Tag Archives: Belize

Caves
Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Plan, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas

10 Caribbean Caves Worth Exploring

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When you think of the Caribbean, you’re probably imagining clear waters and a white-sand beach, not a dark and mysterious cave. Unless, of course, you had in mind a fabled pirate cave, filled with plundered chest of gold and precious gems. Whatever buccaneer booty was hidden underground is long since gone, but visitors can still discover hidden visual treasures and unearth rewarding adventures at caves all across the islands. Here are ten of our favorites.

Camuy Caves, Puerto Rico

There are several hundred known caves within the Camuy River Cave Park, many yet to be explored. But you don’t have to be a helmet-clad spelunker to visit the park’s most popular caverns. The guided tour includes a tram ride between caves, and takes in Clara Cave, with a massive underground chamber more than 200 feet high and 700 feet long. Also on the tour is a descent into Spiral Cave for a glimpse of an underground river, and a chance to see the 13 species of bats that inhabit these caves. Daily visitation to the park is limited, so it’s best to arrive early. Night tours are sometimes offered. 

Camuy Caves

Tropical vegetation adorns the entrance to Puerto Rico’s Cueva Clara. Within, a massive chamber soars to heights of 200 feet and stretches more than two football fields in length. Photo: iStock

Green Grotto, Jamaica

Jamaica’s Green Grotto Caves have sheltered Tiano tribes, Spanish soldiers, runaway slaves and gunrunners. This cavern takes its name from the green algae that clings to passage walls. Guided tours lead visitors through a soaring chamber once used as a dance hall, and into passages decorated with natural bridges and intricate limestone formations. The tour route continues downward to a subterranean body of crystal-clear water known as Grotto Lake, which can be explored by small boat. Vintage film buffs may recognize the caves from the 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die.

Conch Bar Caves, Middle Caicos

The largest island cave north of Cuba lies on the quiet island of Middle Caicos. Exploring this cave falls somewhere between an expedition and an excursion, as the interior has not been developed with marked routes, artificial lighting or groomed pathways. Guide services are available by inquiring at the nearby village of Conch Bar, and with the help of local knowledge, visitors can wade through shallow pools while negotiating slick rock surfaces as they make their way through the snaking passages of the cave’s inner recesses. Some areas show evidence of historic guano mining operations from the 1880s, and the story of the caves dates back to the Lucayan people. Getting to the cave from the resort island of Providenciales will require a ferry ride and a taxi. 

Middle Caicos

The quiet island of Middle Caicos hides an extensive series of limestone chambers known as the Conch Bar Caves. Once mined for fertilizer, they are now open to tourism. Photo: Karen Wunderman/iStock

Fontein Cave, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s rugged Arikok National Park should definitely include a stop at Fontein Cave. Don’t expect to be wowed by the size or scope of this cavern, as its passageways are little more than head high and fairly narrow, and no flashlight is needed to explore the main chamber. There are bats and stalactite formations, but the real draw is the pre-Columbian petroglyphs that adorn the walls and ceiling. The ochre-colored animals and symbols depicted within the cave are thought to be the work of indigenous Arawak peoples. There are no formal tours of the cave, though park rangers are sometimes on hand to answer questions.

Cueva de las Maravillas, Dominican Republic

The DR is riddled with caves, but most are inaccessible to the average traveler. One of the best—and easiest to reach—is the La Cueva de las Maravillas. Open to the public for just over a decade, as this cave lies just off the highway in the La Romana area, and within a small park that offers bathrooms, a museum and a restaurant. Daily visitation to the cave is strictly controlled, and conducted in small groups. The hour-long tour of the cave follows a route fitted with steps, ramps and secure walkways, with subtle artificial lighting that highlights the intricate formations while also creating interplay between light and shadow.

Cueva De Las Maravillas

One of the most spectacular caves in the Dominican Republic is La Cueva de las Maravillas. Tour routes through the cave feature groomed walkways, steps and subtle artificial lighting. Photo: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Harrison’s Cave, Barbados

This is cave exploration made easy. Visitors to Harrison’s Cave board electric trams that delve into a spectacular mile-long network of passages and underground chambers. Stops along the way give riders ample time to get out and explore their surroundings. The largest underground chamber, known as the Great Hall, soars to heights of 100 feet. This cave is renowned for its intricate formations, many of which hold embedded crystals that sparkle when illuminated by the electric lighting that has been placed through the cave. A highlight of the tour is a subterranean waterfall that plunges 40 feet into a clear water pool.

Crystal Cave, Belize

Indiana Jones would feel right at home in Crystal Cave. The adventure begins with a 45-minute walk through a lowland rainforest, followed by a 15-foot drop into the cave mouth. Inside, both marvels and adventures await. Narrow passages lead to expansive chambers, where crystals embedded in the walls and rock formations sparkle under the beam of a flashlight. Visitors mount inner tubes to float down an underground river, and take in a sacred Mayan lagoon, ceremonial wall carvings, pre-Columbian pottery and a unique flowstone waterfall. Those willing to shimmy through the cave’s smaller passages can gain access to hidden chambers that hold more secrets.

Crystal Cabe Belize

Crystals embedded within the flowstone formations of Belize’s Crystal Cave glitter in the beam of a flashlight. The cave also contains pre-Columbian ceremonial artifacts and wall carvings. Photo: Belize Tourist Board

Hato Caves, Curacao

You’ll have to climb a few stairs cut into the hillside to reach the entrance to Hato Caves. But once there, the going is easy, as tour guides join you on groomed pathways, and there’s no need to carry a flashlight, as lighting is hidden behind formations through the cave. Walking tours take about an hour, and lead to intricate speleothems, underground pools and pre- Columbian petroglyphs. Guides often share colorful stories of the cave’s history, which was once a refuge for escaped slaves.

Peter’s Cave, Cayman Brac

Brac means bluffs in the Gaelic language, and the towering limestone bluffs that dominate the northern end of Cayman Brac are riddled with crevices and caves. Some visitors discover these caves on their own, but it’s also possible to arrange for guided tours. There are dozens if not hundreds of small to mid-sized caverns hidden in the island’s limestone substrate, and one that should not be missed is Peter’s Cave. Sitting cliffside some 150 feet above Spot Bay, the cave entrance is reached by a well-maintained path that winds its way up the bluff. Once there, the entrance provides sweeping views of island and ocean.

