In its 31st year, the World’s Best Awards continue to be a reflection of the extraordinary experiences that you, our trusted readers, crave. In this year’s survey, more than 661,000 votes were cast—on city and island escapes, safari outfitters, airlines, and hotels around the world. Some winners have consistently ranked in the awards for more than two decades; others are catching your attention for the first time.
This year, we at Travel + Leisure implore you to explore the winners with the same curiosity in which you chose them. While some hotels offer a rich backstory and entrancing interiors, others are brand new to the hospitality scene. What do they all have in common? Exceptional service that turns inquisitive travelers into return guests. As for the top cities, tried-and-true reign supreme with phenomenal attractions, superlative hotels, and electric dining scenes. If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.
No matter what you’re searching for, this winning list is proof that there’s always more to explore.
How Voting Works: Every year in our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on their favorite travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. This year, more than 207,000 readers voted in the 2026 survey; they cast 661,000 votes, across more than 10,088 total properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
What Readers Loved: T+L readers continue to search for hotels and experiences that draw them in—those with a rich backstory, entrancing interiors, and an authentic sense of place. This year, they unlocked their curiosity across the globe: 35 countries are represented on our list of the top 100 hotels, with island getaways in the Maldives and Bali leading the pack.
99.10WINNER
Nayara Tented Camp
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
No. 28 Hotel in the World
Safari-style tents perched above the rainforest come with hot-spring-fed plunge pools and open-air showers, while wildlife encounters and tours of waterfalls and the jungle root the experience firmly in nature.
Hiking Nearby
Full-service Spa
Outdoor Pool
$$$$
98.93
Hotel Belmar
Monteverde, Costa Rica
No. 33 Hotel in the World
$$$$
97.80
Nayara Gardens
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
No. 97 Hotel in the World
$$$$
96.91
Mukul Resort
Tola, Nicaragua
$$$$
96.00
Coco Plum Island Resort
Coco Plum Caye Dangriga, Belize
$$$$
95.85
Nayara Springs
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
$$$$
95.83
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort
Hopkins Village, Belize
$$$$
95.69
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
Playa Penca, Costa Rica
$$$$
95.65
Rancho Santana
Rivas, Nicaragua
$$$$
95.13
The Lodge at Jaguar Reef
Hopkins, Belize
$$$$