Wedged between Brazil and Argentina is a country no bigger than the US state of California – with the largely inaccessible Gran Chaco region accounting for about 60% of its land mass. Perhaps that’s why even ambitious travelers often overlook Paraguay. (It doesn’t help that there’s no dedicated Lonely Planet guide to the country.)
Yet visitors who do make it to this subtropical, landlocked South American country find ample rewards: quirky cities, rich cultural sites and natural beauty. And no chance of overtourism.
If you’re among the many who have never been, here’s what you need to know before your visit to Paraguay.
Paraguay is one of the best countries to visit next year. See our full list of Best in Travel 2025 winners.
When should I go to Paraguay?
Most areas of Paraguay have a subtropical climate, so expect hot, humid and rainy conditions year-round. Temperatures are especially high during the South American summer months (December through February), with rain more likely during winter months (June through September). Unlike countries with high numbers of tourists, high and low seasons aren’t really a thing in Paraguay, and prices remain largely affordable, with few seasonal price bumps, no matter what time of year you choose to visit.
How much time should I spend in Paraguay?
Since much of the west of the country is inaccessible, top destinations in the east are relatively close together. Yet public-transportation options are limited (see below). If you’re only interested in a few top sites and a city or two, count in a week-long visit. If you’re interested in seeing all of the top destinations across Paraguay – such as touring the Itaipu dam, visiting Jesuit missions and exploring the country’s parks and waterfalls – allow at least two weeks. If you also plan to do ambitious hiking and camping, and/or spend time exploring more-remote areas such as the Chaco region, add on additional days.
For maximum ease and comfort, you should consider renting your own vehicle in Paraguay. Max Maximov Photography/Shutterstock
Is it easy to get in and around Paraguay?
International flights land at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in the capital of Asunción. But a flight isn’t required to get here: since Paraguay is part of the so-called Tri-Border Region, overland crossings are available and easy to and from southern Brazil and northern Argentina. Once in Paraguay, you’ll find that cities are walkable and taxi services readily available. Short- and long-distance buses traverse Paraguay – but don’t expect comfort or ease of booking, especially if your Spanish is not strong. Consider renting a vehicle for travel between destinations: many major international rental companies have vehicles for hire from the international airport in Asunción. Local car rental companies also exist.
Top things to do in Paraguay
Not far from Iguazú, roaring Monday Falls does not disappoint. Jan-Schneckenhaus/Getty Images
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Go chasing waterfalls
In a country crisscrossed by water channels, Paraguay has some dazzling waterfalls, including Monday Falls, and national parks with waterfalls within their borders. Ñacunday National Park, for example, is home to the Ñacunday Waterfall as well as a few short trails and a basic camping area near the falls.
Take a dam tour
One of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams and power plants is located in Paraguay (all that water!). Located on the mighty Paraná River and shared with Brazil, the Itaipu Binacional Hydroelectric Center provides all of the electricity needed within Paraguay. Free guided tours are offered to the public, which include a visit to the massive dam. Time it just right and you might see the enormous floodgates open, a dramatic event that only happens a few times each year.
The ruins of former missions in Paraguay show the ambition of the Jesuit priests who sought to spread Christianity. Aleksandra Kossowska/Shutterstock
Explore the missions route
Jesuit missionaries had a short but pivotal presence in Paraguay, where they established a string of seven missions, each anchored by a church and a settlement. The remains of these missions are today collectively protected as a UNESCO site. Visiting these sites – which include Jesús de Tavarangüe and La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná – conveys both the architectural and engineering prowess of the Jesuits, as well as their quest to convert locals to Christianity. La Santísima Trinidad (the Holy Trinity), for example, sprawls over nearly 20 acres and is anchored by an enormous church where visitors can still see what remains of elaborate decorative elements.
Enjoy tasty Asian food (really!)
In the 20th century, immigrants from China, South Korea and Japan began arriving in Paraguay in sizable numbers – thankfully bringing their cuisines with them. Today, you can find many restaurants serving Asian food in Paraguay’s largest cities, and even in smaller towns. Hiroshima is an enormous institution favored by locals looking for quality Japanese food in Encarnación. Head to Sawasdee in Asunción for satisfying Thai and Indian dishes.
