Imagine you’ve spent a long day trekking through the rainforest, climbing towering volcanoes, or exploring ancient ruins and all you can think of – besides that coconut rum punch or a cold cerveza – is a cool, welcoming plunge pool that’s waiting for you back at your hotel.
And not just any plunge pool. The private one on the balcony of your suite.
Luxury hotels the world over are upping the romance ante with in-room plunge pools, and why not? When a refreshing dip is just steps from your bed, you’ll never need to fight to get a lounge chair, or even worry about donning a swimsuit. There is a reason “do not disturb” signs were created. Dive into 39 hotels with private plunge pools throughout Central America for a taste of the ultimate in luxury and privacy.
Belize
1. Blancaneaux Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize: Luxury Cabañas, Enchanted Cottage & the Coppola Villa
Tucked away in the misty mountaintops, Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury hideaway where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. The lodge’s remote alpine setting makes for a romantic ambiance, surrounded by lavish foliage and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Two luxury cabañas offer seclusion, sitting at the far eastern end of the property overlooking Privassion Creek, and each has a private plunge pool and outdoor garden shower. The Coppola Villa is fit for a larger group of visitors, with two large bedrooms, and the experience is one that a film buff won’t soon forget – Francis’ personal art and antiques displayed throughout, adding to the ambiance of your stay.
Blancaneaux’s most luxurious retreat, the Enchanted Cottage, sits atop a steep forested bluff and offers panoramic views over Privassion Creek and the distant jungle-clad Maya Mountains. This unique stone cottage features a fireplace, Japanese tub, steam room, and arguably its finest attribute – a private infinity pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens and spectacular panoramic views. Click here to explore our trips to Blancaneaux Lodge.
2. Cayo Espanto, off Ambergris Caye, Belize: Villas
Three miles off the Belizean coast, Cayo Espanto is a hyper-luxurious hideaway, with seven exclusive butler-serviced villas on a private island lined with white, palm-speckled beaches.
Each glamorous villa features open-plan living areas, panoramic ocean views, heated plunge pools, hammocks and a private stretch of sand where you can play castaway without any interference. Nothing quite like watching the sunset from your private pool, cocktail in hand, to get the romantic fires burning. Book a trip to Cayo Espanto here.
3. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef, Hopkins, Belize: Seafront & Seaview Villas
In a beachfront locale overlooking the Caribbean Sea, The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is a piece of paradise along the Belizean coast. Located just south of the small seaside village of Hopkins – a cultural hotspot where you can explore the fascinating Garifuna culture – The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is a luxuriously appointed haven of relaxation set amongst well-tended grounds, with a full service spa, beachfront dining, lounge bar and heated infinity pool.
Check into one of the lodge’s spectacular villas – you’ll have a choice of beachfront or sea view – and you’ll get to experience the ultimate in Belizean luxury. Bright, airy spacious suites each boast enclosed balconies and patios for the utmost in privacy, and outdoor personal plunge pools perfect for a lazy evening dip while catching the sunset. Book a trip to The Lodge at Jaguar Reef here.
4. Ka'ana Resort, Cayo District, Belize: One & Two Bedroom Villas
On the edge of San Ignacio town in western Belize, Ka’ana (which means “Heavenly Place”) is a boutique resort located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains near an ancient Maya city that inspired the resort’s name.
Positioned off a secluded garden pathway, Ka’ana’s most luxurious dwellings boast an expansive open-concept design, a personal butler, private plunge pool, thoughtful details, and high-end furnishings, making each of the two villas an ideal space for a romantic getaway. Click here to explore our trips to Ka’ana Resort.
5. Mystic River Resort, Cayo District, Belize: Cloud 9 Suites
On the steep banks of the serene Macal River, Mystic River Resort offers a relaxed brand of luxury, with a strong focus on responsible and sustainable tourism. Considered by many to be one of Belize’s best-kept secrets, if the thought of spending a few nights truly unplugged sounds enticing, Mystic River is the place for you.
After busy days adventuring, settle into one of the resort’s four Cloud 9 Suites, each equipped with private plunge pools and outdoor showers with panoramic jungle and river views. Book a trip to Mystic River Resort here.
6. Naia Resort & Spa, Placencia, Belize: One Bedroom Beach Houses
Located just outside of the town of Placencia, a charming, low-key fishing village on the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize, Naia Resort & Spa is barefoot luxury at its finest. The resort offers upscale amenities, and 35 tastefully furnished beach houses that extend along a mile of palm-studded white sand.
