People love lists. And a lot of globetrotters love to peruse the annual rankings issued by Travel + Leisure, the popular magazine and Website that each year names the recipients of its World’s Best Awards.
The awards encompass the entire planet. But for those of you like me who are focused largely on the Americas, I’ve assembled a summary of the best cities, islands and hotels in Latin America — including Mexico, Central and South America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.
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TRAVEL TIPS: The 10 Most Luxurious Vacation Destinations in Latin America
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One important thing to note: Travel + Leisure also includes airlines and airports in its categories of the world’s best travel experiences. And, you know what? Once again, Latin America doesn’t score a single winner in either category. Maybe it’s time for Latin American airlines and airport operators to take note and step up their game.
Now here’s the good news. So if you’re planning a business trip or vacation in Latin America, soon, use these awards as a roundup of travel tips to make that next visit something special.
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DON’T MISS: Lonely Planet Names the Best in Latin America Travel for This Year
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Best Cities in Latin America
In the awards for the Top 10 Cities Overall around the world, Mexico did especially well. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, ranked number one for the entire world, as a matter of fact. And the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, scored an impressive number eight in the world’s best cities.
Best Island in Latin America
Ecuador holds the honors for the region, with the Galapagos Islands scoring number four in the list of the Top 10 Islands Overall.
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TRAVEL TIPS: 2 Latin American Places Added to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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Best Hotels in Latin America
(as ranked in the list of the Top 100 Hotels worldwide)
Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina
Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Tierra Atacama Boutique Hotel & Spa, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Capella, Ixtapa, Mexico
Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories, Chile
Inn at Rancho Santana, Rivas, Nicaragua
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, San José del Cabo, Mexico
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Sacred Valley, Peru
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
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READY TO FLY? Top 10 Family Travel Experiences in South America
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Best International Spa in Latin America
Rancho La Puerta, in Tecate, Mexico, is the only Latin America destination spa that ranked in the top 10 worldwide.
Top 10 Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda & The Bahamas
In this ranking of the top 10 in the region, only two from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean made the score — and they’re both in Puerto Rico: Culebra (which ranked number two) and Vieques (which landed at number three).
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TRAVEL TIPS: The 3 Safest Countries in Latin America
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Best Resort Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda & The Bahamas
Again, Puerto Rico takes the honors as the only Spanish-speaking destination in the region with a hotel that scores in the top 25: Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.