Travelers Advantage....

WINTER WONDERS:
HOT DESTINATIONS THIS SEASON

When temperatures turn cold, many travelers dream of hot destinations to the south. Whether it’s the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, Hawaii, or some other sunny spot, these winter wonders are definitely hot to smart travelers.

The Caribbean Calls

The variety of the Caribbean is one of the region’s many draws. Varied destinations like Aruba, Jamaica, and The Bahamas provide perfect examples.

Situated just 15 miles north of Venezuela and a 2 1/2-hour flight from Miami, Aruba is a natural when it comes to fun in the sun. With incredible beaches, scuba diving, and windsurfing, Aruba's diversity provides a perfect combination for old salts and landlubbers alike. Depending on your sun and sand desires, there's a beach in Aruba that will meet them, as are wrecks for diving or windsuring areas for riding the wind and waves.

Up in Jamaica, tourism has blossomed around great resorts and incredible culture. Whether it's a day at the beach, climbing famed Dunn’s River Falls, rafting the Rio Grande, hiking in the beautiful Blue Mountains, or mingling with the friendly locals over some lip-burning jerk pork, cold Red Stripe beer, and reggae music, Jamaica is well worth the trip!

Further north to The Bahamas, variety is the spice of tourist life. Long-time tourism favorites like Nassau (New Providence), Paradise Island, and Grand Bahama combine with the magic of the varied Out Islands (top picks include Bimini, the Abacos, Eleuthera, the Exumas, Andros, and San Salvador). The result is an incredible choice of destinations within one island nation. The Bahamas are definitely better than ever.

Say ‘Si’ to Mexico

Heading south of the border takes you to a winter wonderland that is as hot a tourism spot as there is today. Thanks to a strong dollar and a wide variety of choices, Mexico is a destination worth toasting with a ‘cerveza.’

Mexico’s largest resort destination is Cancun, thanks to a choice of more than 25,000 hotel rooms, great beaches, varied dining and shopping, and one of the country’s hottest nightlife scenes. In addition, excursions to islands like Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Isla Contoy compete with inland options like the famed ruins of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. It’s a combination that makes Cancun wildly popular with a wide variety of travelers.

Just south of Cancun is the Riviera Maya, a scenic and unspoiled shoreline of sparkling beaches, archaeological sites, and small resorts and villages stretching nearly 300 miles from Playa del Secreto to Punta Allen. One of many Riviera Maya highlights is Tulum: featuring seaside Mayan ruins, nearby eco-archaeological theme parks, famed ‘cenotes’ (underwater cave systems), and a part of the second largest barrier reef in the world. Further south, Playa del Carmen is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing tourist destinations.

Located in the heart of Mexico’s Pacific coastline, Puerto Vallarta is a seaside resort city that’s convenient, varied, and very fun. Offering miles of pristine golden sand beaches and Pacific waves, Puerto Vallarta is a great getaway for those who are active, as wells as those who simply want to sit on the beach. No matter where you’re based in Puerto Vallarta, there’s something to do. Highlights include: great beaches and watersports; golf; exploring the highlands of the Sierra Madre; learning folkloric dance and art or local cooking; taking a day trip to archaeological digs; visiting a turtle preservation camp; and so much more.

Located at the end of the world’s longest peninsula, Baja California, Los Cabos is a vibrant and fast-growing destination with a history and diversity as rich as all of Mexico. Whether romantics or outdoors enthusiasts, visitors relish in the selection of hotels (budget to luxury) and the wealth of activities (sunbathing to marlin fishing) found in this picturesque destination surrounded by the sands of both desert and sea.

The Sunshine State

The United States has its own sunny winter spots and Florida is a top tourism pick. Warm weather, great beaches, and a wide array of attractions combine to make the Sunshine State a hot spot. The wide range of draws to Florida includes: the beaches of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines; theme parks and other attractions in Orlando and elsewhere; the Florida Keys; Miami and more in South Florida; southwest destinations like Naples and Marco Island; and many more choices.

Lots of Aloha

Finally, Hawaii is another wonderful winter wonderland. With a choice of islands, resorts, and activities, the Aloha State is a tourism star. Great beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and culture are just a few of the reasons Hawaii continues to be a hot destination anytime of year. But why wait? Hawaii and other warm weather destinations are especially hot this winter!