Fodor's Expert Review El Ben Cabañas

Opened in 2022, El Ben Cabañas offers the exotic atmosphere that many seek in their Belizean adventure, but that most new resorts fall short of—at this wonderfully Belizean boutique resort, you can wander the verdant grounds, lounge by the mangrove-lined sea, take a kayak out, and spend the night in a thatch cabana filled with local hardwoods. Such features make El Ben feel remote, but Caye Caulker village is a short jaunt away (by free boat ride or, if you’re adventurous, by bike and ferry). Still, staying north of the Split means dining options are less immediately accessible. Fortunately, the fabulous restaurant T&T (named for the co-owner’s home of Trinidad and Tobago) is at your doorstep. It has swiftly earned acclaim for dishes like homemade pasta, T-bone steak, and crème brûlée flambéed at the table. A special feature of El Ben are the beautiful mangroves preserved during construction.