Tag Archives: Honduras

Belize, Central America, Honduras, Stay, Trip Ideas

Central America’s Small Island Retreats

December 4, 2017

Who hasn’t dreamed of escaping to a remote tropical island, far from cruise ship crowds and high-rise hotels? But unless you have a boat and plenty of time, your options are limited. Fortunately, there are some small islands off the Caribbean coast of Central America that are just a plane flight and a short boat ride away. Here are three such places where you can play castaway without giving up the comforts of civilization.

Turneffe Island Resort, Belize

For anyone who has dreamed of traveling to a remote tropical atoll, but can’t spend weeks getting there, this might be the answer. A two-hour flight from Miami or Houston, followed by a 90-minute boat ride or scenic helicopter hop, puts you on a small private island in the middle of the largest—and one of the only—coral reef atolls in the Western Hemisphere. Turneffe Atoll sits in the Caribbean Sea, 25 miles off the coast of Belize. At the southern end of this 30-mile long coral plateau, a 14-acre private island is the setting for a small resort that offers 12 guest rooms and ten private villas. Interiors are finished in rich mahogany and teak woods, and provide direct ocean views. Guests enjoy the splendid isolation of a remote tropical island, with no signs of civilization for miles around, but they can remain connected with Internet access and phone service.

Dive boats and fishing skiffs sit at the docks at Turneffe Island Resort. In addition to daily dive and snorkel trips, the resort runs excursions to Belize’s famous Blue Hole. Photo: Turneffe Island Resort

On-site amenities include a lounge with TV, DVD player, movie & book library, an on-site spa, pool, outdoor social deck, restaurant and beach bar. With some of the best reefs in the Caribbean just a short boat ride away, and the famous Blue Hole within range of day trips, diving and snorkeling are favored activities at the resort. The expansive sand flats and mangrove forests that stretch north from the resort also draw sport fishermen, who come for both fly fishing on the flats, and blue water fishing outside the reef. To support these activities, Turneffe Resort has a dedicated fishing tackle shop and a PADI dive center. Sea kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats are available for guests who wish to explore the lagoon, and there are weekly activities such as beach BBQs and live entertainment.

Rooms at Turneffe Island Resort are constructed from polished teak and mahogany wood, and include handcrafted furniture. Upper floor rooms have vaulted ceilings. Photo: Turneffe Island Resort

The Villas at Dunbar Rock, Honduras

The Villas at Dunbar Rock isn’t just on the water, it is entirely surrounded by water. This one-of-a-kind boutique resort rises like a giant house of cards above a small rock outcropping just off the coast of Guanaja. The greenest and most mountainous of the Bay Islands, Guanaja is cloaked in forests where hiking trails lead to secluded beaches, freshwater springs and waterfalls that cascade from the slopes. There is only one road, and most travel takes place by boat. The Villas is a self-contained, multi-level compound that includes a dive shop, restaurant, and resort facilities, with guest facilities occupying various levels, with water views in all directions.

The Villas at Dunbar Rock rise from the water, with rooms spread across four levels. The upper deck is a favorite gathering place for meals and sunset socializing. Photo: Dunbar Rock

Getting to Dunbar Rock involves a puddle jumping flight into Guanaja’s small airstrip, then a ten-minute ride across the bay. From the resort’s dock, stairs rise through the various levels of the property, which includes ten guest rooms and suites. All accommodations have private balconies with direct water views. There’s in-room AC in case the sea breezes don’t suffice, and Wi-Fi for those who just have to stay connected. The place to be for relaxation and views is the top level, which provides huge 360-degree panoramas of ocean and island, and features a stunning infinity-edge pool that perches on the edge of the platform. The top level also holds a fitness center, dining room, bar and a great room with a pool table and media center. Meals are typically served family style, and include a variety of regional and international cuisines. Down at water level, there is a small beach, and a PADI dive shop offering daily scuba and snorkel trips to area reefs.

On the top floor of Dunbar Rock, the sitting room of the presidential suite delivers sweeping views that take in the lagoon and the shores of Guanaja Island. Photo: Dunbar Rock

Barefoot Cay, Honduras

Travelers can enjoy both isolation and easy access at this upscale retreat. The resort occupies a four-acre island perched right off the southern coast of Roatan, which is the largest and most developed of Honduras’s Bay Islands. Ten minutes by road and a two-minute boat ride away from the town of Coxen Hole, guests of Barefoot Cay can enjoy the intimate serenity of a private island, but are still close to shopping, dining and adventures on the big island. The resort’s beach is located inside Roatan’s barrier reef, which creates calm and protected water for swimming or paddling. The setting is also positioned perfectly for the easterly trade winds that create a tropical breeze over the cay.

Million dollar yachts sit at the docks of Barefoot Cay. This small, private island offers solitude, yet is just minutes away from the facilities of Roatan island. Photo: Barefoot Cay

Barefoot Cay’s one and two-bedroom villas are fitted with louvered doors that lead to living space and a private deck and beach. Guests are pampered with premium linens and Heavenly beds. Interiors blend traditional island charm with modern amenities such as Internet access, flat-screen televisions with both cable service and Apple TV connections. Each en suite bathroom includes a Balinese shower. The two-bedroom oceanfront villas are ideal for families and groups, as they include separate private entrances for each bedroom, and a central living area and gourmet kitchen. Water sports are a key focus at Barefoot Cay, and the island includes a PADI 5-Star dive center and full service marina. In addition to the pool and swimming beach, there is a snorkeling reef, and complimentary kayaks and paddleboards. The Cay’s signature restaurant showcases locally sourced ingredients and seafood, and guests can also enjoy causal dining at the pool cabana, or take in the view from the upper deck of the Lookout Lounge.