Splurge on a one-bedroom beach house, and you’ll get your own private plunge pool, an expansive bathroom with a luxurious standalone tub, and a spacious outdoor garden shower – nobody would blame you if you hardly left the room during your stay. Click here to explore our trips to Naia Resort & Spa.
7. Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge, Belmopan, Belize: Mountain & River View Suites
Resting on the ridges of the Maya Mountains in Cayo, sleeps a giant. His facial profile and barrel chest reign over the valley below as he rests in eternal slumber. Nestled in an expanse of lush rainforest, Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge offers an immersive jungle experience just a half hour from Belmopan, the capital city of Belize.
Sleeping Giant’s gorgeous, earth-toned suites feature Belizean hardwoods and sunlit decks, complete with plunge pools overlooking the Maya Mountains or the river. Romantic and seemingly remote, this is jungle luxury at its finest. Awake each morning by nature’s alarm clock – the unmistakable growl of howler monkeys as they greet the dawn – and after a busy day adventuring and then an evening soaking any aches away in your private plunge pool, you’ll find yourself drifting off to sleep to the gentle nighttime sounds of the rainforest. Book a trip to Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge here.
8. Victoria House, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize: Casa Playa Blanca
With the stunning backdrop of the azure and turquoise Caribbean Sea, fronted by a wide, beautiful white sand beach shaded by palms, Victoria House is an elegant, intimate resort perfect for couples looking to escape the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life. The resort’s location makes it the perfect jumping off point to visit the spectacular Belizean Barrier Reef, second only to Australia’s, and other nearby marine attractions including Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which draws turtles, spotted eagle rays, barracudas and an array of colorful fish, and Shark Ray Alley, dense with stingrays and nurse sharks.
The most luxurious accommodation on the property is Casa Playa Blanca, an enormous two-bedroom, two-bathroom beachfront bungalow with a private infinity pool and spacious sundeck overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Book a trip to Victoria House here.
9. Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize: Villas
Deep in the pine forest of Mountain Pine Ridge, Hidden Valley sits on its own private reserve, with waterfalls and miles of private trails right on the property. The higher altitude means cooler days and chilly nights, so every villa’s plunge pool is heated – perfect for a soak under the stars. Most villas are made for two, and there’s a two-bedroom villa for families.
The food is the real showstopper here. Since Belizean chef Sean Kuylen took over the kitchen in 2024, Hidden Valley has been our top pick in the country for anyone who travels to eat.
10. Ray Caye Island Resort, off Placencia, Belize: Oceanfront Honeymoon Suites
Just off the coast of Placencia, Ray Caye is a small, relaxed private island with the barrier reef right on its doorstep. Everything here revolves around the water: divers, snorkelers and anyone who’d happily spend all day in the sea will feel right at home. You can wade straight in from the beach with a snorkel and be over the reef in minutes.
Book an Oceanfront Honeymoon Suite for your own plunge pool facing the Caribbean. They’re among the most romantic rooms in southern Belize.
11. Matachica Resort & Spa, Ambergris Caye, Belize: Seafront Luxury Suites
About five miles north of San Pedro, Matachica is the Ambergris Caye resort we love most. It’s adults-only, bohemian and bursting with color, with hand-painted murals everywhere you look and no TVs to distract you. Barefoot, but still polished.
Go for a Seafront Luxury Suite: a terrace plunge pool and soaking tub, steps from the sand. Add fresh pastries from the owner’s son and produce grown at sister property Gaïa Riverlodge, and it’s a place with real personality.
Costa Rica
12. Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Villas
High on a hillside on Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast, Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas is an off-the-radar hideaway with 21 heavenly standalone villas that blend in with the tropical surroundings and boast expansive, panoramic ocean views – arguably some of the best in the country. If you’re craving beach time, Casa Chameleon is a perfect home base from which to explore. The resort lies between Las Catalinas town, Playa Danta and Dantita to the north, and to the south, beaches Prieta and Pan de Azucar are local favorites, in addition to many other lush bays that stretch for miles down the coast.
Each luxurious villa features minimalist modern design furnished with natural, local elements including teak and tamarindo woods, sleek bathrooms with rainfall showers, and ocean views from every room. The piece de resistance is the private saltwater plunge pool overlooking the bay – impressive at any point in the day; it is even more spectacular at sunset and after dark, when the stars are out above you. Book a trip to Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas here.
