There’s something about islands that make people want to travel. Perhaps it’s the glorious isolation and the pristine beauty of an island that makes it a preferred spot for adventure travel and lazy beach vacations.
But islands are also great places for luxury travel and upscale vacations. Latin America fares extremely well when it comes to offering beautiful luxury vacation experiences on island settings. In the latest infographic from Samujana, a villa estate on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, Latin America has no fewer than three of the world’s top 10 islands for luxury travel. The team at Samujana put together their survey (results below) based on research on cost of living, accommodation and transport for some of the world’s most amazing islands.
In Latin America, these are some of the must-see island vacation destinations:
• Bocas del Toro, Panama: This blissful province in Panama is home to Isla Colón, an island where the capital town of Bocas del Toro sits. Here, you can choose from an array of small hotels (no big chains here), nearly all of which offer easy access to the beautiful Caribbean waters.
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• Galapagos, Ecuador: The Galapagos islands are a bucket-list destination for many travelers, thanks to the unparalleled opportunity to see nature. You can gaze up-close at giant tortoises, noisy sea lions and a plethora of birds. Santa Cruz is one of the most popular islands here, with its dramatic, underground lava tubes and excellent snorkeling.
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• Islas del Rosario, Colombia: One of 46 national parks in Colombia, this group of islands is graced with coral reefs and dense mangroves — making it a popular side trip for visitors to destinations like Cartagena. For more information, check out my photos and review, Islas del Rosario: Colombia’s Caribbean Island Paradise.
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DON’T MISS: Top 5 Reasons to Visit Cartagena
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• Isla Mujeres, Mexico: This laid-back Mexico beach island is a picturesque paradise, only 20 minutes by ferry from Cancun. Great food, great views and a wide variety of activities (as well as hotels ranging from luxurious to basic) make this a favorite with visitors. For more info, check out my post about the Top 8 Things to Do on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
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DON’T MISS: 5 Ways to Connect with Mexican Culture in Cancun
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• Isla de Pascua (Easter Island), Chile: It’s more than 2,000 miles from the coast of Chile, and in many ways Easter Island feels like its own world. Home to 1,500-year-old volcanic rock statues, it’s a fascinating blend of scenery, history and South Pacific culture.
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• Santa Catarina, Brazil: This rather sizable Brazilian island measures 33 miles long by 11 miles wide. It’s home to Santa Catarina state’s capital city, Florianópolis, which is a hub for beach-oriented vacations.
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• Roatan, Honduras: The largest island off the coast of Honduras, Roatan offers a variety of vacation experiences for travelers, from nature appreciation at Roatan Marine Park to nightlife in the coastal beach town of West End, to diving and snorkeling.
Source: www.samujana.com/blog/