Cayman Brac

Located on the eastern end of Cayman Brac, Peter’s Cave has provided island residents with shelter from hurricanes for many years. The mouth of the cave frames a view of Spot Bay. Photo: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Snorkel Cave, Bonaire

With some of the Caribbean’s best coral reefs just steps away from the beach, one might wonder why anyone would want to snorkel in a hole in the ground. It’s not for everyone, but several tour operators offer excursions to a hidden cave on the island’s west-central coast. Participants don swimwear and clamber down a boulder pile to enter a warehouse-sized chamber that’s half filled with water. Guides pass out underwater flashlights and lead snorkelers through a pair of rooms and though a tunnel that requires a slight duck-under swim to reach the final chamber. There are a few formations to admire, but the big attraction is simply the uniqueness of snorkeling underground.

Belize Hurricanes
Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Eat, Trip Ideas

Belize Beach Bars: Hurricane’s Ceviche Bar & Grill, San Pedro, Belize

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With the largest reef in the Caribbean literally within sight, it’s not surprising that Hurricane’s Ceviche Bar & Grill serves up a mouth-watering array of fresh seafood. This over-water eatery is located in the town of San Pedro, on Belize’s Ambergris Caye. As the name announces, the signature nosh is ceviche, which is fresh fish and other seafood that is chunked and marinated in lime and lemon juice to “scorch” the flesh a tender white, then combined with fresh vegetables.

With fishermen unloading right at the dock, the kitchen also puts out some memorable seafood entries including baked hogfish, blackened fillets, conch, fish tacos, and lobster. Accessible by boat, and just steps from the airport and Coconut Drive, Hurricane’s is a popular gathering point for locals and visitors alike. Once appetites are sated, many stay for a round or two of the signature rum punch served with a side of afternoon sea breeze.

Belize Snorkeling
Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Play, Trip Ideas

Into The Blue: Best Snorkel Sites in Belize

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Coral reefs make the best snorkel sites, and the small nation of Belize has corals aplenty. Just off the country’s Caribbean coast lies one of the world longest barrier reefs, stretching north to south for more than 190 miles. Scattered along its length are dozens of small, scenic islands known as cayes, which provide ideal starting points for snorkeling excursions, as well as a trio of offshore coral atolls—the only ones in the Caribbean. With the arrival of cruise ships in recent years, it’s possible to enjoy a Belize snorkeling adventure while in port for the day. But many of the best sites are available only to those who stay in country a bit longer, booking into a base camp at one of the beachside resorts or small lodges scattered throughout the cayes. Here are some of our favorite sites to discover the best snorkeling in Belize.

Coral Reef in Belize, best snorkel sites in belize

The reefs of Belize are covered in a mix of hard and soft corals. Shallow reefs offer the most vibrancy, as more sunlight penetrates the water to reveal the true colors of the reef. Photo: iStock

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is home to some of Belize’s most popular snorkeling sites. This largest and most northerly of the cayes is less affected by turbid outflow from mainland rivers, resulting consistently clear waters. In addition, reefs run closer to shore here, allowing for shorter boat rides to prime sites. It’s possible to snorkel right from the beach at select resorts along Ambergris’ eastern shore, but the underwater terrain is often sea grass beds with only the occasional coral head. These nearshore sites can be rewarding for those who enjoy critter spotting among the grass and coral rubble, but the actual reef line typically lies beyond easy swimming distance. The best sites are reached by boat, and are located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Lying some four miles south of the town of San Pedro, this underwater national park teems with fish life, especially at sites such as The Cut, where you are likely to see large grouper, barracuda and schooling jacks. The most famous destination in the park is Shark Ray Alley, which is a shallow, sand bottomed area where nurse sharks and stingrays gather. Neither of these species poses a threat to snorkelers, and most visitors are thrilled to find themselves immersed in a swirling mass of marine life. Other favorite sites near San Pedro include Mexico Rocks, which is a series of shallow patch reefs located north of town, and well-sheltered from ocean swells. Fish watchers will also enjoy Tres Cocos, where impressive stands of elkhorn coral attract a wide range of colorful tropical fish. There are a number of charter boat operators based in San Pedro, and finding a ride to the site of your choice is never a problem. 

Belize Ambergris Caye Sharks

Nurse sharks congregate in the waters of Hol Chan Marine Reserve at a site known as Shark Ray Alley. Here, snorkelers can enter the water safely to interact with the schooling fish. Photo: iStock

 

The Atolls

In addition to an expansive barrier reef, Belize is also home to the only true coral atolls in the Caribbean. Sitting 25 to 50 miles off the mainland, these coral-ringed plateaus offer acres of protected shallow water ideal for snorkelers. Turneffe Atoll lies closest to the coast, and is the easiest to reach by boat from the mainland or the northern cayes. Dotted with hundreds of mangrove islands, Turneffe is best known as a flats fishing mecca, but it is also an excellent snorkeling destination, as there are acres of shallow coral gardens washed by clear oceanic water. Sites can be reached during a day trip from Belize City or San Pedro, and there are also several small lodges tucked among the islets that cater to fishermen, but also welcome scuba divers and snorkelers. Some 20 miles farther to sea is Lighthouse Reef Atoll, home to the famous Blue Hole. Reaching this site will require a long boat ride across open water, which may not be for everyone. Once there, however, you can don mask and snorkel to hover on the precipitous edges of this famous geological formation, which is ringed by shallow coral reefs. Trips to Lighthouse will usually include a second stop at Half Moon Caye, a bird sanctuary which combines a shallow snorkel site with the chance to see rare red-footed boobies and other sea birds. Farther to the south, Glovers Reef Atoll provides an expansive shallow playground for snorkelers, with more than 700 patch reefs lying in shallow water within a protective coral ring. Several small resorts perch on tiny islands within the atoll, and day trips from the coastal town of Dangriga provide access for day trips. 