A youthful population and a lively arts scene give Asunción, the Paraguayan captial, an up-and-coming vibe. María Magdalena Arréllaga for Lonely Planet
My favorite thing to do in Paraguay
Give the capital its due. While there are plenty of natural and cultural areas to explore in Paraguay, its capital Asunción (enticingly nicknamed the “World’s Capital of Friendship”) deserves some of your travel time as well. The city of 2 million is filled with a range of hotels, craft-beer producers and a growing roster of notable restaurants. Museums and street art add to a creative flair, with a youthful population and an entrepreneurial spirit giving the city a major up-and-coming vibe.
Hotel Bristol in central Asunción is a budget winner offering more than most at this price point. Diners will find creative dishes from a talented chef/sommelier couple at Pakuri. And Museo del Barro offers a well-curated mix of contemporary, colonial and European art (including paintings by Matisse and a Monet); pottery and textiles from around Paraguay; and many examples of the larger-than-life work of artist Ricardo Migliorisi (who was born in Asunción).
I found so much to see and do in Asunción that I extended my stay in the city.
How much money do I need for Paraguay?
Generally speaking, prices at hotels, restaurants, national parks, museums and other destinations and attractions are quite affordable because they are set with the locals’ limited budgets rather than tourist dollars in mind. Though credit cards may be accepted, it’s best to have local currency on hand at all times. Like its neighbors, the Paraguayan economy and currency (called the guarani) is subject to sometimes dramatic fluctuations, affecting prices.
Basic private room for two: 180,000–250,000 guarani (US$23–32)
Simple two-course set lunch: 30,000–40,000 guarani (US$4–5) per person
More tips for enjoying Paraguay
Be prepared to speak Spanish with vendors and locals in Paraguay. María Magdalena Arréllaga for Lonely Planet
Be ready to speak some Spanish
While some English is spoken in Paraguay, it’s nowhere near as common as it is in better-touristed South American countries. If your language skills are limited, bring a phrase book or brush up on your Spanish before you travel here. You will likely hear Paraguayans speaking Guarani (or a mix of Spanish and Guarani) – an Indigenous language that is proudly maintained as the country’s second official language.
Stay alert
Like most border towns, gritty and bustling Ciudad del Este is a bit rough around the edges. Pack your common sense and remain aware of your surroundings. And don’t be surprised to see guns: on more than one occasion, I witnessed uniformed men as well as locals openly carrying firearms.
Pack for hot and wet weather
The weather in Paraguay is likely to be hot, humid, and rainy no matter when or where you visit – so pack accordingly. While shorts, short-sleeve shirts and even tank tops are worn by locals, short-shorts or any other type of revealing clothing is best left at home.
With coasts on both the Pacific and Caribbean and seemingly endless miles of coastline, narrowing down a list of the best beaches in Mexico is a challenge. The diverse array of shoreline experiences – from surfing the waves of Puerto Escondido to relaxing in blue waters in Puerto Vallarta – assures there is an exotic beach that will meet anyone’s desire to sink their toes in the sand.
On the Pacific Coast, among the favorite local spots in Mexico are intimate coves lined with fresh fish taco stands. Looking for the best beaches in Cancun? Head to the Caribbean side, beckoning with calm, turquoise waters that are excellent for snorkeling, fishing and boating. Take advantage of its rich history, Mayan archaeological sites, uniquely delectable cuisine and beachside abodes. Still more of the best beaches in Mexico are in remote areas of Baja California, where you can live your beach bum life in a camper van and get up close and personal with an occasional gray whale.
Here at Lonely Planet, we appreciate every kind of beach day, so we’ve put together a list of the best of the best, whether you’re looking to stay far from the crowds, get active, or join the party.
This stretch of hidden coves south of Mulegé in Baja California Sur is one of the most stunningly beautiful stretches of coast in Baja, if not all of Mexico. Bahía Concepción is a stop for outdoorsy road trippers, who often stay for weeks. The milky, blue-green water, funky rock formations and marine wildlife make it a top stop for kayakers. And the protection of the coves make for great swimming.
There are a number of budget-friendly, water-front camping areas throughout the coves, and we recommend you settle in before nightfall if you’re planning to stay a while.
Looking for a truly remote stay but need lodging? Check out Todos Santos Eco Adventures (TOSEA). They have three glamping options tucked away so well, you may forget the rest of the world even exists. Camp Cecil de la Isla is in a protected cove on Espiritu Santo. Their few luxury glamping tents come with an amazing chef and all the swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and paddle boarding you can handle. Or swim with sea lions – an unforgettable adventure – as you learn about the island’s ecology from a certified naturalist and guide.
