A serene beachfront retreat on the white sand coastline of Placencia, Itzana Resort is also the perfect basecamp for discovering the natural wonders and ancient culture of Belize. Contemporary luxury is the order of the day in the bedrooms and suites of the resort, which have wraparound terraces, private plunge pools, large living spaces and sea or pool views. Stay with someone special, or bring a larger crowd to revel in the spacious two and three bedroom beach villas. While the two beautifully landscaped swimming pools are supremely enticing, the soft sands and warm waters of the Caribbean sea are hard to resist here. Listen to the sound of the waves over dinner in elegant indoor-outdoor restaurant Limila, which fuses local Garifuna cuisine with Caribbean influences, and the freshest locally sourced ingredients for a kaleidoscope of flavour. If you have a taste for adventure, Itzana Resort has something to offer everyone. Culture vultures will love the nearby ancient Mayan ruins and cacao farm tours. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot manatees, exotic birds, and with a little luck jaguars, in pristine jungle reserves. Get active on ziplining, rappelling and horse-riding adventures, or hands-on with a chocolate making workshop. And then there is the Big Blue. From diving the Great Blue Hole to swimming with migrating whale sharks, sunset cruising and catching your own dinner, there are endless memories to be made above and below the waves. Itzana Resort is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.