By the Overwater Bungalow Resorts editorial team · Updated November 7, 2026
The Short Answer
Our top pick is Thatch Caye Resort in Belize. It is a 12-acre private island four miles from the barrier reef where every stay is all-inclusive, with meals, local drinks, water-sports gear and the boat from Dangriga, and it welcomes guests of all ages, which few overwater resorts near the US do.
- For a plunge pool and glass floor: Lina Point on Ambergris Caye, whose overwater cabanas have both and include breakfast.
- For an adults-only splurge: Nayara Bocas del Toro in Panama, with plunge-pool overwater villas, a glass floor inlay and stairs into the sea, all-inclusive.
- On a budget: Sol Bungalows in Bocas del Toro, four overwater bungalows with glass floors and breakfast included.
For the Caribbean islands, see our Caribbean guide, and for flight times from US cities, see overwater bungalows closest to the US.
Belize, Bocas del Toro and Roatán Compared
| Area | Getting there | Resorts here | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambergris Caye, Belize | 15- to 20-minute flight from Belize City | Lina Point | Couples, pool and glass floor |
| Cayes off Belize City and Dangriga | Van or short flight, then a boat | St. George's Caye, Thatch Caye | Divers, families |
| Bocas del Toro, Panama | 50-minute flight from Panama City, then a boat | Nayara, Punta Caracol, Sol, Eclypse de Mar, Urraca | Every budget |
| Roatán, Honduras | Flight to Roatán, then the resort's boat | Mango Creek | Quiet, fishing and diving |
Map of Overwater Resorts in Belize, Panama and Honduras
Belize is at the top of the map, Roatán off the Honduran coast just to the southeast, and Bocas del Toro on Panama's Caribbean coast at the bottom.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Central America stays →Belize
The quickest overwater trip from much of the US, near the barrier reef.
Thatch Caye Resort
Thatch Caye, Belize, Central America
Our top pick: an all-inclusive private island near the barrier reef that includes the boat, meals and local drinks and welcomes all ages; for couples and families who want it easy.
Best for: Couples and families who want it easy
- All-inclusive, with the boat and local drinks
- Guests of all ages welcome
- Snorkeling from shore
More about this hotel
A 12-acre private island in the South Water Marine Reserve, about nine miles off Dangriga and four miles from the barrier reef. Every stay is all-inclusive, with meals, local drinks, the boat from Dangriga and water-sports gear, and its overwater bungalows have a hammock balcony and air-conditioning.
Lina Point Belize Overwater Resort
Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America
Overwater cabanas with a private plunge pool and glass floor panels on Ambergris Caye; for couples who want those features on a mid budget.
Best for: Couples wanting a pool and glass floor
- Glass floor panels in the cabanas
- Private plunge pools
- Breakfast included
More about this hotel
An 18-room resort over the lagoon on the west, sunset side of Ambergris Caye, a free 15-minute ride from the San Pedro airstrip. Its overwater cabanas have glass floor panels and a private plunge pool, but it is not on a beach or the reef side, so reef trips need a boat.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Chad Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0
St. George's Caye Resort
St. George's Caye, Belize, Central America
Six overwater cabanas on a sunset dock, about 40 minutes from the airport, with meals included; for divers and short trips, ages 15 and up.
Best for: Divers and short trips
- Six overwater cabanas on a sunset dock
- Meals included; drinks extra
- About 40 minutes from Belize City airport
More about this hotel
An island resort seven miles off Belize City that calls itself the closest to the mainland, a 20-minute van and 20-minute boat ride from the airport. Its six overwater cabanas sit on a half-moon dock facing the sunset, meals are included for every guest, and it takes guests 15 and over.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Kent Wang, CC BY-SA 2.0
Bocas del Toro, Panama
An archipelago with overwater lodges at every budget, from four-bungalow B&Bs to an adults-only all-inclusive.
Nayara Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro, Panama, Central America
Adults-only (16+) overwater pool villas with a glass inlay and stairs into the sea, all-inclusive; for honeymooners.