And you can rest easy, TOSEA works hard to create sustainable experiences for guests. Working in tandem with naturalists, conservationists and the residents of Baja California, they’ve managed to help reduce plastic pollution in Todos Santos while creating a glamping experience, where “leave no trace” is the norm.
While Mexico is flush with tourist beaches that all have their charms, Tulum is our favorite. Many visitors to Tulum bike or walk the 3-mile (4km) paved path from downtown to reach the sand – among them Playa Paraiso, one of the best beaches in Tulum. Its spectacular coastline – with its sugary sands, cobalt water and balmy breezes – makes it one of the best beaches in Mexico. Plus where else can you get all that and a dramatically situated Mayan Ruin?
Stay in lush digs and dine in stylish restaurants with instagram-worthy views, especially on the sandy stretch known as Playa Paraiso. There are also plenty of activities around to keep you busy if you choose to pry yourself out of your rented lounge chair for the afternoon.
You can stay near the beach, where the prices are a little heftier, but for the budget-conscious there are hotels near the old town. For our money, we like the eco-oriented La Posada del Sol near the beach. And hot tip – head to Taquería Honorio for the best classic cochinita pibil, a roasted pork dish in a succulent marinade.
Oaxaca’s beautiful Pacific coast is home to several varied, relaxed beach destinations and a near-empty shoreline strung with long golden beaches and lagoons full of wildlife. Playa Salchi, halfway between the western edge of Parque Nacional Huatulco and Puerto Ángel, is some of the most precious coastline in Oaxaca.
The water can be somewhat rough on the main beach, but there are several swimmable beaches nearby. The nearby town of Huatulco was developed in the late 1980s with a more ecological bent than some of the bigger resorts in Mexico. More than 100 dive sites and 45 hectares of coral reefs in the surrounding waters make this the ideal low-key destination for all things below the surface. Dolphins, turtles and humpback whales all cruise through this coastline.
For the best tours head to Huatulco Salvaje, a group of certified tour guides local to the area. Many of them are from families that were displaced after the creation of Parque Nacional Huatulco in the 1990s and they know their stuff when it comes to nature tours.
Puerto Vallarta fell out of favor for a while as Cancún rose to prominence, but this enticing coastal destination is stretched around the sparkling blue Bahía de Banderas and backed by lush palm-covered mountains. It’s also known for a popping nightlife and with numerous LGBT-friendly options, it has become the gay beach capital of Mexico.
The best beach near Puerto Vallarta is Yelapa. It’s the furthermost of the southern beaches from town tucked into a secluded and beloved bay. It’s home to a small community that fishes off the pier. It can be a bit busy with day-trippers, but it empties out in the afternoon and has several comfortable places to stay if you prefer quiet evenings.
Riviera Nayarit is all the rage with families these days and it’s really no wonder. Punta Mita and Sayulita are both charming little surf towns with clear, aquamarine water, white sand, great food and tons of wildlife excursions into the stunning, jungled mountains. But head to the peaceful, drowsy backwater of San Blas for the perfect laid back charm.
The beaches here, Playa Los Cocos, Playa Miramar and our favorite Playa Las Islitas are popular for surfing and have palapas under which you can lounge and drink fresh coconut water. Playa Las Islitas is wonderfully swimmable with a very gentle surf, just perfect for beginners.
If you’re searching for surf though, head to Troncones, where the world-class surfing has been attracting ex-pats for a few years now. There’s also good mountain biking in the hills and day trips to check out petroglyphs in a nearby cave and a local hot spring to soak sore surfer muscles.
Cozumel remains Mexico’s number one stop for diving and snorkeling. The surrounding reefs are world-renowned and for good reason. The jaw-droppingly impressive variety of marine life is visible year-round and includes spotted eagle rays, moray eels, groupers, barracudas, turtles, sharks, brain coral and some huge sponges.
The beach at El Cielo, living up to its heavenly name, has shallow turquoise waters that are ideal for snorkeling and swimming among starfish, stingrays and other small, bright fish. It’s only reachable by boat, and tour operators are readily available for the half–mile journey from Cozumel. Book a trip with Aldora Divers, one of the best dive shops in Cozumel. They’ll take you to the windward side of the island when the weather is bad on the western side and have full-day excursions to caves with sleeping sharks. September and October offer the best weather conditions for diving.