13. Ocio Villas by Casa Chameleon, Mal País, Costa Rica: Villas
On the hillside above a quiet stretch of road south toward Cabuya, Ocio Villas – formerly Casa Chameleon Mal País – is an intimate adults-only property with only ten villas, each of which overlooks the ocean (some with wide ocean views, others just a peek).
Each villa is ultra-private, furnished in relaxed, breezy décor, with canopied king beds, sun-warmed flagstone, and private plunge pools, so you really don’t need to leave your room at all if you don’t want to. For more space (and more romance), the Villa Suites have private stone terraces complete with open-air soaker tubs.
14. El Remanso Rainforest Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: La Guinda, Vainilla & Deluxe Villas
Costa Rica’s lush, unspoiled Osa Peninsula is renowned for its wildlife and tranquility, and El Remanso Rainforest Lodge taps right into that appeal. Nestled into the jungle, where animals roam free (you’re guaranteed to see monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws multiple times throughout your stay), the lodge’s secluded villas boast picturesque views over the leafy, verdant surrounds and the Pacific Ocean, best admired from private plunge pools built into every terrace.
Spend your mornings hiking the lodge’s extensive network of self-guided trails, making your way to hidden waterfalls, or wandering down the wildly beautiful beaches, and afternoons staring out over the ocean and watching monkeys play in the trees nearby while you soak in your plunge pool with a tropical cocktail in hand. The jungle has never felt this luxurious. Book a trip to El Remanso here.
15. Four Seasons Resort, Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica: Luxury Suites & Villas
Set on one of the most picturesque bluffs in northern Costa Rica, the Four Seasons Resort is the ultimate getaway for all things tranquility, romance and luxury. Ultra-luxe and mega-chic (everything a Four Seasons should be), the resort melds modern décor with natural, local hardwoods and building materials, providing a modern interpretation of pura vida, while sparing no detail. With four onsite restaurants, four pools, and no shortage of daily activities provided on the grounds, the Four Seasons is as close to an all-inclusive as Costa Rica gets.
Nestled in the upper reaches of the jungle canopy, each suite offers heart stopping views – you’ll never get sick of watching the sun rise over the bay, putting your feet up in a hammock on your private terrace, or pouring yourself some bubbly and slipping into infinity-edge paradise as you watch the monkeys play in nearby trees. Book a trip to the Four Seasons Costa Rica here.
16. Kurá Boutique Hotel, Uvita, Costa Rica: Master Suites
High above Uvita, Kurá Boutique Hotel is an ultra-glam, ultra-romantic boutique resort perched atop a bluff with spectacular, sweeping views of the jungle, Pacific, and the “whale’s tail” of Uvita Beach, which emerges at low tide.
It goes without saying that Kurá is an adults-only playground, and a haven for honeymooners and couples. Each room features glass showers (double headed and big enough for two) within their living areas, two light settings (to set the mood), and an infinity-edge plunge pool that disappears into the ocean on the horizon. The hotel books up months in advance during busy season, and we can certainly see why – there are far worse places to visit with the one you love. Click here to explore our trips to Kurá Boutique Hotel.
17. Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Villas
In a private rainforest sanctuary high above the Pacific, Makanda by the Sea is a sleek, adults-only boutique hotel with bright, airy villas and studios sculpted harmoniously into the natural environment, capturing Costa Rica’s magical pura vida spirit. Here, you can savor fresh seafood, drift in the infinity pool, or watch monkeys and sloths as they wind their way through the forest.
Each of the villas features a king-size canopy bed that faces sliding doors leading to large terraces – complete with private plunge pools – with stunning panoramic ocean views. It’s the ideal spot for couples and honeymooners to sip a cocktail while watching the sun sink into the ocean. Book a trip to Makanda by the Sea here.
18. Nayara Springs, La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Villas
In the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, adjacent to the 30,000-acre Arenal Volcano National Park, and just north of the volcano itself, Nayara Springs is an ultra-exclusive adults-only hideaway deep within Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest. Here, in the country’s adventure capital, there is no shortage of things to do in a day. You can hike the nearby volcano, spend the day zip lining or rappelling hidden jungle waterfalls, pay a visit to a nearby hot springs, or hole up in your suite and relax the day away.
With 35 luxury villas each with their own secluded garden, massive decks with day beds, outdoor shower and private plunge pool fed by mineral hot springs, the Nayara is a truly special place you’ll never want to leave. Click here to explore our trips to the Nayara Springs.
