Latin America & Caribbean: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport

Guayaquil, Ecuador

This is the first year Airports Council International has created a separate ranking for airports in Latin America and the Caribbean, and José Joaquín de Olmedo took the prize despite competition from Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica, and Mexico City International Airport. Named for an Ecuadorean poet, José Joaquín boasts modern stone and glass architecture, 13 eateries with a variety of international fare, good shopping, and a snazzy Spanish-language Web site.