More than 60km long with a bottom of sparkling white sand, the crystal-clear Laguna Bacalar offers opportunities for camping, swimming, kayaking and simply lazing around amid a color palette of blues, greens and shimmering whites — as if you’ve left real life behind and stepped into a filter-perfect world.
The small and sleepy town has enough tourism to give you things to do and places to eat, but let’s be honest, it’s the quiet opportunity to soak in all the beauty that is the draw here.
To live out your cabana-over-turqouise-water dreams head to Rancho Encantado. A day at this striking hotel consists of wake up, have breakfast on the lagoon, kayak or swim in calm, translucent waters and then unwind in the Jacuzzi.
Playa Los Algodones
Near the under-the-radar beach retreat of San Carlos, in the state of Sonora, Playa Los Algodones is arguably the most beautiful beach in northern Mexico. The sand is fine and white, the water blue and calm and the view is of dramatic mountains.
The low-key San Carlos is presided over by the majestic twin peaks of Cerro Tetakawi which glow an impressive red-earthed hue as the sun descends. Kayaking is the main activity other than beach lounging, but there are hikes up the mountains and horseback riding in the desert.
Northern Mexico isn’t often traveled by visitors holding passports from outside of Mexico, but it can get packed with weekend warriors from nearby Hermosillo. Even so, Sonora sees far fewer travelers, especially foreigners, than its myriad attractions and drop-dead beauty would suggest.
The beach at Zipolite is huge, running for a good 1.5km and dispatching massive waves. It’s famous for nudity, so you’ll see people randomly swimming, sunbathing or happily walking across the wet sand minus their clothes at any time of day. It is more common in a couple of coves at the western end of the beach and in the small bay called Playa del Amor.
The town of Zipolite is a chilled-out strip of palapas, beach shacks and intentionally rustic boutique hotels. It’s the largest of the three beach towns that decorate the coast west of Puerto Angel and it’s well known for surfing, an unashamed ‘do nothing’ vibe and a touch of bohemian magic.
The essence and glory of Zipolite is that organized activity is minimal. This is a place for hanging out and doing just as little as you like. But you need to eat so head to the outstanding La Providencia, a contemporary Mexican treat with a perfect open-air lounge.
Ahhh Puerto Escondido. Is this where surfers go when they die? Many places claim to be the world’s best surfing beach, but Puerto Escondido’s Playa Zicatela – 3.5km of golden sand and crashing waves – makes many wave-rider’s top 10 for good reason. The heart of the action is the Mexico Pipeline at the northern end. But, if you’re looking to learn among the best, head to Playa Carrizalillo.
This small, beautiful sheltered cove west of the center is a superstar of Mexico’s beaches and a gorgeous place to hang out, swim and live vicariously as a surfer dude. In fact, it is the place for beginner surfers. Book a lesson and you’ll probably end up here making a splash or three. There is a mellow line of palapa beach bars when you finish.
Around town you’ll find that the Rinconada quarter is emerging as a culinary hot spot and the beach bars in Zicatela host spirited dance parties for late-night mischief.
Playa del Caballo
Playa del Caballo is adjacent to Playa las Ánimas, a popular tourist beach getaway for the locals of Puerto Vallarta that is accessible by water taxi.
At the teeming shores of Playa las Ánimas are rows of beach chairs and crowded bars. But a short walk to the north, on a path that winds behind a few small bungalows, opens to Playa del Caballo. A true paradise with electric blue water and towering palm trees, this beach is like your own private discovery, where the bevy of crabs that scuttle up to shore make up most of the fellow travelers.
Playa Delfines
Ask any local about the best beach in Cancún, and you’re sure to hear about Playa Delfines. Running south of the Zona Hotelera across the street from Cancún’s most important ancient archaeological site – El Rey – Playa Delfines is one of the few beaches in Cancún not dominated by an imposing resort.
You won’t be alone here as it’s hugely popular, but there’s plenty of powdery sand for everyone to spread out. This sweeping beach is one of the rare surfing spots in Cancún, so bring your board or simply play in the waves. Plenty of parking, public restrooms, lifeguards, rows of thatch-roofed palapas that are free to use, and even a playground make this an ideal spot for families. Enjoy the churros and mango-on-a-stick sold by the vendors.
Playa Mujeres
Visitors to the Cancun area have discovered Playa Mujeres, what was once a secret, to the north of the Zona Hotelera. Home to several adults-only resorts and the Playa Mujeres Golf Club, Playa Mujeres tends to appeal to a mature, well-heeled crowd looking to unwind. Still it remains relatively quiet and unvisited. You won’t find thumping beach clubs or imposing mega-resorts here – just elegant boutique hotels and miles of pristine sand.
