Cayo Espanto
San Pedro
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| THE COUNTRY DIFFERENT: A Private pier on Cayo Espanto (Cayo Espanto) |
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE DOCK of Cayo Espanto, a six-minute launch ride from Ambergris Caye's hub of San Pedro, you might find yourself envying Salty, the island's resident yellow Lab, who calls this four-acre speck of raked sand and palm trees home. But you'll realize this is no dog's life as you sink into your king-size bed facing a seemingly endless expanse of aquamarine sea, slip into your own private plunge pool, lounge on your private dock, and dine whenever and wherever you feel like it. Four villas plus a smaller bungalow are strategically placed around the island so that you'll never be aware of other guests. And with a two-to-one staff-to-guest ratio and your own personal "houseman" running around in what looks like a pith helmet, you can literally choreograph every minute of your vacation. Feel like something sweet? Within ten minutes, freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies arrive on a silver tray. Feel like bonefishing, snorkeling, playing golf, having a massage? Not a problem. One past guest, Leonardo DiCaprio, liked the formula so much that he bought his own island off Belize, 104-acre Blackadore Caye, and is working with the team from Cayo Espanto to develop it. Doubles, $1,095–$2,450; entire island (up to 14 guests), $9,000–$13,000 per night; 888-666-4282, www.aprivateisland.com
