Belize may be small, but it packs an impressive mix of rainforest, mountains, quiet lagoons, and that clear Caribbean water you’re probably picturing right now. The country is easy to navigate, English is widely spoken, and the mix of nature, history, and coastline makes it a smart choice for travelers who want both activity and downtime in one trip.
Located on the southern end of the Placencia Peninsula, Villa Selena offers a seven-night TERRA “with a Splash” stay for up to 12 guests. The villa has six spacious suites, each with a king-size bed, private bathroom, and air-conditioning. Bookings are generally for a full-villa takeover (want to plan a friendcation anyone?), but occasionally individual suites are availableShared verandas, lagoon-side gardens, terraces, and a private beach give you multiple places to relax, swim, or enjoy views of the Maya Mountains in the distance.
Note: I traveled with a several media colleague on a visit to Villa Selena. We received a complimentary stay as media covering the resort.
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Things to Do at and around Villa Selena
The feel here is very much “all under one roof, but plenty of corners.”
There’s ample common space for group coffee on the veranda, sundowner cocktails on the roof, or splashing out in the pool with your fellow guests. Equally important, there’s personal space for a quiet glass of wine by the water, sunrise journaling on your patio, or reading on a lounge chair. The space is laid out so friends and family can spend time together without feeling on top of one another.
What you don’t have to do at Villa Selena is worry about details.
The TradeWinds team coordinates meals, transfers, and excursions, which simplifies planning and saves time during your stay. Just show up, kick back, and decide how busy – or not – you want to be for the day.
Morning yoga, daytime snorkeling, kayaking, or jungle explorations, and evening shared dinners, sunset views, or a walk along the beach – it’s all up to you to decide.
Enjoy the Pool
The pool is a central part of villa life. Whether its getting in a morning swim, cooling off in the evening, or just dangling your feet in the refreshing water, the joy of having a private pool can’t be underestimated.
I thought of the pool as villa central, a hub of conversation and the home base from which additional activities started. Choose what you enjoy – kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or just soaking up the sun. Villa Selena’s location and attentive staff set the tone for your comfort, privacy, and easy access to both water and land adventures.
Sail & Snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef
It’s a short boat ride (about 20-30 minutes) to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world. The villa’s captain takes you to prime snorkeling spots filled with coral gardens, tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. Mornings are typically calmest, making them ideal for swimming or floating above this underwater paradise.
Life vests are available for beginner snorkelers and kids, so even those of us who consider ourselves non-swimmers can enjoy the experience.
Certified divers can book SCUBA trips through licensed local operators, as required in Belize to protect the reef. Operators will provide equipment and guide you to the best sites. Most trips last 2–3 hours, with mornings offering the clearest visibility.
Island Hopping & Castaway Picnics
One of the best ways to spend a day is aboard the villa’s fast boat, Sea La Vie, exploring nearby cays. Each island feels like your own private island, complete with quiet beaches, clear water, and all the space you need. The crew packs a picnic lunch – fresh fruit, grilled seafood, tropical drinks, and more. All we had to do was enjoy our time swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying paradise.
Morning trips are usually calmest and perfect for snorkeling through mangroves and coral gardens. You’ll often spot fish, rays, and occasionally turtles. Sturdy sandals or water shoes are helpful in sandbars and shallow reefs, and a light windbreaker helps keep the spray at bay at the boat ride.
Full-day trips to places like Moho Caye or Scipio Caye give you time to snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy a beachside lunch. Half-day options are great if you’d like to return for pool or rooftop time. These outings are flexible, active or slow-paced, whatever your group prefers.
Fishing Adventures
Belize’s waters are rich with fish, offering options for every skill level. Try flats fishing for bonefish in shallow turquoise waters or head offshore for mahi-mahi and tuna. The crew provides gear and customizes each outing based on your skill level and conditions that day.
Fishing requires some coordination, so express your interest early in the booking process.
River Tubing & Zip Lining
One afternoon, we headed inland for an afternoon of river tubing and waterfall exploration. I opted to stay along the shore, a little nervous about the required skill, and to enjoy the water downriver. The tubing combined a relaxing float with small bursts of excitement through gentle rapids. I could have managed. What’s great about the Villa Selena outings is the ability to opt in or out; both are okay.
There are also two nearby waterfalls offering swimming and optional cliff jumps, with ladders for easier entry. The water is cooler but refreshing. Sturdy shoes are essential, as trails can be slick. No one in our group climbed the rocks, but it was fun to watch other people who did.
Zip-lining is sometimes available as well.
