About us
We created Ceiba Beach Resort & Residence to fit exactly how you want to travel. Whether you want to wake up in a cabana right on the sand, stretch out in a modern condo, or enjoy the quiet of our spacious lagoon-side properties, we’ve set things up so you can stay exactly the way you want.
We designed this resort to be a comfortable, laid-back home base—giving you an affordable, easygoing place to land after a day of exploring everything Belize has to offer.
The Ceiba Story: Deep Roots and Natural Beauty
To the ancient Maya, the towering Ceiba tree was much more than just a part of the jungle—it was the Yaaxché, the Tree of Life. They believed its massive, spreading canopy and deep buttress roots physically connected the earth with the underworld below and the heavens above. Even today, the Ceiba stands as a sacred symbol of life, resilience, and connection to the natural world.
When we found the land that is now Ceiba Beach Resort, that same respect for nature guided us. In the 1960s, while much of the peninsula was clear-cut, this specific piece of land was left untouched. Because of this, our property is home to some of the only large, old-growth trees left in the area. We also sit at a naturally higher elevation, which meant we didn’t need to truck in artificial fill dirt to build. Instead, we worked with the land exactly as it was.
What is Ceiba?
Ceiba is the name of a genus of many species of large trees found in tropical areas, including Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Some species can grow to 70 m (230 ft) tall or more, with a straight, largely branchless trunk that culminates in a huge, spreading canopy, and buttress roots that can be taller than a grown person.
The Ceiba tree is an important part of the mythologies of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures. For example, several Amazonian tribes of eastern Peru believe deities live in Ceiba tree species throughout the jungle.
The Maya civilization believed that Yaaxché, a concept of the central world tree, is often depicted as a Ceiba trunk, which connects the planes of the Underworld (Xibalba), the terrestrial realm, and the skies. The unmistakable thick conical thorns in clusters on the trunk were reproduced by the southern lowland Maya of the Classical Period on cylindrical ceramic burial urns or incense holders.
Modern Maya still often respectfully leave the tree standing when harvesting forest timber. The Ceiba tree is represented by a cross and serves as an important architectural motif in the Temple of the Cross Complex at Palenque.
That philosophy of preservation extends to every plant and flower you see on the property today. We don’t just ship in commercial landscaping. Our dedicated grounds team grows and cultivates our vibrant tropical gardens right here on site. Maintaining their own nursery, they plant and nurture our gardens directly from cuttings, caring for the soil with a genuine desire to honor the true, raw beauty of Belize.
When you walk the paths at Ceiba Beach Resort, you aren’t just walking through a manicured hotel yard. You are experiencing a carefully preserved piece of the coast, rooted in the ancient history of the Ceiba tree and lovingly tended by the people who know this land best.
Your Journey to Maya Beach
Getting to your home base on the Placencia Peninsula is part of the adventure. Most guests fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Belize City.
From there, you have two primary ways to reach us here in Maya Beach, both offering beautiful views of the Belizean landscape.
You can take a short, scenic domestic flight (‘Puddle Jumper’!) directly to the Placencia airstrip, which is an experience in itself, or enjoy the drive down the Hummingbird Highway or Coastal Highway.
Whether you choose to rent a car for the flexibility to explore at your own pace or prefer to have a private shuttle pick you up at the airport, we are happy to help you coordinate the best travel option for you.
Just reach out, and we’ll ensure your transition from the clouds to the coast is smooth and welcoming. Call/WhatsApp us on +501-630-2512 or call/text us on (945) 215-9642 for more information.
The Drive
The newly paved Coastal Highway is the quickest route, getting you from the airport to our beach in about 2.5 hours. It’s a beautiful, wide-open drive through pine savanna, but keep in mind that this stretch is remote. We recommend grabbing a bite at a local spot like Amigos near the Belize Zoo before turning south. If your flight arrives around midday, stopping at the zoo is a great way to break the journey as well.
While you can pick up fresh fruit from roadside stands along the way, don’t worry about doing a massive grocery haul—there are plenty of well-stocked markets just 10 minutes down the road once you arrive at Ceiba.
Maya Beach Conveniences
Find The Perfect Fit, Within Your Budget
Food & Drink
Maya Beach is a small community, and everything is walkable on our newly paved sidewalk. You can walk, run, or cycle all the way down to Placencia Village on it!
In Maya Beach, we have a bakery and a cafe just 10 minutes’ walk away, and 6 restaurants are within a 15-minute walk, all with great reputations and atmosphere.
Further south in Seine Bight (8 minutes south) and Placencia Village (22 minutes south), you will find a variety of Creole, Garifuna, and Central American dishes served by the sea or along the streets, canopied by bougainvillea flowers.
You will find locally made rum, flavored with tropical fruits and herbs, fish just brought in from the Caribbean, shrimp, lobster (from July through February), rice and beans (the staple of Belize) and street food that satisfies at great prices.