Honduras Roatan Barefoot Cay Pier Palapa

The over water palapa at Barefoot Cay sits at the end of a long pier that extends towards a shelter barrier reef, providing snorkelers with easy access to the corals. Photo: Barefoot Cay

Belize, Central America, Honduras, Panama, Stay, Trip Ideas

Central America’s Favorite Active Adventure Lodges

October 26, 2017

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If spending a vacation straddling a poolside lounge isn’t for you, we have the answer. The jungles and shores of Central America are prime territory for active adventure sports, from trekking, biking and birding to snorkeling and diving. And best of all, you don’t have to give up creature comforts to enjoy active pursuits. Get a room at one of these prime active adventure resorts and you can combine an active lifestyle with some relaxing rewards.

Birding Central

Panama sits at the meeting point of North and South America. Species from both continents mingle at this natural land bridge, creating some of the most bio-divers ecosystems in the hemisphere. In addition to the land animals, there are hundreds of varieties of migrating birds passing through on their annual flights north and south. Add in the many more species that live full time in the country’s woodlands and mountains, and it’s not surprising to learn that the Audubon Society recorded a world record bird count in Panama, tallying a total of 954 species in a single day.

The Canopy Lodge is tucked into jungle foliage on the banks of the Guayabo River. The clear waters of this stream are used to create a natural swimming pool. Photo: Canopy Lodge

Birders come from around the world to immerse themselves in the forests of Panama. Those in the know travel to the highlands of village El Valle de Anton, where they book a stay at the Canopy Lodge. This birdwatcher’s haven sits within the gigantic crater of an extinct volcano, surrounded by the protected forests of the Cerro Gaital Natural Monument. Adding to the setting are the clear, cool waters of the Guayabo River, which flow through the resort grounds.

Guests at Panama’s Canopy Lodge can begin their bird watching activities right from their room balcony, and also have access to a dedicated observation deck. Photo: Canopy Lodge

The 12-room lodge serves as both a base camp for daily birding excursions into the nearby forests, and as a comfortable watch station, where birders can tally their daily counts right from their room balconies, or from the resort’s dedicated observation gallery. In addition to daily-guided birding excursions, guests can also enjoy eco-themed activities that range from hiking, biking and horseback rides to cultural tours and relaxing soaks in mineral-rich springs and natural mud baths.

The staff of the Canopy Lodge organizes daily birding excursions into the surrounding woodlands of the Anton Valley. The lodge also maintains an extensive library of birding guides. Photo: Canopy Lodge

Diver’s Delight

The Bay Islands of Honduras are revered by scuba divers, who come to explore some of the most colorful and biologically diverse reefs in the Caribbean. For more than four decades, the region’s first choice for underwater explorers has been Anthony’s Key. From simple beginnings as a diving outpost, this property has grown into a world-class resort that now includes an on-site spa, a training and research center and a group of unique over-water bungalows set on a private island. There are plenty of water and beach sports to enjoy, along with educational programs, land-based adventures and cultural tours.

Waterfront villas at Anthony’s Key are located on a small private island that are a one-minute boat ride away from the resort’s central facilities and dive center. Photo: Anthony’s Key

For most guests, it is diving and snorkeling that remains the primary reason for a visit to Anthony’s Key. At the heart of the resort is the dive center, which is a PADI five-star facility and Continuing Education Center. This waterfront complex includes a full-service rental, retail and repair facility, a pro-level photo shop, classrooms, equipment storage areas and an on-site hyperbaric chamber and clinic. Also on the premises is the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences, where divers can participate in a range of projects that includes dolphin research and reef restoration.

The Bay Islands of Honduras are ringed by colorful reefs that are covered in both hard and soft corals. The most popular destination is Roatan, which offers more than 200 dive sites. Photo: Anthony’s Key

There are numerous dive sites that can be accessed right from the beach, and a fleet of custom-built 42- and 48-foot dive boats sits at the docks, ready to transport divers to the more than 200 dive sites that ring the island. Because Anthony’s Key is located on Roatan’s northwestern corner, this fleet can reach all of the popular sites on the island’s western and southern shores, along with sites to the east that are beyond the range of dive centers situated on the island’s southern coast.

In addition to reef diving, guests at Anthony’s Key Resort can explore one of several shipwrecks that were intentionally sunk as fish havens and dive sites. Photo: Anthony’s Key

Walks in the Woods

Belize has the lowest population density and the highest percentage of forestlands of any country in Central America. The country’s wild landscapes range from coastal wetlands to mountain woodlands and one of the world’s most pristine tropical pine ecosystems. The higher altitude areas of Belize’s interior are a particular favorite with hikers and adventure travelers, as it is a land of flowing streams and waterfalls, where mysterious caves and ancient cities are cloaked in jungle green.

The pool deck at Belize’s Hidden Valley Inn is constructed from native stone and surrounded by tropical foliage. The hot tub is a favorite gathering place after a day of active adventures. Photo: Hidden Valley Inn

Of the various eco lodges scattered through the mountains of Belize, the property that strikes the ideal balance between basic and luxurious is the Hidden Valley Inn. The Inn is set within a private 7,200-acre nature preserve located in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. Here, nearly a half-mile above sea level, temperatures are cooler, and air conditioning is not a necessity. The Inn and its 12 cottages are built of native woods and stone in a style that delivers an authentic, rustic style while also providing a full range of creature comforts and unique touches such as fireplaces, private outdoor showers and claw-foot tubs, along with some conveniences not usually associated with jungle lodges such as Wi-Fi and laundry service.

