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The Top 25 Beaches in the World, According to TripAdvisor

March 03, 2017
4 min read
Tropical beach in Seychelles on island Praslin - Anse Lazio
The Top 25 Beaches in the World, According to TripAdvisor
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TripAdvisor recently released its list of the best beaches in the world, part of its 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards. Unlike other travel websites, where similar lists are curated by a team of editors and travel experts, these rankings were based strictly on the reviews and ratings of TripAdvisor's users.

While the top 25 beaches were located all around the world, many of them were in the Caribbean. Here's a handy Google Map so you can get a better idea of where to find them:

TripAdvisors chose Baía do Sancho as the #1 beach in the world — it's located 220 miles off the coast of Brazil on the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. The beach is also historically significant because it's where the Portuguese explorers first landed in the 1500s. The island limits visitors to just 500 a day, helping to keep this UNESCO World Heritage Site calm, secluded and preserved.

Baía do Sancho was ranked by Tripadvisor as the best beach in the world.

Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos came in second place, with its crystal clear waters and white sand helping this beach rank high.

This beach scene at Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos looks amazing right now.

Aruba's Eagle Beach came in third, with reviewers saying the soft sand and lack of crowds made this particular spot of sand extra special.

Eagle Beach in Aruba was ranked the third best beach in the world.

Now that Cuba is open to American travelers, you'll have the chance to visit Playa Pariso, which took the #4 spot. The beach is located on the small island of Cayo Largo just off Cuba's southern coast, which is accessible by plane or boat.

Playa Pariso in Cuba.

Siesta Beach — located in Siesta Key, Florida, just south of Sarasota along the Gulf Coast — came in at #5 and is currently the highest ranking beach in the US according to TripAdvisor users. What did travelers say was one of the best things about this beach? White sand that stays cool and doesn't burn your feet.

Tripadvisor users say Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida, is the #5 beach in the world and #1 in the US.

You can see Tripadvisor's full list here, but here's a look at the Top 25:

    Which of these beaches have you been to? Are there any you think should have been on this list? Let us know in the comments, below.

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    Why We Chose It

    There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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    • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
    • Solid welcome bonus

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    • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
    • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
    • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
    • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
    • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
    • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
    • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
    • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
    • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Annual Fee is $325.
    • Terms Apply.