19. Pacuare Lodge, Pacuare River, Costa Rica: Jaguar Villa, Linda Vista Villas & Canopy Suites
Costa Rica’s breathtaking jungle landscape is best experienced at Pacuare Lodge, a secluded treetop retreat nestled deep within a lush rainforest reserve. Nestled next to the Pacuare River, Pacuare Lodge is the type of place you come to fully disconnect from the outside world, and reconnect with the one you love. Rooms are electricity-free, which means candlelight, no distractions, and an ultra-romantic ambiance – prime for honeymooners and couples.
To experience the utmost in decadent seclusion, stay in the Jaguar or Linda Vista Villas, or check into one of the Canopy Suites, which can only be accessed by private suspension bridges to each suite. Take a dip in your private spring-fed plunge pool, light those candles and watch as the sun dips below the tree line. This is romantic isolation at its very best. Click here to explore our trips to Pacuare Lodge.
20. Villa Caletas, Herradura, Costa Rica: Suites, Master Suites & Honeymoon Suites
High atop a cliff overlooking Costa Rica’s Central Pacific and the Gulf of Nicoya, Villa Caletas is as luxurious and secluded as it is beautiful. The colonial mansion, draped in quirky colorful style, and filled with treasures from abroad, boasts some of the best sunset views in Costa Rica.
The villas are set among landscaped gardens, where you may spot a toucan or two, and each boasts a private terrace that overlooks the ocean or forest. Spring for the Suites, Master Suites, or Honeymoon Suites, which come complete with a deluxe plunge pool where you can enjoy the sun and tropical heat in total privacy. Not to mention knockout ocean views. Book a trip to Villa Caletas here.
21. Vista Celestial, Uvita, Costa Rica: Luxury Villas
For a respite with a muy romantic vibe, this intimate Costa Rican retreat might be just the fix you’re looking for. Situated on a rainforested ridge 2,000 feet above Costa Ballena, Vista Celestial certainly lives up to its name, with panoramic views in every direction.
With only five secluded villas surrounded by jungle, you may forget there are other guests staying here, and you’ll certainly find yourself mesmerized by the resort’s romantic ambiance. Each villa features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the magnificent blue of the Pacific, and Uvita’s famed “whale’s tail”, and a private terrace with an infinity pool that doubles as a hot tub – ideal after sunset when the stars come out. Book a trip to Vista Celestial here.
22. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica: Select Suites & Residences
The big-name newcomer on the Papagayo Peninsula, Nekajui opened in 2025 on 1,400 acres of tropical dry forest above the Pacific, just 45 minutes from Liberia’s international airport. Ride the funicular down to the private beach club, book a treatment in one of the spa’s cabanas up in the trees, and finish the day with a cocktail at the treetop bar.
Many of the ocean-facing suites and residences come with a private plunge pool on the terrace – the perfect perch for watching the sun go down over the Pacific.
23. Nayara Tented Camp, La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Tents
Perched on a rainforest hillside facing Arenal Volcano, Nayara Tented Camp is the newest of the three Nayara properties in Arenal, and in 2026, Travel + Leisure readers named it the top resort in Central America.
Each luxury safari-style tent has its own private plunge pool set into the jungle canopy, so you can soak with the volcano right in front of you. Unlike its adults-only sister Nayara Springs, the Tented Camp welcomes families too.
24. Amor Arenal, La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Canyon Casitas
Blending quietly into a rainforest canyon about seven kilometers west of La Fortuna, Amor Arenal is a 31-casita retreat that boasts unbeatable views of the volcano when skies are clear. Built from tropical hardwoods, with spring-fed pools and a distinctly Costa Rican vibe, Amor Arenal is a winner for couples and families with teens – its minimum age is 13.
Each casita has its own private, heated pool, and the food and service are spot-on, so it’s the perfect retreat to return to after a day of hiking and hanging bridges.
25. Origins Lodge, Bijagua, Costa Rica: Floral Lodges & Astral Villas
Built on 111 acres of rainforest beneath the shadows of the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, Origins Lodge is a blend of remote luxury with a modern, design-forward take on traditional Maleku architecture, while the French-inspired restaurant, El Salto, serves delicious food with a view stretching all the way to Lake Nicaragua.
The property has two estates: adults-only Origins Floral, the original, with seven lodges, each with private wood-fired terrace jacuzzi tubs; and the newer Origins Astral, which welcomes families with seven multi-bedroom villas, many with private plunge pools.
26. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica: Casona & Casa con Piscina
High in the coffee country of Pérez Zeledón, Hacienda AltaGracia is the ultimate luxury – a 50-casita mountain ranch, with a 20,000-square-foot spa, and a weekly horse show. It’s the perfect blend of sophistication and sub-tropical relaxed hospitality. Each casita even comes with its own “Compa,” a planner to help you get the most out of your experience.
27. Rancho Pacifico, Uvita, Costa Rica: Luxury Villas
Built on a mountaintop 2,000 feet above Uvita, Rancho Pacifico sits on the gentle curve of sandy coastline where whales congregate offshore for several months per year. It’s adults-only, centered within a 50-acre private nature reserve, with just ten rooms that each offer outdoor decks with ocean views, and the food here is divine. They only use fresh, local produce, and hot tip: if you see the baseball steak on the menu, go for it.
Book a Luxury Villa for a private plunge pool, with Uvita’s unique Whale’s Tail sandbar stretched out in front of you. Vista Celestial, Rancho Pacifico’s sister property, is right next door, just down the hill.
28. Lapa Rios Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: Lapa Villas
In Cabo Matapalo, at the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios is a pioneer of Costa Rican ecotourism: a 1,000-acre private reserve, and a 17-bungalow lodge that runs on 100% renewable energy. If conservation interests you (which, if you’re here it probably does), you can help review wild cat camera-trap footage with Osa Conservation.
Lapa Rios boasts some of the peninsula’s best jungle, and the area's endless space and scale, plus the diverse wildlife that makes this region so unique, will leave you breathless. Lapa Rios does luxury like nowhere else on the peninsula, so it’s the ideal place in which to let the massive beauty of the untamed Osa work its magic.
29. Hotel Nantipa, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Ninta & Manti Bungalows, and Beachfront Villa
Situated right on the sand in Santa Teresa, Nantipa is an ideal base for catching the tropical sunsets and the consistent surf breaks that Santa Teresa is known for. The intimate boutique hotel, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and a Condé Nast Readers’ Choice pick for two years running, has 21 rooms and an open-air beachfront restaurant, which is sublime for a drink at dusk.
The Manti and Ninta bungalows – perfect for couples – each have private plunge pools, but for families or groups, the three-bedroom beachfront villa is hard to beat, with a larger infinity pool just steps from the waves.
30. awā Beachfront Hotel, Punta Uva, Costa Rica: Exclusive Jungle Suite
On Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, awā is a small, adults-oriented hotel right on the beach at Punta Uva, with free kayaks and paddleboards, cacao tastings, and a suite with a tree growing straight through the room.
The Exclusive Jungle Suite is the one with a private plunge pool, tucked into the greenery a few steps from the sand.
31. Hotel Aguas Claras, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: 2-Bedroom Deluxe Bungalow
Near Puerto Viejo on the southern Caribbean coast, Aguas Claras is a colorful 13-room boutique hotel owned by a mother-and-daughter team, filled with art and upcycled furniture. The Papaya restaurant takes design cues from Wes Anderson, and the kitchen takes part in the Dock to Dish sustainable fishing program.
Book the 2-Bedroom Deluxe Bungalow for a private plunge pool tucked into the tropical garden, with plenty of room to spread out for families or two couples traveling together.
Honduras
32. Las Verandas Hotel & Villas, Roatán, Honduras: Villas
At first glance, the whitewashed exteriors of Las Verandas European-style villas are reminiscent of a resort perched on the side of a Greek island, but look closer and it’s evident that the main design inspiration is closer to home. Cream-colored conchuela (Mexican shell stone) runs throughout the villas and exterior patios, mirroring Roatán’s warm beach sands, and the interior designs, though modern, showcase Central American art and textiles.
Each villa features luxe creature comforts, floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic ocean views, expansive outdoor patios, private pools and full kitchens. A wonderfully secluded escape, Las Verandas is a perfect home base from which to explore the spectacularly beautiful beach, ocean and reefs of Roatán. Book a trip to Las Verandas Hotel & Villas here.
33. Ibagari Boutique Hotel, West Bay, Roatán, Honduras: Deluxe Tropical Suite
On the sand at West Bay Beach, Ibagari is an adults-only boutique hotel and, as of 2025, the first hotel in Honduras to earn a Michelin Key. There’s a PADI dive center on site for exploring Roatán’s reef, and dinner at Luna Muna is served with your toes in the sand.
