Matachica is an adults-only resort on a quiet white-sand beach about five miles north of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, with the second-largest barrier reef in the world just offshore. It belongs to The Lighter Collection, sister to GAÏA Riverlodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge, and was redesigned in 2019 by Byron and Dexter Peart. There are 33 thatched-roof casitas and villas, from Seabreeze Beach Bungalows and Casitas set back in the gardens to Seafront Beach Casitas, suites and villas on the sand, each with its own outdoor space, many with a hammock on the patio. Mambo is the more formal restaurant, cooking with produce from the organic garden at GAÏA, while Mambo Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner by the beach and Danny's Tree Bar mixes cocktails. There is a pool, and the Jade Spa uses local botanicals in its massages and facials. Sea kayaks, snorkelling gear, pedal boats and bicycles are free to use, and the resort arranges reef trips, visits to Maya ruins, cave canoeing and rum tastings. The MICHELIN Guide notes that the resort is reached only by motorboat.
- Nearest airport
- San Pedro Airport, Ambergris Caye, then a motorboat to the resort (distance not stated)
- Rooms
- 33 casitas and villas
Insider tip Borrow one of the free bicycles for a ride into San Pedro, or take a kayak along the beach in the early morning.
Why I choose it An adults-only beach resort north of San Pedro, with thatched casitas, the reef offshore and a one-MICHELIN-Key rating.