Island Shopping in Belize

When your friend tells you she’s thinking about buying an island and suggests you accompany her on a site visit, wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity?  That’s exactly what I did when my friend Kendra invited me to Belize. The all-inclusive resort, Yok Ha, which we’d call home while island “shopping”, was priced under $1,000 for two for four nights.  Needless to say I was in.  Unfortunately, in the end work got in the way and I had to postpone my departure date, never seeing any of the islands Kendra intended to buy.  But my later arrival in December was the perfect time to experience the island resort.

Without a doubt Yok Ha has to be one of the most magnificent properties in the Caribbean.  Surrounded by lush mangroves and a sea full of brightly colored starfish, dolphins and tropical fish, this secluded little island is off the coast of Dangria in the middle of the Caribbean.  From Belize City a small plane whisks you to Dangria, about a 15 minute flight, and then it’s a 30 minute boat ride (more if the sea is choppy) to Yok Ha on Waterfoot Caye (pronounced key). The journey is stunningly picturesque and upon arrival you’ll feel as if you’ve landed in your own little Robinson Crusoe world.

Opened in April of 2013, Yok Ha was voted “…One of the top affordable places to go” by Yahoo! Finance and has a nearly perfect rating on TripAdvisor.com.  The island itself is all of 3 acres and the resort contains just 6 charming cabanas, a dining hall and a house where the resort’s employees (all four of them) reside.

Each brilliantly colored cabana has its own private deck and sleeps two (king or doubles) and though they vary in size, every one has an amazing view and is uniquely decorated.  For example bedspreads are hand picked by the owners and hand made by a Guatemalan woman living on the mainland. Simple luxury seems to be the prevailing design mantra. A traditional Belizean hammock on the front porch awaits the weary traveler and is perfect for lazy afternoons

Just steps away there are kayaks on the beach, which can be used at your leisure and gear for snorkeling pretty much anywhere around the island. For some of the best scuba diving in the world a barrier reef is minutes away.

Other than a set schedule for meals, at Yok Ha your time is your own to do as you please.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner were timed perfectly (to my surprise, as I was certain I’d be starving most of the time) and were cooked by Celeste, who reminded me of my mom. The food, which was exceptional, consisted of fresh lobster and fish caught near the resort the same day, locally grown fruits and vegetables brought in from the mainland and homemade johnny cakes.

Yok Ha might be described as a cross between a small town B & B and a five star resort.   Either way, a few days at this jewel in the Caribbean is life changing and you just may find yourself island shopping yourself.