{
  "id": 103646,
  "title": "Tulum, known for its beaches and Maya ruins, is named the happiest travel destination in the world",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/tulum-known-for-its-beaches-and-maya-ruins-is-named-the-happiest",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-03T20:31:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mexico News Daily",
    "slug": "mexico-news-daily",
    "url": "https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/tulum-named-happiest-travel-destination-in-world/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Irish travel insurance company JustCover has determined Tulum, a laid-back beach resort on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, to be the happiest travel destination in the world after analyzing over a million travel reviews. This 2025 World Travel Awards winner received a perfect \"Happy Place Score\" of 100 out of 100.\n\nTulum's appeal lies in its preserved Maya ruins, nature reserves, picturesque views, thriving food and nightlife scenes, and wellness offerings. Unlike Cancún's large all-inclusive resorts, Tulum attracts tourists with its smaller boutique hotels and various adventure and eco-tourism activities, such as visiting cenotes and lazy rivers.\n\nThe city also boasts a selection of top-rated restaurants, some of which are featured in the Michelin Guide. While Tulum topped the happiness rankings, Oaxaca secured the third place for its \"food, markets, and its deep Indigenous culture\".\n\nJustCover's top 10 happiest destinations round out with Soufrière in Saint Lucia, Oaxaca, Mexico, Las Vegas, Maui, Hawaii, New York City, Cappadocia in Turkey, Rio de Janeiro, Chicago, and Toronto.",
  "summary": "The Mexican Caribbean coast resort's honor was the result of some rather elaborate research led by an Irish travel insurance company that searched more than a million reviews for happiness-indicating keywords. Oaxaca came in at No. 3. The post Tulum, known for its beaches and Maya ruins, is named the happiest travel destination in the world appeared first on Mexico News Daily",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}