I spent 2 nights in a luxury overwater bungalow in Belize. Take a look inside my $950-a-night room.

Monica HumphriesFeb 16, 2024, 03:07 IST

The author at the Thatch Caye resort in Belize.Katie Sproles

On a recent trip to Belize, a friend and I spent two nights at the all-inclusive Thatch Caye resort.
The resort sits on its own private island, and we stayed in a premier overwater bungalow.

Belize's coarse sand dug into the back of my legs as I sat on a beach and considered the four days behind me.

My friend and I had just spent four nights in a budget hotel and three days hopping around Caye Caulker, Belize. We spent our mornings tracking down affordable scuba diving excursions and our evenings looking for cheap happy hour deals.

It was pure paradise, but it was paradise on a budget.

Ahead of us was the exact opposite: luxury.

Planted on the beach, we were waiting for a boat to take us to Thatch Caye — an all-inclusive resort on a private island.

Hundreds of islands and resorts dot the coast of Belize, but Thatch Caye lured me with its overwater bungalows.

A bird's-eye view of the Thatch Caye resort.Muy'Ono Resorts

Shortly before sunset, a boat owned by Thatch Caye picked up me, my friend, and six other guests. Squinting in the distance, all we could see was a blur of green in the middle of the ocean.

A boat driver for the resort takes the author to Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Shortly before sunset, a boat owned by Thatch Caye picked up me, my friend, and six other guests. Squinting in the distance, all we could see was a blur of green in the middle of the ocean.

About 25 minutes later, thatched roofs came into view. We had arrived.

A view of Thatch Caye from the water.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

With watermelon juice in hand, we were given a short tour of the island and handed a key to our overwater bungalow.

Guests were welcomed to Thatch Caye with watermelon juice and a shot of rum.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

For two nights, we were staying in a premier overwater bungalow with its own private deck.

The premier overwater bungalow.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The island is also home to bungalows with shared decks as well as cabanas.

A view of the island's bungalows, which have a shared deck.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

A worker carted our luggage and led the way down a sandy path.

A Thatch Caye worker brings the author's luggage to her overwater bungalow.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After a two-minute walk, we arrived at a long, narrow walkway leading out to the ocean and our bungalow.

The exterior of the premier overwater bungalow.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

We opened the door and stepped inside. Greeting us were two comfy beds — a major upgrade from the basic beds we had spent the last four nights in.

The interior of the premier bungalow at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Below each bed was storage for our luggage, which allowed our room to stay decluttered for the two nights.

Two twin beds were inside the author's overwater bungalow.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The room thankfully had AC along with two lounge chairs. Three windows gave us direct views out to the ocean.

A view of the interior of the overwater bungalow on Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Attached to the room was a small bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink.

The bungalow's bathroom.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

While the room was cool and spacious, the bungalow's main appeal was outside.

A view of the outside of the bungalow.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Surrounding the majority of the building was a private deck.

A view of the bungalow's deck.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

We had a hammock, where we spent each night stargazing, and two chairs for lounging.

The author sits on the hammock outside her bungalow.Katie Sproles

While our bungalow didn't have direct access to the water, we could gaze down at Belize's aquatic life swimming below.

A starfish in the water at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Between the breeze blowing through the thatched roof and the ocean below, it was like we were immersed in our own little sound machine.

A view of the bungalow's thatched roof.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

And while leaving our little bungalow was hard, Thatch Caye had more to offer than a good night's rest.

The Coco Lounge and surrounding water. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

There was a beach where guests could use complimentary snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and a sailboat.

A view of the beach at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The small island had a dive shop, where guests could embark on daily diving and snorkeling excursions, and its own spa.

The scuba shack on Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Sprinkled across the island are other outdoor activities, like a volleyball court and cornhole.

The volleyball court at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

In the main lounge of the island, guests have access to a bar, WiFi, and a small shop stocked with sunscreen, snacks, and shirts.

A view of Coco Lounge on Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

At the epicenter of the resort is a large thatched canopy.

The Coco Lounge and surrounding water. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Here, bartenders mix piña coladas, mojitos, and other tropical drinks while guests relax on hammocks over the water.

A view of the pavilion at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Or guests can dive into the ocean to spot marine life, hop on a water trampoline, or swing over the crystal clear waters.

The author's friend swimming in the water.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Guests sit at a communal table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The communal table at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The island had an ideal balance of relaxation and adventure. We spent our morning scuba diving, our afternoon snorkeling and paddleboarding, and our evening relaxing with tropical cocktails.

A piña colada.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The island had an ideal balance of relaxation and adventure. We spent our morning scuba diving, our afternoon snorkeling and paddleboarding, and our evening relaxing with tropical cocktails.

And I left Thatch Caye with my bungalow dreams fulfilled.

A sunset at Thatch Caye.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

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I spent 2 nights in a luxury overwater bungalow in Belize. Take a look inside my $950-a-night room.

Hundreds of islands and resorts dot the coast of Belize, but Thatch Caye lured me with its overwater bungalows.

Shortly before sunset, a boat owned by Thatch Caye picked up me, my friend, and six other guests. Squinting in the distance, all we could see was a blur of green in the middle of the ocean.

About 25 minutes later, thatched roofs came into view. We had arrived.

With watermelon juice in hand, we were given a short tour of the island and handed a key to our overwater bungalow.

For two nights, we were staying in a premier overwater bungalow with its own private deck.

The island is also home to bungalows with shared decks as well as cabanas.

A worker carted our luggage and led the way down a sandy path.

After a two-minute walk, we arrived at a long, narrow walkway leading out to the ocean and our bungalow.

We opened the door and stepped inside. Greeting us were two comfy beds — a major upgrade from the basic beds we had spent the last four nights in.

Below each bed was storage for our luggage, which allowed our room to stay decluttered for the two nights.

The room thankfully had AC along with two lounge chairs. Three windows gave us direct views out to the ocean.

Attached to the room was a small bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink.

While the room was cool and spacious, the bungalow's main appeal was outside.

Surrounding the majority of the building was a private deck.

We had a hammock, where we spent each night stargazing, and two chairs for lounging.

While our bungalow didn't have direct access to the water, we could gaze down at Belize's aquatic life swimming below.

Between the breeze blowing through the thatched roof and the ocean below, it was like we were immersed in our own little sound machine.

And while leaving our little bungalow was hard, Thatch Caye had more to offer than a good night's rest.

There was a beach where guests could use complimentary snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and a sailboat.

The small island had a dive shop, where guests could embark on daily diving and snorkeling excursions, and its own spa.

Sprinkled across the island are other outdoor activities, like a volleyball court and cornhole.

In the main lounge of the island, guests have access to a bar, WiFi, and a small shop stocked with sunscreen, snacks, and shirts.

At the epicenter of the resort is a large thatched canopy.

Here, bartenders mix piña coladas, mojitos, and other tropical drinks while guests relax on hammocks over the water.

Or guests can dive into the ocean to spot marine life, hop on a water trampoline, or swing over the crystal clear waters.

Guests sit at a communal table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The island had an ideal balance of relaxation and adventure. We spent our morning scuba diving, our afternoon snorkeling and paddleboarding, and our evening relaxing with tropical cocktails.

And I left Thatch Caye with my bungalow dreams fulfilled.