Pitons Bay, St. Lucia
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Irrestible Paradise
by Laura Del Rosso
Swaying palms, sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, carefree vibes: here’s a guide to five sensational warm-weather destinations that are trending in 2024.
Idyllic tropical destinations seem almost limitless in the Caribbean and along Mexico’s east coast, where powder-soft sands, warm breezes and gently rolling waves pair with colorful, laidback cultures to immediately put travelers in vacation mode. Although 7,000 islands and cays make up the Caribbean archipelago, about 100 of them are inhabited. Of those, about half cater to vacationers. Barbados tops many lists for its beauty as well as its vibe. Smiles, cheerfulness and levity abound, but would you expect anything less from the self-proclaimed birthplace of rum? Meanwhile, pristine beaches, notably the award-winning Grace Bay, define the British territory of Turks and Caicos. Against the white sand, the sea and sky showcase a Crayola box of blues—indigo, teal, azure, turquoise. On St. Lucia, the Pitons meet the sea. These two forested volcanic plugs rise from the island’s southwestern coast, forming a dramatic picture of ocean and mountains. Visit these islands via a cruise, or choose one and settle in for a relaxing hotel or all-inclusive resort stay.
Chacmool statue, Cancun; flamingos, Barbados; Grace Beach, Turks & Caicos
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The same types of vacations can be had along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where Cozumel and Playa del Carmen are the towns visitors flock to like sun-seeking birds. Both towns are full of great shopping, delicious restaurants and buzzing nightlife. Mayan culture and its ancient sites lie nearby, along with cenotes—cool pools of green, blue and turquoise waters, some found in fascinating caves, that make for unforgettable swimming and snorkeling.
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Upper Waikani Falls, Maui; rainbow fish
Just saying “Hawaii” is enough. The aloha spirit is such an integral part of the Hawaiian Islands that warm hospitality, relaxation and everything associated with a tropical paradise spring to mind at the mere whisper of the name. Oahu is home to the majority of the state’s population, a wonderful fusion of cultures that are grounded in Native Hawaiian tradition. Bustling Honolulu, with its inviting array of luxury resorts, renowned restaurants and historic buildings (don’t miss the Hawaiian monarch’s Iolani Palace), is a sharp contrast to the oh-so-laidback towns on the North Shore. Maui is loved by repeat visitors who can’t get enough of its beaches and incredible sunsets from Haleakala. Despite the heart-wrenching 2023 fire devastation of Lahaina, residents are welcoming visitors back to other parts of Maui untouched by the wildfire. Kauai is the “Garden Island” for good reason. With its emerald-green valleys, rainforests and mountain peaks, and magnificent snorkeling at Poipu, it presents dramatic scenic beauty few islands anywhere can match. Mauna Loa volcano—sacred land to Native Hawaiians—dominates the Big Island. Its black strands and upscale resorts invite travelers to discover the sweet Hawaiian lifestyle in a place where it seems time stands still, and aloha, loosely meaning the breath of life, thrives.
Exotic landscapes and wildlife of Costa Rica
Considered one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world, beautiful Costa Rica is known for the splendor of its beaches, rainforests and parks that harbor colorful birds, vivacious monkeys, sunning turtles, shy sloths and much more. Roughly 600 beaches surround Costa Rica, both on its Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean sides. The Pacific coast generally sees the most visitors due in part to the alluring all-inclusive resorts that dot long stretches of beach. The Caribbean coast carries a laidback spirit that pulses with reggae beats, stemming from a strong Afro-Caribbean influence, and people practicing yoga surfside. Limon and Puerto Viejo are the largest towns, both excellent base camps from which to explore Cahuita National Park, Tortuguero National Park and Punta Uva, a protected beach where development has not been allowed. Surrounded only by nature, including gorgeous butterflies flitting about, it’s easy to appreciate what Costa Ricans call pura vida—pure life.
Immerse yourself in the unique culture of Tahiti
The largest of French Polynesia’s islands is a place of legend: Tahiti, and the Islands of Tahiti are a stunning series of what appear on a map like 118 specks in the vast South Pacific. Its islands never disappoint with their gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, jagged mountains and bungalow resorts propped over truly breathtaking turquoise waters. The capital, Papeete, is a small, bustling city with lively nightclubs and fine restaurants. Of French Polynesia’s islands, the quintessentially romantic Bora Bora and Moorea are among the most visited. Honeymooners and couples find nothing less than the tropical destination of their dreams. Moorea’s Polynesian culture immerses visitors in la vie heureuse—the happy life—with its jaw-dropping mountain and beach panoramas. Bora Bora is dotted with lush valleys blooming with hibiscus and bird-of-paradise, but visitors may find it hard to tear themselves away from overwater bungalows set over unbelievably clear waters full of vividly colored fish.
Divers enjoy visiting the Christ of the Abyss sculpture in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Florida.
The Florida Keys, a 125-mile-long island chain that is the southernmost point of the continental United States, celebrated 200 years of its settlement in 2023 with festivities and the welcoming of more nonstop flights to Key West International Airport. Driving from the U.S. mainland, the first island group to emerge past Key Largo along the Florida Strait is Islamorada, made up of six dreamy tropical escapes, including Plantation Key. State and national parks in Key Largo make it a haven for scuba diving and fishing. Snorkelers and divers love John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for its variety of brilliant-colored fish and underwater Christ statue. As the storied home to Jimmy Buffett and Ernest Hemingway, Key West is a charming, lively hub with a long heritage of fishing, cigar making and a famously loose, carefree vibe. Rent a bike or take a pedicab, trolley or tourist train along palm-fringed streets lined with Victorian houses, and stop at Key West Aquarium. At open-air pubs, toast spectacular sunsets with musical and acrobatic acts at Mallory Square’s celebration of the end of a perfect tropical day.
Contact an expert AAA Travel Advisor to plan and book your next vacation. Visit AAA.com/TravelAdvisor today.