A Barefoot Escape at Turtle Inn in Belize

The Indagare Ambassadors recently spent a long weekend at Turtle Inn in Belize. Below, Kristin Peterson Edwards shares highlights from their stay.

Tucked along the southern end of Belize's Placencia Peninsula, Turtle Inn is filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola's charming beachfront retreat—and one of those rare properties where the surroundings are as much a part of the experience as the accommodations themselves. Set on the Caribbean coast and surrounded by swaying palms and lush tropical gardens, the resort embodies an effortless sense of barefoot luxury. Thatched cottages, Balinese-inspired décor, natural materials and open-air spaces create an atmosphere that feels private, comfortable and wonderfully relaxed.

With just 25 cottages and villas, Turtle Inn feels intimate and personal—a true "tropical hideaway" where the landscape, the sea and the slower pace of life set the rhythm. Each cottage is filled with unique and thoughtful amenities that make you feel at home. These include, but are not limited to, a jar filled with freshly-baked cookies, playing cards and board games intentionally left out (encouraging guests to slow down and spend time together), a chic—but sturdy—beach bag to use during your stay and a "shell phone" (a playful, oversized pink conch that connects you directly to the front desk). The environmentally conscious bathrooms are spacious with a Japanese-influenced indoor shower and soaking tub, as well as an outdoor shower a few steps away in your private garden.

For families and larger groups, Turtle Inn also offers several distinctive villas—my favorite being Sofia Coppola's home, which includes two guest cottages, a private pool overlooking the beach, an outdoor kitchen and minimalist-chic dining area. Plus, the screening room is a nice nod to the Coppola family vocation. The whole villa has a retro, California '70s sensibility that feels both stylish and comfortable. We were lucky to spend one of our days there and quickly understood why Sofia and her family are drawn back at least twice a year.

There is plenty to do at Turtle Inn without ever feeling as though you need to have a schedule. In fact, that may be one of the greatest luxuries here. Guests can lounge on the beach or by one of the pools, head out kayaking or paddleboarding, play pickleball or work out in the newly renovated gym. Turtle Inn is also stocked with seemingly every game imaginable, giving couples, friends and families a reason to put down their phones and play in an old-fashioned, analog way that feels increasingly rare in our modern world.

At the Sunset Spa, treatments take place in open-air, Balinese-style cabanas—all hidden discreetly in one of the resort's lush gardens, overlooking the quiet bay. It is an incredibly peaceful setting, and I actually fell asleep during my Thai massage listening to the breeze and the birds. Like the toiletries in each cottage, the spa uses locally-sourced organic products, adding another thoughtful connection to the surrounding environment.

Of course, there is a natural inclination to get out on the water here. In addition to the resort's private beachfront, the Belize Barrier Reef—the second-largest barrier reef in the world—lies just offshore. Guests can snorkel or dive, head out for a fishing excursion or simply spend time on the water aboard Turtle Inn's custom wood pontoon.

For those who want to explore beyond the beach, Turtle Inn offers an impressive range of inland adventures to visit the rainforests, waterfalls, caves and ancient Maya ruins of the area. We arranged for an excursion to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve, where some of us enjoyed a guided hike to swim under a waterfall and others opted for bird watching. These outings reveal another side of Belize, with its lush landscapes, unique flora and fauna and rich Maya history. For a taste of local life and culture, we took one of the complimentary bikes from the resort and ventured into the colorful fishing village of Placencia, just a short ride down the road.

At Turtle Inn, there are multiple dining options on-site to choose from. Mare, Gauguin Grill, Auntie Luba's Kitchen, The Laughing Fish Bar, a pizzeria, a gelato shop and a "wine aquarium" offer plenty of variety, with influences from Italian and Southeast Asian cuisines to local Caribbean fare. The brick oven at the pizzeria seemed to be fired up from morning through dinner, and the pizzas were insanely delicious. I also loved the organic Garden and Tea House—another element that highlights Turtle Inn's commitment to sustainability and conservation while connecting guests to the natural world around them. The knowledgeable staff are happy to share their expertise about the local medicinal herbs and plants grown in the garden, later brewing them into teas. It's the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

We spent some serious time in Turtle Inn's boutique, thoughtfully curated by Sofia Coppola, to browse (and buy) gifts from local artisans, Comme Si pajama sets, large sunhats and clothing from ethical brands like lemlem that you immediately want to purchase and slip on for dinner or the beach.

What I enjoyed most was the feeling of being completely removed from the everyday. Turtle Inn strikes that rare balance between adventure and escape: days can be as active or as lazy as you want, with a sense of calm and ease throughout. You can spend the morning exploring the reef, the afternoon reading beneath a palm tree and the evening gathered around a table with friends as the sun sets over the Caribbean. It is that combination of easygoing allure, natural beauty, thoughtful hospitality, attentive service and adventurous spirit that makes Turtle Inn—and Belize—so unforgettable.