Top 5 Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central/South America – 2025

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come – whenever they may be.

Island Diversity Beyond Beaches

Islands usually are synonymous with beaches. However, in this part of the world, they also boast history, wildlife, and archaeological splendors. Therefore, this diversity of experience is reflected in the worthy winners of this category.

Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe – to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands based on several factors, including activities and sights, natural attractions, beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.

Top Islands Recognized by Readers

Belize scores big with two entries on the list. The country’s biggest island, Ambergris Caye, comes in at No. 5, luring droves of divers to the nearby Belize Barrier Reef (the second-largest in the world), where the diving is considered “the best that can be found in the Northern Hemisphere.” Caye Caulker (No. 4) is a five-mile-long spit with a distinctly laid-back vibe, where golf carts and bicycles – the only means of transportation here – facilitate its “Go Slow” credo. There’s a similar vibe on No. 2 island Isla Mujeres, Mexico, which, though only three miles from Cancun, feels far removed, with its beachfront fish shacks and sand-dusted streets.

1. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 88.44

Taking the top spot for an impressive 18th year, these Ecuadoran islands have been among readers’ favorites since the World’s Best Awards debuted. The archipelago’s ruggedly beautiful topography and rare wildlife are the main attractions. iBestTravel readers attest that both can be enjoyed equally well, whether you base yourself on one of its three inhabited islands (day-tripping to neighboring ones, of course) or aboard one of the cruise ships or boats. “It’s incredible how close you can be to the wildlife and how diverse the landscape is,” one reader noted. “Galápagos is a gorgeous place that opened up my eyes to true beauty.”

2. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 83.23

3. Easter Island, Chile

Score: 81.75

4. Caye Caulker, Belize

Score: 80.11

5. Ambergris Caye, Belize

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 79.91