You’ve seen the photos. Those tiny, bright-colored cabanas perched right on the edge of a turquoise Caribbean void. It looks like a postcard, or maybe a desktop wallpaper from 2005. But honestly, when you start looking into a private island getaway, there’s always that nagging feeling that it’s all just clever marketing and high-saturation filters.
Coco Plum Island Resort Belize is a bit of an anomaly in the travel world.
It’s an all-inclusive, adults-only escape located about nine miles off the coast of Dangriga. While most people flock to the crowded docks of Ambergris Caye or the backpacker haunts of Caye Caulker, this place sits on a 16-acre mangrove-fringed patch of coral sand. It’s quiet. Like, "hear the wind in the palm fronds and nothing else" quiet.
The Reality of Private Island Life
Is it luxury? Yes, but not the gold-faucet, marble-floor kind of luxury you find in Dubai or Vegas. It’s "barefoot luxury." That means you’re probably going to have sand on your floor, and you’ll definitely be wearing flip-flops to dinner. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it’s the whole point.
The island hosts a maximum of about 42 guests at any given time. That is a tiny number. It’s the size of a small high school classroom spread out over 16 acres. You can go hours without bumping into another soul if you play your cards right. Most of the cabanas are oceanfront, meaning you can literally roll out of bed and be in the water in twenty seconds.
The water here isn't just blue. It’s that weird, neon-electric shade of aquamarine that looks fake until you touch it.
What the All-Inclusive Tag Actually Means Here
A lot of "all-inclusive" resorts are, frankly, a bit of a scam. You get watered-down drinks and a buffet that looks like a cafeteria. Coco Plum does things differently. Because it's a small operation, the food is surprisingly localized and fresh.
Expect a lot of Belizean staples.
We’re talking fry jacks for breakfast—those puffy, golden triangles of fried dough that go with everything—and plenty of fresh snapper, grouper, and lobster (when it’s in season, usually July through February). They don't do massive buffets. Most meals are sit-down, which keeps the quality high but does mean you’re on the resort's schedule.
If you’re a picky eater who needs a 24-hour burger bar, you might struggle. If you like coconut-infused rice and beans and habanero sauce that actually has a kick, you’ll be fine.
Getting There is Half the Adventure (and the Hassle)
Let’s be real: Coco Plum Island Resort Belize isn't the easiest place to reach. You don't just land and hop in a cab.
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First, you fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BGI) in Belize City. Then, you have to take a "puddle jumper" flight—usually via Tropic Air or Maya Island Air—down to Dangriga. These planes are small. You will feel the wind. You will see the reef from the window. It’s spectacular, but if you’re a nervous flyer, bring some headphones.
Once you land in Dangriga, a resort representative meets you and drives you to a boat dock. Then it's a 20-30 minute boat ride out to the island. By the time you arrive, you've used a commercial jet, a tiny propeller plane, a van, and a boat.
It's a journey.
But that distance is exactly why the island feels so disconnected from the "real" world. There are no cars. No sirens. No people trying to sell you braided bracelets on the beach.
The Barrier Reef Factor
One thing people often overlook is that Coco Plum sits very close to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world. This isn't just a fun fact for a brochure. It radically changes the snorkeling and diving experience.
Most resorts on the mainland have to boat for an hour to get to the good spots. From Coco Plum, you’re often there in minutes.
The South Water Caye Marine Reserve is right in the backyard. The coral health here is generally better than what you’ll see further north near San Pedro, simply because there’s less boat traffic. You’ll see nurse sharks—don't worry, they're basically the labradors of the sea—spotted eagle rays, and maybe a manatee if you’re incredibly lucky.
The Adventure Side of a Lazy Island
You can spend the whole week in a hammock. Nobody will stop you. But the resort offers "pushed" excursions that are included in many of their packages.
- Snorkeling the reef: Usually a daily trip.
- Mainland tours: They’ll boat you back to the coast for zip-lining or cave tubing.
- Mayan Ruins: Visiting sites like Xunantunich or Cahal Pech.
The weirdest part of the experience is the transition. One minute you’re in a tropical island paradise, and ninety minutes later you’re hiking through a humid jungle looking at 2,000-year-old stone temples. Belize is tiny, which makes this possible, but it’s a bit of a mental gear-shift.
Misconceptions About Belize Travel
People often worry about safety in Belize. While Belize City has its rough patches, the cayes and the southern districts like Stann Creek (where Dangriga is) are a different world. On a private island like Coco Plum, safety isn't even a thought. The biggest threat is probably a falling coconut or a particularly ambitious seagull.
Another common myth is that you need to go in the "high season" (December to April) for good weather. While that's the driest time, it’s also the most expensive.
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Visiting in May or June can be a gamble with rain, but the water is often calmer and the island is even quieter. Just avoid the peak of hurricane season in September and October unless you’re okay with last-minute cancellations.
The Logistics of Staying Sane
There is Wi-Fi. It works. But you shouldn't use it.
The island is designed for a digital detox. The cabanas don't have TVs. This is a deliberate choice. If you can’t survive without a 65-inch screen and Netflix, Coco Plum will feel like a very expensive prison. If you want to finish that book you've been carrying for three years, it’s heaven.
Mosquitoes and "no-see-ums" can be an issue. It’s a tropical island. They spray, and the ocean breeze helps, but if the wind drops, the bugs come out to play.
Pro tip: Use the "baby oil" trick or local repellents rather than just heavy DEET. The locals know what works best for their specific brand of biting midges.
Comparing the Sister Resorts
Coco Plum is part of a small family of resorts, including Manta Island and Belizean Dreams.
- Manta Island is further out on a literal atoll (Glover’s Reef). It’s even more isolated.
- Belizean Dreams is on the mainland. It's better for people who want to explore the jungle every single day without the boat rides.
Coco Plum is the "middle child." It’s isolated enough to feel special, but close enough to the mainland that you don't feel stranded if you want to see a Mayan temple.
Actionable Steps for Planning Your Trip
If you’re actually thinking about booking, don't just click "buy" on the first package you see.
First, check the Belize Lobster Festival dates. If you’re a seafood fan, timing your trip with the opening of the season in July is a massive win. The island usually does something special for it.
Second, look at the All-Inclusive Snorkel Package. For most people, this is the best value. It covers the flights from Belize City to Dangriga, which saves you the massive headache of booking those legs separately.
Third, pick your cabana wisely. The villas at the end of the island offer the most privacy, while the ones near the clubhouse are better if you have mobility issues or just don't want to walk as much in the heat.
Lastly, book your international flight to arrive in Belize City before 3:00 PM. If you land later than that, you might miss the last puddle jumper to Dangriga, and you’ll end up spending your first night in a city hotel instead of on a private island. Nobody wants that.
Pack light. Bring more sunscreen than you think you need. Forget your shoes. The island handles the rest.
Next Steps for Your Belize Adventure
- Check Your Passport: Ensure it has at least six months of validity beyond your stay, as Belize is strict about entry requirements.
- Verify the Seasonal Rates: Visit the official Coco Plum Island Resort website to compare "Low Season" (May-December) versus "High Season" pricing, as the difference can be several thousand dollars.
- Coordinate Flights: Match your international arrival with the Tropic Air or Maya Island Air schedule to ensure a seamless transfer to Dangriga.
- Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Belize has a massive focus on reef conservation; traditional sunscreens with oxybenzone are frowned upon and harmful to the delicate coral surrounding the island.