Pelican Beach Dangriga has one of those locations you can’t help but appreciate. It is literally a stone’s throw from the tiny Dangriga airport. And yes, I tested it. You could land, grab your bag, and be sipping a Belikin at the hotel bar within minutes. For anyone looking to explore both Belize’s lush jungle and its famous turquoise waters, this spot makes the perfect base.

Dangriga itself is often described as the cultural capital of Belize, and staying here gave me the best of both worlds. I had easy access to adventures inland, such as ziplining, waterfall hikes, and exploring mysterious caves, while also being just a boat ride away from the Belize Barrier Reef, secluded cayes, and even the legendary Blue Hole.

The hotel has recently been renovated, which gave it a fresh, airy feel without losing that laid-back Belizean charm. Its waterfront setting meant I could wake up, wander outside with my coffee, and watch the sunrise over the Caribbean. There is also a full service restaurant and bar, which quickly became my evening hangout after long days of exploring. The seafood was fresh, the rum punch was strong, and the atmosphere felt friendly and local rather than overly polished.

If you are planning a trip to Belize and want a convenient, comfortable base that lets you combine both jungle and sea adventures, Pelican Beach Dangriga is a solid choice. Just be prepared, you might end up staying longer than you planned, because it is that easy to settle in here!

Location and How To Get There

Pelican Beach Hotel could not be more convenient. It is just a two-minute drive from Dangriga’s little airport, which means you can land, blink, and already be on your way to checking in. Getting there is easy from Belize City’s international airport thanks to frequent daily flights on Maya Air and Tropic Air. The flight itself is only about 15 minutes, but don’t let the short time fool you—the views of the Belizean coastline are worth every second. I spent the whole ride glued to the window, half convinced I was flying over a postcard.

One of the perks of staying here is that the hotel offers complimentary return airport transfers with your room. It sounds like a small thing, but when you’re juggling flights, bags, and maybe a bit of jet lag, having someone waiting to pick you up is a gift.

If you are using Dangriga as a jumping-off point, there are also direct flights from here to other parts of Belize, including Placencia, Punta Gorda, and the northern cayes like San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Just keep in mind that you will probably connect through Belize City.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of puddle jumpers. If tiny planes aren’t your thing, or you are already traveling within Belize, several shuttle companies offer ground transportation across the country.

Both times I stayed at Pelican Beach, I actually arrived by sea. Once it was after a stay at Tobacco Caye (where yes, I snagged a $90 overwater bungalow—read my review here), and the other was after a sailing trip through the Belizean Cayes that wrapped up in Dangriga (review here). In both cases, Pelican Beach was the perfect place to land, catch my breath, and recharge before continuing deeper into Belize.

Check In Process

This time around, I wasn’t arriving from Dangriga’s airport but from one of the boat ports in town after an overnight sailing trip from Caye Caulker. Our taxi driver decided not to show (Belize time, maybe?), but luckily another driver was happy to scoop us up for the short ten-minute ride to the hotel.

When we pulled up, the first thing I noticed was our names written on a welcome sign out front on a blackboard. It was such a simple gesture, but honestly, it made me smile. There’s something about seeing your name waiting for you that feels extra welcoming.

Inside, we were greeted warmly by the front desk team, breezed through the paperwork, and were quickly shown to our room. Our luggage followed shortly behind thanks to the porters, who clearly have the art of luggage Tetris down to a science.

The cherry on top was the pair of tokens we received for complimentary welcome cocktails. Needless to say, those didn’t last long—we redeemed them not too long after settling into our room. There’s just something about a rum cocktail in hand that makes you feel like vacation has officially started.

Rooms

Pelican Beach offers two main room types: the Sea Front Mini Suites and the Colonial Beachfront Rooms. On both of my visits, I stayed in the Sea Front Mini Suite, and let me tell you—they have been recently renovated and it shows. Clean, fresh, and modern, these suites strike the right balance between comfort and a beachy, laid-back vibe.

The Sea Front rooms are set in a separate building just across the lawn, while the Colonial Beachfront Rooms are perched above the restaurant, giving you a slightly closer look at the water. Both have their perks, but I was more than happy in my Sea Front Mini Suite.

Inside, the room comes with everything you actually need (and some things you didn’t realize you’d appreciate until you’re there). Comfortable beds—one or two depending on the setup—satellite TV, tea and coffee facilities, a mini fridge, and filtered water are all provided. There’s plenty of storage space for those of us who don’t believe in packing light, plus an iron, ironing board, and a safe. The bathroom is simple but practical, with a shower, toilet, sink, and complimentary toiletries.

What I particularly loved were the thoughtful details. Multiple charging ports by the bed and at the desk meant I could charge all my gadgets without having to play musical chairs with adapters. If you also travel with more electronics than is probably necessary, you’ll appreciate this little luxury.

But the real star of the show is outside. Each suite comes with a private deck complete with a hammock and a pair of Adirondack chairs, partially shaded so you can choose between sunbathing or lounging in the breeze. From there, you get uninterrupted views of the coastline that are perfect for morning coffee, sunset cocktails, or just an excuse to swing gently in a hammock pretending you live there permanently.

Both the ground floor and upper floor suites offer unobstructed water views, so you really can’t go wrong with whichever one you’re given.

Food and Drink

The hotel’s onsite restaurant is a favourite not just with guests but also with locals, which is always a good sign. They keep things interesting with a daily special for both food and drinks, so there is always something new to try.

