A Tiny Mexican Island Just Won Best Beach in the World, And it's An Easy Day Trip From Puerto Morelos

Most people have never heard of Isla Pasion. But as of this week, the whole world has.

 

Tripadvisor announced its 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards recently, and a small private island just off the coast of Cozumel took the top spot globally. More than 3,600 travelers voted Isla Pasion as the Best Beach in the World for 2026.

 

What Makes Isla Pasion So Special?

 

The island is only about half a mile long. It sits northwest of Cozumel in the municipality of Cozumel, and the only way to reach it is by boat, about a 30-minute ride from Cozumel's main island.

 

Travelers praised it for its crystal clear water, protected coral reefs, sea turtle nesting sites, and snorkeling. It is privately owned and operates as an exclusive day-trip destination, giving it that "private oasis" feel that keeps visitors raving.

 

The best time to visit, according to travelers, is between November and March, when the tropical weather is at its most pleasant. Sound familiar? That is the same sweet spot we enjoy here on the Caribbean coast.

 

How to Get There From Puerto Morelos

 

Here is where it gets interesting for those of us living in or visiting Puerto Morelos. You do not need to fly into Cozumel to make this trip happen.

 

The most common route is to drive or take a colectivo south to Playa del Carmen, then catch the passenger ferry directly to Cozumel. From Cozumel, boat tours to Isla Pasion depart regularly.

 

Tripadvisor highlights the Catamaran Snorkel Adventure to El Cielo and The Money Bar Beach Club as popular ways to include Isla Pasion in a day trip. Both can be booked in advance online.

 

Worth the Day Trip

 

From Puerto Morelos, you are looking at roughly a two-hour journey each way to reach Isla Pasion. That makes it a full day out, but for a beach that just beat out Elafonissi in Greece, Balos Lagoon, Eagle Beach in Aruba, and Praia da Falesia in Portugal, it seems worth the effort.

 

We already live in one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mexican Caribbean. But having the world's top-rated beach just a couple of hours down the road is something worth knowing about.

 

It is the kind of day trip that reminds you why you chose to be here in the first place.