When I visit a destination for the first time, I typically want to see and do everything. My FOMO tends to override my need for rest because I want to take in all the area has to offer.
Thankfully, I experienced the perfect fusion of adventure and relaxation at Villa Selena by TradeWinds, located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize.
Thanks again to Villa Selena for hosting my visit. All opinions are my own, and this article contains affiliate links.
This luxury eco-property checks all the boxes if you’re looking for a more intimate setting filled with unique experiences for your next getaway.
How Do You Get to Villa Selena?
The most efficient way to travel to Villa Selena is by plane to Placencia Airport from Belize City.
The 25-minute flight is scenic and sets the tone for your adventure.
From the airport, you take a taxi ride to the resort, where you’ll be greeted by the staff, aka your new bff’s for the week.
The TradeWinds’ Ethos
TradeWinds’ ethos is built on six foundational pillars: Expertise, Fun, Luxury, Adventure,
Memorable Experiences and Consciousness.
After spending so much time with their staff, you see why they are the conduit to “create memorable experiences that linger long after the journey ends.”
Luke and Glen had maturity beyond their years and guided us through the journey, creating opportunities for us to connect with each other and nature while taking care of all the details along the way.
They also pulled double duty as our boat captain and tour guide throughout the week.
It’s easy to see how friendships with both the staff and other guests are effortlessly formed from your time sharing incredible experiences and quality time together.
What’s Included With Your Stay at Villa Selena?
The 7-night TERRA with a Splash experience includes fun activities and excursions, both on land and at sea.
TradeWinds all-inclusive fee includes the following activities and services:
- All meals and drinks are served at Villa Selena
- Open bar
- Water and fuel
- Professional team, incl. a captain and a resident chef
- Kayaking, fishing, paddle-boarding
- Excursion with a guide who has local knowledge to see the fascinating marine and bird life in the lagoon, and other excursions
- Captain’s sunset cocktails every evening around sunset
- Visit a Mayan ruin and then a spice- or cacao farm
- An all-day marine excursion, weather dependent, to either Ray-Cay or Ranguana – both are bases for diving, beach-combing, excellent snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing
- Weather permitting, you may go to Monkey River to explore the mangroves and possibly see manatees and dolphins.
What’s NOT Included With Your Stay at Villa Selena?
The fee doesn’t include the following:
- Off-property dining
- Laundry
- Guests have the option to rent ATVs, go ziplining, river tubing, hiking, visit waterfalls, and additional activities at their own expense.
- Cost of spa or beauty treatments
- Gratuities that are shared by the Villa staff (15–18 % of the all-inclusive rate is the suggested guideline)
A Few Fun Facts About Belize
- English is the official language of Belize, and it’s the only English-speaking country in Central America
- Belize has 450 small islands
- The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest coral reef system in the world
- Tropical rainforests cover over 60% of the land in Belize
Tour a Suite at Villa Selena
Villa Selena offers six private air-conditioned suites, each with a king-size bed and a private en-suite bathroom.
Each suite at the villa has outdoor lounge furniture and an overhead fan. There’s also an outdoor rack where you can dry your swimsuit or beach towel.
Guests are requested to remove their shoes before entering indoors during their stay, which is similar to the request they make for guests who sail on their boats.
The design is contemporary and purposeful, with plenty of outlets for guests to plug in their devices.
AC power in Belize is 110 Volts, so you won’t need a converter for outlets if you’re traveling from the US.
From your bed, you can enjoy views of the lagoon directly outside your window.
The bathroom area has two double sinks with storage below.
One of the best surprises in the suite was the covered outdoor shower. It was refreshing to experience the fresh air and breeze while showering in the comforts of privacy.
There are two closets with hangers, baskets for your used towels, and full-length mirrors on the outside.
One closet has a safe and a robe for guests to use during their stay.
Scenic Rooftop Views at Villa Selena
A spiral staircase takes you up to the rooftop, offering panoramic views of the lagoon and the surrounding areas.
There are plenty of comfortable seating areas on the rooftop, both in the sun and under the covered roof.
The sides of the canopies can also roll down as needed if the sun is in your eyes.
One of my favorite spots to relax on the property was the swing on the rooftop.
I’d lose time swaying back and forth, taking in the 360-degree views with such gratitude. I just wanted to absorb the moment.
If you get thirsty, there’s a bar conveniently close by. The hammock is also a nice spot to sneak in a siesta.
For another level of relaxation, you can arrange a professional massage at the villa for an additional fee.
The poolside deck or the rooftop area are popular locations on the property for a massage with a breeze and a view.
Sunsets are especially magical from the rooftop with scenic views of the mountains in the distance and a cocktail in hand.
Relax at the Infinity Pool
I’m happy to report that we had generous amounts of free time built into our itinerary. This made it possible to actually enjoy the pool multiple times during our stay.
Sometimes my itinerary during trips can be so full that I never really get to enjoy the pool and, instead, I just have great pictures of it.
