Explore the Caribbean by Boat From Latin America

The turquoise waters of the Caribbean, with their brilliant white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs beneath the surface, are most commonly enjoyed from a luxury resort or hotel. What luxury travelers think of less often is the possibility of exploring the region by boat for a day or a week at a time. 

A chartered yacht offers a unique vantage point from which to discover the region and have the sensation of floating on your own private island. Dozens of companies in Mexico, Belize, and other countries with a slice of the Caribbean Coast offer bareboat (where you are your own captain and crew), a charter with captain, or an all-inclusive crew (a cook, captain, and other crew) options. 

The following will give you some insight into the most common routes and some of the highlights of exploring the Latin American Caribbean on a private charter, whether for a luxurious day trip or a multi-day adventure. 

The Riviera Maya by Boat

Exploring Mexico’s Caribbean waters by yacht offers you the opportunity to see dramatic Maya seaside ruins, visit isolated beaches, dive local coral reefs, and visit nearby islands like Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. Most of the charters in this region focus on high-end day trips rather than longer 5- or 7-night itineraries, but a few do offer longer trips that go beyond the standard tourist stops. 

Along the Riviera Maya coastline sits the Sian Ka’an biosphere. At 1.3 million acres, it is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and 10% of Quintana Roo’s overall landmass. This area’s biodiversity—it’s home to jaguars, pumas, and manatees—plus its virgin beaches make it a particular highlight for a charter trip down the coast.

Most boats in the Riviera Maya leave from Puerto Aventuras or Cozumel, but there are also some that leave from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. Puerto Aventuras has the most options in terms of companies and destinations, but Cozumel is good for diving and snorkeling around Palancar or Santa Rosa reefs, both on the southwest side of the island. Boats leaving from Tulum or nearby Playa del Carmen can take you by the cliffside Maya ruins inside the Parque Jaguar, which is a one-of-a-kind perspective. 

San Pedro versus Placencia, Belize’s Two Main Departure Points

Belize sailing is generally divided between its north and south circuits. Along the country’s northern coast is the island town of San Pedro, on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, the country’s largest island. In and around this area are Caye Caulker, Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole, and Half Moon Caye. San Pedro is the country’s largest travel hub with the most significant amount of tourism infrastructure.

See luxury resorts we recommend in Ambergris Caye and Placencia

Placencia in the south is a little more rustic and laid-back. A trip out of Placencia could cover South Water Caye, Tobacco Caye, Silk Cayes, Laughing Bird Caye, and Glover’s Reef. Plus private island resorts such as Thatch Caye and Ray Caye. Both of these destinations offer yacht charters with multi-day itineraries. 

Two major companies service the coast of Belize. An all-inclusive, crewed luxury catamaran operation that we have covered before currently runs seven ships on the country’s northern coast. They run trips mainly along the northern coast but will also combine both coasts in a longer trip. One of their most interesting options is a 5-day sail from Belize to Guatemala’s Rio Dulce (see below), where their boats undergo seasonal maintenance in the lead-up to the busy season. Boats leave in August and return in fall after the end of hurricane season. 

Another charter company runs trips out of the south and has a fleet of 13 catamarans. While they function mostly as a bareboat operation, they do have options for a captain and crew to manage all the details of a voyage, the best option for anyone who wants to truly relax. 

Honduras: Rich Local History and Easy Coral Reef
Access

Honduras’ Caribbean coast is home to the world’s second-largest coral reef that starts up near Cozumel, as well as a collection of islands that includes Roatan, Utila, Guanaja, and Cayos Cochinos. But there’s more to this area than just the gorgeous white sand beaches and the whale sharks. On the Belizean, Honduran, and Guatemalan coasts can be found the garinagu (Garifuna) people, descendants of a blend of African slaves and original Caribbean peoples who have a rich and complex culture of food, language, and history. Many of the Bay Islands are home to the Garifuna community. 

Most charters in Honduras leave from Roatan and tool around the nearby islands, but some companies offer cross-border service. A multi-country sail can be a viable option if you have the time and want to see several of the places on this list on the same trip. There are routes from Roatan to Belize and back that include stops at the Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye, and Utila, as well as routes that start in Roatan and end in Guatemala’s Rio Dulce. 

A Boat Trip Upriver in Guatemala

With only a small slice of the Caribbean coast, Guatemala might not be top of mind for a chartered yacht trip in the region, and while it cannot compare to the coastal regions of Mexico or Belize in terms of diving and fun in the sun, it does have one special option—Rio Dulce. 

Rio Dulce is a 43-kilometer river that connects Amatique Bay to Lake Izabal. The landscape is not only dramatic—a high limestone canyon covered in thick rainforest—it is also a world within a world, with many hotels and stops only accessible via the waterway. Trips start in Livingston on the bay and sail several days upriver, usually ending in the town of Rio Dulce, or at a specific eco-lodge or marina like the RAM Marina and Yacht Club 20 miles up the river from Livingston. This river trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is unlike any of the other options on this list for this region. 

As mentioned, several charter companies will combine a trip to Rio Dulce with other destinations if you have the time to be on the water for longer. 

Pick Your Ocean or Hit Both in Panama

Panama is a much more southern Caribbean sailing destination than the other countries on this list and offers two common route options. The first is along Gunayala (historically called San Blas), Panama’s Caribbean coast that includes over 300 islands, many of them uninhabited. A classic route might start in Cartí on the mainland, then visit the San Blas Islands, do some snorkeling, and maybe even visit a local indigenous town—this region is renowned for its textiles.

Alternatively, boats set sail from Bocas del Toro and sail around Isla Colón, Isla Bastimentos, and the surrounding islands.

For something particularly special, you can sail both coasts of Panama, going from one to the other via the Panama Canal, a trip you won’t find anywhere else. For instance, a trip may start on Panama’s Pacific side, take you down into the Pearl Islands, which are an absolute dream for birdwatchers and those seeking pristine beaches. Then it may hit part of the Darien Gap and eventually head across the Panama Canal, where you will likely spend a night docked in Lake Gatun, surrounded by a nature reserve.

The trip ends up on the Caribbean coast, where you can explore the islands mentioned above. Or it can go in the other direction, finishing the trip on the Pacific Ocean side and you can have time to explore the capital and stay in a comfy Panama City hotel.

Each one of these Latin American countries offers something a little unique for traveling by water through the Caribbean. To charter a luxury yacht or catamaran, think about what you are looking for—adventure, wildlife, relaxation—and then find the trip that suits your needs best. With so many great options, you’re sure to find the right fit in one of these five destinations.