5 Reasons Wellness Travelers In Belize Love Naia Resort - Forbes

Discover Naia Resort & Spa, a wellness-focused hotel in Placencia, Belize.

Courtesy Naia Resort & Spa

It’s not hard to find wellness in Belize. Nearly every hotel offers botanical-infused spa treatments, therapeutic gardens and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature—and yourself. But no other Belizean hotel has dedicated itself to wellness and its many definitions quite like Naia Resort & Spa.

Nestled on a lush 200-acre reserve in the burgeoning town of Placencia, Naia has infused the pursuit of self-care into every element of the experience at the sustainably-minded resort. No matter where you turn, there’s an opportunity for inspiration, adventure and reflection. Here’s an inside look at Naia Resort and how it wins over wellness travelers in Belize.

The spa at Naia Resort features five over-water treatment rooms nestled in a lagoon.

Courtesy Naia Resort & Spa

Transformational spa treatments

The spa is the heart and soul of Naia Resort. Getting to it is like a treatment in and of itself: A serene walk on a secret winding pathway through lili pad-covered lagoons and a verdant jungle with a soundscape of chirps from tropical birds. Treatments take place in private over-water suites and are unlike those found at any other spa. From the massage and wraps to the facials and mani-pedis, every service uses local botanicals and leverages the healing properties of water.

The real point of distinction at Naia Spa is how it infuses Belizean culture and nature into many of its signature treatments. The Native Essence massage, for example, uses a blend of essential oils (like ginger and orange) that some locals believe have medicinal qualities. Other highlights include the Maya Cacao & Cinnamon Wrap (an exfoliating and moisturizing treatment that leaves your skin scented with cinnamon), the Coastal Breeze Wrap (a body wrap infused with indigenous stone crop and aloe) and Mystic Light (a spiritual ceremony meant to balance the chakras and quiet the mind). Whichever you choose, the treatment will prove to be a transformational experience. Afterward, take a dip in the saltwater pool or find some inner peace in the meditation area. You’re welcome to linger as long as you’d like.

Fresh flowers and Belizean art are found throughout each bungalow at Naia Resort.

Joni Sweet

Charming private bungalows

At Naia Resort, you’re never too far from the beach. Just step off your private bungalow’s veranda and dig your toes into the sand. The crashing waves of the Caribbean Sea will lull you to sleep at night.

The 35 cottages, which range from studios to three bedrooms, have a lot more to love than just beach access, though. The bright and spacious beach houses have a certain charm that’s evident in small touches, like the blooming hibiscus flowers carefully placed on the king-size beds and crowning jars of coffee supplies in the kitchen, subtle displays of sculptures and paintings from local artists and the warm glow from the Mayan lamps handmade by members of a women’s cooperative. The luxurious bathrooms are like a retreat within a retreat—each offers an indoor soaking tub and an outdoor garden shower that makes you feel like you’re getting washed by the rain.

Naia Resort offers guided kayaking tours through the mangroves.

Courtesy Naia Resort & Spa

Experience-driven excursions

Naia helps guests find the perfect balance between relaxing retreats and invigorating adventures. Its menu of excursions has something to suit every type of wellness traveler, whether you want a cultural immersion, a unique encounter with wildlife or an escape into nature.

Every guest should take advantage of the lagoon kayaking and wildlife watch experience, which takes place just a few minutes away from the main area of the resort. You’ll paddle through the peaceful mangroves as the knowledgable guide points out the creatures that call the Placencia Lagoon home. Go early during the day—that’s when you’re most likely to see crocodiles, iguanas, manatees and dolphins.

Kayaking is just a taste of the types of excursions Naia can help you plan, though. They’ll arrange the chance to see an elusive jaguar at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, take a boat ride through a tropical forest filled with howler monkeys, snorkel with sea turtles and nurse sharks at Silk Caye Marine Reserve, spelunk through the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave and experience hands-on tours of local spice farms. Choosing an excursion will be the hardest part—Naia takes care of the rest.

Naia Resort commissioned a local family of craftspeople to weave lamps for its restaurant, 1981.

Courtesy Naia Resort & Spa

Modern takes on Belizean cuisine

Some resort restaurants confine their menus to whatever you’d typically find at home, but Naia stays proudly rooted in Belizean cuisine. You’ll kick start your day with Belizean breakfast favorites, like sautéed callaloo (a Caribbean dish made from leafy greens), eggs and corn tortillas or fry jacks (savory fried dough) served with black beans, scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato, cheese and avocado at the casual Beach Bar and Grill. Wash it down with freshly squeezed juice or a smoothie (the banana ginger smoothie with yogurt and honey is deeply refreshing). The lunch menu also boasts local cuisine, like chimole (a dish with chicken, ground pork and boiled eggs in a dark-as-night achiote seasoning), conch carpaccio and Creole lobster.

Naia’s devotion to Belizean culture is most apparent at its premier dinner establishment, 1981. Named for the year Belize became independent, 1981 has created a polished, contemporary space out of rustic materials from around the country. The distinctive basket lamps dangling from the cathedral ceiling were handmade by a Creole family in Teakettle Village, Cayo District, who painstakingly removed each spike from the prickle-covered vines used in the weaving. The vintage bottles behind the bar were collected from construction sites around Belize. And framed black-and-white photos offer a behind-the-scenes look at scenes from “The Dogs of War,” which was largely filmed in Belize. The menu at 1981 changes seasonally, but you can expect a mix of flavor-packed meats, colorful vegetables and international dishes infused with Belizean flavors.

Take in the sunset from Naia's dock.

Courtesy Naia Resort & Spa

Efforts to give back

Naia gives back to the local community. It’s a member of Pack for a Purpose and offers guests a list of items they can bring from home to support a school in a nearby village. The Naia team helps maintain the roadside to the airport to ensure the country makes a great first impression on visitors. The resort makes sure its jobs go to Belizeans, and offers them livable salaries and opportunities for advancement. And Naia makes thoughtful efforts to promote true sustainability, from ear-marking the majority of its property as lagoon and forest reserves, planting mangrove seedlings to create an eco-friendly alternative to concrete seawalls and sourcing the materials for the floor of the gym from recycled tennis shoes.

Sure, you’ll feel restored after enjoying spa treatments and relaxing in a private beach house for a week. But supporting a place like Naia that cares as much about the local community as it does its foreign visitors will show you a higher level of wellness—one that will stick with you long after that massage has ended.

Let's block ads! (Why?)