Imagine you’ve spent a long day trekking through the rainforest, climbing towering volcanoes, or exploring ancient ruins and all you can think of – besides that coconut rum punch or a cold cerveza – is a cool, welcoming plunge pool that’s waiting for you back at your hotel.

Luxury hotels the world over are upping the romance ante with in-room plunge pools, and why not? When a refreshing dip is just steps from your bed, you’ll never need to fight to get a lounge chair, or even worry about donning a swimsuit. There is a reason “do not disturb” signs were created. Dive into 25 hotels with  private plunge pools throughout Central America for a taste of the ultimate in luxury and privacy.

Belize

1. Blancaneaux Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize: Luxury Cabañas, Enchanted Cottage & the Coppola Villa

Tucked away in the misty mountaintops, Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury hideaway where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. The lodge’s remote alpine setting makes for a romantic ambiance, surrounded by lavish foliage and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Two luxury cabañas offer seclusion, sitting at the far eastern end of the property overlooking Privassion Creek, and each has a private plunge pool and outdoor garden shower. The Coppola Villa is fit for a larger group of visitors, with two large bedrooms, and the experience is one that a film buff won’t soon forget – Francis’ personal art and antiques displayed throughout, adding to the ambiance of your stay.

Blancaneaux’s most luxurious retreat, the Enchanted Cottage, site atop a steep forested bluff and offers panoramic views over Privassion Creek and the distant jungle-clad Maya Mountains. This unique stone cottage features a fireplace, Japanese tub, steam room, and arguably it’s finest attribute – a private infinity pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens and spectacular panoramic views. Click here to explore our trips to Blancaneaux Lodge.

2. Cayo Espanto, off Ambergris Caye, Belize: Villas

Three miles off the Belizean coast, Cayo Espanto is a hyper-luxurious hideaway, with seven exclusive butler-serviced villas on a private island lined with white, palm-speckled beaches.

Each glamorous villa features open-plan living areas, panoramic ocean views, heated plunge pools, hammocks and a private stretch of sand where you can play castaway without any interference. Nothing quite like watching the sunset from your private pool, cocktail in hand, to get the romantic fires burning. Book a trip to Cayo Espanto here.

3. The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Cayo District, Belize: Ix'Chel Luxury Villas

Perched on the banks of the sleepy Macal River in the Cayo District, Chaa Creek is a charming eco-lodge surrounded by over 400 acres of private rainforest reserve. Established as a small family farm in 1981, the lodge has become one of Belize’s most recognized resorts, considered a model for sustainable and responsible tourism.

Experience the ultimate in luxury in Chaa Creek’s most recent room additions – the Ix’Chel Villas. The villas offer a personal butler, floor to ceiling glass walls and 180° views of the surrounding jungle, with modern interior décor, an outdoor shower, and private plunge pool overlooking the river. There’s nowhere better to rest your head after a day spent spelunking caves, climbing ruins, or hiking through rainforest. Click here to explore our trips to the Lodge at Chaa Creek.

4. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef, Hopkins, Belize: Seafront & Seaview Villas

In a beachfront locale overlooking the Caribbean Sea, The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is a piece of paradise along the Belizean coast. Located just south of the small seaside village of Hopkins – a cultural hotspot where you can explore the fascinating Garifuna culture – The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is a luxuriously appointed haven of relaxation set amongst well-tended grounds, with a full service spa, beachfront dining, lounge bar and heated infinity pool.

Check into one of the lodge’s spectacular villas – you’ll have a choice of beachfront or sea view – and you’ll get to experience the ultimate in Belizean luxury. Bright, airy spacious suites each boast enclosed balconies and patios for the utmost in privacy, and outdoor personal plunge pools perfect for a lazy evening dip while catching the sunset. Book a trip to The Lodge at Jaguar Reef here.

5. Ka'ana Resort, Cayo District, Belize: One & Two Bedroom Villas

Nestled deep in the tropical jungle of western Belize, Ka’ana (which means “Heavenly Place”) is a boutique resort located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains near an ancient Maya city that inspired the resort’s name.

