Seaside Turtle Inn has provided support to SEA Belize, Fragments of Hope, and other marine conservation organizations working to restore Belize’s barrier reef system. Its staff “green team” organizes beach cleanups in the nearby village of Placencia. Guests can lend a hand by removing invasive lionfish (and later, dining on them – they’re delicious) from the barrier reef and by planting coastal mangrove trees, which excel at sequestering carbon, including at the resort’s private island, Coral Caye.

Buildings made with natural materials such as thatch and bamboo blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Screened doors, vaulted roofs, and ocean breezes provide natural air-conditioning to reduce the resort’s carbon footprint. Landscaping was designed with native plants in order to conserve fresh water.

Mayan experiences include tours of the Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun archaeological sites with local guides. Visits to a nearby cultural center connect guests with Mayan hosts who provide demonstrations on traditional weaving, tortilla making, use of plants, seeds and trees for medicinal treatments, and shade-grown coffee and cacao cultivation.

The inn’s philanthropic outreach includes support for a health clinic in Placencia and academic scholarships for local students. Staff also donate time to support The Inspiration Center in Belize City, which caters to special needs children and their families. Guests are able to participate in hands-on local volunteer work and bring items needed for school students via the Pack for a Purpose network.

Turtle Inn sources seafood and produce from local fishers and farmers, and also employs local artists, artisans, and musicians from nearby villages to share their crafts with guests and celebrate Belizean culture.

Turtle Inn has an on-site garden that provides produce for guests, plants and flowers to add to the tropical décor, plus free-range chickens provide daily eggs. Guests often seek out a tour of the garden to learn about organic gardening in the tropics and are delighted by the enthusiasm of the head gardener, who showcases the vibrant flowers, vegetables, and fruit grown on property, reducing food miles and further supporting the inn’s carbon footprint reduction.

An optional 5% fee applied to each guest folio goes towards helping those in need through the Belize Community Fund. This fund provides support to the Inspiration Center, Belize, the Placencia Humane Society, the International Esperanza Project, and local children and their families. Just 5% of your stay can make a real difference in the local community's education, healthcare, and environment.