We are halfway through winter, and if you are craving sunshine and a break from the cold, you’re not alone! It is natural for our bodies and minds to crave sunshine, vitamin D, and warm weather. That’s one reason why brief winter getaways are so popular. A winter escape may be even more healing if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or live in an area with excessive pollution. Whatever draws you away from the chill of the winter months, there’s no shortage of warm, tropical spots to help you reboot your system.
5 Warm Winter Destinations
If you live in North America, here is a list of destinations I recommend for you to visit for a winter escape this year.
Tulum
This is a trendy boho beach town, south of Cancun, Mexico. Here you’ll find yourself sipping margaritas, fresh smoothies enjoying refreshing paletas and relaxing on the beach. You can snorkel with sea turtles, stingrays and swim in cenotes. You’ll find lots of vegan cafés and yoga studios where you can have the option to eat healthy foods and schedule a date with your mat. For those who like history, visit the Mayan ruins. Here’s how to make sure you travel in Tulum in the greenest way possible.
Sayulita
Another beach town in Mexico similar to Tulum but more friendly on your wallet, Sayulita is located on the west coast, 40 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta. It’s more laid back because it’s smaller and less commercial than Tulum. The beaches on the Pacific side aren’t as pristine as those on the Caribbean side; however, if you are looking to just get away from the cold, it’s a great alternative. Here, you can also learn how to surf, do yoga, eat cheap tacos, sail, and relax on the beach. It’s also a gateway to the famous Marieta Islands, an elusive hidden beach, where you would need to swim through a tunnel that is 12 meters long.
The Exumas in the Bahamas
The Exuma is an area of the Bahamas that consists of a lot of islands called cays (pronounced keys). Here you will find beautiful sugary beaches and serves as a pristine playground for aquatic lovers to dive, snorkel, kayak, and sail. You have access to amazing reefs and marine life. And if you love animals, you can go swimming with sea pigs in Major Cay, nurse sharks in Compass Cay, and visit an island that is covered with iguanas. It’s a beautiful oasis waiting for you to explore.
Cartagena
A seaside city located in northern Colombia that has a beachy metropolis Miami vibe with a colorful artsy neighborhood and historic center that makes you feel like you flew to Spain. Find yourself island hopping for a day, wandering through the colorful colonial walled center in the old town, exploring the street art in Getsmani–a funhipster neighborhood–or quenching your thirst with a Limonada de Coco (Coconut Lemonade). Cartagena is a great city to get you acquainted with Colombia and South America.
Costa Rica
With its natural beauty and marvelous weather, you can’t go wrong escaping the cold in Costa Rica. There are so many activities you can do. For your first time, I would recommend experiencing the diverse landscape the country has to offer. Imagine yourself waking up in the morning doing your sun salutations, ziplining through Monteverde Cloud Forests, hiking, and chasing waterfalls, soaking in natural geothermal springs, and enjoying water activities on a gorgeous beach in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Are you planning a winter getaway? Let us know in the comments below!
Also by Theresa: Medieval Towns & Heavenly Wine—Just A Few Reasons Portugal Is A Top Euro Destination
Related: How A Trip To Costa Rica Did More For Healing My Gut Than Weeks Of Eating Ayurveda
I Traveled To 20+ Countries In 2 Years. Here’s How I Did It On A Tight Budget
Get more like this—Subscribe to our daily inspirational newsletter for exclusive content!
__
Photo: Dan Gold on Unsplash, Diana Feil on Unsplash, Maxpixel, Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash, Roberto Nickson (@g) on Unsplash
