Pelican Reef Villas Resort

The villas are spacious personal condos or Airbnbs, not hotel rooms, with full kitchens and thoughtful, comfortable furnishings. The staff, led by Tris, made everything easy from the start, arranging excursions, golf cart rentals, plane reservations, and more with warmth and professionalism. Set on the beach just south of San Pedro, Pelican Reef Villas is peaceful while still being accessible. The private pier is great for sunbathing or snorkeling, and you can also board a Tuff E Nuff boat charter right there. It’s quiet and removed, but San Pedro’s restaurants, nightlife, and activity are only about a 20-minute golf cart ride away. Belize has won me over, and the people at Pelican Reef Villas started it all. It was a wonderful stay, and I highly recommend the place.

Tris was great at setting up activities and reservations, answering a hundred silly questions, and helping me borrow kayaks, paddle boards, and bicycles from the villa. The resort picked us up at the port in a minivan so we could bring all our luggage. It was fairly easy to get there, about a 15-minute golf cart ride from the port or airport, a bit less by car. It’s in a quieter part of town but not too far from the center. At the end of the dock, a roped-off area had a little “reef,” where we saw all kinds of creatures while snorkeling. Our unit had a washer and dryer that worked fine, though it was loud and the dryer needed two cycles. Breakfast was included every morning and all the food was excellent, but the menu seemed limited after breakfast, so plan ahead if you want snacks. The kitchen was fully equipped with utensils, blender, oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, and toaster. There was leftover sunscreen and bug spray guests could use, so you may not need to buy more. A night security guard was on site, as seemed standard for the nearby hotels. Watch for sand flies. By day seven we had lots of bites, so I’d use bug spray if you plan to lounge on the sand. Wonderful host and experience. We’ll definitely stay again when we come back.

We stayed five nights, and met people who return here every trip. Our unit was clean, comfortable, and well equipped. Service was the best, from the bartenders to the wait staff. Just let Tristan take care of everything. It’s close enough to town but far enough from the golf cart craziness. There are a couple of restaurants and bars nearby, and if you ride farther south you’ll find the boat bar. We’ll be back.

The property and rooms were beautiful, and I was impressed with the quality. The only small thing I’d change is the bar service, which was a little slow to notice guests.