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August 17, 2007

Vacation Like Charlize in Belize

Charlize_theron_perrinpost
The couple that tans together, stays together:
Charlize and her main squeeze, boyfriend
Stuart Townsend.

Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill

by Beata Loyfman

Cti_logoThe always on the ball TMZ recently photographed Charlize Theron celebrating her 32nd birthday in Belize. What a coincidence! The September issue of Conde Nast Traveler (on sale Tuesday, August 21) has a story on Belize and five other Central American countries lining the Caribbean coast. The accompanying Places & Prices section has detailed grab-and-go guides of the entire region, so you'll know exactly where to eat, sleep, swim, and party.

Newsflash for Charlize: You didn't have to spend $600 a night for a villa in Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge (TMZ claims it was $2,500, but that price doesn't exist at Blancaneaux). For less than half that amount, you could have stayed at a lovely Gardenview Cottage in Turtle Inn, Coppola's other Belizean property. The rooms have an Indonesian decor, and the Italian food is out of this world.

For those who don't require a hotel owned by an Oscar winner/winemaker, check out our affordable picks in Belize after the jump.

Belize_perrinpost_2 At Almond Beach Belize you can have a spacious guestroom facing the Caribbean for less than $200 per day (including meals!). The friendly Canadian proprietors will arrange reef dives, Mayan ruin tours, and even your very own Charlize-on-a-waterfall adventure. Or you can chill out and do nothing at all.

 

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Dive enthusiasts should head to Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort just south of Almond Beach Belize. Here, you can spend days exploring the Southern Barrier Reef, and nights in your very own tree house above the rain forest.

For more advice, maps, and photos of Belize and other Central American destinations, pick up the September issue of Conde Nast Traveler on Tuesday, August 21.


 

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Timely and practical travel advice and insights from Condé Nast Traveler's consumer news editor Wendy Perrin. 
Freebies forbidden here! As a Condé Nast Traveler staffer, I accept no payments, gifts, or free/discounted services or products from any travel company. Learn more.
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Published in April 2008. Prices and other information were accurate at press time, but are subject to change. Please confirm details with individual establishments before planning your trip.

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