Guests at the Hidden Valley Inn can sign up for guided tours that can include hidden caves. These caverns were sacred to the ancient Mayans, and some hold historic artifacts. Photo: Hidden Valley Inn

Hikers have exclusive access to more than 90 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through the reserve, which is a haven for rare birds, tropical wildlife and a diverse range of plant life. Guided and non-guided tours lead to waterfalls, clear-water creeks, and aqua-blue jungle swimming holes. After the walk, guests can relax in the hotel hot tub, or enjoy a treatment at the Inn’s holistic spa. There are complimentary mountain bikes to explore more trails, and the resort’s activity directors can arrange for additional adventures such as horseback rides, visits to Mayan ruins, caving excursions, zip line adventures and canoe trips.

The Hidden Valley Inn is located in the heart of Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge regions. This landscape of hills and rivers is the country’s prime area for eco tourism and adventure tours. Photo: Hidden Valley Inn

Central America, Honduras, Play, Stay, Trip Ideas

Roatan’s Best Dive Resorts

August 22, 2017

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There was a time when scuba divers were content to bed down in simple lodge-style accommodations, because the vacation was all about being underwater. But not these days. Modern resorts not only cater to the needs of divers, but also provide them with a full range of additional water sports, along with first-class rooms, excellent restaurants and a full range of resort amenities. The Honduran island of Roatan has long been considered to be one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean, and these resorts are known as the best places to combine some serious diving with resort-style relaxation.

Anthony’s Key Resort

Many of Roatan’s most popular dive sites are located just off the island’s northwestern corner. And the closest dive center to many of these sites is Anthony’s Key Resort. Calling this property a dive center is a bit of an understatement, as the grounds are also home to one of the island’s premier resorts, as well as the Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences and a dolphin research center. A fleet of modern, high-speed boats brings divers to several local shipwrecks and sites such as the West End Wall, where southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays glide along the face of a towering 90-foot coral cliff that rises from the depths. And if three daily boat trips aren’t enough, divers can also enjoy shore dives on the famous Front Porch Reef, which is available day and night.

Many dive sites near Anthony’s Key Resort feature crevices and small caverns that provide shelter for a wide range of marine life. Colorful soft corals add to the scene. Photo: Cesar Rodas/Anthony’s Key

The resort’s grounds are laid out like an island village that includes the dive center, photo lab, gift shop and a hillside restaurant and bar. Guests can enjoy elevated views from bungalows perched in a palm grove above the beach, or opt for a waterfront or over-water cottage on a small island just offshore. In addition to diving and snorkeling, the resort offers water sports such as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and sailing trips. Other available activities range from beachside horseback rides to nature tours and day trips to the Honduras mainland for tours of the ancient Mayan city of Copan. If relaxation is the order of the day, there is Ixora Spa, plus daily happy hours on the deck of the Frangipani Bar.

The grounds of Anthony’s Key Resort include a hillside and harbor complex on Roatan’s north shore, along a small offshore island that hold a group of waterfront and over-water bungalows. Photo: Anthony’s Key

Coco View Resort

Divers can wade in right from the beach at Coco View and make a short swim to explore the wreck of the 140-foot Prince Albert. And if sunken ships aren’t enough, there’s also a vertical underwater wall nearby. In addition to excellent all-access shore diving and snorkeling, the resort has a full-service dive shop on site, making daily trips to a number of the most popular dive sites along Roatan’s south central coast. The reefs along this part of the island are known for colorful soft coral growths and the intricate networks of cracks and crevices that hold numerous small creatures. It is a favorite area for underwater macro photography, and for night dives that bring shy creatures out of hiding under cover of darkness.

A diver follows a sand channel through shallow coral covered flats at Coco View Resort. A shipwreck located offshore of the resort’s dock can be reached with a short swim. Photo: Coco View

The resort is made up of 29 water view and over-water bungalows that are spaced along a narrow peninsula between the Caribbean Sea and a mangrove lagoon. Pathways wind through palm groves to beaches and the resort’s private island. Accommodations blend modern amenities such as air conditioning and WiFi with a traditional island style, and a décor that showcases traditional Honduran textiles and woodwork. The reefs are the star attraction, but guests can also plan adventures such as zip-line canopy tours, fishing excursions and dolphin encounters, play a round of golf, book a spa treatment, or just relax in the hammock on their private balcony.

Coco View Resort is located on Roatan’s southern coast. Waterfront guest rooms sit on the edge of a shallow coral reef that transition to a steep underwater wall. Photo: Coco View

Turquoise Bay Resort

This relatively secluded property is located on the less developed northeastern shore of Roatan, and it is the only dive resort in the area. Guests have exclusive access to a number of prime dive sites beyond the normal range of resorts on the island’s western and southern coasts. The resort’s on-site dive center is located within easy walking distance of all rooms. Dive packages typically include three boat dives daily and a night dive. Because the resort is close to many prime north shore sites, boats often return to the dock between the first and second morning dives. Water clarity is good throughout the year, and can be significantly better than the south side during the rainy season. Underwater topographies include walls and high-profile spur-and-groove formations with numerous channels, undercuts, swim throughs and caverns.

The north shore dive sites within range of dive boats from Turquoise Bay Resort feature dramatic underwater landscapes, and see fewer divers than areas to the west and south of Roatan. Photo: Turquoise Bay

The 30-acre hillside property overlooks the waters of a protected bay, and is fronted by a private white sand beach. With just 26 guest rooms, the resort is small enough to provide personalized service, and the staff takes pride on doing so. Guest rooms occupy a collection of two-story villas spaced across the landscaped grounds, with many offering water views from patios or balconies. Activities center around the central lobby complex, which is just steps from the beach, and includes the resort’s pool and the Urudau restaurant.