Blue Hole Belize

The Blue Hole is one of Belize’s best-known landmarks. Essentially a giant underwater sinkhole, it is located within Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which sits 50 miles east of the mainland. Photo: iStock

The Southern Cayes

Belize’s southern cayes are smaller and less settled – some no more than a few acres of sand with a mattering of palms and perhaps a single Robinson Crusoe-style dwelling. The best snorkel sites are located farther from shore, as river water can cloud nearshore sites. For many years, the premier destination in this area has been Rendezvous Caye. Now owned by a cruise line, it is a small spit of sand fitted with the comforts of civilizations such as bath houses and cold drinks—well suited to casual snorkelers seeking a day at the beach, but somewhat less so for those looking for a more solitary in-water experience. To escape the crowds, you can book a small boat tour originating in the coastal towns of Placencia or Dangriga. As an alternative to Rendezvous Caye, guides may drop you at nearby Colson Cay, but the area’s best coral and fish life are found at the Gladden Cays, where extensive arrays of corals and sponges line the shallows inside the reef, and the nearby Gladden Spit creates a gateway for larger fish to move between lagoon and open ocean. This coastline is also home to a number of small resorts and eco lodges, each offering an opportunity to snorkel right from the dock, or to discover surrounding reefs with a short boat ride. Among our favorites are Thatch Caye, Coco Plum and the Fantasy Island Eco Resort.

Belize Caye Marine Reserve Island

Belize’s southern coastline is dotted by hundreds of sandbars and tiny islands known as cayes. This idyllic island lodge lies within the South Water Cay Marine Reserve. Photo: Simon Dannhauer/iStock

Dominican Republic, Cabarete Kiteboarding
Belize, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Panama, Play, Puerto Rico, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Five Adrenaline-Filled Trips in the Caribbean

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Picture the Caribbean and what typically comes to mind is lounging on white beaches, pina colada in hand. And while this is certainly the place for chilling out, you can also score big thrills. There are plenty of ways to jump— or rappel, snorkel, kayak, kite- board or surf—out of your comfort zone for a bigger adventure. After all, a little bit of adrenaline goes a long way toward making any Caribbean getaway much more memorable. Besides, that colada will always be waiting for you upon your return.

Swim with Humpbacks off Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Grand Turk, the largest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a stop along a whale super-highway leading to an offshore breeding and birthing grounds called the Silver Banks. When the captain of the Oasis Divers’ snorkel tour gives the command, leap into the water and just start kicking. Once the bubbles from your splash-in clear, you’ll behold one of nature’s most marvelous wonders. Responses to encountering these jumbo-sized mammals range from speechless awe to tears of joy. Whatever you’re feeling, keep your legs moving because these big animals swim fast.

Rappel in Belmopan, Belize

Only the first few feet of the descent feel truly dangerous—as if you’re free falling into nothingness. Then the harness catches on the descent line. You breathe. You look around and realize that the vista from 200 feet above the Belize rainforest canopy is stunning. You feed rope through the carabineer to control the speed of your drop into Actun Loch Tunich sinkhole. It’s all perfectly calming—just don’t look down.

Kayak a Bio-Bay in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

The only rule of hunting bioluminescence is: The darker the night, the better. Bioluminescence, or biolume, is a neon light certain creatures emit. In the ocean, the organisms are microscopic, so dipping a paddle into the drink stirs up thousands, even millions of dinoflagellates reacting to the movement. Biolume is easiest to see in bio-bays formed when water rich with these organisms stays in a concentrated area unimpeded by tidal exchange. Fajardo, a city on Puerto Rico’s northeast tip, has just such a location. For the best experience with this green and blue light, join a kayak tour on a night with no moon.

Kiteboard in Cabarete, Dominican Republic

In Cabarete, those staying for last-call on the water are usually kiteboarders. Conditions here follow a consistent pattern, and since surf is best in the early morning, that crowd hits the hay early. The wind starts to pick up in the early afternoon, so kiters don’t gear up until after lunch. The reliable conditions also make this beach city one of the best places to learn to rig a kite and ride the waves. The Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding School will hook you up with gear and the know-how. Next thing you know, you’ll be body-dragging—that is, letting the kite power you across waves sans board—and having so much fun, you won’t stop laughing. And don’t worry, it’s just as entertaining with the board.

Surfing in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Timing is everything in surfing, so good instruction up front is key. Guides at the Mono Loco Surf School begin with theory in the classroom, so you understand the whys behind riding waves. Then in the water, nothing is more helpful than a pro shouting “now” when it’s time to pop up and find your balance on the board. Plus, the idyllic location of Bocas del Toro in Panama—an area more chilled out and undeveloped than the neighboring eco hotspots in Costa Rica—does wonders for the psyche.

Belize, Lamanai
Belize, Central America, Plan, Trip Ideas

Belize’s Best Mayan Ruins

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The country of Belize was once part of the great Mayan homeland. Green jungles hide stonework and relics of once grand cities. More than 100 known Mayan sites are scattered from coastal lowlands to highland plateaus, but fewer than a dozen are easily accessible, and have been sufficiently reclaimed from enveloping undergrowth and debris to provide a semblance of their former selves. No trip to Belize would be complete without a visit to at least one of these sites, either with an organized tour or by rental car. Here are six of the country’s best.

Coastal Day Trips

If you are staying out on the cays or taking shore leave in Belize City, several of the country’s most popular Mayan sites are within day-trip range. The easiest to reach, and therefore most popular, is Altun Ha. The excavated portions of this site are relatively modest in scope, but contain all the requisite elements: temples, tombs, carvings and pyramids that can be climbed. Several tour companies serve the site, and it’s an easy 45-minute drive by rental car. For a unique setting and fewer tour groups, you can opt for the city of Lamanai, which overlooks the New River Lagoon, and is surrounded by a lush rainforest. Highlights include a ball court and the second largest pre-classic Mayan structure in Central America. And then there’s the arrival. To save a circuitous road trip, a number of tour operators deliver visitors by boat, adding a river cruise to the day’s adventure, with the chance of sighting crocodiles along the way.

Belize, Xunantunich, Belize’s Best Mayan Ruins

Just a few miles from the town of San Ignacio, the 120-foot high El Castillo pyramid at Xunantunich rises from the jungle. The site can be reached by car, and the views justify the climb to the top. Photo: iStock

A third option for coastal-based travelers with a full day to devote to visiting ruins is a drive on the Western Highway to the town of San Ignacio. Here, the remains of one of the oldest-known Maya cities in the country overlooks the Macal River Valley. The site, known as Cahal Pech, is a collection of some 30 stone structures rising to heights of 75 feet, along with a small museum displaying some of the artifacts unearthed by archeologists. A seven-mile drive west of San Ignacio brings you to the district’s other easily accessed site: Xunantunich. The adventure begins with a trip across the Mopan River on a small, hand-operated ferry boat, after which you can walk among carved stella and climb the 120-foot-tall El Castillo pyramid for panoramic views that extend to the Guatemalan border.

