Beachfront resorts in Belize: oceanfront condos at White Sands Cove

Oceanfront suites are the front row — nothing between the balcony and the water but our lawn and the dock. Ocean-view suites sit a row back, over the pool deck and palms, with the same reef line in the distance and a cooler balcony in the afternoon.

Both are two-bedroom condos with full kitchens and ensuite bathrooms. If you'd rather trade the view for a lower rate, the partial ocean-view and garden suites share every resort amenity.

The barrier reef sits about a mile offshore, which flattens the water along this coast — good for swimming, paddleboarding and getting a boat out early. Sea grass moves with the season, as it does everywhere on the caye; the dock takes you past it into clear water.

A freshwater pool with palm shade and loungers, a private beach with palapas and towels, the dock, La Cala for breakfast through dinner, in-suite laundry, Wi-Fi throughout and golf-cart parking.