Holbox
Located on Holbox Island, north of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Yum Balam nature reserve, Holbox beach (hol-bosh) is known for its fine white sand, turquoise waters and colorful Caribbean buildings.
Known in Mayan as “black hole,” several spots around Holbox are worth exploring, like Bird Island (Isla Pájaros), Passion Island (Isla Pasión) and the Yalahau freshwater pool.
Playa Norte
Ten miles off the coast of Cancún, Playa Norte is located on Isla Mujeres, famous for having the largest concentration of whale sharks on the planet.
Compared to Cancún, Playa Norte is significantly quieter than Cancun, and both locals and tourists use golf carts, bikes and scooters to move around the beach and the island. Once you reach Playa Norte, you won’t want to leave.
Melaque
Melaque, Jalisco is a classic Mexican beach town where front doors are kept open for the breezes, and mom-and-pop stores overflow with tropical fruits, glass bottle sodas, and portable coolers filled with freshly made tortillas.
Just steps from the cobblestone streets is a five-mile-long (8km) bay dotted with whitewashed buildings and palm trees. The surf attracts boogie boarders and the sand is gloriously empty most of the year. It’s a popular spot for nesting sea turtles, and snorkeling and fishing are popular nearby. For beachfront eats, there’s a clutch of thatched-roof restaurants on the north side of the bay where freshly caught fish is served by the kilo, whole and fried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Mexico has the nicest beaches?
Since it has beaches to suit every taste – from remote islands to romantic coves to kid-friendly resorts, it’s hard to pin down a particular area where you’ll find the best beaches in Mexico. However, for easy access to soft, sugar-white sands and bonafide beautiful blue seas, many people tend to gravitate toward beaches along the Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo.
Which beach has the clearest water in Mexico?
With thousands of miles of coastline, Mexico boasts many beaches with crisp, clear, turquoise water. But if we had to narrow down our list to the top three beaches providing the greatest water clarity would be Tulum, Playa Norte and Isla Mujeres.
What is the safest beach destination in Mexico?
Although there is no official safety designation for Mexico’s beaches, the US State Department has issued no recent travel advisories for Puerto Vallarta. But Mexico’s miles of coastline offer many safe places to visit. And just as you would while traveling anywhere, use good judgment, stay aware of your surroundings, and avoid illicit activities.
What is the nicest part of Mexico to vacation in?
From exploring jungle wildlife to climbing Mayan ruins, and from flip-flopping along remote sandy paths to immersing yourself in vibrant culture and crafts, Mexico has a host of vacation spots to satisfy anyone’s dream of the perfect vacation.
Which coast is better in Mexico?
Magical beach destinations with diverse sea and land activities exist on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts and the Sea of Cortez. It all depends on what you want to do. For excellent snorkeling and diving along with fantastic beaches, many people prefer the Caribbean side. The pristine sands and surf draw many loyal fans to the Pacific, where the water is a bit cooler. On either side there are opportunities to explore quaint towns that capture the spirit of Mexico’s unique history and culture.
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Stretching from the Eastern Plains to the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is rightly famous for its breathtaking landscapes. Crossing this rugged state will take you past soaring mountains, sun-drenched plains, red rock mesas and high-altitude deserts – all of which look especially fetching through a car or RV windshield.
Fans of road trips are in for a treat. In between extraordinary vistas, tempting stops invite you to pull over – charming Colorado towns, scenic lakes, unexpected historic sites and outdoor recreation opportunities of every kind, including some fabulous hikes. And endless miles of well-maintained Scenic and Historic Byways provide easy access to the state’s diverse attractions.
Do some planning to make sure you catch Colorado at the best time of year, then grab your keys and pull onto the highway… Here are the best road trips in Colorado.
The hike up Mt Elbert is just one of the delights waiting along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway. Patrick Poendl/Shutterstock
1. Over Independence Pass
Best for road-trippers in a rush
Twin Lakes–Aspen; 27 miles
The ribbon of road between the historic township of Twin Lakes and the swanky mountain town of Aspen forms the backbone of one of Colorado’s most epic drives. Along this part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, the vistas are cinematic in scale. Swatches of snow are often visible along the ridges, just below the knife edge of peaks, and tundra vegetation flourishes at the top of the pass. Peaking at 12,095ft, you’ll be on the edge of the Continental Divide, facing views like real-life IMAX moments.