Inland Expeditions

Some of Belize’s most significant Mayan cities are located in the western highlands in areas that are a bit too remote for a comfortable one-day excursion from the coast. The best way to visit these sites is by basing at a hotel or jungle lodge near the town of San Ignacio. From here, a favorite adventure is an all-day outing to the sprawling city of Caracol, which is located in the heart of the Mayan Mountains. The trip begins with a 2?- hour drive on rough backroads through the Mountain Pine Forest Reserve and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, with ample opportunities to spot wildlife. The city itself is massive, and only a fraction of it has yet been reclaimed from the jungle; archeological work is ongoing. Among the most noteworthy structures unearthed so far are the Canna Sky Palace pyramid, which at 136 feet is the tallest Mayan building in Belize.

Belize, Caracol

The view from atop Caracol’s main pyramid. Excavation at the site is ongoing, and only a small portion of the city has been reclaimed from the surrounding jungle. Photo: Alan Tobey/iStock

The other must-do excursion from San Ignacio takes you across the Guatemalan border to one of the most important cities of the Mayan Empire. The ancient city of Tikal covers more than 6 square miles, and includes some of the most dramatic pyramids and best-restored structures in Central America. Organized tours from San Ignacio are the best option, as most rental car contracts exclude travel into Guatemala. If you have an extra half day to spare, and want a slightly wilder take on ruins tours, a 12-mile drive to the north brings you to El Pilar, a large but only partially excavated city that could serve as a set for an Indiana Jones movie. Here, visitors walk shaded trails to discover 4,000-year-old stonework emerging from the surrounding greenery.

Belize Black Rock Lodge
Belize, Central America, Stay, Trip Ideas

Top 4 Jungle Lodges In Belize

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Sun and sand draw vacationers to the shores of Belize, but an ever-growing number of travelers are also looking inland. Here, verdant rainforests are cut by jungle streams, and mountain ranges are perforated by caves and underground rivers. The lost cities of the once-mighty Mayan empire lie waiting to be discovered, and the forests are alive with exotic animals such as peccaries, jaguars and monkeys, along with more than 300 species of birds.

Scattered through this lush landscape is a collection of small resorts. Unlike the glass-and-concrete monoliths of urban and beachfront settings, these are simpler abodes fabricated from native materials and constructed in traditional styles of the region. They are Belize’s jungle lodges, places where one can wake to bird calls, dine on locally grown foods under a thatched palapa, and discover medicinal plants, birds and butterflies along wooded paths. Many of these same lodges also offer a reasonable dose of civilization, with on-site spas, eco-friendly swimming pools and—for those who just have to stay connected—WiFi service. Destinations in their own right, they also serve as base camps for a wide range of jungle adventures, everything from horseback rides and tours of archeological sites to zip-line flights and inner tube floats through river caves. Much of this activity centers around the Cayo district and the town of San Ignacio. Several first-class jungle lodges are located within this region. Here are four of our favorites.

Belize Chaa Creek swimming pool

The Lodge at Chaa Creek blends select luxuries such as a freshwater pool and available WiFi with opportunities for off-grid stays at a more secluded jungle camp. Photo: Chaa Creek Lodge

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Belize’s original jungle lodge has evolved from a pair of cottages accessible only by river into one of the world’s best known and most highly awarded eco resorts. Today, a collection of 23 bungalows combine the rustic thatched-roof appeal that started it all with creature comforts that range from charmingly basic to downright decadent. At Chaa Creek, guests can bunk down in the rustic comfort of the Macal River Camp, which is unplugged, but far from uncivilized; those who want WiFi coverage along with their time in nature can stay closer to the central compound at one of several electrified suites, complete with a private Jacuzzi tub. All guests can dine on locally sourced meals at the resort’s highly acclaimed dining room, lounge by the eco-friendly pool or book a treatment at the on-site spa.

The owners, Mick and Lucy Fleming, have expanded their original farm plot into a 365-acre rainforest reserve that includes organic gardens, a natural history center, a butterfly farm and a trail system that gives access to Mayan cultural sites and a medicinal plant repository. On-property activities include canoeing on the Macal River, morning bird-watching sessions with a staff naturalist, visits to Mayan farms, and horseback and mountain bike rides. The lodge can also bundle a wide range of off-property adventures into a stay, and 10 percent of all accommodation revenue is set aside for environmental education and community-enhancement projects. 

Belize Black Rock Lodge Dining Area

The communal dining area at Black Rock Lodge sits on the edge of a high bluff overlooking its namesake canyon, with the Macal River flowing hundreds of feet below. Photo: Black Rock Lodge

Black Rock Lodge

The most remote of the San Ignacio area jungle resorts, the Black Rock Lodge is a 45-minute drive from town, with the final six miles along an unpaved track. The rewards for this isolation are a commanding view of the Macal River, snaking its way through the Black Rock Canyon below, and proximity to Elijio Panti National Park. The lodge’s 14 hillside cabins are constructed of native wood and slate rock, with vaulted roofs and large screened windows to take advantage of the mountain breezes. Interiors are simply but tastefully furnished and decorated with the work of local artists and craftsmen. Front porch hammocks are a favorite place to take in river views and rest after a day’s adventure.

The most stunning vistas on the property are from the high-roofed dining palapa, which sits on the edge of a slope, above the river. The lodge is energy independent, generating all power from solar and hydroelectric sources, and most of the organic fruits and vegetables served in the restaurant are grown here. From the resort, hiking trails lead to the river and the national park’s adjacent 13,000 acres. By foot, mountain bike or horseback, guests can visit sites such as Vaca Falls or Flour Camp Cave, which is filled with ancient Maya pottery. A second community palapa, half way to the river, is ideal for birding and serves as the site of daily yoga classes. A culmination highlight of each day is the four-course dinner served family style against the waning evening light in the gorge. 

Belize Jungle Lodge, black rock lodge

The Macal River begins in Belize’s mountainous interior and flows through Black Rock Canyon before emerging into the lowlands. Several jungles lodges line its banks. Photo: Black Rock Lodge

Mystic River Resort

One of Belize’s newest jungle lodges has already earned accolades for guest service, including the Belize Hotel Association’s award for Hotelier of the Year. Located seven miles upstream of San Ignacio on the Macal River, the Mystic River Resort is the dream of Canadian expats Tom and Nadege Thomas, who welcomed their first guests in early 2009. Like other eco- themed lodges along this stretch of the river, this property is committed to sustainable tourism. There is an ongoing program to replant indigenous hardwoods, and the resort generates its own electricity, maintains an organic garden to supply the kitchen and purifies its own water.

