Itz’ana Resort - a hidden paradise in an unruly jungle coast.

Belize feels like you are stepping into a forgotten world: turquoise waters, gentle Caribbean breezes, and a quiet pulse that encourages slowing down.

My stay at Itz’ana Resort felt like stepping into that fully — a place where tranquility and nature coexist without effort, and where each moment encourages presence rather than rush.

Arrival & Location

Itz’ana sits on the Placencia Peninsula, quietly tucked along the beach yet close enough to the village to feel connected. From the moment I arrived, it was clear the resort was designed for immersion — panoramic views of the Caribbean, soft waves lapping at the shore, and a sense of calm that set the tone for the stay. Placencia itself is charming, laid-back, and vibrant, but Itz’ana creates a space to slow down and simply exist within the beauty of the surroundings.

Getting down here itself though? That’s a bit more fun. Start off flying into Belize City, don’t panic about your delays coming through customs to catch your connector flight down to Placencia, the flights are delayed normally. So cool off in the terminal with a fresh pint of Belikin while you wait. The connector flights are a lot of fun if you’re used to larger planes, it takes a long time to drive around Belize (3.5 hours vs a 30 minute flight) so the locals use them almost like buses, with tiny runways cut into the jungle to drop off and pick up along your route. You’ll find yourself wandering out onto the runway, putting your bag onto the plane yourself and then getting assigned a seat by weight distribution before bouncing down the runway and up into the air. There’s no in-flight service or movies here but you won’t need it, your face will be glued to the window.

Accommodation

We stayed in a standard room, but for larger groups there are beachfront townhouses with their own pools available for rent. The rooms carry a classic carribbean vibe, a seamless extension of the environment: natural textures, palm frond covered balcony, and a dark rocky stone bathroom with a rain shower.

The real showstopper of Itz’ana is less in the rooms themselves but in the shared spaces. The main house is a classic plantation styled manor complete with the full kitchen downstairs and a second floor cocktail bar and sweeping terrace looking out over the beach out to sea. You’ll also find a bar and wood fired pizzeria next to the pool to save you the 50 steps back to the main house. The spaces have been designed to bring guests together rather than hide away in their rooms. Being a small resort (only about 20-30 rooms) you’ll quickly find yourself meeting your neighbors, and that carries on throughout your stay in such a small environment of resort and town.

Dining & Drinks

Meals at Itz’ana reinforced the resort’s understated elegance. The beachfront restaurant highlighted Belizean flavors — fresh seafood caught daily — while thoughtfully curated international options rounded out the experience.Poolside, tropical cocktails were crafted with care, perfect for slow afternoons in the sun. Dining here isn’t about extravagance; it’s about savoring what’s local, fresh, and considered. If you are looking for something a little more local head into town where you will struggle to not find a good meal at a reasonable price. Some of our favorites are:

Rumfish, Omar’s Creole Grille, Tutti Frutti (Gelato), The Flying Pig.

Amenities & Experiences

Itz’ana’s amenities are purposeful, not flashy. The infinity pool offers space to cool off while keeping the ocean in view. The spa provides a moment of deep calm — a massage here feels like the day itself is pausing. For adventure, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking are steps from your door, allowing exploration without planning or travel fatigue. Each feature feels intentional, supporting presence rather than distraction.

Service

The staff sets the tone for the resort: warm, attentive, and unassuming. From arranging excursions to offering local insights, their care felt seamless and thoughtful. It’s rare to feel like a guest while simultaneously feeling at home, but Itz’ana achieves this balance effortlessly. A word to the wise, it’s good to plan your trips in advance as many need 48 hours notice to coordinate properly, day of walk-ins don’t usually happen given the logistics of operating a boat or trekking out into the jungle. If you need help getting around you have two options; you can connect with the 24 hour front desk via WhatsApp to coordinate a ride on their shuttle with a door to door service, or if you have a bigger group and want to explore a little more you can rent an UTV to power around town. Be careful if you choose that option as the main roads are not well lit until you get into the village and the roads are encroached by the jungle tightly packed in.

Who This Resort Is For

Itz’ana is ideal for travelers who value:

• Calm, intentional spaces in a tropical setting

• Oceanfront immersion without ostentation

• A balance of relaxation and accessible adventure

It’s a resort for those who want to feel the environment as much as the accommodation — a base to slow down, explore lightly, and return each day with perspective.

Final Thoughts

We left Itz’ana feeling restored and present, the kind of place that reminds you why slow travel matters. It’s not the most extravagant resort I’ve visited, but it doesn’t need to be. Its value is in its clarity: thoughtful design, seamless service, and a connection to Belize that lingers long after departure.