The pass is closed in the winter, from October to May, but for the rest of the year, the drive is short and sweet – and we recommend taking your time. Check out Twin Lakes Reservoir, an angler’s and paddleboarder’s dream. The lakeshore is dotted with historic ruins, including the remains of Interlaken, once Colorado’s largest resort, built in 1879.
And don’t miss dropping into Independence near Aspen – a ghost town dotted with weathered wood cabins. This was the first mining site in the Roaring Fork Valley, and it offers an evocative window back in time.
Detour: For added endorphins, go for a hike on 14,440ft Mt Elbert. This is one of the “easier” fourteeners in the state but start your hike early to make it to the summit and back in one day.
The Top of the Rockies route is at its most dramatic in fall, just before Independence Pass closes. Getty Images
2. Top of the Rockies
Best for big mountain views
Minturn–Aspen; 115 miles
If you liked the drive over Independence Pass, extend the journey to take in the rest of this Scenic Byway. One of the highest roads in the US, the route seldom drops below 9000ft as it follows the mountaintops. You’ll go through three spectacular mountain passes, cross the Continental Divide, take in two Colorado giants – Mt Elbert and 14,428ft Mt Massive – and roll through historic towns in central Colorado.
And if outdoor recreation is your thing, the route passes through three National Forests offering countless opportunities to hike, climb, fish and ski. Not bad for a single day’s drive! Along the way, tiny Minturn is big on small-town charm, while historic Leadville offers the chance to learn all about Colorado’s rags-to-riches mining beginnings at the National Mining Hall of Fame.
Twin Lakes, meanwhile, offers the chance to wander through a historic mining camp that once produced gold, silver and other metals. At the end of the tour is Aspen, one of the state’s poshest and most cultured mountain towns – and a must-visit, even if you don’t consider yourself part of the Aspen set.
Planning Tip: In the summer, from June to September, pick up provisions to munch on the drive at Minturn’s bustling farmers market (the kids can pet goats while you shop).
Feel nature on all sides on the Trail Ridge Road. Bob Pool/Shutterstock
3. Trail Ridge Rd across the Continental Divide
Best for tundra scenery
Estes Park–Grand Lake; 47 miles
Rocky Mountain National Park’s signature drive, the Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved through-road in North America, climbing to 12,183ft. It follows the same path that generations of Ute, Arapaho and Apache people used as a trade route to traverse Milner Pass, crossing the Continental Divide.
Expect outrageous views of snow-capped peaks, meandering streams, tight switchbacks across the Continental Divide, high-country meadows, wildflowers galore and (with luck) some Rocky Mountain wildlife. Be sure to stop at some of the countless turnoffs to explore tundra trails or, at the very least, take selfies from the top of the world. Note that the road is closed by snow from October to May.
Planning Tip: For a short but steep leg stretch, walk the mile-long Alpine Ridge Trail, for giddying views of the Never Summer Mountains.
The dog won’t be the only one gazing out of the window on a drive through Colorado. Getty Images
4. Peak to Peak Hwy
Best year-round road trip
Estes Park–Nederland; 42 miles
Colorado’s first Scenic Byway, the Peak to Peak Hwy is a year-round hit, winding past towering mountains such as 14,255ft Longs Peak and lush alpine valleys, plus a handful of appealing one-horse towns. The road is especially stunning in the fall, when the mountains become a quilt of gold, yellow and orange. This season also brings bugling elks searching for mates and carloads of leaf-peepers.
Set aside a couple of hours for the drive. Before leaving Estes Park, follow the riverwalk or take a spooky ghost tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, reputedly the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Along the route, consider stopping in Ward, a former boom town and bohemian magnet that has settled into an artfully ramshackle state of disrepair, or Peaceful Valley, notable for its little onion-domed church perched on a hillside. At the end, stroll through Nederland, a hippie holdout known for its quirky shops and colorful cafes.
Planning Tip: Loads of hikes are possible in the national forests and wilderness areas along the route, including trails around Arapaho Peak, Roosevelt Peak and Indian Peak.
Old West history comes alive at Bent’s Old Fort Historic Site. Eric Foltz/Getty Images
5. Santa Fe Trail
Best for history
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site–Trinidad; 116 miles
History buffs will love this day-long drive along the Santa Fe Trail, the Old West’s first wagon “highway,” which once extended all the way from Missouri to New Mexico. Views of sun-drenched prairies and wheat fields, sugar-beet farms and railroad yards unfurl on this wide-open two-lane highway, providing a rich mix of history and uplifting backcountry scenery.
