Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Book Now
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2022. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture + Design
    • Like a Local
    • Travel To
    • 50 Years of Travel + Leisure
  • Travel Guides

    Travel Guides

    See All Travel Guides
    • Mexico City
    • Maui
    • Charleston
    • Tulum
    • New York City
    • London
    • Paris
    • Iceland
    • Los Cabos
    • See More Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Travel + Leisure GO
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals + Events
    • Bus and Train Travel
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Get Outside
    • Wanderlust
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • A Spirited Occasion
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes
Book Now

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. World's Best
  3. The Top Islands in Mexico & Central & South America in 2017

The Top Islands in Mexico & Central & South America in 2017

By Rebecca Ascher-Walsh July 11, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Isla Mujeres Mexico
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Though these islands share a geographical vicinity, they are set apart by their cultures, climates, and activities. And whether you lean toward challenging yourself with athletic adventures in Belize, learning about civilizations past on Chile’s Easter Island, or exploring the wildlife-rich Galápagos archipelago, you will find your version of a life-changing experience.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker in Belize were big again with T+L readers. The former, Belize’s largest island, is a favored spot for divers who flock to the Hol Chan Marine Preserve (as well as those who prefer not to wade further than their ankles into the crystalline Caribbean). “I spent most of my time underwater,” raved one reader. “Amazing reefs for diving.” On Caye Caulker, bird-watchers gather in the mangrove-dense forest, while divers explore the marine reserve. All can meet in the literal middle, thanks to a narrow channel called the Split, which divides the island and has a beach and a bar.

You won’t find a humming bar scene on Easter Island, the remote 63-square-mile isle famed for its towering moai, stone statues likely created between the 13th and 16th centuries. About 900 are left on the island, and readers described seeing them as “unforgettable” and “incredible.” And you’re certainly not going to Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands — a wildlife-rich volcanic archipelago that many choose to explore via cruise ship — for the nightlife. Here, it’s about what you do during the day: visitors get up close to penguins, sea lions, leatherback sea turtles, marine iguanas, whales — the list goes on. “If you’re interested in natural history, put the Galápagos on your bucket list,” said one reader. “We feel very fortunate to have experienced this journey,” added another. “And hope it is preserved for future generations.”
Start Slideshow

1 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

5. Ambergris Caye, Belize

San Pedro Beach Ambergris Caye Belize Island
Credit: Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Score: 81.42

1 of 5

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

4. Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker Belize Island
Credit: Getty Images/Cultura Exclusive

Score: 81.56

2 of 5

3 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

3. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres Mexico
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Score: 81.95

3 of 5

Advertisement

4 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

2. Easter Island, Chile

Moais Easter Island Chile
Credit: Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Score: 84.92

4 of 5

5 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

1. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Galapagos South Plaza island Ecuador
Credit: Getty Images

Score: 89.20

Take a Tour of the Galápagos Islands

You can look at pictures of blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos, and you can read about their mating habits. But you haven’t lived until one of these large birds — with no sense of personal space — has walked across your feet because you are between it and its destination. Talk about redefining rush hour. Here, the separation between nature and people seems to vanish, reminding us of our shared place in the world. Curious sea lion pups engage snorkelers in play, blowing bubbles at their masks; prehistoric iguanas lie basking on rocks, and whales and sharks gather close. The Galápagos has won top honors in this category for 15 years straight — and with experiences like these, it’s easy to see why.

5 of 5

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Rebecca Ascher-Walsh

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 5 5. Ambergris Caye, Belize
    2 of 5 4. Caye Caulker, Belize
    3 of 5 3. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
    4 of 5 2. Easter Island, Chile
    5 of 5 1. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab
    • Travel + Leisure Wine this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Travel + Leisure. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    The Top Islands in Mexico & Central & South America in 2017
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.