Our second trip to Hamanasi. First thing to emphas...

Our second trip to Hamanasi. First thing to emphasize: the resort follows impeccable covid safety protocols, which makes guests feel safer than if they were staying home. All meals can be eaten on the restaurant balcony, in the open air, as gentle, warm breezes remind you why you came. Everyone wears masks in all public spaces, and daily, unobtrusive temperature checks reassure everyone.

Then, there are all the great things that set Hamanasi apart from other Central America resorts:

--a level of attention and service beyond anything we've ever experienced. The entire staff will know your name within an hour of your arrival, and will gladly customize your experience depending on everything from your dietary preferences to your level of interest in Garaifuna and Mayan culture and history. If, for instance, you are more interested in birding than reef diving, the staff will assure that you are expertly guided to some of the best birding sites in the region. They will take a genuine interest in your interests, and share your enthusiasm.

--a commitment to sustainability that is rare in the resort industry, ranging from Hamanasi's extensive organic garden to its composting program to its use of refillable ceramic shampoo and lotions instead of disposable plastics.

--a quality of fresh, locally sourced and creatively prepared food that makes the restaurant worth visiting even if you are not staying at the resort. We ate some of the best, fresh-caught fish dishes we've ever tasted here, as well as Mayan soups and entrees you can seldom find anywhere else.

--a remarkable variety of outings and adventures, ranging from trips to Mayan temples like Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nan-too-nitch) to cave explorations to snorkeling trips where the staff makes even newbies and terrible swimmers like myself feel like they've mastered the skill within minutes. And of course the coral reef itself is a wonder (on our recent trip we swam for several minutes just above a magnificent spotted eagle ray).

The grounds are not only immaculate, but the plantings of native trees, palms and flowering plants create beauty everywhere you turn (and provide habitat for stunning birds that will perch in branches near your deck, including the black-headed trogon and summer tanager).

--there are many extras that come with the price of admission: free access to ocean kayaks, paddle boards, and bicycles (handy for trips into nearby Hopkins Village). Unlimited breakfast options, and takeaway fruits and breadstuffs if you are making an early morning birding trip with one of the staff's expert guides.

There are many reasons so many guests are repeat visitors to the incomparable Hamanasi Adventure Resort (I haven't even mentioned the world-class diving opportunities!). These are just a few of them.