A Private Island and Plenty of Pride in Placencia, Belize
A little corner of Caribbean LGBTQ+ friendliness.
Eight miles off the coast of Belize, Coral Caye is a dream island in the truest sense of the word: all white coral sand, coconut palms, and swaying mangroves. Guests arriving here can expect to share this private island with only the butler, the chef, and Goldie the dog, an enthusiastic Swiss Shepherd, and the only permanent resident.
There are no TVs, no telephones, nor anything noisier than a sea breeze, but there is a well-stocked bar, an abundance of board games, and scuba gear – if you catch a lobster, the chef will be more than happy to prepare it for you too. The only two cabins on the island are colorfully decorated with a clear preference for uncomplicated luxury. They’re also on opposite sides of the island – although that actually means they're only about a minute apart.
Boats to the private island leave from Placencia. This laid-back community is a little haven of LGBTQ+ friendliness, thanks to the budding annual Pride event and The Elysian hotel, owned by the First Lady of Belize, Kim Simplis Barrow. An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ equality in her nation, the hotel is decorated with her handpicked furnishings, including the spectacular Exclusive Penthouse with its abundance of open-air spaces.
Just north of The Elysian is the gay-managed Turtle Inn. Though Coral Caye is technically part of this resort, the mainland side has its own vibe as it is owned and meticulously conceived by the great Francis Ford Coppola. The perfectionist director/screenwriter/producer/winemaker and hotelier has created an Asian-Caribbean mashup here: all furniture, doors, stone walls, and even volcanic rocks in the walkways were shipped straight from Bali to Belize. The most fabulous among the beach cabins belongs to his daughter Sofia Coppola.
There’s plenty of room for playfulness: communication between the rooms and reception, for instance, is conducted via 'shell-phone': an intercom hidden inside a seashell.
Let us know when you want to head to Belize and we'll make it happen.
Jurriaan Teulings
Jurriaan dreamt of becoming either an astronomer or a circus clown. He became a lawyer instead, but finally found the ultimate fit for his free-range mind as a travel writer and photographer. A Stroopwafel evangelist, he's also won a few awards: two in plexiglass, one in bronze, and one made of beads. The biggest prize: 20 years of travel to all continents and 99 countries so far.