Best for: Honeymooners in Central America
- Plunge pool and glass floor inlay
- Staircase from the deck into the sea
- All-inclusive, with boat transfers
More about this hotel
An adults-only (16+) all-inclusive on a private island in Bocas del Toro, a free 20-minute boat ride from the Bocas airport. Its Overwater Pool Villas have a plunge pool on the deck, a glass floor inlay and a swim-up staircase into the sea.
Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge
Isla Colón, Panama, Central America
Solar-powered overwater palafitos with direct water access, open to children of all ages; for families and eco-minded couples.
Best for: Families and eco-minded couples
- Direct water access from each palafito
- Children of all ages welcome
- Powered entirely by solar
More about this hotel
A solar-powered lodge of hand-built palafitos standing over the water off Isla Colón, reached only by boat from its own dock in Bocas Town. Each two-floor suite has direct water access with snorkel and kayak gear, children of all ages are welcome, and breakfast and dinner come in its packages.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
Isla Solarte, Panama, Central America
Four owner-run overwater bungalows with glass floors and stairs into the water, five minutes from Bocas Town; for couples on a budget.
Best for: Couples on a budget
- Glass floors and stairs into the water
- Breakfast included
- Papaya bungalow sleeps a family of four
More about this hotel
An owner-run boutique hotel with just four overwater bungalows, a five-minute water taxi from Bocas Town. The bungalows have glass floors and stairs into the water, breakfast is included, and a set three-course dinner is served most nights.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge
Isla Bastimentos, Panama, Central America
Overwater bungalows with a glass floor panel that sleep up to four, next to the lodge's own nature reserve; for couples and small groups on a mid budget.
Best for: Couples on a mid budget
- Glass floor panel in the bungalows
- Terrace with access to the water
- Bungalows sleep up to four
More about this hotel
A solar-powered lodge near Bastimentos with its own nature reserve, whose over-the-water bungalows have a glass panel for watching marine life and a terrace with access to the sea. Bungalows sleep up to four, and breakfast is included.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Urraca Monkey Island Eco Resort
Isla Urraca, Panama, Central America
Six overwater bungalows on an island that is also a rescued-monkey sanctuary; for adventurous couples, ages 12 and up.
Best for: Adventurous couples
- Six overwater bungalows
- Rescued-monkey sanctuary on the island
- Optional meal plan
More about this hotel
A six-bungalow eco-lodge on a small private island in Bocas del Toro that doubles as a sanctuary for rescued monkeys. The overwater bungalows run on solar power and rainwater, there is an optional meal plan, and guests must be 12 or older.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: M M from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0
Roatán, Honduras
A small all-inclusive lodge on the island's East End, reached only by boat.
Mango Creek Resort
Port Royal, Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Six over-the-water bungalows on Roatán's quiet East End, with meals and transfers included; for couples who want total quiet.
Best for: Couples who want total quiet
- Six over-the-water bungalows
- All meals and transfers included
- Pickup at Roatán airport
More about this hotel
A six-bungalow resort over the water at Port Royal on Roatán's East End, reached only by boat. Every stay is all-inclusive, with pickup at the airport or cruise port, the boat ride and all meals, and it arranges fishing, boat trips and diving.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Cory Doctorow, CC BY-SA 2.0
Central America Overwater Resorts at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Thatch Caye ResortThatch Caye, Belize, Central America · Mid-rangeCouples and families who want it easyCheck prices -
Lina Point Belize Overwater ResortAmbergris Caye, Belize, Central America · Mid-rangeCouples wanting a pool and glass floorCheck prices -
St. George's Caye ResortSt. George's Caye, Belize, Central America · Mid-rangeDivers and short tripsCheck prices -
Nayara Bocas del ToroBocas del Toro, Panama, Central America · SplurgeHoneymooners in Central AmericaCheck prices -