I’m used to typically rushing after breakfast for the first item on the agenda, but I was pleasantly surprised that we weren’t rushed after meals.
Our day trips and activities still allowed for plenty of leisure time on the property before or after, by intentional design.
You could easily swim laps in the pool, or there is a shallow area where guests can sunbathe while in the water.
There are plenty of lounge chairs for guests who want to spend time in the sun.
The shaded deck space is another great space to enjoy your morning coffee or an evening cocktail.
Living/ Dining Space
The shared living space at Villa Selena has two large sectional couches.
This is a great place to hang out if you want to spend some time in air conditioning.
Meals are shared together on the long dining table.
Incredible Meals at Villa Selena
Each meal is prepared with fresh local ingredients by a private chef during your stay.
The hardest part is picking a favorite because I was so impressed with each meal by Chef Indi.
We would start the day with fresh fruit and a protein.
The quiche and specialty French toast were breakfast favorites.
One day during our stay, we enjoyed lunch poolside. We were treated to a traditional lunch similar to what the locals eat, which included stewed chicken, plantains, rice and beans, and potato salad.
For dinner, there were different table themes, and each course was a culinary delight.
Your choice of red or white wine is served with dinner.
Guests were encouraged to switch up their seating arrangements for each meal to create more opportunities to get to know each person at the table.
Staff served us AND joined us for each meal, creating our newly formed family around the table each day.
There was even a birthday surprise one evening to celebrate as an added bonus.
We experienced fine dining cuisine in a casual atmosphere without the hassle of leaving the property.
Each dish that Chef Indi created was a delight, and it’s honestly hard to pick a favorite.
One of the many standouts was her lasagna, which I didn’t anticipate trying in Belize but really enjoyed.
I even consumed more vegetables than I normally do in everyday life, which is always a win too.
And always make sure to save a little room for dessert.
Coffee lovers will also appreciate 24/7 access to the espresso machine. I loved drinking my coffee while absorbing the views each morning and a few evenings.
Cocktails and Sunsets at Villa Selena
There is no shortage of craft cocktails during your stay.
In fact, the sunset cocktail was part of our introduction to the property after a room tour.
We were greeted with a colorful cocktail upon arrival and presented with the incredible view from the rooftop.
Celebrating sunset with a special cocktail and an appetizer is a regular rhythm during your stay at the villa.
It was fun to see what the Captain’s sunset cocktail feature was each day.
Non-alcoholic cocktails are also available upon request.
We even had a special cocktail during one of our scenic boat rides.
Guests can also help themselves to cold drinks in the mini fridges on the deck at any time. You’ll find an assortment of beers and non-alcoholic drink options.
Bonfire on the Beach
I didn’t anticipate a special bonfire on the beach during our visit, but it was a fun way to celebrate the evening.
The best part was listening to the staff share their version of not-so-scary ghost stories.
An Eco-Friendly Stay
The roofs of the entire property are covered in solar panels to power the property, and the structure was built using carbon-sink materials, which means they absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they produce.
Villa Selena is also committed to using natural cleaning products, biodegradable plastics and paper, and incorporating as many eco-friendly products as possible into its function and design.
TradeWinds’ core value is reducing its impact on the environment in tandem with actively engaging in conservation efforts.
You can learn more about all of the ways they are making a difference here.
Explore Monkey River
One of the highlights of the trip was our excursion to Monkey River, a watercourse in southeastern Belize. This river is known for its wildlife and diverse ecosystem.
Another perk of staying at Villa Selena is that you already have boats and a captain on-site. No need to drive to a marina. You just step onto the boat straight from the villa to your next adventure.
We made a stop at Monkey River Village, which is home to around 200 people. While there you’ll find an assortment of items for sale if you’re looking for a souvenir.
If you want unique artwork, be on the lookout for the art made using butterfly wings from deceased butterflies at a local butterfly farm.
While exploring Monkey River, we had the opportunity to see a variety of birds along the way. Our captain would take the boat for a closer look whenever possible.
Belize is a birders’ delight, home to over 600 species of birds. We also saw bats that thankfully stayed on the log as we passed by.
The scenery was beautiful as the boat weaved up and down the river.
We also saw a few varieties of lizards along the way before stepping out of the boat for our jungle tour.
Closed-toed shoes or sandals with straps are your best option. I also threw on a long-sleeved shirt in case the bugs were biting, but they weren’t too bad.
Our guide taught us about the local plants and helped point out wildlife along the way.
I’m on the fence about whether I’d want to see a jaguar in the wild in the jungle, but jaguar sightings are extremely rare, and it wasn’t our day to see one.
Belize is home to the world’s only jaguar preserve. The Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve is over 120,000+ acres, but it’s more likely that you’ll see one of the 200+ species of birds than a stealthy jaguar.
The wildest moment during our jungle tour was when our guide revealed a tarantula in a hollowed-out log.