Positioned off a secluded garden pathway, Ka’ana’s most luxurious dwellings boast an expansive open-concept design, a personal butler, private plunge pool, thoughtful details, and high-end furnishings, making each of the two villas an ideal space for a romantic getaway. Click here to explore our trips to Ka’ana Resort.

6. Mystic River Resort, Cayo District, Belize: Cloud 9 Suites

On the steep banks of the serene Macal River, Mystic River Resort offers a relaxed brand of luxury, with a strong focus on responsible and sustainable tourism. Considered by many to be one of Belize’s best-kept secrets, if the thought of spending a few nights truly unplugged sounds enticing, Mystic River is the place for you.

After busy days adventuring, settle into one of the resort’s four Cloud 9 Suites, each equipped with private plunge pools and outdoor showers with panoramic jungle and river views. Book a trip to Mystic River Resort here.

7. Naia Resort & Spa, Placencia, Belize: One Bedroom Beach Houses

Located just outside of the town of Placencia, a charming, low-key fishing village on the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize, Naia Resort & Spa is barefoot luxury at its finest. The resort offers upscale amenities, and 35 tastefully furnished beach houses that extend along a mile of palm-studded white sand.

Splurge on a one-bedroom beach house, and you’ll get your own private plunge pool, an expansive bathroom with a luxurious standalone tub, and a spacious outdoor garden shower – nobody would blame you if you hardly left the room during your stay. Click here to explore our trips to Naia Resort & Spa.

8. Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge, Belmopan, Belize: Mountain & River View Suites

Resting on the ridges of the Maya Mountains in Cayo, sleeps a giant. His facial profile and barrel chest reign over the valley below as he rests in eternal slumber. Nestled in an expanse of lush rainforest, Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge offers an immersive jungle experience just a half hour from Belmopan, the capital city of Belize.

Sleeping Giant’s gorgeous, earth-toned suites, feature Belizean hardwoods and sunlit decks, complete with plunge pools overlooking the Maya Mountains or the river. Romantic and seemingly remote, this is jungle luxury at its finest. Awake each morning by nature’s alarm clock – the unmistakable growl of howler monkeys as they greet the dawn – and after a busy day adventuring and then an evening soaking any aches away in your private plunge pool, you’ll find yourself drifting off to sleep to the gentle nighttime sounds of the rainforest. Book a trip to Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge here.

9. Victoria House, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize: Casa Playa Blanca

With the stunning backdrop of the azure and turquoise Caribbean Sea, fronted by a wide, beautiful white and beach shaded by palms, Victoria House is an elegant, intimate resort perfect for couples looking to escape the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life. The resort’s location makes it the perfect jumping off point to visit the spectacular Belizean Barrier Reef, second only to Australia’s, and other nearby marine attractions including Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which draws turtles, spotted eagle rays, barracudas and an array of colorful fish, and Shark Ray Alley, dense with stingrays and nurse sharks.

The most luxurious accommodation on the property is Casa Playa Blanca, an enormous two-bedroom, two-bathroom beachfront bungalow with a private infinity pool and spacious sundeck overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Book a trip to Victoria House here.

Costa Rica

10. Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas, Mal Pais, Costa Rica: Villas

High on a hillside on Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast, Casa Chameleon Las Catlinas is an off-the-radar hideaway with 21 heavenly standalone villas that blend in with the tropical surroundings and boast expansive, panoramic ocean views – arguably some of the best in the country. If you’re craving beach time, Casa Chameleon is a perfect home base from which to explore. The resort lies between Las Catalinas town, Playa Danta and Dantita to the north, and to the south, beaches Prieta and Pan de Azucar are local favorites, in addition to many other lush bays that stretch for miles down the coast.