Turquoise Bay Resort sits on the northern shore of Roatan, miles away from the developments of West End. The beach opens onto a sandy bay set within the fringing coral reef. Photo: Turquoise Bay

Fantasy Island Beach Resort

Water access at Fantasy Island couldn’t be easier. Snorkelers have two protected coves all to themselves, and divers can make a short swim to the edge of an extensive reef. Also close at hand are memorable sites such as Mary’s Place and Valley of the Kings, which are considered among the island’s finest dives. Here, an underwater wall carved with deep clefts drops from 20 feet to beyond diving depths. There is an on-site marina and PADI dive center offering a wide range of courses from intro to scuba to advanced certifications. With nine dive boats in the fleet, there is no crowding on board, and qualified divers can take advantage of an unlimited nitrox supply.

Fantasy Island is a self-contained resort set on a small island. It includes a marina, hotel and restaurant, along with two private beaches sheltered by coral reefs. Photo: Alison Wright/Fantasy Island

A stay at this south shore property has the feel of a private island getaway. No, you won’t be the only guests at the 115-room resort, but you will be cloistered on a 21-acre island attached to Roatan only by a causeway. Rooms offer panoramic oceanfront views framed by private beaches, lush palms and tropical gardens teeming with exotic indigenous wildlife. A special treat for many guests are the gregarious capuchin monkeys that sometimes come onto balconies for a visit. The resort’s pool is set adjacent to the beach, with water views, as is the outdoor La Palapa restaurant.

A panoramic vista of the Caribbean Sea from a guest room balcony at Fantasy Island Resort. All of the resort’s accommodations provide similar water views. Photo: Victor Elias/Fantasy Island

Belize, Central America, Guatemala, Honduras, Stay, Trip Ideas

Central America’s Best Eco Lodge Deals

June 12, 2017

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This summer, try something different. Head for the rainforests and waters of Central America, where a collection of unique eco-themed lodges puts guests in touch with nature and active adventure, while at the same time delivering the civilized comforts of good food, fine dining and relaxation. As an added incentive, each of these five premier properties is offering special rates on summer and fall stays.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize

Guests can stay rustic or go eco-luxe at Chaa Creek, with choices ranging from the off-grid seclusion of the Macal River Camp to comfortable thatch- roofed bungalows and the resort’s latest addition, the Ix Chel Villas. These stunning hillside residences sit on a forested bank overlooking the Macal River Valley, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and doors that offer spectacular views of the surrounding jungle. Upscale touches include private verandas enclosing personal plunge pools, Jacuzzis, al fresco showers and the services of a personal butler. The resort’s Mariposa restaurant features farm-to-table cuisine sourced from an on-site organic farm, and guests enjoy spa services and a wide range of daily adventures and indulgences. This summer, travelers can experience Chaa Creek for less with special rates for stays between June and August 2017. This $139 nightly rate provides luxury cottage accommodations and access to all of the resort’s amenities and activities. www.chaacreek.com

The Macal Cottage at Chaa Creek blends stylish simplicity and elegant furnishings that bring in the rainforest backdrop. Outdoor terraces provide a private Jacuzzi and views of the Macal River. Photo: Chaa Creek

Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

Once the personal family retreat of film director Francis Ford Coppola, this 20-room luxury lodge sits on the banks of a jungle stream deep in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Each of the resort’s upscale cabanas is nestled into a garden-like setting where bird songs mingle with the sounds of waterfalls. Vaulted thatch roofs set the tone in guest rooms decorated with unique native art, regional antiques and local textiles. Upscale options include two luxury cabanas with plunge pools and outdoor showers, and the two-bedroom Coppola Villa, which showcases the family’s personal art and antiques and includes an open-air deck overlooking the tumbling waterfalls and deep rock pools of Privassion Creek. Fine dining is a hallmark of Blancaneaux Lodge, and the Montagna Ristorante features classic Italian cuisine based on Coppola family recipes. More indulgences await at the Waterfall Spa, and daily adventures can include everything from horseback rides, mountain bike tours and jungle hikes to cultural activities and tours of Mayan ruins. To encourage guests to linger and enjoy more of the lodge’s pleasures, every fourth night is free for any stay before December 16, 2017. www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/blancaneaux-lodge

Native materials and rustic design create a relaxing atmosphere within a riverfront villa at Blancaneaux Lodge, where the sounds of a rushing creek carry into the rooms. Photo: Gundolfo Pfotenhauer/Blancaneaux

Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Honduras

If you like your eco-consciousness with an extra helping of luxury, Indura is the place to go. This new $133 million, 1,800 acre resort is located within a national park on the coast of Bahia de Tela, on the unspoiled northern coast of Honduras. Suite-style accommodations at the development’s 60-room hotel embrace sustainable materials, including bamboo floors, walls made of local pine, and decorative accents of Guanacaste wood. Footpaths lead through the garden-like grounds to a pristine beach, and the Meso- American Barrier Reef lies just offshore. In addition to beach time and water sports, there’s hiking, kayaking and birding to enjoy in nearby forests, or day trips to nearby Pico Bonito National Park. But Indura is also a five-star property that is home to the premier Maina Spa and a championship Gary- Player-designed golf course. To get the word out on this landmark new property, Indura is now offering special rates that begin at just $165 per room. www.induraresort.com

Guest suites at Indura Beach & Golf Resort are set in 15 buildings inspired by indigenous designs, spread across landscaped grounds facing Honduras’ Bahia de Tela. Photo: Craig Ambrosio/Indura Beach

