Top luxury island resort destinations in South America
Top luxury island resort destinations in South America
South America's luxury islands look a little different from the classic overwater bungalow image, built more around conservation and scarcity than resort scale.
Fernando de Noronha, off the coast of Brazil, is a strictly protected archipelago with a capped number of daily visitors and an environmental fee built into every stay, which keeps its small number of pousadas feeling truly exclusive. Baia do Sancho, on the same archipelago, is regularly ranked among the best beaches in the world, reachable only by boat or a steep staircase down the cliffside. The Galapagos Islands offer a different version of island luxury entirely, built around small ship expedition cruises and upscale eco lodges rather than beachfront resorts. Both destinations trade the scale of a typical resort island for a much smaller number of visitors at any one time.
Lists by region
Island in Brazil
Fernando de Noronha
World's Best Beaches and Dolphins
Baía do Sancho is a beach below tall green cliffs and has water clear enough to see turtles. Spinner dolphins gather in Baía dos Golfinhos each morning. Daily visitor numbers are capped to protect this island group. Small boutique inns called pousadas replace big resorts.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
Charles Darwin visited these islands in 1835. His ideas about evolution grew from what he saw. About 97 percent of the land is national park, so stays are small and low impact. Expedition ships carry 100 guests or fewer. Giant tortoises and sea lions share the trails and beaches.
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