Our Story
Every Stay Is Its Own Retreat.
Welcome to Ix Chel
At Ix Chel Wellness Resort, we believe travel should be more than simply visiting a destination. It should be an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and create meaningful memories.
Inspired by the Mayan goddess of healing, we created Ix Chel as an intimate adults-only retreat where every guest can experience Belize in their own way. Some come to celebrate life's biggest moments, some come to explore, some come to rest, and others simply come to enjoy the beauty and slower pace of island life.
We believe every guest arrives with their own reason for traveling, and that there is no one perfect vacation. That's why we believe every stay is its own retreat.
Our hope is simple: that your time here leaves you feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected, and that you return home with memories you'll carry long after your vacation ends.
Welcome to Ix Chel.
We're so happy you're here.
The vision
Ix Chel began with a simple idea: to create the kind of place we would want to visit ourselves.
When we found this little piece of paradise near Secret Beach, we knew it was meant to be something different. We didn't dream of building a large resort. We dreamed of creating a place where every guest feels genuinely welcomed, where no two stays are exactly alike, and where hospitality feels personal.
Every decision we've made has been intentional. From our intimate four-casita design to the experiences we offer, we've created a space where you can slow down, explore at your own pace, and enjoy the beauty of Belize in whatever way feels right for you.
Whether your perfect day is watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee, kayaking across the turquoise water, unwinding with a massage, or sharing dinner with someone you love, we hope your time here feels effortless, memorable, and uniquely yours.
Because that's what Ix Chel has always been about.
Every stay is its own retreat.
Meet the Founders
Hi, we're Ryan and Tiffany.
We're high school sweethearts from Southern California who always dreamed of creating a life where we could welcome people into a place that felt peaceful, intentional, and connected to nature.
Before that dream became reality, life gave us more than a few reasons to slow down and reflect. Tiffany underwent major surgery, Ryan experienced a profound spiritual awakening, and together we walked through seasons that challenged our health, perspective, and priorities. Every challenge, every lesson, and every unexpected turn reminded us that tomorrow isn't promised. We realized we didn't want to spend our lives waiting for the "perfect time" to follow our dream.
When we discovered Ambergris Caye, we instantly fell in love. The people, the culture, the Caribbean Sea, and the slower pace of island life made us feel like we had found exactly where we were meant to be. We purchased a piece of land near Secret Beach with a vision of creating something more than a resort. We wanted to build a place where people could slow down, reconnect with themselves and each other, and experience the beauty of Belize in a meaningful way.
As we stood on the property before construction began, Tiffany quietly asked the Mayan goddess Ix Chel for a sign that this was truly meant to become a place of healing. Later that same day, a beautiful double rainbow stretched across the sky above Secret Beach. Whether you believe in signs or simply in beautiful moments, it became one we'll never forget and a reminder of the vision that continues to guide us today.
Building Ix Chel has been one of the greatest adventures of our lives. Every decision, from designing just four private casitas to creating Harvest Café and offering personalized experiences, has been guided by one simple hope: that every guest feels genuinely welcomed, cared for, and free to experience Belize in whatever way they need most.
Thank you for being part of our story.
We hope that during your time here you'll create memories that stay with you long after you've returned home, and that you'll leave with a little piece of Belize in your heart, just as we did.
Ryan & Tiffany Lewis