La Lancha, Guatemala

Many have commented that they feel more like family friends than hotel guests when they stay at La Lancha. That’s understandable, because almost every detail of this intimate lodge was personally selected by the Coppola family, from the hand-made furniture and Guatemalan fabrics to the locally made carvings that adorn each room. A total of just 10 individual casitas perch on a wooded hillside above Guatemala’s Lake Petén Itza. Sleeping and sitting areas open to covered decks offering hammocks and lake views. Guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation can experience an authentic temazcal sweat lodge, indulge in spa treatments or spend quiet time at a waterfront palapa. Just across the lake are the cobblestone streets of the colonial-era town of Flores, which is home to lively open-air markets, galleries and cafes. More adventurous pursuits include lake excursions, jungle walks, horseback tours and trips to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. With so much to see and do, there’s reason enough to stay longer, and to encourage this, La Lancha is offering a special promotion that provides each third night free for stays before December 16, 2017. www.thefamilycoppola.com

The open-air restaurant at La Lancha features authentic Guatemalan cuisine. After dinner, guests can take in lake views from a new rooftop bar located just above the dining room. Photo: La Lancha

Turtle Inn, Belize

This intimate beachfront retreat epitomizes the phrase “going tropical.” You can step barefoot from the verandah of your thatch-room bungalow onto a white sand beach lined with swaying palms, and then wade into azure waters that stretch to the horizon. Set on a barrier island in southern Belize, the Turtle Inn combines rustic charm with indulgent luxury. The resort’s 25 native-style wood-and-thatch cottages blend seamlessly into the garden-like grounds, but surprises await inside, where hand-carved doors open to spaces with soaring ceilings and warm-toned Balinese furnishings. Guests can savor fresh seafood dishes with at Italian flair at the open-air dining room of Mare, or sample authentic regional fare at Auntie Luba’s Kitchen. Days can be filled with paddling, snorkeling, diving, fishing or exploring the forests of the Maya Mountains, all followed by spa time and a visit to the resort’s 1,200-bottle wine cellar. All this can be had for a bit less for guests who visit before December 16, 2017, thanks to a special offer that gives the sixth night of a stay for free. www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/turtle-inn

Guests at Belize’s Turtle Inn can relax by a pool set in a tropical garden, while the beach, coral reefs and Caribbean waters are just steps away. Photo: Gundolfo Pfotenhauer/Turtle Inn

Central America, Honduras, Stay, Trip Ideas

Best Over-Water Rooms in Honduras

October 3, 2016

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The only thing better than staying near the water is staying on the water. One of the best places to do this is on the Honduras island of Roatan, where tranquil lagoons face green hills, and some of the finest coral reefs in the Caribbean lie just a short swim from shore. Here are three resorts where you can take a dip right from your front porch.

Anthony’s Key Resort

This landmark property began as a simple dive lodge, but over the course of four decades has evolved into one of Roatan’s signature resorts. Yet despite it’s success, Anthony’s Key retains an intimacy with its surroundings that are reminiscent of a peaceful island village. A number of the resort’s private bungalows perch on a palm-studded hillside, while others line the shore of a small island in the adjacent lagoon. The premier accommodations are the dock bungalows, which sit over the water, with large louvered windows to take in the view, and decks that offer breezy hammocks on the shaded area below and an open deck above for sunbathing or star gazing.

In addition to over-water bungalows, the private island at Anthony’s Key Resort is lined with a number of waterfront gazebos where hammocks are slung on shaded decks. Photo: Cesar Rodas/Anthony’s Key

A short boat ride connects bungalows on the private island to the resort’s main grounds, where the on-site restaurant and bar are perched high on a hillside surrounded by towering coconut palms. At the waters edge are the photo, gift, and dive shops, where a fleet of modern dive boats depart daily for diving and snorkeling adventures. Right next door is the Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences, where guests can join trained naturalists to interact with dolphins or discover the island’s indigenous plants and animals on guided hikes. Guests have access to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, and can schedule activities such as beachside horseback rides or treatments at the Ixora Spa.

The over-water bungalows at Anthony’s Key Resort are located on a small private island that is reached via a short boat ride from the resort’s central facilities on Roatan. Photo: Anthony’s Key

Coco View Resort

Sitting on a small spit of land, with a mangrove lagoon on one side, and the Caribbean Sea on the other, every room at Coco View focuses on the water. If that isn’t enough, guests can opt for one of the resort’s over-the-water bungalows and cabanas, which provide sweeping views of the Caribbean’s longest barrier reef. The cabanas are the resort’s most spacious guest rooms, with decors that showcase traditional Honduran textiles and woods, and private decks with hammocks.

Wooden walkways connect the over-water cabanas at Coco View Resort. From private decks, guests can enjoy a nearby coral reef or paddle into a network of mangrove lagoons. Photo: Coco View Resort

Wooden walkways connect cabanas to the garden-like grounds of the resort, which include amenities such as a full-service dive and snorkeling concession and an on-site spa. The property includes swimming beaches, snorkeling reefs and mangrove lagoons and canals that guests can explore by kayak. A small private island known as Hawksbill Key provides quiet seclusion, and is also the site of weekly beach parties hosted by Coco View. Scuba diving and snorkeling are favorite activities, but a full range of additional activities is available, including golf, zip-line canopy tours, fishing excursions, dolphin encounters and private in-room massages.

Calm waters envelop the over-water cabanas at Coco View Resort. From these private accommodations, it is just a short walk to the resort’s full range of amenities, and to a private island sanctuary. Photo: Coco View Resort

Mango Creek Lodge

Nature takes center stage at Mango Creek Lodge, which nestles into the wooded shoreline of Port Royal Harbor on Roatan’s sparsely settled east end. A lagoon that was once the haunt of pirates now houses a collection of brightly colored cabanas that perch on pilings in clear, shallow water, with private docks providing access to the wooded shoreline. These traditionally styled structures are separated for privacy, with spacious interiors that showcase Honduran hardwood floors, mahogany and cedar louvered windows, and unique, hand carved decorative doors and furniture. Private waterfront porches are hung with hammocks, and adjacent sundecks provide direct access to the waters of the lagoon.