Breakfast was my favorite part of the day here. The menu ranges from hearty Belizean breakfasts to Mexican and American classics, plus stuffed fry jacks. And if there is one thing you absolutely, positively must try when you come to Belize, it’s a fry jack. Think of it as less of a food item and more of a national requirement. It is deep fried, fluffy, and perfect with anything, or on its own. On this trip, I went with a ham and cheese omelette, which came with a choice of fry jacks, flour tortillas, or toast. The omelette itself was excellent – generous on the fillings (a rarity in hotel breakfasts if we’re being honest).

To wash it down, I dove into their drinks and smoothies menu, which is surprisingly extensive. Everything we tried was as delicious as it sounded, and it felt like a nice balance if you want something lighter than, say, your fourth coffee.

The lunch menu is a mix of Belizean specialties and more familiar comfort foods such as burgers, wraps, quesadillas, fajitas, plus rotating daily specials. Dinner, meanwhile, focuses on a concise menu of well-executed dishes: pork chops, steak, fish fillet, shrimp, or chicken, with your choice of cooking method, sauce, and sides. On my last visit, I ordered the garlic chicken breast with rice and beans and sweet potato chips, which hit the spot. My friend went with the Stann Creek shrimp and swore it was just as good.

Now, let’s talk about the drinks. The cocktail list is impressively long, covering everything from frozen and blended to simple pours. Our welcome drink was a rum punch mixed fresh at the bar, and even though I had been living on rum punch for days during a sailing trip, this one still tasted like perfection. During dinner, I also tried their signature cocktail, “The Pelican,” a mix of white rum, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, and lime—it was tropical, colourful, and just the right amount of strong.

Service can sometimes be on Belize time, which means it takes a little longer to flag someone down, but once the order is in, the food arrives quickly and the drinks are consistently strong. Honestly, that’s a trade-off I can live with.

If you happen to be around on a Friday, you’re in luck. Their $5 Friday special (yes, $5 Belizean dollars—that’s just $2.50 USD) runs from 2–6pm and is a local favorite. It includes drinks like Panty Rippa (another Belize rite of passage), Rum & Coke, Screwdriver, Salty Dog, Rum Punch, and Cranbarrel, all for $5 each, along with tapas-style bites like chicken sliders, nachos, tostadas, and chips and dip. Safe to say, it’s a pretty great way to spend your Friday afternoon.

Facilities

Beyond its prime waterfront location and full-service bar and restaurant, Pelican Beach also has a little cultural gem right by reception: the Tony Rath Photo Gallery. Officially called “Images of Belize,” this gallery showcases decades of work by renowned nature photographer Tony Rath, who has spent over 30 years documenting Belize’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural diversity. Some of the images capture remote corners of the country that most visitors will never reach, while others highlight scenes you’ll instantly recognize from your own Belize adventures.

I loved wandering through the gallery during my stay; it felt like a mini journey through the country, reminding me of the places I’d already explored and giving me ideas for where I might head next. And yes, many of the pieces are available for purchase, so if you’re tempted to take a little piece of Belize home, this is your chance.

Out on the grounds, there are plenty of spots to relax. From cushioned loungers to sofas and deck chairs overlooking the water, you’ll never be short of a quiet corner to sip a cocktail or simply soak in the view. Of course, the real struggle is prying yourself away from the hammock on your private balcony—but if you do, the hotel has made sure you’ll find just as many inviting options scattered around the property.

Activities

Pelican Beach makes a fantastic jumping-off point for both inland and water-based adventures. The front desk staff are happy to help arrange everything from ATV rides and cave tubing to ziplining and even a visit to the Belize Zoo. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can also book a day trip to the hotel’s sister property on South Water Caye, with boats departing directly from the dock out front. Even better, if time allows, I highly recommend splitting your stay and spending a night or two there. It’s the perfect Robinson Crusoe experience—only with fresh seafood dinners and modern comforts. I’ve stayed before, and you can read all about that trip here.

If your plans already include a stay on one of the lower cayes such as Tobacco Caye or South Water Caye, many of the boats depart from Dangriga, which makes Pelican Beach the perfect place to spend a night before or after your island adventure. It’s the kind of spot that ties your Belize itinerary together seamlessly.

Service

The service at Pelican Beach is everything you’d hope for in a Belizean hotel: warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly. The front desk team always greeted me with smiles and were quick to answer any questions or help with activity planning. At the bar and restaurant, service could occasionally be a bit slow, especially when it came to catching a staff member’s attention, but once orders were placed, food and drinks arrived quickly. During my last stay, there seemed to be another event happening at the hotel, which might explain why the restaurant team felt a little stretched. Even so, every interaction I had came with a smile, and that goes a long way.

Closing Remarks

Pelican Beach Hotel has rightfully earned its place as the best hotel in Dangriga. With its unbeatable location just minutes from the airport, direct waterfront access that doubles as a gateway to Belize’s lower cayes, and a welcoming bar and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it checks all the boxes for convenience and comfort.

For me, though, it’s more than just convenience. Having stayed multiple times, it now feels a bit like coming home to family. Each stay has been a mix of relaxation, adventure, and that signature Belizean hospitality that keeps me coming back. If your travels are taking you through Dangriga—whether for a quick stopover or a longer stay—Pelican Beach is the kind of place that makes you wish you had booked just one more night.

Ready to book Pelican Beach? Click Here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Belize 7” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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