THE 14 BEST CARIBBEAN OVERWATER BUNGALOWS

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If you’ve visited Bora Bora or the Maldives, you may have stayed in an overwater villa. However, there weren’t many luxurious Caribbean overwater bungalowsup to now.

In recent years, several new overwater bungalow resorts have opened. Staying at one of these floating villas is a true bucket list experience.

The Best Caribbean Overwater Bungalows

You no longer need to travel as far as the Maldives or Tahiti to get a taste of life on the water. From Aruba to Jamaica, Mexico and St Lucia, these are the best overwater bungalows in the Caribbean. In our selection, we have included several casual eco-lodges in the Caribbean Sea, as well as luxury resorts. There’s something for every budget and group size.

1. PALAFITOS OVERWATER BUNGALOWS AT EL DORADO MAROMA, MEXICO

Located within the adults only resort El Dorado Maroma near Cancun, Palafitos Overwater Bungalows are ideal for couples. This all-inclusive Riviera Maya hotel has 30 chic overwater bungalows. Choose between the classic Overwater Bungalow and the Elite Overwater Bungalow, which comes complete with your own personal butler. All the Palafitos overwater bungalows have their own private deck, glass floors in the bedroom and lounge area, a hottub, mini-bar and outdoor shower.

These spacious overwater rooms measure 600 square feet, with a 211 feet terrace.

There’s lots to do in and around the El Dorado Maroma resort, from relaxing on Playa del Carmen beach to exploring the ruins and street art in Tulum Náay Spa is spread over 5,000 ft2 and offers a range of treatments including a sunrise couples massage on the beach and a Tequila Ritual!

2. SANDALS GRANDE ST. LUCIAN, ST LUCIA

Known for their luxury Caribbean all-inclusive resorts, Sandals have added some stunning overwater bungalows to their properties in recent years.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian has a fabulous location on a peninsula next to Pigeon Island National Park. This adults-only resort has some impressive Over-theWater Bungalows with personalized butler service. Each one has an outdoor shower, deck with swim-up platform and lounge chairs, overwater hammock and couples soaking tub.

Inside the bungalows, there are light-up glass floors and king-size beds, together with a pillow menu. Sandals Grande St Lucian resort has a mile-long beach, 12 restaurants and 6 bars.

There’s an extensive PADI® Certified Scuba Diving program and many other watersports included, such as kneeboarding and water-skiing. This St. Lucia resort makes a great base from which to hike the Piton mountains and visit La Soufriere Drive In Volcano.

3. ROYALTON ANTIGUA RESORT & SPA, ANTIGUA

This luxury all-inclusive resort in Antigua is situated on its own private beach on Deep Bay. The land based rooms at Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa are suitable for couples and families.

4. ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA, MEXICO

One of our favorite Riviera Maya resorts, Mayakoba has 4 luxury hotels, including Rosewood Mayakoba Set amidst the mangroves and next to a white sandbeach, this eco resort has some stunning deluxe lagoon suites with butler service.

5. ARUBA OCEAN VILLAS

Nicknamed One Happy Island, Aruba is known for its reliable sunshine, wreck diving and white sand beaches. The native fofoti trees grow on the beach, with the most famous being Eagle Beach.

6. SANDALS ROYAL CARIBBEAN, JAMAICA

The first Caribbean overwater bungalows opened in 2016 at Sandals Royal Caribbean resort in Montego Bay. An immediate success, these Over-The-Water Bungalows have light up glass floor panels inside, king-size beds and spa-style bathrooms.

7. CAYO ESPANTO, BELIZE

Located on its own private island, Cayo Espanto is close to mainland Belize and to Ambergris Caye. This exclusive Caribbean retreat is a great base from which to see the Belizean Barrier Reef, the second largest coral system in the world.

8. PUNTA CARACOL ACQUALODGE, PANAMA

This casual Caribbean eco lodge in Panama prides itself on its sustainability program. Only 2% of the 100 acres of Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge are used for accommodation.

9. SANDALS SOUTH COAST, JAMAICA

A luxurious all inclusive couples only resort in Whitehouse, Jamaica, Sandals South Coast is known for its overwater chapel and bar, Latitudes. The overthe-water villas at Sandals South Coast are accessible via a heart-shaped pier.

10. THATCH CAYE, BELIZE

An informal all-inclusive private island resort in Belize, Thatch Caye Resort is located off the coast of Dangriga, close to the Belizean Barrier Reef. Limited to just 30 guests, this eco retreat is part of the popular Muy’Ono Resorts.

11. ANTHONY’S KEY RESORT, HONDURAS

Going strong for over 50 years, Anthony’s Key Resort is a rustic idyll where you can get away from it all. For that reason, there are no TVs or phones in the overwater bungalows, although there is WiFi.

12. BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA, MEXICO

This Mexican eco-friendly hotel is situated on Playa del Carmen, close to Cancun.

13. AZUL PARADISE HOTEL AND RESORT, PANAMA

With two locations, one in the center of Bocas Town and one on a remote part of the island, you get the best of both worlds at Azul Paradise. This eco-luxury hotel in Bocas del Toro, Panama has three restaurants and lots of fun activities such as wildlife tours and sea turtle release.

14. VICEROY BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA

Due to open in 2023, Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama will be located close to Panama City. There will be 42 overwater bungalows, each with their own private deck and plunge pool.