Each luxurious villa features minimalist modern design furnished with natural, local elements including teak and tamarindo woods, sleek bathrooms with rainfall showers, and ocean views from every room. The piece de resistance is the private saltwater plunge pool overlooking the bay – impressive at any point in the day; it is even more spectacular at sunset and after dark, when the stars are out above you. Book a trip to Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas here.

11. El Remanso Rainforest Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: La Guinda, Vainilla & Deluxe Villas

Costa Rica’s lush, unspoiled Osa Peninsula is renowned for its wildlife and tranquility, and El Remanso Rainforest Lodge taps right into that appeal. Nestled into the jungle, where animals roam free (you’re guaranteed to see monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws multiple times throughout your stay), the lodge’s secluded villas boast picturesque views over the leafy, verdant surrounds and the Pacific Ocean, best admired from private plunge pools built into every terrace.

Spend your mornings hiking the lodge’s extensive network of self-guided trails, making your way to hidden waterfalls, or wandering down the wildly beautiful beaches, and afternoons staring out over the ocean and watching monkeys play in the trees nearby while you soak in your plunge pool with a tropical cocktail in hand. The jungle has never felt this luxurious. Book a trip to El Remanso here.

12. Four Seasons Resort, Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica: Luxury Suites & Villas

Set on one of the most picturesque bluffs in northern Costa Rica, the Four Seasons Resort is the ultimate getaway for all things tranquility, romance and luxury. Ultra-luxe and mega-chic (everything a Four Seasons should be), the resort melds modern décor with natural, local hardwoods and building materials, providing a modern interpretation of pura vida, while sparing no detail. With four onsite restaurants, four pools, and no shortage of daily activities provided on the grounds, the Four Seasons is as close to an all-inclusive as Costa Rica gets.

Nestled in the upper reaches of the jungle canopy, each suite offers heart stopping views – you’ll never get sick of watching the sun rise over the bay, putting your feet up in a hammock on your private terrace, or pouring yourself some bubbly and slipping into infinity-edge paradise as you watch the monkeys play in nearby trees. Book a trip to the Four Seasons Costa Rica here.

13. Hotel Punta Islita, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Junior Suites & Villas

Set in a secluded cove along the Nicoya Peninsula in northern Costa Rica, Hotel Punta Islita is an informal, yet luxe hotel situated among tropical gardens high above a secluded beach. Here, you’ll awake to the sound of the waves and howler monkeys calling through the trees, and spend your days beachcombing, sipping mojitos, swinging in a hammock, or lounging beside your private plunge pool.

An array of spacious Junior Suites and private villas are each equipped with private plunge pools framed by landscaped gardens, shaded open-air terraces, and mountain or ocean views. Book a trip to Hotel Punta Islita here.

14. Kurà Design Villas, Uvita, Costa Rica: Master Suites

High above Uvita, Kurà Design Villas is an ultra-glam, ultra-romantic boutique resort perched atop a bluff with spectacular, sweeping views of the jungle, Pacific, and the “whale’s tail” of Uvita Beach, which emerges at low tide.

It goes without saying that Kurà is an adults-only playground, and a haven for honeymooners and couples. Each room features glass showers (double headed and big enough for two) within their living areas, two light settings (to set the mood), and an infinity-edge plunge pool that disappears into the ocean on the horizon. The hotel books up months in advance during busy season, and we can certainly see why – there are far worse places to visit with the one you love.  Click here to explore our trips to Kurà Design Villas.

15. Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Villas

In a private rainforest sanctuary high above the Pacific, Makanda by the Sea is a sleek, adults-only boutique hotel with bright, airy villas and studios sculpted harmoniously into the natural environment, capturing Costa Rica’s magical pura vida spirit. Here, you can savor fresh seafood, drift in the infinity pool, or watch monkeys and sloths as they wind their way through the forest.

Each of the villas features a king-size canopy bed that faces sliding doors leading to large terraces – complete with private plunge pools – with stunning panoramic ocean views. It’s the ideal spot for couples and honeymooners to sip a cocktail while watching the sun sink into the ocean. Book a trip to Makanda by the Sea here.

