Turtle Inn, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola's beachside retreat, sits between the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea and the quiet waters of Placencia Lagoon. Sea-facing breezes cool each of the individual thatched guest cottages, with hammocks strung up over beachside verandas and interiors filled with hand-carved Balinese furniture. There are a handful of more expansive villas too, and guests can even book a stay on a Robinson Crusoe style private island, eight miles from the resort.
The UNESCO-protected Belize Barrier Reef sits just offshore, with its dozens of coral cays and fantastic snorkelling - during certain weeks of the year, it is sometimes even possible to spot enormous whale sharks. The Balinese style spa specialises in Thai massage, and there is a myriad of watersports available on the pristine beach, while the laidback fishing village of Placencia - with its artisan boutiques, lively bars and traditional restaurants - is just a short walk or cycle away.