Cabanas at Mango Creek Resort feature traditional Honduran styling, with tin roofs, bright colors and interiors that showcase native materials and hand-carved fixtures. Photo: Mango Creek

Mango Creek sits on 22 acres of landscaped grounds that adjoin the Port Royal Wildlife Refuge. The traditional central lodge overlooks the beach, while the resort’s bar and restaurant are set over the water to capitalize on expansive water views and sunsets. Fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and nature hikes in the surrounding hills are all favorite activities. With few roads on this wilder end of the island, walking paths and travel by boat become the preferred methods of transportation, and socializing at the clubhouse or relaxing on the deck is made easier without the distractions of big screen televisions or the late night revelry of a next-door beach club.

Ease into a hammock on the deck of an over-water cabana at Mango Creek and you may forget you are still tied to the land. The inviting waters of Port Royal Sound are just a splash away. Photo: Mango Creek

Bahamas, Bahamas-Out Islands, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Central America, Curacao, Honduras, Stay, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Resorts to Learn to Dive

September 21, 2016

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Forget your hometown pool or lake. Where better to learn to scuba dive than in a Caribbean resort where the waters are warm and clear, and colorful coral reefs are just a fin kick away. We’ve picked five top resorts that combine first class instruction and comfortable amenities with immediate access to world-class reefs.

Sunset House, Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Island is the Caribbean’s number one dive destination, and Sunset House remains a favorite with scuba divers. Just steps from oceanfront rooms are shallow reefs where calm, warm waters are ideal for learning the basics of scuba, then venturing out to discover sights such as wrecks and the island’s iconic underwater mermaid sculpture. Rooms are reasonably priced and well equipped, and the open-air bar and sea view restaurant are a favorite with the local dive crowd.

Grand Cayman’s Sunset House Resort is a favorite with the scuba crowd. A short swim from shore leads to a maze of coral-covered ledges and a submerged mermaid sculpture. Photo: Cathy Church/Sunset House

Buddy Dive, Bonaire

In addition to being one of Bonaire’s premier waterfront resorts, Buddy Dive is home to the only PADI 5-star Career Development Center in the southern Caribbean. The same facility that turns out dive instructors and specialists is ideal for learning the basics, which can be practiced right off the resort docks, where Bonaire’s famously colorful reefs are just yards offshore.

The waterfront scuba center at Buddy Dive resort is the starting point for boat trips to area dive sites. Divers can also enter right from the dock to discover a pristine reef just offshore. Photo: Buddy Dive

Lions Dive, Curacao

Sitting right on the edge of the National Curacao Underwater Park, the lushly landscaped Lions Dive Beach Resort houses the island’s number one dive shop and scuba training facility: Ocean Encounters. With the help of attentive instructors, newbies can master the basics in the 50-meter pool, and on shallow reefs just offshore of the Sea Aquarium Beach, and then catch the daily dive boats for visits to nearby coral gardens.

Daily boat trips from Lions Dive Resort carry divers to sites within the Curacao Underwater Marine Park, where submerged slopes are covered in colorful growths of corals and sponges. Photo: Lions Dive Resort

Bimini Big Game Club, Bahamas

Though best known as a fishing lodge, the Big Game Club is also a great place to learn to dive, thanks to an affiliation with Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center. The calm shallows around the island are ideal for practicing basic skills, and a bonus for newly-minted “bubble blowers” is the chance to dive some of the region’s most famous underwater attractions, such as the mysterious Atlantis Road and the playful pods of dolphins that gather nearby.

The docks of the Bimini Big Game Club are just a short boat ride away from prime dive sites such as the Mysterious Bimini Road, which is said to be the remains of the lost city of Atlantis. Photo: Bimini Big Game Club

Utila Lodge, Bay Islands

The Bay Islands of Honduras are famous for their lush coral reefs and thriving fish populations. Perched in the heart of the island diving scene is Utila Bay Lodge. This charming family owned lodge offers both dorm-style lodging and private ocean view rooms, and it is also home to the Bay Islands College of Diving. Snorkeling and introductory dive sites are right off the dock, and as skills are mastered, new divers can discover Utila’s many famous underwater attractions.

With warm, calm waters right off the docks, and pristine coral reefs just a short swim or boat ride away, the Utila Bay Lodge is an ideal location to learn to scuba dive. Photo: Utila Bay Lodge

Central America, Honduras, Plan, Trip Ideas

Honduras Snapshots: Lake Yojoa

June 7, 2016

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Lake Yojoa is a favorite midway stop for hungry travelers driving Highway CA5 between the cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro. Along the shore line, a collection of roadside restaurants serves up fish caught fresh from the lake, accompanied by a fresh array of the local fruits and vegetables that thrive in the region’s rich volcanic soils. To stay alert on the road, diners can finish up with premium coffees from the nearby plantations of Santa Barbara.

Sitting in a broad valley overlooked by volcanic peaks, Yojoa is Honduras’ largest natural body of water, covering more than 30 square miles. Visitors who come for more than a lunch break can explore a pair of national parks that flank the lake’s eastern and western shores. These forests reserves are home to more than 400 species of birds and some 800 varieties of tropical foliage. Also worth a visit is Los Naranjos archaeological park, home to the remains of a pre-Columbian city dating back to 1,300 BC. Not much remains of the home of these ancestors of the Aztecs, but the park’s lakeside trails and boardwalks are a favorite with naturalists and bird watchers.