Accommodations currently include five studio suites and three single- bedroom bungalows, with two additional suites to be completed by late 2014. Another recent expansion was the opening of the on-site Jasmine Spa in the fall of 2013. This facility is surrounded by lush jungle foliage and water features that add a natural ambience to the spa experience. The resort has a pool, but guests can also enjoy a dip in the cool river waters. Other highlights of a stay include sampling Nadege’s freshly made goat cheese, exploring the foothills of the Maya Mountains by horseback, or sharing libations and conversation at the Palapa Bar. The staff can also coordinate a full range of day trips and tours or suggest self-guided activities, such as a hike to a nearby waterfall. 

Crystal Paradise Resort

The Tut family’s Crystal Farm was named for the clear waters that welled up when they first dug an irrigation pond for their crops. In the late 1980s, they began supplementing farm income with on-site lodging. From simple beginnings, this expanded into a full-fledge resort offering a collection of 18 attractive Belizean-style cottages and thatched-roof cabanas. The closest jungle lodge to the town of San Ignacio, Crystal Paradise Resort provides an ideal combination of access, amenities and natural attractions. Reliable on- grid electricity, telephone and WiFi service, hot water and available air conditioning are provided for those not quite ready to go native. But aside from these creature comforts, the overall vibe is pure jungle, with open-air dining under an expansive palapa, and more than 150 species of plants and trees growing on the lushly landscaped property. The 21-acre resort is crisscrossed with walking trails and home to more than 250 species of birds. An above-canopy observation platform stands ready for would-be ornithologists, and three resident naturalists are available to help with identification. In addition to hospitality, the Tut family delivers adventures, as they also own and operate Paradise Expeditions. This full-service tour company can arrange everything from airport transfers to visits to Mayan ruins, caving expeditions and river trips. 

 

Cayo Espanto Belize
Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Stay, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

The Caribbean’s Most Romantic Hotels

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The list of Caribbean hotels that make the pulse pound and your significant other look even more significant is a long one. Like beauty, romance is in the heart of the beholder. There are beach bungalows far from the madding crowd where it’s just you two and a couple of tiki torches and hotels in the middle of lively and historic cities; resorts with staff awaiting your every command and boutiques that let you be. Whatever your romantic style, here are our choice properties for your consideration.

Casa Brisa Belize

Your private sundeck awaits at Belize’s Cayo Espanto resort. This private island is just a few minutes by boat from the town of San Pedro, but a world apart from other resorts. Photo: Cayo Espanto

Isolated Splendor: Cayo Espanto, Belize

Even though it’s only three miles from bustling San Pedro, Cayo Espanto is a Caribbean cocoon, a private island with no access from the outside world save its own guest ferry. Seven villas are strategically spaced around the four-acre island to create maximum individual privacy. And each is unique: Casa Ventanas is built over the water and reached via a dock; Casa Olita has a private plunge pool, private beach and outdoor shower; Casa Estrella is two stories, with an elevated ocean view that goes on forever. On your way to the island, forego the ferry and arrive by helicopter to soak in spectacular vistas of sea and sky.

Once there, you’ll be greeted by the staff and your housemen who will take care of your every whim. The chef will drop by daily to discuss your dinner desires; your houseman will coordinate lunch and take you to a nearby deserted islet, where he’ll rake the sand to perfection and set you up with a cell phone to call him when you’re ready to return. After a delicious day of snorkeling, swimming, bonefishing or sunbathing you can return to your villa at Casa Brisa to take in the breezes or savor the sunsets from the west-facing Casa Solana, either villa is guaranteed to make your heart grow fonder. 

Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo Ovando House

The architecture of the Hostal Nicolas de Ovando incorporates a trio of 500-year-old homes that are the oldest European-built stone structures in the Americas. Photo: Serge Detalle/Ovando House

Hot in the City: Hostal Nicolas de Ovando, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Nicolas de Ovando arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1502 at the head of some 2,000 colonists, leading the first organized European settlement in the New World. The hotel, Hostal Nicolas de Ovando isn’t just named for him, it’s literally in his house. Actually it’s three houses and the first European-built stone dwellings in the Americas. They were erected in 1502 along Las Damas, the first street in what would become the headquarters of Spain’s American enterprises, Santo Domingo. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this hotel oozes historic charm: In fact, it would be accurate to say there is no more historic hotel in the western hemisphere. The stone-walled structures enclose a central courtyard graced by a fountain and surrounded on four sides by a two-story gallery, it’s arched openings and columns a rhythmic counterpoint to the brick and stone.

Inside, the owners have done a masterful job of blending modern decor with the structure, highlighting the eccentricities of the half-millennium-old buildings rather than hiding them. The 74 rooms aren’t cookie-cutter, as they’ve been designed to work with the building. There’s a pool in a walled garden with plenty of room for lounging and just outside the door all of the charms of the colonial city. Wandering the narrow, cobblestone streets past the home of the conquistador Hernán Cortés leads you to the Alcazár de Colón, the family home built by Diego Columbus, Christopher’s son, which is now a museum. Nearby there are quaint restaurants, small shops filled with art and keepsakes and the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the first Catholic church in the Americas. Buy a freshly rolled cigar at the shop across the street and check out menus at the nearby restaurants until you find one with a paella and an atmosphere that suits your mood. Afterwards, head back to the Ovando house and listen to the live jazz echoing off centuries-old bricks. 

Jamaica Half Moon Resort Entrance Montego Bay

Jamaica’s Half Moon resort is a diverse and expansive property that commands a significant swath of coastline and offers private villas and cottages with direct water views. Photo: Half Moon Resort

Traditional Luxe: Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica

If you suspect that the uber wealthy know something the rest of us don’t, you need no further proof than Half Moon, near Montego Bay, Jamaica. In the mid-1950s, a group of industrialists and heirs to some of America’s largest fortunes began to build winter cottages on a picturesque private beach. The cluster of cottages evolved into the full-size resort Half Moon, which attracted the rich and famous to luxuriate in the naughty atmosphere of the North Shore. Far from prying eyes in London, New York and Hollywood, celebrities could let down their hair for some serious fun. Errol Flynn spent years on the North Shore as did James Bond author Ian Fleming. JFK and Jackie stayed at Half Moon; so did Audrey Hepburn, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford and most of the current generations of British royals.