The route’s signature sight is the phenomenal Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, set beside the Arkansas River. Perched on the erstwhile US-Mexico border, the fort marked a cultural crossroads where Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Mexican and American traders met, mingled and coexisted.
While initially built for trade, the fort was later seized by the US Army – the start of a military presence that remains strong in Colorado to this day. Trade declined as thousands of settlers poured into the frontier following the Louisiana Purchase and a notorious cholera epidemic that greatly affected the region’s Indigenous communities.
In nearby Comanche National Grassland, homestead ruins and original wheel ruts from wagons on the Santa Fe Trail are still visible. Take time to check out the town of Trinidad, too – tucked into a chimney-top mesa, the town was once an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
Detour: Another highlight of the Comanche National Grassland is Picketwire Dinosaur Tracksite, the largest documented dinosaur track site in North America. You can see more than 1500 dinosaur footprints, but you’ll need to book a 4WD tour or hike to reach the site.
Dramatic landscapes are guaranteed on Colorado’s Highway of Legends. Dan Ballard/Getty Images
6. The Hwy of Legends
Best for mining memories
Trinidad–Walsenburg; 82 miles
Steeped in mining folklore and Native American legends, the sleepy towns and majestic mountain passes of the Hwy of Legends provide a beautiful detour from the I-25 throughway, linking Denver to cities to the north and south. You’ll pass through some of southeastern Colorado’s most glorious countryside; budget two hours to drive the route, more if you stop to take in the sights.
Historic Trinidad is one of the shining stars of the route. Its Main Street was an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail, and the spot where Mother Jones later led marches with striking miners. The Trinidad History Museum offers an excellent primer on the town’s backstory.
Standing like forgotten sentinels along the road, you’ll spy rows and rows of coal ovens in Cokedale, which once produced coke for the steel industry. Also stop in Cuchara for its views of the Spanish Peaks and the Great Dikes that jut from meadows to mountains, and La Veta, where there are more churches than paved roads.
This being Colorado, there are plenty of recreational activities to enjoy as well. The Cucharas River offers terrific fishing, while the hiking in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness is some of the best in the state.
Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most fascinating stops on the Trail of the Ancients. Thomas Trompeter/Shutterstock
7. Trail of the Ancients
Best for Indigenous culture
Mesa Verde National Park–Ute Mountain Tribal Park; 116 miles
The Trail of the Ancients is the only National Scenic Byway dedicated to archaeology. This beautiful and eye-opening route winds through the canyons, mountains and plains once inhabited by Ancestral Puebloans and later nomadic Navajo, Apache and Ute people. Though the route covers just 116 miles, the sites it passes are fascinating and worth lingering over, making this a good multi-day trip.
Mesa Verde National Park is the crown jewel of the route, home to over 5000 archaeological sites, including 600 Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings – a guided ranger tour is highly recommended. Just north, the Anasazi Heritage Center has interesting films, hands-on exhibits and artifacts dating to 400 CE.
Elsewhere, the Canyon of the Ancients and Hovenweep National Monument are Ancestral Puebloan treasures that have been largely left alone and are perfect for DIY exploration. And Ute Mountain Tribal Park houses a number of lesser-known cliff dwellings.
Planning Tip: If you visit Ute Mountain Tribal Park, petroglyphs and shards of Native American pottery can seen scattered over the site, but an official guide must accompany all visitors.
You don’t know it yet, but St Thomas is the tropical paradise of your dreams. Sugar-white sands line this US Virgin Island, and swaying green palms provide gentle shade when you’re not floating dreamily in the Caribbean Sea.
Whether you want to stretch out on the beach and relax, snorkel amidst the rich marine life or park yourself at a beach bar, St Thomas has the ideal beach to suit your needs. These are seven of our favorites, from the heavy hitters that keep travelers coming back for more to the tucked-away coves locals love.
1. Magens Bay
Best beach for families and facilities
A frequent inclusion on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Magens Bay really is worth the hype. Yes, you will have to pay a fee to enter (US$7/21, day/month for non-residents). And yes, it does get packed with tourists (especially when cruise ships are in port). But there’s no other beach on St Thomas quite like it – it’s tucked at the end of a deep horseshoe-shaped cove with green hills snaking off into the horizon on either end. Changing facilities, restaurants, water sports rentals, picnic tables and lifeguards all make it a great choice for families.