Central America, Honduras, Play, Trip Ideas

Tropical Escapes: Roatan’s Wild Side

September 10, 2015

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The Bay Islands of Honduras have long been a destination that operated below the mainstream tourism radar. Tucked into a quiet corner of the Western Caribbean, they were visited primarily by scuba divers, fishermen and the backpack set. That changed when cruise ships started docking at Coxen Hole, transforming the western end of the island of Roatan into a day-trip destination. But for those willing to venture off the pavement, there’s still a wild side to this island.

More than half of Roatan’s rugged, hilly terrain remains in a pristine and natural condition, and the island’s eastern end is largely undeveloped. This area is home to the Port Royal Wildlife Refuge, a 2,000-acre tract of woodlands that provides sanctuary for a variety of native birds and animals. A number of trails give access to the refuge. A favorite is the route to Picacho Peak, which is the highest point on the island. Getting to the reserve will require a rental car or an extended taxi ride.

An alternative would be to base at Paya Bay, which is a small resort that sits on a private peninsula just down from the reserve. This low-key, family- owned property is a favorite with nature lovers, who consider it one of the Caribbean’s hidden gems. The resort staff can provide information on hiking and other activities in the area, or arrange for guide services for those who don’t want to go it alone.

If Roatan’s east end is beyond your comfort range, or if your time on the island is limited, a closer alternative for a nature walk is the Carambola Botanical Gardens, which is located on the island’s northwestern coast at Sandy Bay. At just 40 acres in size, it doesn’t offer the same opportunities for exploration, but it does provide a scenic showcase for the local flora and fauna. Activities include guided tours of the gardens, beach excursions and a trip to the top of Carambola Mountain for some big views of the island. Along the way, you may encounter a troop of playful monkeys and a variety of bird species.

Central America, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Play, Trip Ideas

Hiking Central America’s Volcanoes

October 8, 2014

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Central America is a land shaped by subterranean fires and violent eruptions. A geological formation known as the volcanic arc stretches some 900 miles from southern Mexico into Panama, encompassing hundreds of active and dormant volcanoes and lava domes. These peaks dominate the landscape and influence weather patterns. They are also the setting for a new type of adventure travel: volcano hiking. Climbs can range from easy hour-long rambles up lesser peaks to strenuous all-day ascents of summits rising more than two miles in the air. Here is a sampling of what awaits.

Acatenango, Guatemala

Western Guatemala is dominated by towering volcanic peaks, some dormant, some still very active. The tallest ones rise to heights of more than 12,000 feet, providing challenging but manageable climbs for the fit and adventurous. The historic city of Antigua is the starting point for the most popular ascents, including the trek up the country’s third highest peak, Acatenango. It’s possible to tackle the four-hour uphill route to the summit as a day trip, passing from farm land to cloud forest, pine woods and finally open slopes to enjoy 360-degree views that include a bird’s-eye view of the active eruptions of the nearby Fuego volcano. If the long march doesn’t appeal, some outfitters break up the trip with an overnight campout on the upper slopes.

Guatemala Acatenago Fuego Volcano Hiking

The adjacent peaks of Acatenango and Fuego tower over the Guatemalan city of Antigua. The former is a favorite hiking destination, while the latter remains too active for safe access. Photo: iStock

Cerro Negro, Nicaragua

Nicaragua has 20 active and dormant volcanoes, many of which can be hiked or climbed. The most unusual of these is the Cerro Negro, or black hill. This ominous cinder cone, which rises to an elevation of 1,600 feet above the countryside, is actually Central America’s youngest volcano, having first erupted in 1850. It’s been quiet since 1999, giving hikers a chance to make the 45-minute uphill climb on an exposed but manageable slope of ash and rock. After taking in the 360-degree views, the more adventurous can opt to slide back down on a toboggan-like board. Many tour operators end the day with a swim in the crystal-clear waters of nearby Asososca Lake.

Nicaragua’s Cerro Negro is a young volcano comprised almost entirely of black volcanic ash. After making the climb to the top, some choose to descend on sled-like sand boards. Photo: iStock

El Tigre, Honduras

Honduras is no longer a hotbed of volcanic activity, but the country’s highlands are home to dozens of long-dormant peaks crossed by hundreds of miles of hiking trails. A more unusual hike is Volcán el Tigre, which is a classic cone-shaped volcanic mountain that not only provides a challenging half-day hike, but also makes for an interesting arrival. To reach the base of the slope, you must first take a boat trip across the Gulf of Fonseca to Isla del Tigre. This region of Honduras doesn’t see much tourism activity, so you may have the trail to yourself as you ascend some 2,500 feet for views of the Gulf and the mangrove-covered coastal lowlands that stretch into the distance.

El Tigre volcano presents a classic conical that dominates the coastal mangrove forests of Honduras’ Gulf of Fonseca. It rises from an island that can be reached by ferry. Photo: iStock

Irazú, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has several active volcanoes. Some such as Arenal can only be viewed safely from a distance, while others offer bubbling crater lakes, geysers and steaming vents, which can be reached by user-friendly trails. One of the most popular of these is Irazú, which, despite being the country’s highest volcanic peak at just over 11,000 feet, is easy to reach, thanks to a paved road that leads right to the summit. From the parking area, trails spread outward to a lunar-like landscape that includes four craters, the largest of which holds an unusual green-water lake. Overlooks around the crater rim take in vistas that can stretch from the Pacific to the Caribbean on a clear day.

Irazú is Costa Rica’s highest active volcano, and the easiest to reach. Near the summit, the crater lake known as Diego de la Haya is filled with waters tinged green by volcanic activity. Photo: iStock

Volcán Barú, Panama

The ridge of volcanic peaks that stretches through much of Central America tapers as it reaches Panama, but not before the peak known as Volcán Barú rises to a height of two miles. Starting from the highland village of Boquete takes care of the first mile, but there’s still nearly 6,000 feet of climbing needed to reach the top. A nine-mile trail rambles through grasslands and wooded slopes before emerging onto a rock-covered upper slope. Along the way, there are stops to view historic craters and the lands below. Rather than attempt to make the summit and return the same day, most tour companies set up camp about a half mile below the top, giving trekkers a chance to sleep under the stars and make the short climb to the peak the following morning to view the sunrise.