Half Moon now sprawls over 400 seaside acres, encompassing a Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course, several dozen (that’s right, dozen) pools and a shoreline embroidered with small palm- shaded coves. There’s an equestrian center, multiple fine dining restaurants and a 68,000-square-foot spa. While you can be perfectly happy in one of the luxury rooms, if romance is what you’re reaching for, one of the original West End cottages or a Royal Villa offer the ultimate in pleasurable pampering. The residences are staffed and you’ll have a butler, cook and housekeeper making sure you want for nothing. You can loll by a private pool and just keep telling each other how lucky you are. 

Parrot Cay COMO Turks and Caicos tiki hut

It will take a boat ride from Providenciales to reach the secluded grounds of Parrot Cay. Once there, guests have coral reefs and miles of secluded beaches to enjoy in solitude. Photo: Parrot Cay

Hip Hangout: Parrot Cay by COMO, Turks and Caicos

Owned by the stylish Como organization, Parrot Cay is a 1,000- acre private island just east of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos. For such a secluded resort, it’s remarkably easy to get to: It’s a half-hour boat ride from the well-served airport in Provo, just south of the Bahamas. The name and location attract celebrity A-listers like Ben Affleck and Christy Turlington with simplicity and superior service. The design is understated: modern but with a clear nod to the regional plantation style. If you’re looking for acres of hand-carved mahogany paneling, this isn’t your jam. But if you’re looking for acres of deserted beach, this is the place. There are three miles of powder-white sand lapped by calm, laser-green water, the Atlantic swell tamed by the offshore reefs.

Grab a lounger and soak up the ambience at the infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean; when you feel ambitious, take a ramble down the beach and remember to look down, there are beautiful shells underfoot, including partridge tuns, turban tops, sand dollars and queen conch. Turks and Caicos is one of the few places where you can reliably see live queen conch underwater, and the empty shells wash up on beaches and can be found in shell piles left behind by local fishermen. There are water toys on the beach or you can arrange a private boat excursion to Iguana Cay or fish on the enormous flats behind the islands. The resort rooms are clustered around the main pool, but for enhanced privacy oceanfront villas have their own pools—some are heated, ensuring year-round 24/7 skinny dipping. If you’re not coupled out by then, head for a his and her massage in the very private treatment cottage at the highly rated Shambhala Retreat. 

Canouan Resort St Vincent and the Grenadines

The Canouan Resort sprawls over expansive and meticulously landscaped grounds that rise from the beach to high bluffs that provide expansive views of the central Grenadines and the Caribbean Sea. Photo: Canouan Resort

The Jet Set: Canouan Resort, Canouan Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Canouan is not a place you get to instantly. It does have an airport, but the closest international service is in St. Vincent or Barbados, so you have to want to go there. And you definitely want to go. Canouan Resort at Carenage Bay occupies about a third of a 1,200-acre former plantation, complete with a 17th- century Anglican church. Down here south of St. Vincent, the islands are lumpy leftovers from a series of volcanic explosions. The resort fronts the beach and spills up onto the hill. Most of the rooms and villas are beachfront, though a few very private dwellings are perched on a 900-foot bluff with views that reach all the way to the Tobago Cays.

The property owners are Italian and there’s a sense of style throughout, especially in the restaurants and Bellini’s bar, so pack your killer heels and some sparkly accessories. You’ll get to dinner without breaking a sweat, too. You’ll be given a golf cart on arrival so you never have to walk unless you want to. The property received major upgrades just last year and a new ultra-exclusive boutique, Pink Sands Club, opened next door so expect to see private jets lined up on the runway. When you’re not relaxing over a fine wine just drinking in the ambience, stroll Shell Beach or take a charter to snorkel with turtles in the Tobago Cays. 

 

Belize Jaguar
Belize, Central America, Plan, Trip Ideas

Belize: 10 Reasons to Go

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Indiana Jones would feel right at home in Belize. There are jungle rivers to paddle, ancient ruins to discover and mysterious caves to explore. But move to the coast and you’ll transition to the realm of Jimmy Buffett, where water taxis and golf carts are the primary form of motorized transportation, the beach is never more than a coconut toss away, and flip-flops and a T-shirt are the universal dress code. Belize is the Caribbean at its most natural, and there are a lot of reasons why we love this small, friendly Central American country.

1  Islands Aplenty

The Mezoamerican barrier reef runs the length of the coast of Belize. Between it and the mainland lie a collection of hundreds of small islands, known locally as Cayes. The largest, Ambergris, is home to a collection of small to mid-size resort properties. Others offer low-key lodging or remote fishing and diving outposts, while many more remain sparely populated or completely uninhabited. This creates a playground for sailors, paddlers and the adventurers, who can live out Robinson Crusoe fantasies on one of the last pristine coastlines in Central America.

2  Ancient Origins

As archeologists continue to peel back the enveloping jungle, once-majestic stone edifices of the Mayan empire are revealed at sites such as Caracol. Most all are open to the public, allowing imaginative visitors to walk in the footsteps of feather-clad warriors and stand at carved altars where painted priests once offered up sacrifices to their gods. More than 15 centuries after its completion, Caracol’s central pyramid, once known as the Sky Palace, remains the country’s tallest man-made structure.

3  Room to Roam

Belize is the least populated country in Central America, both in terms of human density and the total number of people. Though roughly the same size as El Salvador, it has one-twentieth the inhabitants—just over 350,000 residents. About a third of the population lives in Belize City and another third in five other mid-size towns. This leaves vast areas of the country either devoted to small farms or in a natural state.

4  Offshore Atolls

Most people associate coral atolls with the South Pacific, but there are actually four in the Caribbean, and three of them are found off the coast of Belize: Glovers, Lighthouse and Turneffe. Unlike the cayes, which sit in the shallows behind the reef, the atolls rise from deep blue water, with sheltered lagoons enclosed within coral ramparts. Most of these atolls are now wildlife sanctuaries, but all are accessible and can be reached by boat. A highlight for many visitors is the famous Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef, which is the largest of its kind.

