As you wait out the cold and snowy season with friends, family, and a nice glass of wine, we want you to remember that there are still warm and sunny parts of the world. We are here to help you escape winter!
These ten destinations, in particular, have gorgeous weather and beautiful beaches — imagine yourself in any one of them, or better yet, use the time stuck indoors to start planning your winter escape.
1 | Caribbean Islands
There are several islands that you can reach via nonstop flights from many U.S. cities. These are the more familiar and busy ones, including Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. But to get to the really special places, you’ll have to put in a little more time and effort, which usually means at least two flights — one of them on a puddle jumper — and sometimes a ferry ride. The British Virgin Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with St. Kitts and Nevis, are all well worth the effort it takes to reach them.
Jamaica Inn
2 | Big Island, Hawaii
The Big Island boasts several of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches, including the half-mile white-sand Hapuna Beach — the one often seen in advertisements and television shows touting an island paradise. For another perfect white sand strand — but without the crowds — try Makalawena Beach near Kekaha Kai State Park, in Kona. You’ll have to maneuver an unpaved road for a short distance and walk a bit from the parking area, but that is part of the charm.
To learn more about Hawaii click here.
Kawaihae
3 | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta’s historic center is home to great restaurants, galleries, shops, and nightlife, as well as plenty of photogenic charm — cobblestoned streets, and whitewashed adobe walls. The Malecon, Vallarta’s oceanfront promenade, offers a great look at how local Vallartenses spend their evenings, strolling along with their children, grandparents, and friends.
To learn more about Mexico click here.
Puerto Vallarta
4 | Costa Rica
There are lots of gorgeous spots in Costa Rica, but don’t miss the Osa Peninsula, home to Corcovado National Park. Despite a certain level of press over the years, the peninsula’s remoteness leads most travelers to substitute easier-to-reach rain forests and jungles — but whereas you’re likely to see a scarlet macaw in one of those other locations, on the Osa Peninsula you might see a tree full of them. The abundance of wildlife among majestic old-growth trees makes the payoff huge.
To learn more about Costa Rica click here.
5 | Nicaragua
One of Nicaragua’s most appealing attractions is its abundant wildlife. Playa La Flor Nature Reserve, one hour from San Juan del Sur, is the perfect place to see sea turtles laying their eggs in the spring. Rather do something more adventurous? Try sandboarding down the Cerro Negro volcano, one of the country’s most active cones. It’s an hour-long hike to the top — where you’ll have a spectacular view of the sulfurous crater and also the Pacific Ocean.
To learn more about Nicaragua click here.
Sandboarding on Cerro Negro volcano
6 | The Maldives
We’re pretty sure you don’t need convincing that the Maldives are paradise — just look at the photos. Bliss out on the beach, laze around in an overwater bungalow or try UV snorkeling after the sun goes down and see how the corals light up in fluorescent greens, yellows, and reds.
To learn more about the Maldives click here.
7 | Sri Lanka
From the urban centers of Colombo to the tropical seaside south of Galle, Sri Lanka offers both quiet retreats and thrilling adventures. For travelers who want to admire the beauty of the countryside, the Tea Country’s many miles of manicured tea plantations provide the ideal place for a hike. For thrill-seekers, the Kelani River provides an unparalleled opportunity for rafting and canyoning through the Central Highlands.
To learn more about Sri Lanka click here.
Nilaveli Trincomalee
8 | Rajasthan
For complete relaxation, spend a day by the pool at Amanbagh, an oasis of palm and eucalyptus trees and Mughal-inspired architecture once used by the maharajah of Alwar on tiger hunting expeditions. For something more active, saddle up one of the Marwari horses at Mihir Garh and ride through the Thar desert, pausing to visit the Bishnoi villages.
To learn more about India click here.
Amanbagh
9 | Sydney
Sydney’s popular tourist attractions are well-known and visited by travelers from all over the world. But for some of the city’s hidden gems, jump on a ferry to Watsons Bay, and take in the views as you approach the southern entrance to Sydney Harbour. Once a tiny fishing village, Watsons Bay now offers walking tracks, beaches, and a harborside park. Just one hour from Sydney and a favorite of locals but consistently overlooked by visitors, the Royal National Park has spectacular coastal views, abundant birdlife, indigenous culture, bushwalking, cycling, and surfing. It’s also the world’s second oldest national park (after Yellowstone).
To learn more about Australia click here.
Bondi beach
10 | Queenstown, New Zealand
New Zealand is an adventure mecca. Experiences for adrenaline junkies abound throughout the country, but most are concentrated in the Queenstown region. This is the place, after all, that claims to have invented bungee jumping. If you’re eager to try it (and you should!), we recommend a leap at the Kawarau Bridge. You can also go hiking on one of the area’s many unknown trails or go jet boating, rafting, skydiving, gliding, mountain biking—whatever rocks your boat.
To learn more about New Zealand click here.
Pencarrow view