Volcán Barú rises above its namesake national park. A hike to the top takes one from farmlands into highland forests and on to an open peak with panoramic views. Photo: Alfredo Maiquez/iStock

Central America, Honduras, Play, Trip Ideas

Into The Blue: Best Snorkel Sites in Honduras

August 20, 2014

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In the Caribbean waters just off the Honduran coast lies the start of the world’s second-longest barrier reef. Sitting atop the outer edge of this reef is a collection of tropical islands ringed by coral gardens that teem with fish life. Scuba divers have long known about these underwater marvels and consider the Honduran Bay Islands to be one of the prime diving destinations in the hemisphere. The deeper edges of the island drop-offs may be reserved for divers, but snorkelers aren’t slighted either. Many of these same reefs begin near the shore and close to the surface. These are the places where you can best experience Honduras’ underwater riches with mask and snorkel.

Honduras Fish, Best Snorkel Sites in Honduras

A school of colorful creale fish swarm a formation of thin leaf lettuce coral. This is typical of what snorkelers will discover on the shallow reefs of the Bay Islands. Photo: John A. Anderson/Shutterstock

Guanaja

The easternmost member of the Bay Islands group, Guanaja is also the least developed. Most around-island travel happens by water taxi rather than road, and the primary settlement, Bonica Town, is a community perched on a tiny dollop of land in the center of a lagoon. Shoreside resorts tend to be small family-run affairs, and several of these properties sit beachside, making it possible to wade out and discover patch reefs and schooling fish in the clear waters. A string of small cays on the island’s south side is just a short distance from the edge of underwater cliffs that rise to within 15 feet of the surface. A quick boat ride or a long swim brings snorkelers to these underwater walls, where they can watch reef fish flit across the colorful shallows, or glide out over the edge of the deeper blue abyss to look for passing eagle rays and possibly dolphin. For an escape from the ordinary, head to tiny Half Moon Cay and the intimate resort known as Graham’s Place, which occupies a palm-covered slice of beach, with the barrier reef just a stone’s throw away.

This group of pillar coral, found on a shallow reef in Honduras’ Bay Islands, resembles hands emerging from the sea floor. The fuzzy surfaces are actually coral polyps feeding. Photo: Brian Lasenby/Shutterstock

Roatán

Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands, has long been a magnet for the backpacking crowd, but it’s also home to several upscale beach resorts. Because the island is almost entirely ringed by coral reefs, finding a suitable snorkel site is mainly a matter of gaining beach access. The easiest place to do so is at West Bay Beach, which as the name suggests, sits at the island’s western tip. The sandy shallows are favorites with turtles, while a 200-foot swim takes you to a coral wall on the edge of the deep. Nearby Half Moon Bay is another popular spot for shore entries and home to beachfront restaurants where you can savor fresh seafood and a cold cerveza afterwards. Sign up for a boat trip and you’ll open up a whole new realm of possibilities, including sites such as the Valley of the Kings, where vertical walls drop hundreds of feet from the reef top, or secluded Pigeon Cay, where groves of elkhorn coral sit just off a white sand beach. Several resorts along the island’s southern coast overlook nearby shallow reefs. One of the best is Fantasy Island Beach Resort, which occupies a small wooded island connected by a causeway, with a private beach delivering great snorkeling and a marina close by for boat trips.

A view of Roatán Island’s Half Moon Bay and West End town. Snorkelers can enter from beach or docks and swim across grass beds to a coral reef at the outer edge of the bay. Photo: Devon Stephens/iStock

Utila

If you’ve found your way to Utila, it’s probably either to drop off the radar or to go scuba diving and snorkeling. If you are staying at one of several resorts along the south shore, you can swim right out from the beach and explore a range of shallow sand flats and patch reefs, or continue a bit farther to the edge of the drop-off. It’s also possible to gain access to prime sites at points along Chepes Beach, or near the Blue Bayou Beach House. If you opt for a boat trip, you can spend a day at idyllic Water Cay or gain access to the north shore, where oceanic fish patrol the underwater walls, and there is the promise, but no guarantee, of meeting up with a whale shark. Encounters with these massive yet harmless behemoths are limited to surface swims, so snorkelers actually have an advantage over scuba divers in these cases. The premier property on the island’s south shore is the Laguna Beach Resort, which is built on an isolated spit of land, with waterfront bungalows overlooking the lagoon and a prime snorkel reef just out front.

The only development on Utila Island is along the south-central coastline, where a single beachfront settlement and several small resorts overlook sandy shallows. Photo: Dennis Sabo/Shutterstock

Turneffe Island Resort, Belize

The Villas at Dunbar Rock, Honduras

Barefoot Cay, Honduras

Birding Central

Diver’s Delight

Walks in the Woods

Anthony’s Key Resort

Coco View Resort

Turquoise Bay Resort

Fantasy Island Beach Resort

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize

Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Honduras

La Lancha, Guatemala

Turtle Inn, Belize

Anthony’s Key Resort

Coco View Resort

Mango Creek Lodge

Sunset House, Grand Cayman

Buddy Dive, Bonaire

Lions Dive, Curacao

Bimini Big Game Club, Bahamas

Utila Lodge, Bay Islands

Acatenango, Guatemala

Cerro Negro, Nicaragua

El Tigre, Honduras

Irazú, Costa Rica

Volcán Barú, Panama

Guanaja

Roatán

Utila

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