Top Islands in Mexico, Central & South America: Readers’ Picks 2025

Mexico, Central America, and South America represent incredibly diverse and distinct climates and cultures — a fact illustrated beautifully by the region’s best islands.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands based on their natural attractions and beaches, activities and sights, food, friendliness, and overall value.

Vacationers from around the world flock to these islands south of the U.S. for extreme adventure sports (think snorkeling with sharks), extraordinary wildlife (penguins! blue-footed boobies! giant tortoises!), pristine stretches of white sand, or simply to relax with a frozen daiquiri in hand. Moreover, two of the islands on this year’s list are prized for their remoteness: No. 3 Easter Island is 2,190 miles from the closest point in mainland Chile, while Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands are set 600 miles away from the continent.

Belize’s Caye Caulker, meanwhile, is viewed as one of the best hidden gems on the planet. Although it’s just a 15-minute flight from the country’s main airport, it feels like a personal five-mile stretch of paradise. Voters noted that they considered several of these islands as “trip of a lifetime” destinations: places every island lover must explore before they die. “Easter Island should be on everyone’s bucket list,” said one iBestTravel reader. “We found it to be more beautiful than expected, with its wildflowers and dramatic craters.” Read on for the complete list.

No. 5: Caye Caulker, Belize

Score: 80.69

No. 4: Ambergris Cay, Belize

Score: 82.13

No. 3: Easter Island, Chile

Score: 82.73

No. 2: Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Score: 83.44

No. 1: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Score: 87.41

For over a decade, the Galápagos Islands have consistently ranked as a top destination in our surveys. This volcanic archipelago attracts visitors with wildlife unique to the region: “It was like falling into a National Geographic special,” remarked one reader. The archipelago is also renowned for outstanding diving in pristine blue waters and boasts white, black, and pink-sand beaches. What truly sets this destination apart is the magical, almost timeless feel, characterized by the wildlife and unspoiled coastline.