Punta Caracol Acqua-LodgeIsla Colón, Panama, Central America · Mid-rangeFamilies and eco-minded couplesCheck prices -
Sol Bungalows Bocas del ToroIsla Solarte, Panama, Central America · BudgetCouples on a budgetCheck prices -
Eclypse de Mar Acqua LodgeIsla Bastimentos, Panama, Central America · Mid-rangeCouples on a mid budgetCheck prices -
Urraca Monkey Island Eco ResortIsla Urraca, Panama, Central America · BudgetAdventurous couplesCheck prices -
Mango Creek ResortPort Royal, Roatán, Honduras, Central America · Mid-rangeCouples who want total quietCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Thatch Caye Resort
Private-island resort
|
Thatch Caye, Belize, Central America | Mid-range | Couples and families who want it easy | Check prices |
|
|
Lina Point Belize Overwater Resort
Overwater boutique resort
|
Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America | Mid-range | Couples wanting a pool and glass floor | Check prices |
|
|
St. George's Caye Resort
Adults-only island resort
|
St. George's Caye, Belize, Central America | Mid-range | Divers and short trips | Check prices |
|
|
Nayara Bocas del Toro
Adults-only all-inclusive
|
Bocas del Toro, Panama, Central America | Splurge | Honeymooners in Central America | Check prices |
|
|
Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge
Overwater eco-lodge
|
Isla Colón, Panama, Central America | Mid-range | Families and eco-minded couples | Check prices |
|
|
Sol Bungalows Bocas del Toro
Overwater B&B
|
Isla Solarte, Panama, Central America | Budget | Couples on a budget | Check prices |
|
|
Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge
Overwater eco-lodge
|
Isla Bastimentos, Panama, Central America | Mid-range | Couples on a mid budget | Check prices |
|
|
Urraca Monkey Island Eco Resort
Private-island eco-lodge
|
Isla Urraca, Panama, Central America | Budget | Adventurous couples | Check prices |
|
|
Mango Creek Resort
All-inclusive eco-lodge
|
Port Royal, Roatán, Honduras, Central America | Mid-range | Couples who want total quiet | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 7, 2026.
Pools, Glass Floors and Age Rules Compared
| Resort | Private pool | Glass floor | Into the water | Who can stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thatch Caye | No | Not stated | Not stated | All ages |
| St. George's Caye | No; shared island pool | Not stated | Not stated | 15+ (13+ for divers) |
| Lina Point | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| Nayara Bocas del Toro | Yes | Glass inlay | Staircase | 16+ |
| Punta Caracol | No | Not stated | Direct access | All ages |
| Sol Bungalows | No | Yes | Stairs | Families of four in Papaya |
| Eclypse de Mar | No | Yes | From the terrace | Up to four per bungalow |
| Urraca Monkey Island | No | Not stated | Not stated | 12+ |
| Mango Creek | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
"Not stated" means the resort's own site doesn't say. Air-conditioning is not a given: Punta Caracol and Eclypse de Mar list ceiling fans.
Getting to Belize, Bocas del Toro and Roatán
- Belize: you land at Philip S.W. Goldson International (BZE) in Belize City. The Belize Tourism Board lists nonstops of about 2 hours from Miami and Houston, about 3 hours from Dallas and Atlanta, and 4½ to 5½ hours from Los Angeles and Denver.
- Ambergris Caye: the flight to San Pedro takes 15 to 20 minutes, or the water taxi from Belize City about an hour and a half. Lina Point's free ride from the airstrip takes 15 minutes.
- St. George's Caye and Thatch Caye: St. George's is a 20-minute van ride and a 20-minute boat from the airport. For Thatch Caye, take a 15-minute commuter flight or a van to Dangriga, then the resort's boat of about 35 minutes, which leaves at 2:30 and 4:30 pm.
- Bocas del Toro: international flights land at Tocumen (PTY), but flights to Bocas leave from Albrook (PAC) across Panama City, about 40 minutes away. The flight takes about 50 minutes; Sol Bungalows suggests allowing at least 3 hours between landing and your Bocas flight. Boats then take 5 minutes to Sol Bungalows and 20 minutes to Nayara.
- Roatán: Mango Creek picks you up at Roatán's airport (RTB) or the cruise port and takes you over by boat, all included.
- Money and time: Belize uses Central Standard Time all year, and US dollars are widely accepted. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.