WINNING TIP El Zonte, El Salvador

This is a small secluded beach used only by locals with a passion for surf. We caught the first waves at sunrise every day, leaving the ocean only to lie in hammocks, sip tropical fruit smoothies and eat freshly caught fish. We returned to the ocean at sunset to watch the sun melt into the Pacific as we tried again and again to catch the fierce waves. Even after spending months in Latin America, I never managed to find anywhere else as tranquil.
Rosie321

Brazil

Dois Rios beach, Ilha Grande, near Rio de Janeiro
This beach lies in a peaceful cove on Ilha Grande, an hour west of Rio. There are no ATMs and motorised vehicles are banned. After two hours of hiking across the island we reached this stretch of golden sand. Unlike the more popular (and no more gorgeous) Lopes Mendes beach, Dois Rios is not visited by tourist boats, so the only way to reach it is on foot – gruelling in the humidity (and flip-flops) but a real blessing in disguise. I hope it remains utterly unspoiled for a very long time – or at least until I can afford to return.
Isabelab

Boipeba, Bahia
Boipeba is what you would expect Morro de São Paulo to have been like before it became the party central of southern Bahia. If you are looking to get away from it all on serene, palm tree-lined beaches for endless balmy days, this tiny island is a must. There's no noise apart from the occasional purr of a speedboat engine and the chirping of birds in the dense rainforests. You can fly to the island from Salvador or take a ferry from Morro de São Paulo. There are plenty of pousadas to choose from, a scattering of restaurants – and, naturally, countless coconuts.
ilhaboipeba.org.br/en/boipeba.html
Lululock

Trindade, Rio de Janeiro state
About four and a half hours south of Rio near the town of Paraty is this small village with some of the most stunning beaches in the country. White sand contrasts with the turquoise sea and the green forest. There are no crowds, so sometimes you might be the only person on the beach. There are also waterfalls and natural pools to explore – don't miss the "rock that swallows". Stay at the chilled out Sea and Forest Hostel with log cabins amid the trees.
+55 249 837 5690, seaandforesthostel.com, doubles from around £15
Bex871

Palmas and Pouso beaches, Ilha Grande
These are two beautiful, deserted beaches in the east of the island. Although the beaches are close to the island's main town, they are accessible only by foot on a signposted path, which starts at the eastern end of Abraão beach. The path, which is steep at times, takes you through pristine jungle and past one of the island's highest points, from where the views are excellent. It is possible to catch a boat back from Pouso beach to Abraão village.
ilhagrande.com.br
Sarah122000

Panama

San Blas Islands
If you're looking for paradise, this is as close as you'll ever get. Unspoiled, mostly uninhabited, islands where you can camp under the stars, snorkel in pristine waters and marvel at what a beautiful world we live in.
Try the Darién Gapster boat tour to experience life with the Kuna people and camp on these beautiful islands.
thedariengapster.com, three-day trip $279
Ruthscaife

Colombia

Providencia Island
This small, mountainous Caribbean island is part of Colombia (although closer to Nicaragua). It is a Unesco biosphere reserve and has a 20km coral barrier, making it a paradise for divers. But for us, it offered the small Hotel Sirius on a long, white sandy beach. We had the sun beds to ourselves and our lazy days were spent reading, watching the fishing and dive boats, and taking frequent dips. Saturday was the highlight of the week, with horse racing along the beach.
+57 8514 8213, siriushotel.net, doubles from around £100 B&B
HMJackson

Venezuela

Mochima national park
While the town of Santa Fe is chilled and has an OK beach, it's the islands in the marine reserve that you come here for. Jump on a boat and head to the islands, where you can eat fresh oysters from a man just walking round with a bucket of them (and some limes), stroke the huge lizards and then pop back on the boat for some snorkelling among beautiful coral reefs. Perfection.
tinyurl.com/3pf8mec
Claireagogo

Uruguay

Pueblo Barrancas, La Pedrera
La Pedrera is one of Uruguay's most fun and friendly beach towns, and just 15 minutes' walk west along the beach is Pueblo Barrancas, a fantastically relaxed beach camp with its own stretch of wild and golden shore. We only meant to stop for a drink at the beach bar but couldn't resist the private yurts hidden in the woods behind the dunes, and ended up staying for three days of swimming, snoozing, walking, reading and camping (in style and comfort).
+598 447 9223, pueblobarrancas.com, yurts for two from about £35
JamieCrawford

Costa Rica

Puntarenas and Montezuma beaches and Curu Wildlife Refuge
I spent a whole month on these two beaches on the Nicoya peninsula on the Pacific coast during a gap year. Both are very laid-back and unspoiled. Curu is really basic. I was there for a conservation project and slept in hammocks on the beach. Montezuma when I went 10 years ago was a bit of a hippy resort with plenty of cheap accommodation, a long sandy beach and the biggest waves I'd seen.
curuwildliferefuge.com
LauraFrancis

Puerto Jiménez Yacht Club
It's a little deceptive, as there are no yachts and no club – but this is probably the cheapest place in town to stay. There's a lovely, big, shaded, grassy area to swing a hammock or pitch a tent (as we did), showers and toilets. The caretaker will charge a couple of dollars. The beach and restaurants are just a short stroll away. It's the perfect base for chilling out after the rigours of a few days on the trails in Corcovado national park.
Propamedia

Chile

Lake Pirihueico
At Puero Pirihueico, you'll find a crescent of crushed white pebbles, by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Pirihueico. It lies in the south of Chile's lake district and a couple of snow-capped Andean volcanoes loom overhead. There is a simple, leaning wooden shack with a corrugated iron roof which was the restaurant/shop. I bought a beer and a sandwich, slapped on the factor 30 and unfurled my towel while waiting for my bus to Argentina.
Jackhavana