“La Isla Bonita” translates to The Beautiful Island. It is the title of a hit song written by Madonna in 1986 and released on the album “True Blue” in 1987.
Some believe that Madonna referred to Belize (in particular, the area of San Pedro Town in Ambergris Caye). The song lyrics do appear to support this:
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
Just like I’d never gone, I knew the song
…
Tropical the island breeze
All of nature wild and free
…
I fell in love with San Pedro
…
I want to be where the sun warms the sky
…
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro. It all seems like yesterday, not far away
Note that large sections of the lyrics above have been removed, as they are copyrighted.
You can note that Madonna sings of a tropical Island (Ambergris Caye is such a tropical Island, one of many for sure). She also sings of a town there called San Pedro (which Ambergris Caye certainly has, which limits the options somewhat). She also claims that it is not far away, and Belize is geographically very close to United States (just a 2 hour flight from some parts of the US). In addition, the words “all of nature wild and free” may refer to the Belize’s nature, as it is one of the last unspoilt paradises on earth.
Some critics claim it cannot be about Belize as Madonna wasn’t there at the time of writing the song. Maybe this is true, as is claimed in the second line “Just like I’d never gone”.
There is a beautiful pan pipe version of La Isla Bonita available on YouTube.