One Very Special B&B
Located on a prime section of Secret Beach, twenty minutes north of San Pedro on the west side of Ambergris Caye, lies Casa Nova. A small, well-built, and well-run B&B in a perfect location, Casa Nova embodies our ideal of a small boutique resort on a luxurious private beach.
Aside from its A+ location, the property’s design is equally impressive from both an aesthetic and environmental standpoint. Casa Nova is 100% off the grid, powered by solar energy and equipped with desalination plants and tanks that recycle gray and black water into potable water. The owners mentioned that maintaining these systems can be technical and time-consuming, but the benefit of being fairly remote and independent of municipal utilities is substantial.
Owning A Slice Of Paradise
Kevin and Nova are Canadians who spent many years vacationing in Belize. One year, they saw a waterfront lot for sale in the Secret Beach area on Ambergris Caye. They bought it and held onto it for some time, unsure of what they would do with it. Eventually, they decided it was time to build. As a contractor and architect, Kevin built a beautiful B&B with its own beach and dock. They both live on-site and run the place with an excellent staff, often taking on roles like bartender, chef, front desk, or paddle board maintenance.
We thoroughly enjoyed learning about their story, their journey building in Belize, and the challenges they faced opening a new B&B just before the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re a wonderful couple who offer an exceptional experience in an amazing piece of paradise.
Secret Beach
During our stay at Casa Nova, there was a DJ festival happening in the main part of Secret Beach. We had initially planned to come to this relatively remote location for a week of relaxation, swimming, healthy eating, and peaceful reading. However, we decided to embrace the DJ festival and enjoy a couple of days of beach parties.
Secret Beach currently has fewer than 10 beach clubs operating, but more are in the pipeline. Additionally, numerous hotels and B&Bs are under construction, along with inland development in and around the beach. While Secret Beach still has a somewhat ramshackle atmosphere, it’s likely to look quite different within 3-5 years. They might even consider changing the name to reflect the transformation.
Chasing Sunsets
If we weren’t sitting on the beach, our favorite thing to do during our stay at Casa Nova was to relax on our deck and admire the breathtaking Belizean coast and its gorgeous waters.
The sea is teeming with fish, so much so that you don’t have to wade out very far before spotting various species swimming around you or larger creatures. The water is incredibly clear and easy to wade in (typically only 3.5-4 feet deep 40-50 yards from the shore), allowing you to see eagle rays, turtles, and even the occasional barracuda.
The main fish caught and eaten in Belize are grouper and snapper, and we enjoyed plenty of both during our stay at Casa Nova. Their restaurant was exceptional for a B&B, and we typically dined on our patio around sunset, with the dock and water illuminated by the setting sun.
One night, I witnessed a water skier making his way across the landscape. He timed his jump perfectly!