Cayo Espanto, A Private Island Belize Resort Reviewed in 2025

➞ What to Do

While Cayo Espanto is a family-friendly resort, most guests coming here are couples and adult groups looking to relax in paradise for a few days without doing very much at all. Many guests don’t leave the little island at all during their stay, and you can’t blame them. All bungalows have their own private heated plunge pool, except for the overwater villa, which is surrounded by the sea instead.

Spa treatments are also brought straight to your villa or its terrace, as are all your meals, snacks, and drinks. All it takes is a request to your butler, who will check in on you periodically or who can be reached by radio.

But families and couples alike have plenty of options if they do want to get out and about. A wide variety of scuba diving and snorkeling are available, including dozens of sites just 15 minutes away or world-famous spots like the Blue Hole a bit further. Sport fishing is the next most popular activity, and you can wade for bonefish right there with the staff or hop on a boat to go further in an attempt to catch dinner. You can easily take a short trip to explore San Pedro the main town on Ambergris Caye, or go island hopping with a picnic.

Day trips to mainland Belize reveal stunning jungle scenery and fascinating cultural relics, including ancient temples. Adrenaline junkies can find activities like ziplining and cave tubing here. Whatever you feel like doing the Cayo Espanto team will make all the arrangements so all you have to do is enjoy!

➞ What to Eat & Drink

As mentioned, Cayo Espanto doesn’t have a traditional restaurant. There also isn’t any local town or population on the tiny island, so dining out isn’t exactly an option either. Instead, you’ll inform the culinary team of your dining preferences and restrictions before your arrival so they can be ready to please.

Then, each day, you’ll meet with the chef to decide on what the day’s menu will be for you. The team will inform you of what kinds of fresh seafood have been caught from the surrounding waters that day, as well as what other fine ingredients they were able to source. Together, you will come up with the menu, as well as the setting – on your oceanfront terrace, in your villa, or in a private picnic spot, for example.

You can view some sample menus on the resort’s website to get an idea of what they like to prepare.

➞ Room Guide

There are five one-bedroom villas and two two-bedroom villas at Cayo Espanto. Each has its own name and is unique, and you’ll choose your villa at the time of booking, which is an advantage for those who like to know exactly what they’re going to get. You can’t really go wrong with any of these.

One-Bedroom Villas: These are Casa Olita, Casa Manana, Casa Solana, and Casa Brisa. Each is at least 1,200 square feet in size and has a king bed, although some can be transformed into two twins instead. They all sit in their own quiet spot on the beach and have private heated plunge pools to complement the beautiful exterior area.

Two-Bedroom Villas: There are just two of these: Casa Estrella and Casa Aurora. Both are over 2,000 square feet in size, spread over two floors, which is ideal for groups with extra guests. Along with the private deck space and plunge pools, these villas have private docks that stretch out into the sea, providing more places to lounge out and dive in.

Overwater Casa Ventanas: This is a one-bedroom villa, but it’s unique. Rather than being on a beach, it’s at the end of a wooden pontoon and completely surrounded by the sea. This is the one without a private plunge pool, which may be a dealbreaker for some, but the stunning surroundings may make up for it.

➞ Special Experiences

If you’re staying at Cayo Espanto, know that your trip is already going to be exceptionally special. But there are some ways to make your stay really out-of-this-world.

For example, rather than the typical domestic flight to Ambergris Caye followed by a boat ride to the resort, consider a private helicopter transfer directly from Belize City – not only will it be quicker, more convenient, and the most luxurious method of all, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of some of Belize’s most beautiful scenery, which is essentially a free aerial tour.

Then, during your stay, consider one of the resort’s many private yacht charter excursions on its vessel, the Sarah Kate. You can go with a comprehensive “Day at Sea with Luxury,” in which you’ll start out at a famed snorkel spot before catching something like lobster or fish for lunch; the day finishes at a shaded private beach, where your guide will cook it while you relax. Or, take it further with a trip to the famed Blue Hole, where divers can drop below its walls.

Our Romantic Getaway to Cayo Espanto – A Private Island Belize