He casually picked the tarantula up, and we watched it crawl all over his hand as we stood by watching in amazement.
I was equal parts fascinated to see a tarantula in the wild so closely… and slightly terrified that it could possibly jump off his hand onto me.
Thankfully, the tarantula felt safe and had no reason to jump before our guide gently placed it back in its haven inside the log.
Other animal highlights during the river tour were the Howler monkeys and seeing small crocodiles.
We could hear the Howler monkeys, but they were challenging to capture in the trees because they moved so quickly.
After our time in the Monkey River, we were on the lookout for manatees in the mangroves. We also saw dolphins on our way out to the river.
River Tubing at Mayan World Adventure Park
I highly recommend adding a day of river tubing at Mayan World Adventure Park because it’s a great blend of relaxation with micro-doses of thrills as you approach the small rapids.
Zip-lining wasn’t available on the dates of our visit, but I was more than happy to go river tubing instead.
I’d recommend wearing water shoes or sandals with straps for the walk to and from the water.
The water temperature was perfect, and the pace was laid back.
Be on the lookout for “crocodile rocks,” aka rocks that could bite your bum when you go over the rapids if you sit too low in the tube.
After river tubing, we enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch at the shelter nearby.
Our picnic included a refreshing cocktail and TradeWinds’ famous chicken salad. If you know, you know.
This chicken salad is a popular TradeWinds recipe that returning guests, who are staying on a boat or land, look forward to.
The property also has two beautiful waterfalls onsite within driving distance of the river.
The hike to the waterfalls does include stairs, so make sure your shoes are good on a slick surface.
The first waterfall is a short hike from the second waterfall. You can climb up and jump off the waterfall, or jump from the swimming platform into the water.
There’s also a ladder if you prefer to gradually dip into the water.
The water temperature was considerably cooler at the waterfall, but very refreshing once I got used to it.
Snorkeling at Moho Caye
Our time at Moho Caye was literally like walking into the most beautiful screensaver.
The best part was that we had the privilege of witnessing such incredible beauty in person.
Our journey to Moho Caye conveniently started directly from Villa Selena.
The TradeWinds “Sea La Vie” covered boat was a plush ride.
Each guest has a comfortable captain’s chair that also helps absorb the bigger waves during the ride in ways that smaller boats can’t.
Another perk of our fast boat was that we had more time to enjoy the island.
The shades of turquoise water paired with white sand beaches were surreal.
There were only a handful of other people on the island during our visit, which made it feel like we had the island all to ourselves.
There’s plenty of shade and lounge chairs for visitors.
I noticed the hammock in the shade with an incredible view, but it wasn’t enough just to see it; I wanted to experience it and take in the moment.
Our snorkel gear was provided, and a few of us joined Luke in the water as he guided us around the reef to look for colorful fish.
Scuba diving is offered by local operators to comply with local regulations for certified divers.
Later for lunch, we enjoyed marinated grouper, prepared on the grill while we were swimming and lounging.
During our beachside picnic, we assembled our fish tacos family style while enjoying an incredible backdrop.
We also enjoyed coconut water as a refreshing drink before heading back to the villa.
Explore Placencia Village
On one of our excursion days, we took a boat ride from Villa Selena to the markets at Placencia Village.
You’ll have an opportunity to walk on the “World’s Narrowest Main Street,” 4 feet wide and stretching 4,071 feet long.
Thankfully, this street, listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records,” is for pedestrians only.
You’ll find plenty of local shops and opportunities for rum tastings and ice cream made from less common fruits along the way.
If you love hot sauce like me, you’ll find an assortment of great flavor profiles and heat levels at the market to bring home.
They accept the dollar if you don’t have their currency on hand.
There is also a nice beach area with shaded areas by the boardwalk.
Be on the lookout for colorful iguanas, too.
After our time shopping, we enjoyed a scenic ride through the fishing canals.
I really enjoyed seeing all the houses and activity along the canals, which added dimension to our visit to the village.
This type of customized vacation was the experience I didn’t know I needed.
More Land & Sea Luxury Vacation Destinations with TradeWinds
TradeWinds offers a collection of environmentally friendly vacation properties located in natural environments that are intentionally close to water.
Check out all of their luxury properties on land here.
Sailings with TradeWinds
TradeWinds also offers shared and private catamaran sailing experiences on their fleet of nearly 50 vessels around the world, ranging in length from 52 to 77 feet.
Some guests opt for one week on land and another week at sea.
Sailing routes include the following destinations:
- Abacos, Antigua, Bahamas, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Panama, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean
- Also in the Caribbean is the unique itinerary that takes in three countries in a single week: St. Marten, Anguilla, and St. Barths
- France and Greece in Europe
- Fiji, French Polynesia, and Tonga in the South Pacific
- Seychelles in the Indian Ocean
More About TradeWinds
You can learn more about TradeWinds from their website. Please call Tradewinds for additional information at 855-600-5821 or 784-457-3407.