16. Nayara Springs, La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Villas

In the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, adjacent to the 30 000-acre Arenal Volcano National Park, and just north of the volcano itself, Nayara Springs is an ultra-exclusive adults-only hideaway deep within Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest. Here, in the country’s adventure capital, there is no shortage of things to do in a day. You can hike the nearby volcano, spend the day zip lining or rappelling hidden jungle waterfalls, pay a visit to a nearby hot springs, or hole up in your suite and relax the day away.

With 35 luxury villas each with their own secluded garden, massive decks with day beds, outdoor shower and private plunge pool fed by mineral hot springs, the Nayara is a truly special place you’ll never want to leave. Click here to explore our trips to the Nayara Springs.

17. Pacuare Lodge, Pacuare River, Costa Rica: Jaguar Villa, Linda Vista Villas & Canopy Suites

Costa Rica’s breathtaking jungle landscape is best experienced at Pacuare Lodge, a secluded treetop retreat nestled deep within a lush rainforest reserve. Nestled next to the Pacuare River, Pacuare Lodge is the type of place you come to fully disconnect from the outside world, and reconnect with the one you love. Rooms are electricity-free, which means candlelight, no distractions, and an ultra-romantic ambiance – prime for honeymooners and couples.

To experience the utmost in decadent seclusion, stay in the Jaguar or Linda Vista Villas, or check into one of the Canopy Suites, which can only be accessed by private suspension bridges to each suite. Take a dip in your private spring-fed plunge pool, light those candles and watch as the sun dips below the tree line. This is romantic isolation at its very best. Click here to explore our trips to Pacuare Lodge.

18. Villa Caletas, Herradura, Costa Rica: Suites, Master Suites & Honeymoon Suites

High atop a cliff overlooking Costa Rica’s Central Pacific and the Gulf of Nicoya, Villa Caletas is as luxurious and secluded as it is beautiful. The colonial mansion, draped in quirky colorful style, and filled with treasures from abroad, boasts some of the best sunset views in Costa Rica.

The villas are set among landscaped gardens, where you may spot a toucan or two, and each boasts a private terrace that overlooks the ocean or forest. Spring on the Suites, Master Suites, or Honeymoon Suites, which come complete with a deluxe plunge pool where you can enjoy the sun and tropical heat in total privacy. Not to mention knockout ocean views. Book a trip to Villa Caletas here.

19. Vista Celestial, Uvita, Costa Rica: Luxury Villas

For a respite with a muy romantic vibe, this intimate Costa Rican retreat might be just the fix you’re looking for. Situated on a rainforested ridge 2 000 feet above Costa Ballena, Vista Celestial certainly lives up to its name, with panoramic views in every direction.

With only five secluded villas surrounded by jungle, you may forget there are other guests staying here, and you’ll certainly find yourself mesmerized by the resort’s romantic ambiance. Each villa features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the magnificent blue of the Pacific, and Uvita’s famed “whale’s tail”, and a private terrace with an infinity pool that doubles as a hot tub – ideal after sunset when the stars come out. Book a trip to Vista Celestial here.

Honduras

20. Las Verandas Hotel & Villas, Roatán, Honduras: Villas

At first glance, the whitewashed exteriors of Las Verandas European-style villas are reminiscent of a resort perched on the side of a Greek island, but look closer and it’s evident that the main design inspiration is closer to home. Cream-colored conchuela (Mexican shell stone) runs throughout the villas and exterior patios, mirroring Roatán’s warm beach sands, and the interior designs, though modern, showcase Central American art and textiles.

Each villa features luxe creature comforts, floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic ocean views, expansive outdoor patios, private pools and full kitchens. A wonderfully secluded escape, Las Verandas is a perfect home base from which to explore the spectacularly beautiful beach, ocean and reefs of Roatán. Book a trip to Las Verandas Hotel & Villas here.

