When many of us think of a tropical winter vacation, we immediately think of Mexico, so it's no wonder that quite a few people hope to find overwater bungalows in the country. There's a bit of good news here as there are two resorts in Mexico that feature overwater villas, one of which is considered all-inclusive.

The problem is that overwater bungalows, or water villas, as they are called in many parts of the world, can only be built over still water. If waves and heavy tides were below then they'd be hard to build, and far from ideal to sleep in as well. And the most beautiful overwater bungalows are all built over crystal clear lagoons that are far from the breakwater, and there are no such lagoons in or near Mexico.

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Mexico's overwater bungalow resorts

Currently, there are two different overwater resorts in Mexico, which each offering something a little different.


Rosewood Mayakoba – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

  • Overwater bungalows: 18
  • Total rooms/suites: 128

 

Situated in a beachfront compound that also includes a championship golf course, the Rosewood Mayakoba Resort is one of the finest and highest rated 5-star resorts in Mexico. Out of it’s 128 resort rooms, 18 of them are found over the water in a mangrove lagoon. Each rooms also comes complete with a heated plunge pool, private sundeck and an outdoor rain shower. Inside each room, guests will find themselves privy to a large sitting area complete with chairs, a table, a couch and soft lighting. They’ll also find an entertainment system, Wi-Fi, a private walk in closet and air conditioning.

 

But the rooms aren’t the only great thing about this resort. Here you’ll also find several bars and restaurants on-site, swimming at one of the various pools, a fitness center, horseback riding, yoga classes and a concierge service ready to make the most of your visit. There is also a spa within the resort offering massages and different treatments all within it’s own little island. Rooms here start off at US$842 per night.

>More information about the Rosewood Mayakoba – Playa del Carmen, Mexico >Check rates

El Dorado Maroma – Riviera Maya, Mexico

A crowd pleaser with strong reviews, the El Dorado Maroma offers guests a change to stay in 30 adult only overwater rooms. Not only are the water villas adult only, but they also come with a long list of amenities including a large bed, entertainment system, mini bar, sitting area and a private deck with steps leading straight into the ocean. In addition, guests will also find a rather large glass floor cutout in each suite that allows you to view ocean creatures below without every having to go into the water.

 

Outside of the rooms, El Dorado Maroma Resort features a spa, various dining choices via restaurants and bars, various activities, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, beach volleyball and much, much more. Guests will also find the resort close to other outdoor activities as well as shops and restaurants. Reviews praise this resort right and left, making it a great choice for those looking for an overwater stay closer to the United States. Rooms here start off at US$1,330 per night.

>More information about the El Dorado Maroma – Riviera Maya, Mexico >Check rates

Overwater bungalows in the Caribbean

If you were to continue south and then cross over to the Caribbean side of Central America, you’ll come across several overwater bungalow resorts. At the moment, there are two overwater resorts in Jamaica and one on the island of St. Lucia, all part of the noted Sandals resort chain. There’s also a super-luxury water villa in Belize, a small island resort off Honduras, and two more small eco-resorts of islands near Panama.

 

Caribbean overwater bungalow resorts

 

If you’re interested in reading more about the Sandals overwater resorts, you’ll be pleased to find that they are very worthy of your time.

Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort – Montego Bay, Jamaica

This resort is an adult only resort that caters to romantic couples and honeymooners. Here you’ll find a Tahitian theme in the Caribbean, along with a very large selection of things to do, that are included in your nightly rate. Guests will also find a few great restaurant and bar options, making it so that you truly do have everything in one place. Overwater rooms here start at over US$2,000 per night.

>More information about the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort – Montego Bay, Jamaica

Sandals South Coast Resort – Jamaica

Another Jamaican Sandals all inclusive option is the Sandals South Coast Resort. This resort is situated on about 50 acres and offers 12 overwater suites alongside hundreds of land based rooms. In addition to the beautiful overwater rooms, guests will also find lots of activities to partake it, dining options, a spa, a fitness center, and shopping. Guests here will also enjoy access to nearby nightlife, safaris, ecotours, and ziplining.

>More information about the Sandals South Coast Resort – Jamaica

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort – Saint Lucia

Continuing the famed resort chain in the Caribbean is the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort which is located on the stunning island of St. Lucia. This resort charms with 9 overwater bungalows that each come with a Butler Elite Service, alongside the resort’s 24 hour room service. Also, much like the two resorts listed above in Jamaica, this resort wows with a large dining and bar selection, tons of outdoor activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing, and a spa that pleases with body scrubs, massages, couples treatments, and mani and pedi sessions.

>More information about the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort – Saint Lucia

The best water bungalows in the world

Every year, thousands of honeymoon couples and others looking for a romantic getaway stay at those stunning huts perched on stilts stretching out into a clear lagoon. The original ones were all in the South Pacific, near Tahiti, but in the past 10 years there has been a huge boom of these resorts in the Maldives, which is southwest of India, and very popular with Europeans.

 

Still, there are more than twenty overwater resorts in Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, and a few other nearby islands. This is the region that nearly all North Americans visit, as it’s much closer than the Maldives.

 

On the other hand, for Europeans, Middle Easterners, and Asians, the Maldives is quite close and easy to reach on nonstop flights from most major cities. There are over 50 resorts there that feature water villas, with more opening every year.

South Pacific


Maldives


Elsewhere in Asia

  • Water villas in Asia – There are 3 small resorts in the Philippines, plus one in Malaysia and another in Thailand

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  1. I’m wanting book a overwater (for a couple) from Honolulu for 2 nights in November 2022.
    What is the instruction ? Could I contact you privately ?

    1. Martine,

      We are simply an online guide to overwater resorts around the world and we don’t do bookings. We have links to the best source to book each resort on each of the pages. Best of luck! -Roger

  2. I’m wanting to take my family to a vacation in a bungalow..over water.
    Swimming pool..I have 6 adults and 2 kids. Can u help?…send name of place or pics

    1. Hank,

      Unfortunately there are no overwater bungalows that can accommodate 8 people. Most of them are built for 2 or 3 people and even the rare resorts with 2-bedroom units charge a fortune for those. You are best off looking for 3 separate normal overwater bungalows for your group. -Roger

    1. Katherine,

      I cover most of this in my article on when to go to the Maldives. The short version is that there are pros and cons to any time of the year. It’s really only late May through early July when you might get hours of rain at a time. The rest of the year the rain tends to come quickly and usually end in 20 minutes or less. I think most people actually prefer to go to the Maldives when the weather is worst where they live, because it’s always warm and pleasant in the Maldives. -Roger

  3. I’m just in the beginning stages of planning an anniversary vacation for around Sept if next year so I know it’s to early to book but wanted to know where I should be looking for the best rates on fights from atlanta Georgia. We want an over water bungalow all inclusive or mostly all inclusive lunch and dinner with drinks/alcohol included. And a few activities. If you know of 2 or 3 options that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you..

    1. April,

      There are a few very expensive all-inclusive overwater bungalow resorts in the Caribbean, but none in Bora Bora or anywhere else in the South Pacific. If you really want all-inclusive then the Maldives is your best bet as they have about 25 resorts there that are all inclusive or offer all-inclusive options. You’ll probably get the cheapest flights from Atlanta to the Maldives about 5 months out. And you’ll usually get the best rates at a resort from 3 to 6 months out. Have a great trip. -Roger

  4. Hi
    I am very interested to know how to build a bungalow and the conditions ex. Water deep , power of waves , etc
    Tnx

    1. M,

      I get this question a lot and it always surprises me. I wish I could help, but we are an online guide to overwater hotels and we have nothing to do with construction of them. You might consider contacting construction firms in the Maldives, since most of the world’s overwater resorts are there and they keep building new ones. -Roger