Our Readers' Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America of 2025

"A laid-back Belizean island popular with backpackers and SCUBA enthusiasts, praised for its abundant nature activities and lively dining scene. Readers call it a treasure for seafood offerings—lobster, shrimp, conch, snapper, and ceviche feature heavily—and for its celebrated local rum. It’s part of the Caribbean stretch beloved for budget-friendly beach vacations and world-class snorkeling and diving along the nearby Mesoamerican Reef." - Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines