 in addition one of the bathrooms incorporates a luxurious steam room. Beyond the airy bathrooms are private walled gardens with outdoor showers. Between the two bedrooms is a living area and screened porch with comfortable sofas, writing desk and wet bar area with Delonghi espresso machine and fridge.
Overlooking the pool is an open air, thatch-roofed dining terrace with unbroken views 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 the Pavilion also enjoy monogrammed bathrobes and wine glasses, locally produced organic bath products, goose down or hypo-allergenic pillows, iPod docking station, WiFi Internet access and a Shellphone intercom system linked to the resort’s front desk. The Pavilion also has a full time attendant to anticipate your every need. The attendant is on call using a walkie-talkie radio system.
Lagoon Bungalow
Enjoy complete privacy in the comfort of a handcrafted, nautically-themed cottage set on the shores of the Placencia Lagoon. Features a full kitchen, an expansive living room and bedroom as well as a private pool and deck offering spectacular views of the sunset.
Beach House
The Beach House is a one-of-a-kind modernist-tropical hideaway just steps from the Caribbean Sea, which shares a beach and all the luxury amenities of Turtle Inn. Designed by architect Laurent Deroo as a stylish but soothing getaway, comprising an open-plan main house and two guest bungalows, the Beach House opens to the ever-present sea breezes while connecting to the romantic, Balinese-styled resort it adjoins.
Each dwelling includes the following:
- Bathrobes
- In-Room Dining
- Safe deposit box
- Refrigerator stocked with water, wine, soft drinks, Belikin beer and local snacks
- Shellphone for communicating with Reception
- Ceiling fan
- Writing table & chair
- Sofa & coffee table
- Coffee & tea making equipment
- Umbrellas (2)
- Organic, locally sourced, hand made toiletries
- Alarm clock & iPod docking station
- Copy of Zoetrope: All-Story magazine
