OVERWATER COMPETITION

Nearly all 125 overwater bungalow resorts in the world are in the South Pacific or in the Maldives, which are resort islands south of India and Sri Lanka, according to Roger Wade, editor of OverwaterBungalows.net.

Whoever can create similar romantic lodgings successfully in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America is likely sitting on a gold mine — provided that construction is based on science and engineering, not flimsy dreams that will collapse in a storm. Here are three competing projects:

ARUBA:

Zöetry Isla Di Oro Aruba Wellness & Spa Resort plans 126 overwater bungalow suites, scheduled to open in 2018.

PANAMA:

Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama will feature 42 overwater bungalows when it opens in 2019.

MEXICO:

Karisma El Dorado Maroma resort near Playa del Carmen, Mexico, just opened 30 new Palafitos overwater bungalows Sept. 1, the first in Mexico. Prices start at $695 per person and up, depending on the season (www.karismahotels.com/palafitos/index.html, only bookable through Karisma “Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants.”)