The Best Beach To Visit In 2026 Is A Dazzling, All-Inclusive Mexican Getaway

If beach days are in your vacation plans this year, there's one destination off the coast of Mexico that should be at the top of your list. Tripadvisor has released its 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards for the "Best of the Best Beaches." Sitting at the top is the dazzling Isla Pasion, which garnered the most positive reviews of any beach destination in the world.

Isla Pasion, or Passion Island, is off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico, and can only be accessed by boat. It's full of beach clubs, bars, and adventures that can be enjoyed with all-inclusive day passes. This means a full day of food, drinks, and beach equipment rentals included with every ticket. Tripadvisor calls the tropical locale a private island oasis with "crystal-clear waters, marine life encounters, [and] snorkeling." It's also ideal for views of protected coral reefs.

But getting to the island isn't as simple as hopping into your private boat and docking along its white-sand shores. Charters and ferries are the only way to step foot on the island, unless you include an excursion as part of your cruise package. Several cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Disney, offer stops at this island oasis. Tourists should be mindful of Mexico's new law before packing for a cruise to Isla Pasion.

Visitors to Isla Pasion are mostly day-trippers who take advantage of the island's close proximity to the Mexican coast. Beach lovers can grab a chartered boat ride from Cozumel to reach its shores and enjoy a less-crowded experience. The journey is anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes long, depending on your departure point from Cozumel. This close proximity is part of the reason why Isla Pasion is such a popular destination, particularly among cruise ship passengers seeking a quick escape.

The island is less than a mile long, and there are no large resorts or high-rise condominiums along its shores. Instead, you will find laid-back beach clubs tucked amid the palm trees, with lounge chairs in the sand and buffets serving food and drinks. There are also opportunities to take guided tours of the marine life around the island, including a four-hour private boat tour that includes a stop at a shipwreck, recommended by Tripadvisor.

Sea turtles, rays, and a large number of tropical fish swim just off the coast of Isla Pasion, since it sits near the second-largest coral reef system in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. In the surrounding mangrove forests, visitors may spot the pygmy raccoon and the Cozumel emerald hummingbird. This is a sensitive and protected habitat, so it's important to limit your interactions with wildlife and take only photographs with you.

Isla Pasion is about 5 miles north of Cozumel's coast, making it a popular beach destination throughout the year. The best time to visit, according to Tripadvisor, is between November and March, during Mexico's dry season. While Isla Pasion may not be an island with a hurricane-free zone like Aruba, visiting outside of the Atlantic hurricane season is the best way to reduce the risk of stormy weather. 

To avoid the busiest time of day on Isla Pasion, be sure to arrive early in the morning before the tour groups arrive, when the beaches are quiet. Late afternoon offers the best conditions for swimming without the intense heat and sun. Golden hour is, of course, the most popular time for beach photography. Since the island is only accessible by boat, arrival and departure times must be coordinated in advance.

Visiting the island on your own requires some preparation. It's important to remember that you must purchase an all-inclusive day pass or tour package to access the island. Various tour companies offer unique experiences that are all at different price points depending on the perks included. If you plan to explore the country beyond Isla Pasion, here's the only map of Mexico that you need for your upcoming trip.