Ranguana Cay, Belize

It’s easy to pretend you’re on a deserted island on Ranguana Cay, a 2-acre sand spit in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Central America. Here, salt-baked sands bleach white under constant sun.

What to do: Wade into the translucent water and snorkel the reef that surrounds the island, swim to coves that shelter nurse sharks, or summon a dive boat to whisk you to the world's second-largest reef.

Where to stay: Ranguana’s accommodations are few—just a couple of shacks amid coconut trees—but you can stay in your simple cabin with two beds, a rustic toilet and shower, and, most important, a hammock. If you can pull yourself back to the Placencia Peninsula, The Inn at Robert's Grove, which operates Ranguana for private owners, makes a wonderful place to re-enter society. Standard tropical ceiling fans, slatted windows, and rattan seating―fused with handpicked African decor―outfit the 52 units in plantation-style buildings. Rooftop hot tubs invite a dip with a treetop view, and wireless Internet radiates around the Mexican-tile pools; 800/565-9757 or robertsgrove.com.