5  Jungle Lodge or Eco-Luxe

Hidden among the lush greenery of Belize’s interior are a number of lodges with an eco-ethos. Those seeking simplicity and back-to-nature authenticity can bed down in a riverside palapa, with little more than a mosquito net and kerosene lantern in the way of amenities. At the other end of the spectrum, renowned properties such as the Lodge at Chaa Creek provide a unique brand of “thatched-roof luxury,” combining native architecture with designer touches and mating sustainable practices, such as solar power and locally sourced menus, with upscale amenities like on-site spas and en suite hot tubs.

6  United in Diversity

Belize is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the Western Hemisphere. Its peoples and cultures represent a mingling of Mayan heritage with Spanish, West African, British and American cultures, plus sprinklings of Chinese, Middle Eastern, Caribbean and German Mennonite cultures. English is the official language, and all a traveler needs. But in market squares or coastal landings, you are equally as likely to hear Spanish and a smattering of local dialects such as Kriol, Garifuna or Kekchí.

7  Half Wild

About half of Belize remains covered in forests, ranging from coastal mangrove swamps to dense rainforests and upland pine woods. More than 80 percent of the country’s rainforests are protected, along with many other critical wildlife habitats, which are home to a diverse collection of birds, reptiles and mammals such as the black howler monkey. There are a total of 24 forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and marine parks in Belize, covering both land and sea. Together, they encompass the region’s greatest range of bio-diversity.

8  Common Courtesy

Cultural and ethnic tensions are non-existent in this mixing-pot nation. Belizeans are known for their relaxed attitudes, enjoyment of good conversation and appreciation for the everyday courtesies. They are quick to offer a “good morning” or “good afternoon” in passing, and are rarely shy about striking up a conversation with anyone who takes the time to stop and chat, or ask a question.

9  Where the Jaguars Roam

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest jaguar preserve. It is estimated that more than 80 members of the world’s third-largest cat family roam these 128,000 acres of pristine jungle. The sanctuary is also home to Belize’s other four species of cat—puma, margay, jaguarundi and ocelot—along with the endangered Baird’s tapir and more than 290 species of birds.

10  Cave Country

The foothills and mountains of Belize are riddled with caves and caverns— and don’t think small, crawl-in-the-dark crevices. Some, like Rio Frio, have arching entrances six stories high, while a number of the river caves can be navigated by canoe or astraddle an inner tube. For a more mystic experience, visit Actun Tunichil Muknal, aka the Cave of the Crystal Sepulcher, where the calcified remains of an ancient maiden shimmer like crystal under the beam of a flashlight.

Belize Kayaking
Belize, Central America, Play, Trip Ideas

The Water Way: Discovering Belize by Boat

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Between the green jungles of coastal Belize and the Caribbean Sea, there is a lagoon filled with more than 200 tropical islands. Known as Cayes, but usually pronounced “keys,” these dollops of land range downward from 25-mile-long Ambergris Caye to postage stamp-sized spits of palm and sand that may support a single fishing shack or remain totally wild. A few are served by small airports or landing strips, but the only way to reach most is by boat. Fortunately, traveling by water won’t require sea legs, since these islands rise from relatively shallow water and sit in the leeward shelter of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Boat travel can involve anything from a quick dash on an island ferry to a weeklong paddle through the wilds. Here are some of our favorite options for discovering Belize’s island and ocean treasures.

Paddler’s Paradise

Belize Kayaking

The islands and lagoon inside Belize’s barrier reef are ideal for kayaking. Photo: Istock

Many of the Belize cayes are within sight of each other, which makes them ideal for multi-day kayak adventures. Several operators offer guided tours of up to a week’s duration through the central and southern cayes. These small islands, with names like Buttonwood, Little Water and the Silks, are either wild or sparsely populated. Some nights are spent in small eco lodges, others camping on sandy beaches, with plenty of time to swim, snorkel and fish mixed into days of moderate paddling. Kayaks, meals and camping gear are included.

Taxi Service

Water taxis connect mainland settlements such as Belize City, Corozol and the Mexican port of Chetumal to many of the inhabited northern cayes. The fleet ranges from outboard-powered skiffs, where passengers share open-air benches, to air-conditioned cabin boats with bus-like seating. Fares also run the gamut. You can pay $10 for a one-way small-boat passage from Belize City to Caye Caulker or $90 for a round-trip between Chetumal and Ambergris Caye on an express ferry. Routes usually travel from mainland ports to individual cayes, but with a bit of planning, it’s also possible to create an island-hopping itinerary.

Belize Pier with Sailboat

Sailing catamarans are ideally suited to cruising the shoal-laden waters of Belize. Photo: Curt Brush Wyler/Thinkstock

Sail Away

Steady trade winds, quiet anchorages, beach bars and protected waters are the kind of stuff that makes up any cruising sailor’s dream. Belize’s favorable geography and sailing conditions haven’t escaped the notice of charter boat companies, and a number now offer both bareboat—self-operated—and captained sailing charters through the southern cayes. Highlights of a week afloat could include lingering on the dazzling white sands of South Water Caye, snorkeling fish-laden reefs at Tobacco Caye, joining the party at Whiprat Caye’s Urchin Bar, or taking the dingy into the bird sanctuary at Man-O-War Caye. When it’s your boat, it’s your call.

Going Below

Belize Diving, Lighthouse Reef

Divers explore Belize’s Lighthouse Reef. Revised photo credit: Photo: Tobias Mueller-Prothmann/iStock

This one is for the divers: The best way to experience all of the country’s underwater wonders is aboard a dedicated liveaboard dive boat. Over the course of a week, you can descend into the mysterious Blue Hole, follow giant tarpon through coral tunnels, hover over precipitous walls and glide among sunlit forests of elkhorn coral. With itineraries that allow up to five dives a day, this trip that would seem heavenly to any die-hard diver, but less appealing to a non-diving spouse. If diving is just part of a mixed bag vacation, you’re better off checking into one of the many resorts in Ambergris and elsewhere that run daily trips to nearby reefs and—weather permitting—the offshore atolls.

Cayman North Sound
Belize, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Curacao, St. Lucia, Stay, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Best Caribbean Snorkel Resorts

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One of the great joys of snorkeling tropical waters is freedom. No complex or heavy dive gear to manage, no worries about running out of air or monitoring bottom time, just the tranquility of hovering over a sun-dapple reef. It’s even better when done on your own schedule by wading right out from a resort beach, with no boat to catch and a refreshing shower and beach chair awaiting your return. Here are some of the best beachfront resorts in the Caribbean that provide immediate access to great snorkeling.