Spa Treatments & Massage
For elevated downtime, the villa crew can set up an appointment for an in-villa spa treatment. Make the request in advance (at least early in the week) to secure your booking. Payments go directly to the spa (cash or Zelle currently accepted). You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how reasonably priced services are (at the time of publishing this, the top-tier treatment was approximately $135, based on current exchange rates).
Yoga, Wellness, & Quiet Time
Mornings at Villa Selena are naturally slow. Bring a yoga mat for a deck session, relax in a shaded hammock with a book, or find a quiet spot for meditation. The lagoon-side setting makes it easy to unplug and reset.
Visit Placencia Village
Visiting Placencia Village was just a short boat ride away, for a couple of hours along a walkable stretch of shops, cafes, and craft markets. You can stroll the famous pedestrian sidewalk known as the “World’s Narrowest Main Street,” stopping for rum tastings, homemade ice cream, and small-batch hot sauces.
US dollars are widely accepted, with most prices listed in both local and U.S. currency. I bought a couple bottles of hot sauce for home (I’ll have some recipes coming soon).
After some shopping, we took the scenic ride home, boating through the fishing canals. Seeing the houses and daily life along the water adds a different layer to the village experience.
Cultural & Nature Excursions
Beyond the villa, Belize offers jungle hikes, river tours, Mayan ruins, waterfalls, and wildlife sanctuaries. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys, jaguars, and scarlet macaws. The guide on our jungle hike had a keen eye and pointed out things that we would have missed.
We saw a macaw fly right in front of our van one day, but alas, no jaguar (they are rarely seen, but occasionally heard).
Packing tip: For jungle excursions, wear lightweight, long-sleeved tops (I like these as they dry quickly annd have pockets) and long pants. Also important: sunscreen (look for a reef-safe sunscreen brand), bug spray, a hat or baseball cap, swimwear, hiking shoes/sandals, and sunglasses.
Food and Drink
Meals at Villa Selena are served communally and were a highlight of my stay. Our private chef created menus with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, served in the central dining area.
Breakfast typically included fresh fruit, a protein option, and rotating favorites like quiche or French toast. Lunch featured traditional Belizean dishes like stewed chicken, rice and beans, plantains, and potato salad. Dinner was multi-course and paired with red or white wine.
The staff often joined us for meals, creating a relaxed, family-style atmosphere. Special occasions like birthdays are naturally celebrated, and dessert is always worth saving room for. There is also a 24/7 espresso machine for early mornings or late evenings.
Sunset drinks on the roof are part of the daily routine, with a daily rotation of specialty drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) rounding out the usual options. Mini-fridges on the deck are stocked with beer, sodas, and cold beverages available anytime.
Pricing
Villa Selena is a Tradewinds retreat designed for both privacy and shared time, and is perfect for a full villa takeover with family and friends. The suites are spacious and comfortable, with a large shower and dressing area.
The week can be planned around the group’s needs and preferences, with pricing accordingly, and is remarkably affordable.
The all-inclusive pricing includes:
- All meals and drinks served at Villa Selena
- Open bar
- Water and fuel
- Professional team, incl. a captain and a resident chef
- Kayaking, fishing, paddle-boarding
- Excursion with a knowledgeable guide to see the fascinating marine and bird life in the lagoon, and other excursions
- Visit to Mayan ruin and a spice or cacao farm
- An all-day marine excursion, weather dependent, to either Ray-Cay or Ranguana ( both are bases for diving, beach-combing, excellent snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing)
- Weather permitting, a trip to Monkey River to explore the mangroves and watch manatee and dolphins playing.
Not included:
- Off-property food and beverage (except when picnics are provided by Villa Selena)
- Laundry
- Optional ATV rentals, zip lining, river tubing, hiking, waterfall jumping, and other
- Spa or beauty treatments
- Personal shopping
- Gratuities (shared with all Villa staff)
Contact Villa Selena for specific pricing.
Good to Know
Belize has subtropical weather, with temperatures consistently ranging from 75-85 all year round. The country is approximately 740 miles north of the equator.
Power in Belize operates on 110-volt, with power plugs of Type A, B, and G.
Belize time zone aligns with Central Time, although the country does not observe daylight saving time.
The unit of currency is the Belizean dollar (BZD). At the time of publication, the exchange rate was approximately $1 USD/$2 BZD. US dollars are widely accepted.
English is widely spoken.
Getting to Villa Selena
Most travelers arrive via Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, then transfer to a domestic flight to Placencia (PLJ). The domestic flight on Maya Air is approximately 25 minutes.
