CAYO ESPANTO A PRIVATE ISLAND REVIEW

I don’t even know where to begin when describing my stay at Cayo Espanto A Private Island because I don’t think words can truly explain my love and praise for this resort! I am not a frequent luxurious traveler but I was beyond blessed to have the opportunity to experience this magical private island resort with my friend Erin Cohen. Even though I just returned from Belize about a week ago, I still am in awe of Cayo Espanto and still can’t believe that I was actually there! For those of you who haven’t seen my stories and photos on Instagram, Cayo Espanto is the definition of paradise, luxury and serenity, all in one.

Cayo Espanto is a five star luxurious resort located on a 4 acre private island, just 35 miles from the capital, Belize City. After arriving at San Pedro airport, we were picked up and escorted to a 30 second car ride which brought us to the ocean for our boat ride to the private island. The boat ride lasted approximately 7 minutes and as we were approaching the island, I could see all the staff waiting for us with nothing but big smiles, open heart, and positive hospitality vibes. They also had our requested pineapple juice at hand with hot towels and I knew from the initial greeting that I would be in for a treat!

There are a total of seven villas including five one bedrooms and two- two bedrooms that houses up to 18 guests. We stayed at Casa Olita, which is a 1 bedroom beachfront villa with a private dock, private plunge pool, walled garden and alfresco showers. The villa is designed with sophistication and blue and white charm. The room itself is magical. I almost didn’t even want to get settled in because I was admiring the interior design and space too much. The king sized bed was centered perfectly, which balances the 1,500+ square feet. Towards the back of the Villa was the bathroom, which consisted of the toilet, a large counter for the sink and of course not one but two showers, one that was completely outside! There is also air conditioning and ceiling fans should you feel hot and need some air.

Additionally, there are Turkish bath robes, which I eventually replaced my pajamas with since they were extremely soft. I was basically living in the robes throughout my stay and that’s something that I never do when I’m at hotels or on vacations! The bed is also comfortable with premium Egyptian cotton linens. There was also a pantry stocked with snacks and beverages, so you don’t have to worry about getting thirsty or hungry throughout the day and night.

Each room also has an iPad and Erin and I took full advantage of Spotify and played the soundtrack of Hamilton and 90s hits on repeat. There is also a television with loads of movies to choose from. In addition, you can also request for board games.  One of the highlights of the villa is the view from the bed because it’s basically what you would see from a painting. You might call it nature but I would call it art. I have never seen a view that beautiful before and I think waking up to natural sunlight, ocean waves and birds chirping is probably the best way to start a day. At night, a housekeeper pays a visit to put a mosquito net which drapes down the bed, something that I have never really witnessed before. It definitely makes for a great relaxing setting before bed.

There are also many activities and amenities you can book such as spa and massage appointments, fishing, snorkeling, island tours, etc. There is even a fitness center if you want to exercise. The best part is that each villa has their own houseman and we were blessed to have two amazing staff members that were so accommodating with our requests. I also love that we communicated with them through walkie talkies, which was very nostalgic to my childhood years with my sisters. Everyday we also had three curated, personalized meals from the chef with our food preferences and dietary restrictions in mind. I personally tried to eat as healthy as possible and I’m so glad I was able to experience delicious foods that were also good for my body. Some of the standout meals I had included—

I was also privileged to have a Swedish massage during sunset and it was truly an unforgettable experience. When you usually get a massage at a spa, they often play soft music to get you to feel relaxed, but at Cayo Espanto, the environment and atmosphere is already so peaceful that no added music was necessary. During my massage, I was filled with positive thoughts and extreme gratefulness for not only the massage, but my surrounding and presence on the island.

We also took a boat ride and I was able to go snorkeling which is a huge check off on my bucket list since I am deathly afraid of water and the open ocean. I don’t know how to swim so the thought of jumping into deep water frightens me even with floats and a life jacket. One of the best parts of traveling is conquering your fears and getting out of your comfort zone. I am extremely proud of myself for doing so because I knew in that moment, that on the other side of fear would be a positive memory I can take home with me and that’s exactly what I did. If you’ve ever been snorkeling then you know how amazing it is to be so close to the fish and the water. For a moment, I thought I was a character in Finding Nemo and almost forgot that I was a human. It was a lovely experience and so much fun because I truly immersed myself into the water and was able to experience for a second what life was like underwater.

Cayo Espanto taught me a lot about peace, balance and harmony. As someone who is constantly on the go and used to hearing honks and sirens, it was nice to be surrounded my quietness and stillness. At times I wasn’t sure how to handle it and it felt odd but with some time, I began to embrace it and finally got in tune with my inner soul. I stopped questioning what I needed to accomplish when I returned home and started embracing the views and sounds around me. I now understand why it’s important to take time for yourself and to getaway. I now understand why people would want to treat themselves to a luxurious getaway to a private island like Cayo Espanto.

I would say if you’re getting married, then hands down Cayo Espanto is the perfect honeymoon destination for you! It’s behind romantic and I wish to experience this resort with my future significant other one day. I have no complaints except for the fact that I wish my stay was longer. I also liked to mention that I missed a step and fell and sprained my ankle on the last day but even with that injury, my experience was perfect. I even joke that it’s a souvenir I got from Belize!

In all seriousness, Cayo Espanto is hands down the best resort I have ever stayed at. It is behind five stars and if you want to be treated like royalty by the best staff, then you need to come here because this will exceed all your expectations and blow your mind away! I am super grateful to say that I’ve visited Cayo Espanto and I am confident to also say that I know I will return someday!

San Pedro, Belize.
00 1 910 323 8355
aprivateisland.com