If travelling a little further afield than the Caribbean is your goal, Central America is calling.
Experience rainforests, volcanoes, delicious local foods, and pristine beaches – all in a place teeming with exotic wildlife.
Central America offers a host of luxury destinations, many even accessible directly by private jet. Here are five properties that offer unparalleled vacation experiences for discerning travellers.
1. Hotel Punta Islita – Costa Rica
Surrounded by lush rainforest and the impressive Guanacaste coastline, Hotel Punta Islita offers luxury accommodations paired with unique adventures such as monkey quests, bird watching, horseback riding on the beach, or zip lining through the jungle. Guests can experience all the wildness of Costa Rica and then return to sample the onsite spa, or delight in a locally-sourced gastro experience at one of the resort’s two signature ocean-view restaurants. Punta Islita features its own private airstrip and helipad (book landing slots at least 48 hours in advance).
Purchased by Francis Ford Coppola in the early 1980s and originally used as his family retreat, the Blancaneaux Lodge was opened to the public in 1993. Labelled a “luxury hideaway,” the resort is in western Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and set against an incredible rugged backdrop, where visitors can explore Mayan history. Book a cottage, villa or cabana and check out the resort pool, or get back to nature at one of the many natural swimming holes. Your private jet will fly into the onsite Blancaneaux Lodge Airstrip, providing you quick access to this one-of-a-kind luxury mountain retreat.