ADVICE, INSPIRATION & A LITTLE PEACE OF MIND
TRAVEL
BY ADRIENNE JORDAN
Located in one of the world’s five Blue Zones—where people tend to live the longest, healthiest lives—this quiet beach town is an ideal place to decompress and hone your plan de vida, or life’s purpose. (Some residents partially credit that clarity of mission for their longevity!) There’s certainly plenty of natural beauty to draw inspiration from: pristine beaches, blazing orange sunsets, and an 80-million-year-old volcanic rock formation dividing Punta Islita from Playa Corozalito, an undeveloped beach that draws even fewer visitors. While you can luxuriate hard here, adventure opportunities abound. Try coasting high through the rainforest and canyons on a twilight zip line tour. Or head out on a morning Monkey Quest hike, where you’ll find howlers—one of the world’s loudest animals—feasting in the forest canopy.
Sign up for experiences like these at Hotel Punta Islita (from $311 a night). The small Autograph Collection hotel consists of villas and suites with views of the forest or crystal-clear waters. While you’re there, visit the hotel’s restaurant, Alma. The chefs follow a “kilometer zero” menu philosophy, so the fish on your plate was caught nearby. Meaning: You’ll eat the same food that’s kept the locals in such good health for centuries.
Some people go to Miami to party with humongous margaritas on the South Beach strip. The REAL SIMPLE way? Go for the thriving art scene, gorgeous architecture, captivating museums, and diverse culture.
Stop by the Wynwood neighborhood to see exhibits from one of the world’s most popular art fairs, Art Basel. Even if your trip doesn’t coincide with the show (this year, it’s from December 8 through 10), you could spend days exploring the dozens of permanent galleries and hundreds of outdoor murals in the area, getting lost in works by artists from around the globe. Cheat code: Book the street art tour with Wynwood Buggies (from $45 per person) to cruise around by golf cart. Your guide will take you into nooks and crannies you’d likely miss on your own.
For architecture, check out Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Lincoln Road, showcasing 800 designated historic buildings. In certain sections, the buildings seem to flow into one another but retain their unique art deco charm. Stop at the Villa Casa Casuarina—a.k.a. the Versace Mansion— on Ocean Drive. The late designer’s home was converted into a 10-suite hotel, so the best way to get inside is to book a room (if it’s in your budget— some rooms cost more than $1,000 a night) or dine at the on-site restaurant, Gianni’s at the Villa.
As for which museums to include in your itinerary, we have a few recommendations: the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, which offers live theater and performance art as well as exhibits; the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum, in what was believed to be the country’s only all-in-one precinct and courthouse run by African Americans; and the Haitian Heritage Museum, featuring artifacts, music, art, and more.
Don’t forget the food! Thanks to the influx of immigrants who’ve settled in the city over the decades, Miami is the place for Cuban and Caribbean cuisine. Swing by the Little Havana neighborhood and head to Sanguich for a Cuban sandwich (ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles pressed between sliced Cuban bread). In Little Haiti, you can grab lunch for around $5 at Pack Supermarket. The no-frills spot serves Haitian pickled vegetables called pikliz, as well as what many call the best fried chicken around. Once you’ve eaten, sure, get that giant marg.
What this Caribbean island lacks in size (it’s only 27 miles long) it makes up for in romance. Have dinner on the beach, watch the sunset, or swim under one of the many waterfalls with your person, and you’ll see what we mean. Stay at the Windjammer Landing resort (from $340 a night), nestled in a hillside facing the sea—just make sure you also get out to explore the sights. Folks travel from around the world to view the majestic Pitons, two mountainous volcanic spires. Hiking either one is legit hard, so opt for a view from the water with Knotty Girl Speed Boat Tours instead (from $125 per person, including lunch). There’s also a drive-in volcano (as in, a volcano you get to by car) in an area called Sulphur Springs. Bring your bathing suit if you want to take a dip in the natural mud bath and rinse off under a 50-foot waterfall. One more can’t-miss: a bamboo raft tour on the Roseau River with St. Lucia Bamboo Rafting (from $100 per person). Your guide will share local history as you glide among wild mangroves. Ask the company to arrange a private-chef-prepared lunch and they’ll set up a table—with white linens and all—for you and your date. See? Romance!
For some incredibly convenient island-hopping, visit Bocas del Toro. While here, you’ll likely bounce around among three spots: Isla Bastimentos, Isla Colón, and Isla Carenero, just minutes from one another via water taxi. Though Bastimentos is one of the largest islands in the area, the vibes are chill—especially at Polo Beach, where you can swim in the coral-lined waters and may even run into Polo, the man the beach was reportedly named after. According to legend, he has lived on the beach for more than 50 years and enjoys cooking fish. Also, on Bastimentos, you’ll find Red Frog Beach, known for the red frogs that hop around the surrounding forest.
When the clock strikes cocktail hour, hit the fun-filled streets of Isla Colón, then grab a water taxi to The Floating Bar, open December through October. The two-story spot sits out at sea, and daredevils can jump off the diving board into the ocean. Others can relax in lounge chairs and enjoy a Balboa, a crisp Panamanian lager.
On Fridays you’ll notice gobs of people gearing up for the weekly bar crawl. It’s kind of a scene (floating bars across three islands, house music, and water sports), so if you want to skip “Filthy Friday,” head to Isla Carenero. With a reputation for some of the best seafood in the area, Receta Michilá at the Doña Mara Gastro Hotel features a menu that changes daily based on the availability of local produce and, of course, the most recent catch. Indulge in a rum-based cocktail while taking in the breathtaking sunset at the beachside property.
If you seek top-notch swimming and once-in-a-lifetime interactions with rare sea creatures, the Maldives should be the next entry on your bucket list. Baa Atoll is a Unesco-designated biosphere reserve (a protected natural area meant for conservation and ecological study) and is home to one of the largest groups of reefs in the Indian Ocean, with at least 250 types of coral. Because of that diversity, the area is rife with plankton that sea animals love to feed on. So a snorkeling trip may reveal up to 1,200 marine species, including manta rays and whale sharks.
The Standard Maldives (from $535 a night) is a cool, splurgy base for your adventures at sea. Use the resort’s complimentary snorkel gear to explore the colorful house reef (yes, the hotel has its own private-access reef!). Ask the concierge about other local activities, like a sea turtle tour (five of the world’s seven sea turtle species live in the Maldives) or a boat cruise in Hanifaru Bay, where the mantas and whale sharks are populous and gentle. Remember to send a postcard!
Baa Atoll is home to one of the largest groups of reefs in the Indian Ocean, with at least 250 types of coral.
PROP STYLING BY MARINA BEVILACQUA; TOP INSET PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES