At a Glance
Stylish thatched-roof bungalows and some of the island’s best food just steps from the Caribbean.
Indagare Loves
- Hammocks color-coded in purple, red or yellow to match each bungalow
- The L'Occitane bath products
- The renowned Mambo restaurant, which serves nouveau Caribbean cuisine
Review
Matachica, named after a particularly elegant species of petite palm tree, has grown over the years to include thirty one thatched-roof bungalows, all just steps away from the warm, calm water of the Caribbean Sea. Located just a 15-minute boat ride from San Pedro, Matachica is an elegant retreat for relaxation and indulgence.
Each of the vibrantly-hued bungalows features white walls, mosaic tiling and art collected from around the world. Families with older children (the minimum age requirement is 14) or couples traveling together will appreciate the 1,700 square foot, two-bedroom villa with a kitchenette that’s also available. Don’t miss the shaded sitting area at the end of the long pier in front of the resort. It’s the most romantic spot in the house. Indagare Tip: The beachfront rooms get a breeze and tend to be cooler and more comfortable than the other rooms.
Guests and non-guests flock to Matachica’s indoor/outdoor Mambo Restaurant for nouveau Caribbean cuisine that’s considered some of the best food on Ambergris Caye. It’s so popular that Matachica operates a “taxi boat” to ferry people from around Ambergris Caye to and from the restaurant. Some of the same Belizean ingredients used by Matachica’s chef are also employed in the Jade Spa for treatments, including banana and papaya facials, coffee scrubs, chocolate body wraps and sea salt and sea clay body masks.
Who Should Stay
Couples and groups of friends who want a barefoot hideaway at a distance from the hectic center of Ambergris Caye.
Written by Karen Catchpole