Top 10 Resorts in Central and South America

This posh Pacific resort is the place to adventure in style. Spend days volcano hiking and nights sipping bubbly on the terrace of a canopy suite, a grown-up treehouse; Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo.

You know you're somewhere wild when one of the excursions on offer is a moonlight jaguar hike. Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, this 20-hut rainforest lodge is located in Belize's Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve on a hillside overlooking Privassion Creek. Book the honeymoon cabana, with a private deck overlooking a waterfall, or splurge on a deluxe cabana and spend your mornings canoodling in your private plunge pool or walled-off outdoor shower; Blancaneaux Lodge.

Spilling down a jungly hillside toward Guanacaste's Islita Beach, this rustic gem sits on 300 acres, which means you don't even have to leave the grounds to get your soft-adventure on: howler monkey tours, zip lining, and horseback rides on the beach all happen right here; Hotel Punta Islita.

Surrounded by the diamond-clear waters of the Caribbean, this seven-villa private island is just a short boat ride from Ambergris Cay. Do some bonefishing, hop in a kayak or, if you're staying in the overwater villa, commune with the underwater world through the glass window on your bedroom floor; Cayo Espanto.

The first superluxe property in Nicaragua, this 37-room gem on the Emerald Coast presides over the white sands of Playa Manzanillo. The chic villas and bohios (cabanas) are outfitted with local hand-crafted furniture, and all have wooden decks that offer mind-blowing views of the Pacific. Coolest item on the activities list: a chance to go ash boarding—a sport that involves riding a board down the slope of an active volcano; Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa.

How many newlyweds get to say they took polo lessons on their honeymoon? That's just one of the you-can't-do-that-anywhere-else experiences that you'll have at this artsy 12-suite ranch resort near the buzzy seaside town of Jose Ignacio. Each room features work from a different Uraguayan artist—even the barbecue room is strategically splattered with paint. Speaking of which, though you'll want to spend plenty of time on the beach (it's about a mile away), don't miss the traditional afternoon asado (barbecue). Bonus: It's summer in February here, making it a great pick for winter honeymooners; Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio.

With a vineyard of its own and a locavore menu that changes with the seasons, Cavas Wine Lodge is the perfect home base to explore the Mendoza wine region. Between forays to nearby wineries, you'll stay in an adobe casita with a plunge pool, wood-burning fireplace, and awesome views of the snow-capped Andes. Don't leave without trying one of the spa's grape-centric treatments—crushed Malbec scrub, anyone?; Cavas Wine Lodge.

Think Bali meets the Caribbean: Nestled between beach and jungle, the cottages at Francis Ford Coppola's barefoot retreat feature Balinese doorways, Japanese baths, and private gardens with outdoor showers. After you get home from diving with stingrays near the world's second-largest coral reef, fuel up with fresh-caught fish and veggies from the organic garden. Or do Italian—the restaurant has a wood-burning pizza oven; Turtle Inn.

You won't find better access to Machu Picchu than this. Sanctuary is the only resort located within steps of the Lost City, so you'll be able to explore the sacred site long before (or after) the midday tourist rush. At night, drink in the southern constellations through a telescope or drink up at the bar. The specialty? Pisco sours—Peru's signature drink—of course; Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu.

Even if Machu Picchu weren't a quick bus ride away, you'd still have plenty to do at this 12-acre, 85-cottage escape perched in a cloud forest. Hike an orchid trail, check out an organic tea plantation, or make a trek to see the endangered spectacled bear. (The resort is helping to conserve them.) Cap off your day in the Andean eucalyptus sauna before cozying up under alpaca blankets in front of a wood-burning fireplace—every casita has one; Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.