Imagine yourself leaning back in a comfy, low set beach chair. Your half-mast eyes take in a peaceful panorama of sapphire blue sea laced with ribbons of turquoise. While your bare toes wiggle into warm, soft sand the radiant sun kisses your face and a gentle sea breeze runs fingers through your hair. Waves meeting the nearby reef sound in the distance while seagull-song soars above. The cool cocktail you are sipping has swirled you into a relaxing trance and your tummy is full and happy. Your muscles and mind unwind with each deep breath of sea-spiced air and a subtle, familiar awareness slowly emerges within. Once buried in the daily grind of life, the sense of self surfaces to meet the sun and you are reminded what it is to truly feel alive…and human again.

For most of us, one paramount goal while vacationing is to relax, but considering the hyperspeed mode of our busy daily lives it is easier said than done…just what is this thing they call relaxation?
Located on a secluded picture-perfect beach a few miles north of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye sits the icon of serenity, Matachica Resort. Here, even when your hardwired subconscious is still running 100 miles per hour, you are gently persuaded to slow down and relax. The subtle way Matachica seduces you into this tranquil state of mind is nothing short of magic. Every detail of your surroundings, from the exotic yet laid-back décor to the soft ambient music, is designed to slowly weave away your stress and replace it with a sense of comfort and wellbeing.

The transformation begins when you are greeted at the airport in San Pedro by one of their genuinely friendly staff, who efficiently gets you to their transport boat and whisks you away on shimmering, peaceful waters. With views of sentinel coconut trees bordering white beaches to the west and waves where sea meets the reef to the east, the scenery sets the stage for your ultimate island get away. Twenty minutes later you arrive at Matachica, where you are welcomed with the cocktail you ordered from your boat captain before departing. Received by smiling staff you are escorted into a high thatched-ceiling sanctuary of serenity, taking in the open and inviting bar area, the warm ambiance of Mambo Restaurant and the comfortable reception area where your room arrangements are tended to.

Guest accommodations are cozy, colorful thatched-roofed casitas situated along sandy pathways bordered by blooming tropical plants and swaying coconut trees. Some have beachside views while others are snuggled within the lush landscape. A hammock awaits you on the porch and the cool, air conditioned cottage begs you to throw off your shoes, your clothes and all your worries. With a comfy sitting area and a bed that embraces you in crisp, exquisite linens, the canopied netting above it emanates exotic royalty. Minimally decorated, from the spacious mosaic bathroom to the front porch, no detail is without island style and function.

If you are serious about relaxing your vacation into oblivion, a treatment at Jade Spa is guaranteed to lull you into a soothing slumber. From couples aroma therapy massages to scrubs and facials, the gifted staff gently infuse the tendrils of tranquility, replacing tension and ailments with warm and radiating energy. Refreshed and relaxed, your next move might be to the nearby sparkling pool or to the sandy beach where you bask in the sun and fresh air, enchanted by the picturesque view of the Caribbean Sea.

Of course now that your mind and body is well into the chill-lax mode it’s time to feed it! Garnering accolades from dozens of tourism publications and critics, Mambo is considered one of the best restaurants in Belize.
From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, fresh ingredients married with locally inspired flavors offer gourmet cuisine without the pretense. Indulge in snapper, grouper and sweet lobster just caught that day, or delicious homemade pasta, garden-fresh salads and tropical fruits still tasting like sunshine. Their extensive wine and cocktail menu complements every meal and the desserts, especially the Warm Chocolate Soufflé is a decadent, guilty pleasure to be savored with every bite.

For some, all this relaxing is more appreciated after some adventure, which is in abundance as well. From the property you can enjoy a laidback kayak tour, play with other water toys such as paddle boats and boards, snorkel at nearby Mexico Rocks or spend the afternoon beach combing. The good folks at Matachica can also arrange day-trip adventures to the mainland, like exploring Maya ruins, Zip-lining, Cave-tubing or maybe a visit to the Belize Zoo?

It appears that many have fallen under the Matachica serenity spell, and it is no wonder that travel media heavy hitters such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, New York Times, Bridal Magazine, Spa Magazine, Concierge.com, Destination I Do and Coastal Living to name a few, all agree that Matachica offers an enchanting island experience you won’t soon forget.
Whether you choose to spend your vacation at Matachica or enjoy a meal at Mambo while taking in the tranquil tropical vibe, you are certain to leave feeling relaxed and hopefully a tad more “human” than when you first arrived.

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About the Author: Tamara Sniffin

I’m a sucker for a fuzzy face, a feathered face, a face with fins or even one with scales! I am in love with the creatures and the flora that are synonymous with Belize and every opportunity I have to learn more about them and explore their wild habitats I am there! I’m the happiest when I’m snorkeling the reef and swimming with turtles, however my passion is not just limited to critters! Laced throughout this compact jungle gem of a country live the Kriol, Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo and Spanish people, and experiencing each culture, especially their celebrations is one of my favorite pastimes.

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