Wellness trips are not unheard of, but as summer travel plans ramp up in the coming months, the concept has become a priority for many. Now more than ever, curious travelers are craving something deeper, something that whisks them away from the outside world. Wellness trips have become all the rage, but there’s no need to jet off to Bali to enjoy travel as self-care. Central American gem Belize is much closer and holds tranquil havens such as The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant for an unplugged stay. The award-winning jungle resort doubles not only as an escape from the mundane but as a refuge from the nine-to-five grind many are used to. Sitting on 600 acres of lush rainforests and abundant wildlife, the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant is an ideal choice for resting and recharging amongst the jungles of Belize.

An (other)worldly escape amongst the trees

The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant may sit on a vast forested expanse, but its location still offers guests seclusion and privacy. Tucked at the foothills of the Maya Mountains, the lodge serves an authentically natural experience within its greenery-shrouded surroundings. Your worldly anxieties are cast aside at the entrance, your only remaining worry perhaps being that you didn’t book enough nights at the lodge. Canopied bamboo trees and stone-lined pathways lead you and your companion to the resort’s award-winning eateries on-site. Riverside cottages overlook the glass-topped river flowing peacefully beside the property, begging for kayakers. Creekside cottages are subject to the constant gurgling from the nearby flowing brooks just outside the room.

Strolling throughout the property, you’ll notice that roaming ducks, turtles, and even hens are not uncommon sights. All of these natural attractions add to the premise that the rainforest at Sleeping Giant Lodge thrives within its own ecosystem, one determined to heal you from the inside out. To make it evident, the Belize resort offers ample “pockets of peace” peppered throughout the property. You can take your pick from gazing at babbling creeks near the lobby, journaling beneath one of the many thatched gazebos, or simply napping in a hammock hung purposefully in your room’s own outdoor porch.

A playground to reconnect

Speaking of epic hikes, the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant is the leading expert in that regard. Being next door to a large citrus farm running along a deep valley definitely helps with providing stunning vistas. The Belize resort’s mountain top gazebo hike is its most popular, and for good reason. Sweeping panoramic views of the famous Sleeping Giant mountain, as well as the meandering Sibun River snaking below, make for great photo ops at the summit. As if those photo ops weren’t enough, prepare to cross Instagrammable rope bridges and crystal-clear creeks when hiking throughout the property. For active thrill-seekers, biking instead of hiking to these attractions is entirely possible. Not only will your mind be at peace, but you’ll be able to get your blood pumping and the adrenaline rushing.

For the adventurous couple looking for romantic spots, the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant houses a secret lookout point for lovebirds. The Nest is a treehouse-esque lookout on the banks of the Sibun River. Ideal for light picnics and a general hangout spot, the “nest” is made up of a spiral staircase leading to a wooden landing with open seating. Venture a bit further up the tree, and you’ll come across a spectacular viewing area complete with a lounging net fit for two. Out here with no one else around, you’ll be reconnecting with not only nature but your other half as well.