Knowing where to find stunning beach landscapes became easier after the release of world ranking of the best beaches! Developed by the International Training Center for Beach Management and Certification (CIFPLAYAS), the study analyzed more than 120 beaches from 14 countries and three continents to reach the result – and of course our beaches stood out among the first!
Among the competing countries, Cuba and Brazil dominated the top 10, showing off their natural beauty with crystal clear waters! According to the center, the study considered the environmental quality of the beaches “in terms of ecosystem functionality and satisfaction of human needs”.
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Discover the 10 best beaches in the world ranking
10th place: Praia Azeda, Búzios (Brazil)
Photo: Monique Renne
Located in the historic center of BuziosThe Azeda Beach It is the only remaining large site of plant and animal species in the area. It has a beautiful plant landscape, blue sea water, predominantly pink sand and the historic mansion known as Mansão da Azeda.
9th place: Praia do Forno, Búzios (Brazil)
Another Brazilian jewel present in the ranking is Forno Beachwhich is right in the center of two important Conservation Units: the Lagoinha Municipal Park and the Costa do Sol State Park.
Photo: Monique Renne
The beach has attributes of the scenic beauty of Búzios, such as the plant landscape, the sea water with its blue hue and predominantly pink sand. It is one of the starting points of the Búzios EcoTrail, the official ecological trail circuit in the City of Búzios.
8th place: Perla Blanca (Paradissus), Cayo Santa María (Cuba)
Photo: Hotel Valentin Perla Blanca
Perla Blanca rural beach is east of Cayo Santa María and is bordered at its eastern and western ends by rocky surfaces. It has a length of 400 meters and an average width of 25 meters.
Photo: Manuel Garcia/CIFPLAYAS
According to research, the place has fossil dunes over 8 meters high and its coastal sandy plant complex is well preserved. It is a beach with basic food, access, nautical and security services.
7th place: La Estrella, Cayo Santa María (Cuba)
Photo: Edelkis Rodriguez/CIFPLAYAS
La Estrella Beach is on the south coast of eastern Cuba, as part of Santiago de Cuba Bay and close to El Morro Castle.
It receives many bathers who live in the city of Santiago de Cuba, local and foreign tourists, who use it to cool off, sunbathe, go hiking and fishing.
6th place: Grumari, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Grumari Beach – Photo: Riotur/Disclosure
Grumari is a rural beach located in the extreme west of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Access to it requires the use of a private vehicle.
2.5 kilometers long, it is a very diverse sandy beach and offers some kiosks along the coast. Its waves are favorable for surfing.
Another striking feature of the beach is the presence of a lagoon on the strip of sand and rocky cliffs that separate it from another nearby beach.
5th place: Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Salvador (Brazil)
Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe Beach – Photo: Monique Renne
Praia de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe is a beautiful village beach, about 500 meters long, in savior. Its strip of light sand is relatively wide, measuring around 50 meters.
Photo: José Rodrigues Souza Filho/CIFPLAYAS
Bathed by the warm waters of Baía de Todos os Santos (around 28 ºC most of the year), the beach is surrounded by remnants of the Atlantic Forest in Frades Islanda slice of paradise 6 km long and over 13 million m² in area.
4th place: Varadero (H. Internacional), Varadero (Cuba)
Photo: Meliá Internacional Varadero/Disclosure
Varadero Hotel Internacional Beach is considered a tourist jewel, where comfort and sustainability come together harmoniously! The place has a paradisiacal landscape, with crystal clear blue waters and fine sand over 300 meters long.
The entire space is clean and cared for by Hotel Meliá Internacional. The beach is distinguished by its restored dune, decorated with vegetation and preservation of local fauna.
3rd place: Historic Varadero, Varadero (Cuba)
Photo: CIFPLAYAS/Disclosure
The third best beach in the ranking is called Varadero Histórico, the same name as the area in which it is located in the Cuban tourist city Varadero. The place was chosen because it receives many visitors, has an integrated management program that has worked very well for decades and because it offers different services.
2nd place: Praia de Itaúna, Saquarema (Brazil)
Praia Itaúna has a Blue Flag – Photo: Saquarema City Hall
It is in the city of Saquarema that we find the best beach in Brazil and second in the top 10, according to the world ranking. Famous in the state of Rio de Janeiro for its natural beauty, crystal clear waters and fine sand, Praia de Itaúna is complete and brings together several characteristics that earned it the title!
The stage for important sporting competitions, mainly because it is the National Capital of Surfing, for its perfect waves, and for being the Home of Vôlei in Brazil, Praia de Itaúna hosts important competitions on its very welcoming sands.
Photo: Rio de Janeiro Tourism Portal
Located about 2.5 km from the center of Saquarema, the beach can be reached by car, bicycle or bus. Furthermore, it offers assisted swimming for people with disabilities.
The destination also has kiosks, bathrooms, showers, parking and bicycle racks. Nearby, there are restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, ice cream shops, bakeries, grocery stores and inns, a police station, health centers and a hospital.
1st place: Varadero (Meliá Antillas), Varadero (Cuba)
With fine white sand and clear blue waters, Varadero Beach was voted the best of all! Located in the municipality of the same name, in Cuba, the tourist beach is in front of the Hotel Meliá Antillas.
Varadero Beach – Photo: Hotel Meliá Antillas
It is a linear and open beach, around 500 meters long and more than 50 meters wide. The beach has good conservation and recovery of its dunes and vegetation.
According to research, Varadero Beach offers an impeccable integrated management system and services typical of tourist beaches, with sustainable operation.
Ranking methodology
For the research analysis, the study considered that every beach has four essential functions: recreation, coastal defense, environmental conservation and sanitary conditions.
From this, it was possible to evaluate another 20 categories measured by indicators, which were scored taking into account the management and sustainability of the beach.
Photo: Michele Testini/Visit Cuba/Disclosure
All beaches were evaluated by experts who know the region. Therefore, only 123 beaches were analyzed for the ranking. “If your favorite beach has not yet been included, it is because we do not yet have a qualified evaluator to evaluate it”, explains the study.
Countries competing in the ranking
America
South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Peru
- Ecuador
- Colombia (and Caribbean)
- Venezuela (and Caribbean)
North America
- Cuba (and the Caribbean)
- Puerto Rico (and Caribbean)
- Mexico (and Caribbean)
- Canada
Central America
Europe
Oceania
The complete ranking can be accessed at site from CIFPLAYAS.
* Cover photo: Monique Renne
What did you think of the ranking? Do you think there is a beach missing from the list? Participate in the comments!
