Cayo Espanto

Cayo Espanto Review

Espanto means fright in Spanish, but there's nothing to be frightened of on this tiny island 3 mi (5 km) west of Ambergris Caye, except possibly the wallop to your wallet if you stay here. This super-luxury resort with seven villas, all there is on the small island, has a staff-to-guest ratio of two to one. The villas come complete with splash pool, Egyptian cotton linens, and a personal houseman. Several villas have walls that literally fold back to let in the Caribbean sun. As a guest, you meet with the chef to plan your day's meals, which are delivered to your own waterside table. For all this personal care you'll pay a small fortune, with nightly rates starting at BZ$3,212 double including 24% tax and service. Some guests arrive by helicopter; Astrum Helicopters in Belize City provides transport for BZ$2,500 for up to four persons.