Book the Deluxe Tropical Suite for a private heated pool of your own.
Guatemala
34. Casa Palopó, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala: Villa Palopó
Perched on the steep shores descending into the deep blue waters of Lake Atitlán, this former private home has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel, with no detail spared. Stunning volcanic views (overlooking not one, but three magnificent peaks) and rustic architecture foster a sense of unpretentious serenity in Casa Palopó’s most exclusive accommodations – its two-story Villa Palopó.
When you book the villa, the outdoor infinity-edge pool perched on the hillside—complete with a Jacuzzi and outdoor palapa with a wood-burning fireplace—is all yours. Plus, you’ll get private butler service, and a personal chef. What more could you ask for? Click here to explore our trips to Casa Palopó.
Nicaragua
35. Morgan's Rock Ecolodge, Playa Ocotal, Nicaragua: Forest & Ocean-View Suites
Nestled on a rainforest-overrun strip of land that overlooks the spectacularly beautiful Emerald Coast, Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge combines a sustainable, back-to-nature experience with a true sense of sustainability and responsible travel. Surrounded by an expansive 4,500-acre private reserve inhabited by troops of howler monkeys who emphatically greet the sunrise each morning, Morgan’s Rock’s design mirrors the wilderness with organic shapes, open spaces, and sustainable, traditional building materials including river rocks, rich hardwoods and palm thatching.
Check into one of only fifteen spacious westward-facing bungalows for sweeping ocean views, open-air construction with entire walls left out (save for mosquito netting) to allow you to experience the rainforest in all of its glory. Relax on a floating futon, suspended with thick ropes above your private sundeck, or slip into your plunge pool where you can savor flawless views of the Pacific, and spot fast-climbing iguanas, curious monkeys and iridescent, long-tailed trogons as they perch at eye level. Click here to explore our trips to Morgan’s Rock.
36. Yemaya Reefs, Little Corn Island, Nicaragua: Oceanfront Rooms
Located on remote, tiny Little Corn Island, Yemaya Reefs is the kind of place people go to escape from it all. Fresh clear air, stunning white sand beaches speckled by coconut palms and waters so blue you may feel as if you’re in a dream – it’s paradise. The island itself is blissfully untouched, home to less than 2,000 people, not a single car, and no paved roads, with a profound peace and simplicity that will stay with you long after you leave.
Yemaya’s oceanfront rooms offer spectacular panoramic sea views, with colorful yet understated décor, garden showers, private sundecks and dreamy plunge pools – laid-back and quietly luxurious, with no detail spared. Click here to explore our trips to Yemaya Reefs.
37. Mukul Resort, Emerald Coast, Nicaragua: Beach Villas
Nicaragua’s original luxury resort, Mukul opened in 2013 on a 1,670-acre estate at Guacalito de la Isla, with a David McLay Kidd golf course and a spa where every treatment room has its own pool. It’s family-friendly, with a kids’ program to match.
The Beach Villas come with private pools, steps from the Pacific.
Panama
38. Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge, Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama: Casitas
Set on a private 14-island archipelago in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is an escape from the ordinary – incredibly exclusive and luxuriously isolated, an hour-long boat ride from civilization through waterways flanked by mangroves that lead to the open sea. With only nine rooms that accommodate a maximum of 18 guests, this intimate jungle hideout is unlike anywhere you’ve been before.
A sanctuary of modern comfort and responsible luxury, each suite is nestled in the jungle vegetation, far from its neighbors to provide couples with complete privacy and allow them full run of the outdoor spaces. You’ll find yourself immersed in the wild natural surrounds, lounging on an expansive sundeck, soaking in a private plunge pool and catching some shade beneath a thatched-roof cabana, from which you can kick your shoes off and immerse yourself in spectacular sea views. This is a very romantic place, indeed. Book a trip to Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge here.
39. Nayara Bocas del Toro, Bocas del Toro, Panama: Overwater Pool Villas
On its own little island in Bocas del Toro, Nayara Bocas del Toro is an adults-only (16+) hideaway with two Michelin Keys, overwater villas, and a fully off-grid footprint that runs on solar power and rainwater. Dinner is served in the Elephant House, a 100-year-old building shipped over from Bali.
The Overwater Pool Villas have their own saltwater plunge pool on the deck, perched right over the Caribbean. Getting here is half the fun: a short flight from Panama City, then a 20-minute boat ride.