 

Grand Cayman barrier reef

Aerial view of Grand Cayman’s northern barrier reef. The outside is safe for snorkeling only in calm seas; the sheltered inner side offers more consistent conditions. Photo: Cayman Island Tourism

The Retreat at Rum Point, Grand Cayman

It’s less than eight miles from Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach to Rum Point as the crow flies, but you’ll have to drive all the way around on the island’s coastal highway or take a ferry across North Sound to get there. This relative isolation means fewer swimmers on the palm-fringed beach and a chance to explore the coral-strewn shallows inside the island’s northern barrier reef. The resort is a collection of rental condominiums that provide spectacular water views. Full kitchens save on dining out, but if the adjacent Wreck Bar saps the cook’s culinary ambitions, then head next door to the Rum Point Club for a meal.

Retreat at rum point

The Retreat at Rum Point sits along 1,200 feet of white sand beach where you might enjoy a beachside massage or a nap in a hammock under the shade. Photo: Rum Point

Fantasy Island Beach Resort, Roatan

The island of Roatan is ringed by magnificent coral reefs. But getting to many of these sites will require a boat ride. The best place to begin a snorkel from shore is at the Fantasy Island Beach Resort. Beginning just to the east of the resort beach is French Key Reef, which is an area of sheltered and protected coral reefs that rise close to the surface. A couple of minutes of finning across the sand bottom brings you to coral gardens filled with an abundance of tropical fish. As an alternative to swimming, resort guests can opt for a guided boat trip. Fantasy Island is a mid-sized resort set on a small private island just off Roatan’s southern shore in the popular Coxen Hole area. All-inclusive packages are available, and the resort is popular with divers and watersports enthusiasts.

Honduras Fantasy Island

This dock at the western edge of the Fantasy Island beach is the ideal starting point for a snorkeling exploration of the sheltered lagoon surrounding French Cay Reef. Photo: Fantasy Island

Tranquility Bay Resort, Belize

Situated on a remote beach on Ambergris Caye, 10 miles north of San Pedro and accessible only by boat, Tranquility Bay is a throwback in time. Traditional, colorful cottages are positioned just yards from the water, and inside you’ll find a surprisingly modern décor and amenities. From the beach it’s a short swim to the inner edge of Belize’s magnificent barrier reef. The resort is secluded and simple, but if clean sand and clear water trump nightlife and spa services, there are few places that can compare. 

Tranquility Bay

Tranquility Bay is the ideal spot to unplug, relax and explore nature. In addition to underwater activities, there are Mayan sites to explore on the mainland. Photo: Tranquility Bay

The Buccaneer Hotel, St. Croix

This landmark property delivers enticing views of the coral-strewn shallows that sit between Mermaid Beach and blue water. Fin east along the rocky coast towards Shoy Point and look under the ledges to discover fish and lobster lurking in the shadows. Those wanting more can catch a boat from the resort dock to Buck Island. Ashore, the Buccaneer remains one of St. Croix’s favorite resorts, providing a complete vacation experience that can include golf, tennis, spa treatments and live music.

St. Croix, best caribbean snorkel resorts

A short swim from the beach at St. Croix’s Buccaneer resort leads snorkelers to a series of coral-covered rock ledges that attract a variety of tropical fish. Photo: The Buccaneer Hotel

Fiesta Americana, Cozumel

Fish and coral are abundant off Cozumel’s west coast, but many sites lack easy beach entries, and to the north of the island, prevailing currents may pull snorkelers away from land. For an easier snorkeling experience, head south to the Fiesta Americana. This all-inclusive property overlooks a colorful stretch of shallow reef just to the north of Chankanaab National Park. There are easy entry and exit points for snorkelers, and milder currents move you southward towards the park. This upscale all-inclusive property is family-friendly, with a pair of pools, a playground and children’s activities. 

Fiesta Americana

In addition to the awesome snorkeling at the Fiesta Americana, there’s a private beach with plenty of beach lounges, umbrellas, over-the-water beds, and hammocks. Photo: Fiesta Americana

Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia

Some of the best coral reefs lie off the southwest coast of St. Lucia in the shadow of the landmark Pitons. They are within an easy swim from the beach at the Anse Chastanet Resort. This protected coral habitat is a favorite with divers and snorkelers, who can wade into the shallows to discover a profusion of sea life mere yards from shore. The resort provides snorkeling equipment for self-guided explorations, or you can book a boat trip with a guide to nearby reefs. The resort itself is the stuff of tropical fantasy, with rooms hiding in the palms, and a short climb up the green hill delivers sweeping views of the Caribbean. 

Anse Chastanet

The beach at Anse Chastanet provides wade-in access to the island’s finest coral reef, which begins in shallow water just 15 yards from shore. Photo: Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia

Plaza Resort, Bonaire

Bonaire’s entire west coast is flanked by one of the finest coastal reef structures in the Caribbean. But only a handful of the island’s resorts are also favored by sandy beaches. Of these, the Plaza provides the best combination of amenities and water access. The reef is just a short swim from the water’s edge, and an on-site dive shop has rental gear or replacement equipment. Ashore, the all-inclusive resort features a collection of low-rise buildings overlooking the channels of a lagoon and marina. Highlights of a stay include open-air seating at the waterfront restaurant and a weekly beach barbecue that is a favorite island tradition. 

Plaza Resort Bonaire

At Plaza Bonaire, a walk to the beach from your room invites snorkeling on a whim or the dive shop organizes snorkeling trips around the island. Photo: Plaza Beach

Sunscape Curacao Resort, Curacao

Six restaurants, six bars, water sports, a spa, first-class fitness center, daily entertainment and a casino—all for one price. Well, not the casino. But if larger all-inclusive resorts are your thing, the Sunscape is the finest on Curacao. When it’s time to submerge, novices can find fish without having to venture beyond the sheltering breakwater. More advanced snorkelers can head outside the breakwater to find vibrant patches of coral on a reef that drops from the jetty rocks to depths of 10 feet, then continues a gradual slope out toward deep water. 

Curacao Sunscape

From the beach at Sunscape Curacao Resort, novice snorkelers will enjoy calm conditions inside the rock jetty, while the more accomplished can explore the outer slope. Photo: Sunscape Curacao