Caribbean & Mexico Best of Islands Travel: Our favorite resorts, beaches, and … everything

Best of Islands Travel: Our favorite resorts, beaches, and … everything

By Islands Staff

January 23, 2014

Our staff traveled to 83 islands and slept in more than 150 resorts, huts, bungalows and yurts. These are the spots that made the biggest impressions on us.

Best of the Caribbean | Best of Overwater Bungalows | Best Islands to Live On

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Bora Bora Le Meridien

Best Overwater Bungalow for Waking Up: Le Méridien Bora Bora

We snorkeled in Bonaire, the Bahamas, Belize, Hawaii, Fiji. But to jump off the porch of a bungalow and land in out-of-this-world water was incomparable. At Le Méridien on Bora Bora, this is exactly how photographer Jon Whittle woke up. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best Island for Easy Transitions

Best Sunset Walk: Isabela, Puerto Rico

This beach is actually a mile or so west and over the dunes from Isabela. Waves blasted through little atolls on one side, while the sun sank with our feet into the sand on the other. “A moment my family will never forget,” says Robert Stephens, thanks in part to this Zach Stovall picture. See all of our Best Islands to Live On for Easy Transitions. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best Exotic Escape

Most Amazing Moment: Vanuatu Vine Jumping

Jon Whittle watched these guys climb a 40-foot tower made of branches and vines in Vanuatu. They’d tie one end of the vine to a foot … and jump. It’s a ceremony only found on Pentecost Island, and rarely seen. You’ve seen bungee jumpers. The idea was hatched from what we saw here. Read more about Island Life in Vanuatu. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Riviera Maya

Best All-Inclusive in the Caribbean: Grand Velas, Riviera Maya

What ranks Grand Velas as our No.1 pick? A party-size shower and a balcony whirlpool got Zach Stovall’s immediate attention. “Every time someone handed me a towel or served up made-to-order Chilean bass, I’d think to myself, ‘Are you sure this is all included?'” See more of our Best All-Inclusives in the Caribbean. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best Luxury Resort

Best Luxury Resort in the Caribbean: Secret Bay, Dominica

Hard to believe our top pick for luxury is a treehouse, but that’s exactly what it is. Contributor Kaci Hamilton calls it her best experience ever: beach yoga, massages, homemade gelato in the freezer. It’s the new definition of high luxury. See all of our Best Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best Islands To Raise a Family

Best Island for Being Healthy: Maui

Editor Eddy Patricelli used to live on Maui. So he knew exactly where to send photographer Zach Stovall on assignment to find the greenest smoothies and freshest air: Pretty much anywhere on the island.. See how one family lives the dream. See all of our Best Islands for Raising a Family. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best beachfront hotel

Best Beachfront Hotel Under $200: Tres Sirenas; Rincon, Puerto Rico

There are only four rooms at Tres Sirenas. Each offers perfect views of the water, and the sound of waves lapping at the shoreline became a natural sleep machine for us. Oh, and then there was the gourmet breakfast on the waterfront terrace. See all of our Best Beachfront Hotels Under $200. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best Caribbean Beach

Best Beach in the Caribbean: Trunk Bay, USVI

Zach Stovall has walked on countless Caribbean beaches in the most unsung locations. This one is his favorite. “No hotels, houses or restaurants,” he says. “Only small signs of life — a snack bar and a gift ship — fleck the strand.” Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Best Overwater Bungalow Interior: St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

The focus of most photos during our bungalow blast through Tahiti was on exteriors (for obvious reasons). But Zach Stovall found the interior of the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort just as stunning as the view. See it all with our video tour inside one of the bungalows. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Grand Cayman

Best Snorkeling: Grand Cayman

It’s a you-pick-em when it comes to choosing the Caribbean’s best snorkeling. But Grand Cayman constantly led the conversation in our staff debates for the fact we could walk out from shore and be among exotic coral heads, oversize fish and rays eating from our fingertips. See more of our Best Snorkeling Spots in the Caribbean. Credit

Best of 2013 | Top Resorts & All-Inclusives | Best Places to Travel | Best Overwater Bungalow

Best Overwater Bungalow (one person’s opinion): InterContinental Resort & Spa Moorea

What does it say that of the 19 bungalows where our staff photographers stayed in Tahiti, the InterContinental on Moorea would be one that rises into this gallery? A lot. “There’s nothing fake,” says Lori Barbely. “The bungalows are built on sandbars. Palm trees and other exotic foliage grow between the bungalows. What neighbors?” See all of our Best Overwater Bungalows. Credit