The Lodge at Jaguar Reef

Belize

Rooms

24

Floors

2

Pools

2

Restaurants

2

Location

  • Beachfront

key features

Calm Beach

Calm Beach

Delicious Food

Delicious Food

Excellent Location

Excellent Location

Kitchens Available

Kitchens Available

Spacious Rooms

Spacious Rooms

Stay here for

A quiet beach town vibe and a centrally located home base in Hopkins, Belize at a super affordable price point—with ocean and jungle adventures both easily within reach.

Standard 2BR villas start around $470; 2BR penthouses at $610

why we like it
for families

Location and
Activities

Tour of Amenities

Best Rooms
for Families

Traveler Reviews

Other Hotels
and resources

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Why we like it for families

  • THE LOCATION: This is the hotel we recommend for Mango Tree travelers who want ocean and rainforest in Belize without changing hotels.  It’s right on the beach, in a local town, and a great jumping-off point for jungle tours. It’s also an easy transfer from Belize City’s international airport.
  • THE VALUE: Big, modern two-bedroom suites steps from the sand—at a price that’s hard to beat. Great for families who want space, comfort, and beachfront access without the high-end price tag.
  • THE VIBE: Hopkins is a true laid-back beach town. No crowds or big resorts, just sand streets, friendly locals, and a pace that encourages families to slow down. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef blends right in with that relaxed, toes-in-the-sand energy.
  • THE FOOD: The Paddle House restaurant serves fresh, local ingredients with a Belizean twist—plenty of seafood, tropical flavors, and kid-friendly options (think pancakes, quesadillas, grilled chicken). For parents, don’t skip the overwater cevicheria.  For kids, a wood-fired pizza oven is available all day.
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Location and Activities

The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is about 2 hours from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, making it easily accessible while still feeling tucked away. Located right on the beach just minutes from the Garifuna fishing village of Hopkins, it’s also very near the main road that heads up into the Belize raindofest. So you’re perfectly positioned between reef and jungle adventures.

The property sits on one of Belize’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, with direct access to the Caribbean Sea and the world-famous Belize Barrier Reef a 30-45 minute boat ride away. Hopkins village offers an authentic cultural experience with local restaurants  and friendly Garifuna community that you can explore by golf cart. 

Tour of Amenities

Dining

  • 2+ Restaurants
  • All-Inclusive Option
  • Breakfast Included
  • Farm-to-Table
  • High-Chairs
  • Kids Menu
  • Restaurant On-Site
  • Room Service
  • Walk to Restaurants

Rooms

  • Air Conditioning
  • Bathtubs
  • Cribs
  • Fridge
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Private Pools
  • Rollaway Beds
  • Terrace/Balcony

For Kids

  • Animals
  • Babysitting
  • Calm Beach
  • Good Pool for Littles
  • Kids Activities
  • Kids Club
  • Ocean Waves for Active Kids
  • Playground
  • Ski lessons
  • Waterslide
Pool at Martinhal Sagres in Portugal

Activities

  • Adventure Sports
  • Fitness Center
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Pool
  • Skiing
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Surfing
  • Tennis
  • The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is a casual spot tucked into lush beachfront gardens on Belize’s southern coast. The layout is compact and easy to navigate with kids, and feels private and uncrowded.
  • Families love the two-bedroom villas, which offer space to spread out, full kitchens, and plunge pools just steps from the sand. Villas closest to the beach have direct water views; others sit slightly back in the garden but still feel private and peaceful. Interiors are comfortable and casual — local hardwoods, bright textiles, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light. Most units have washers and dryers, which is a bonus for families staying more than a few nights.
  • Dining here is all about fresh, local flavors and casual beachfront vibes. The Paddle House restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring locally sourced seafood and Caribbean-inspired dishes that please both adults and kids. For something special, the Big Dock Ceviche Bar offers over-water seating with stunning views—kids adore the rope swing into the water, while parents relax with craft cocktails and fresh ceviche. Hopkins village is just a 5-minute golf cart ride away so it’s a great choice for families wanting to get out and try local restaurants  in Belize and get to know the culture.
  • There’s no formal kids’ club, but there’s plenty to do. The children’s pool is shaded and shallow, while the main infinity pool has a swim-up bar and views of the sea. Families can book boat trips for reef fishing and snorkeling through us or through the hotel. You can also visit a nearby Garifuna village for a drum lesson or cultural experience — or just take one on-site, or head up into the rainforest for a day of ziplining, cave tubing, or Mayan ruins. The hotel can arrange babysitting if parents want a night off.
  • Butterflies Spa offers beachfront massages and treatments — easy to sneak away to during naptime. There’s no gym, but plenty of low-key activities: kayaking, paddleboarding, biking, and beach walks.

Best Rooms for Families

The hotel has many categories of rooms, ranging from standard villas to penthouses, but these ones have the best room configurations for families.
2 Bedroom Seaview Villa with Pool

2 Bedroom Seaview Villa with Pool

  • Best for families of 3-5
  • Master bedroom with king bed
  • Second bedroom with 2 single beds and option for rollaway 
  • Separate living room with couch (no pull-out)
  • Fully equipped kitchen 
  • 2 bathrooms with showers only
  • Private balcony with private plunge pool
View on Hotel Website
2 Bedroom Penthouse with Plunge Pool

2 Bedroom Penthouse with Plunge Pool

  • Best for families of 3-5
  • Master bedroom with king bed
  • Second bedroom with 2 single beds and option for rollaway 
  • Separate living room with couch (no pull-out)
  • Fully equipped kitchen 
  • 2 bathrooms with showers only
  • Private balcony with plunge pool and ocean views
View on Hotel Website
Standard 2 Bedroom Villa

Standard 2 Bedroom Villa

  • Best for families of 3-5
  • Master bedroom with king bed 
  • Second bedroom with 2 single beds and option for rollaway 
  • Separate living room with couch (no pull-out)
  • Fully equipped kitchen 
  • Two bathrooms with showers only 
  • Private balcony with sea view
View on Hotel Website

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Traveler Reviews

Beautiful, relaxing and authentic cultural experience with lots of adventure!

Jaguar Reef was an amazing experience! Lots of amenities of a big resort but the personal feel of a small hotel.  Our kids loved the rope swing on the big dock and we enjoyed the pool and beach. We went when it was completely booked and yet it was never crowded.  Stephanie checked on us often and made sure we had everything we needed.  Anything we noticed needed to be fixed was tended to right away by Julio and Captain Larry made sure we all stayed safe in the water. The island hopping tour was fabulous, we got to see lots of sea life and the bioluminescence tour is not to be missed. You get to see the beautiful Sittee River and crocodiles along with the bioluminescence.  The town of Hopkins is quaint and will give you an authentic Belize experience. We checked out all the hotels in Hopkins and Jaguar Reef is definitely the best!  It’s not a party town as most things shut down by 9, but a great place for families and some peace and quiet with time for adventures. It’s definitely worth it to splurge on the rooms with the plunge pool, the kids swam in it for hours.

 

Source: Reviewed by Kelsey F, Feb 2025, via TripAdvisor

Beautiful, relaxing and authentic cultural experience with lots of adventure!

Jaguar Reef was an amazing experience! Lots of amenities of a big resort but the personal feel of a small hotel.  Our kids loved the rope swing on the big dock and we enjoyed the pool and beach. We went when it was completely booked and yet it was never crowded.  Stephanie checked on us often and made sure we had everything we needed.  Anything we noticed needed to be fixed was tended to right away by Julio and Captain Larry made sure we all stayed safe in the water. The island hopping tour was fabulous, we got to see lots of sea life and the bioluminescence tour is not to be missed. You get to see the beautiful Sittee River and crocodiles along with the bioluminescence.  The town of Hopkins is quaint and will give you an authentic Belize experience. We checked out all the hotels in Hopkins and Jaguar Reef is definitely the best!  It’s not a party town as most things shut down by 9, but a great place for families and some peace and quiet with time for adventures. It’s definitely worth it to splurge on the rooms with the plunge pool, the kids swam in it for hours.

 

Source: Reviewed by Kelsey F, Feb 2025, via TripAdvisor

Other Hotels and Resources

Want to see more of what Belize has to offer? Dive into our complete Belize Collection for more family-friendly hotels in Belize and must-do activities.