The Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo in Panama City was named the best hotel in Central and South America for 2026 by Travel + Leisure, with Peru claiming four spots in the top 15 — the highest country tally in the regional ranking.
The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026 were based on more than 661,000 votes and the opinions of 207,000 readers of the international travel magazine. Hotels were assessed on service, design, dining, location and hospitality. The magazine said its prizes reflect the extraordinary experiences sought by its readers, covering everything from personalised service to the overall guest environment.
The Panama City winner occupies a restored 1917 building facing the ocean in the city’s historic centre. The hotel features elegant rooms, interior courtyards and a rooftop bar that the magazine said evoke the glamour of the early 20th century, blending architectural heritage with high-end service.
Peru’s four ranked hotels are split between Lima and Cusco. In Lima, Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, placed third, recognised for its Pacific Ocean views, contemporary luxury, historic gardens and dining programme. Three Cusco properties also made the cut: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, which operates inside a 16th-century former monastery and preserves colonial architecture, religious artwork and traditional courtyards in Cusco’s historic centre; Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, housed in a restored former convent and noted for its luxury suites, spa and architectural heritage conservation; and Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel, situated next to the Plaza Mayor with 203 rooms, an Andean-inspired spa and a menu drawing on traditional and contemporary Peruvian ingredients.
Palacio del Inka said the recognition reflects the passion, dedication and excellence of its staff, and that the award strengthens Peru’s standing as a luxury hospitality destination in the region.
The full ranking spans 15 properties across seven countries: Panama, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Argentina. The magazine said all selected hotels stood out for design, dining, cultural authenticity and exceptional service as assessed through reader opinions, covering boutique properties, international chains and landmark historic venues.
Top 15 hotels in Central and South America, 2026
- Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo — Panama City, Panama
- Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel — Lima, Peru
- Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel — Cusco, Peru
- Hotel La Compania Casco Antiguo — Panama City, Panama
- BOG Hotel — Bogota, Colombia
- The Singular Santiago, Lastarria Hotel — Santiago, Chile
- Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota — Bogota, Colombia
- Casa Gangotena — Quito, Ecuador
- Grand Hyatt Bogota — Bogota, Colombia
- Rosewood Sao Paulo — Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel — Cusco, Peru
- Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel — Cusco, Peru
- Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena — Cartagena, Colombia
- Palacio Duhau, Park Hyatt Buenos Aires — Buenos Aires, Argentina