Guatemala

21. Casa Palopó, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala: Villa Palopó

Perched on the steep shores descending into the deep blue waters of Lake Atitlán, this former private home has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel, with no detail spared. Stunning volcanic views (overlooking not one, but three magnificent peaks) and rustic architecture foster a sense of unpretentious serenity in Casa Palopo‘s most exclusive accommodations – its two-story Villa Palopó.

When you book the villa, the outdoor infinity-edge pool perched on the hillside—complete with a Jacuzzi and outdoor palapa with a wood-burning fireplace—is all yours. Plus, you’ll get private butler service, and a personal chef. What more could you ask for? Click here to explore our trips to Casa Palopó.

Nicaragua

22. Aqua Wellness Resort, Emerald Coast, Nicaragua: Luxury Treehouse Studios & Villas

Nestled on a secluded, private cove on the Emerald Coast, Aqua Wellness Resort will delight your inner child with a stay in a luxurious rainforest treehouse surrounded by lush tropical greenery, complete with monkeys that play and scamper through the trees at eye level.

Check into a luxury treehouse studio or villa to sip champagne from your private plunge pool and watch as the sun sinks over the horizon, and you’ll find yourself thinking “I can’t believe we’re really here”. Book a trip to Aqua Wellness Resort here.

23. Morgan's Rock Ecolodge, Playa Ocotal, Nicaragua: Forest & Ocean-View Suites

Nestled on a rainforest-overrun strip of land that overlooks the spectacularly beautiful Emerald Coast, Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge combines a sustainable, back-to-nature experience with a true sense of sustainability and responsible travel. Surrounded by an expansive 4 500 acre private reserve inhabited by troops of howler monkeys who emphatically greet the sunrise each morning, Morgan’s Rock’s design mirrors the wilderness with organic shapes, open spaces, and sustainable, traditional building materials including river rocks, rich hardwoods and palm thatching.

Check into one of only fifteen spacious westward-facing bungalows for sweeping ocean views, open-air construction with entire walls left out (save for mosquito netting) to allow you to experience the rainforest in all of its glory. Relax on a floating futon, suspended with thick ropes above your private sundeck, or slip into your plunge pool where you can savor flawless views of the Pacific, and spot fast-climbing iguanas, curious monkeys and iridescent, long-tailed trogons as they perch at eye level. Click here to explore our trips to Morgan’s Rock.

24. Yemaya Island Hideaway, Little Corn Island, Nicaragua: Oceanfront Rooms

Located on remote, tiny Little Corn Island, Yemaya Island Hideaway is the kind of place people go to escape from it all. Fresh clear air, stunning white sand beaches speckled by coconut palms and waters so blue you may feel as if you’re in a dream – it’s paradise. The island itself is blissfully untouched, home to less than 2 000 people, not a single car, and no paved roads, with a profound peace and simplicity that will stay with you long after you leave.

Yemaya’s oceanfront rooms offer spectacular panoramic sea views, with colorful yet understated décor, garden showers, private sundecks and dreamy plunge pools – laid-back and quietly luxurious, with no detail spared. Click here to explore our trips to Yemaya Island Hideaway.

Panama

25. Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge, Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama: Casitas

Set on a private 14-island archipelago in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is an escape from the ordinary – incredibly exclusive and luxuriously isolated, an hour-long boat ride from civilization through waterways flanked by mangroves that lead to the open sea. With only nine rooms that accommodate a maximum of 18 guests, this intimate jungle hideout is unlike anywhere you’ve been before.

A sanctuary of modern comfort and responsible luxury, each suite is nestled in the jungle vegetation, far from its neighbors to provide couples with complete privacy and allow them full run of the outdoor spaces. You’ll find yourself immersed in the wild natural surrounds, lounging on an expansive sundeck, soaking in a private plunge pool and catching some shade beneath a thatched-roof cabana, from which you can kick your shoes off and immerse yourself in spectacular sea views. This is a very romantic place, indeed. Book a trip to Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge here.