Low-key and laidback, Honeymoon Beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Shutterstock
2. Honeymoon Beach
Best beach for laidback adventures
Take a 15-minute ferry from the Crown Bay Marina to the dock on nearby Water Island, hike for 10 minutes over a small hill, and you’ll find yourself at a picturesque cove lined with towering palms known as Honeymoon Beach. Blessed with incredibly calm waters, it’s a great place to rent a kayak or paddleboard for a leisurely mid-morning adventure. It’s also dotted with the umbrellas of low-key beach bars, making it an ideal spot for one of those lunches that accidentally turns into an early happy hour.
3. Lindbergh Bay
Best beach for budding aviators
Plane spotters love Lindbergh Bay – as you lay back on a towel basking in the tropical sun, you can watch jets descend into the neighboring Cyril E. King Airport. Named after the pioneering American aviator Charles Lindbergh – who landed here on a victory tour in 1928 after completing the first solo transatlantic flight – this long, broad beach shaded by seagrape trees is great for strolls or swimming laps. Anyone flying out early should consider the two hotels on either end, Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Emerald Beach Resort, which make convenient final-night stays.
4. Lindquist Beach
Best beach for photo opportunities
Nestled in the protected Smith Bay Park, Lindquist Beach is a true vision of paradise, with soft white sands leading out to calm aquamarine waters. Off in the distance, emerald green cays roll across the horizon, making it a favored backdrop for both island weddings and American commercials. Families love the place, too, because there’s always a lifeguard on duty, picnic tables for lunching and a bathhouse with showers where you can rinse off the salty sea.
Brewers Bay is often quiet on weekdays and makes the perfect spot for travelers on a budget. Getty Images
5. Brewers Bay
Best beach for budget travelers
Sea turtles and stingrays are frequently spotted ambling through the seagrass of this wide bay behind the airport, which is a favorite with students from the nearby University of the Virgin Islands. Despite being one of the best places on the island for sea life, Brewers Bay sees far more locals than tourists, who often come for picnics and gatherings on the weekend, chowing down on pates (meat pies) or johnnycakes (fluffy fried bread). On weekdays, it’s often deserted. With snack vans, restroom facilities and easy access by public bus, it makes a great destination for travelers on a budget.
6. Sapphire Beach
Best beach for windsurfing
It may be called Sapphire Beach, but the water here is so turquoise that you’ll think your eyes are tricking you. Visitors often base themselves in the condo rentals and resort hotels that encase this East End beach for its sweeping views over St John and offshore cays that are as spectacular as the snorkeling at the reef near Pettyklip Point. Yes, it’s unabashedly touristy, but it never feels overrun with day-trippers. And with a steady breeze, it’s also the best spot on the island for windsurfing.
Take in the beautiful turquoise waters of Sapphire Beach. Elijah-Lovkoff/Getty Images
7. Neltjeberg Bay
Best beach for privacy and peace
Pristine sand lines and a perfect half-moon bay are the rewards at the end of a 20-minute hike out to St Thomas’s finest secret beach. Neltjeberg Bay lies on the far side of a thick tangle of bush – including wild-growing pineapple and guava – to the west of the more accessible Dorothea Beach. The only sign of civilization is a solitary – and quite opulent – house atop Ruy Point, as well as the vine-clad ruins of an old sugar plantation. BYO everything (and cart it back out) as there are zero facilities; it’ll just be you, the sand and a few curving coconut palms!
8. Coki Beach
Best beach for snorkeling
If you want to snorkel right off the coast of St Thomas, just about everyone will point you in the direction of Coki Beach. While the corals here aren’t what they used to be – and the scene is anything but serene – most visitors do encounter plenty of tropical fish (thanks, in no small part, to the controversial practice of fish feeding). Keep in mind that because it lies adjacent to the flashy theme park, Coral World, this narrow strip of sand can get absolutely slammed with tourists.
9. Mermaid’s Chair
Best beach to paddle from the sea to the ocean
The chance to put one foot in the Caribbean, then another in the Atlantic, is what lures intrepid travelers to the remote double-sided beach known as Mermaid’s Chair. This small strip of sand on the wild western tip of St Thomas is best viewed at low tide. To reach it, plan to hike about 1.3 miles (2km) downhill from The Preserve at Botany Bay on a mostly paved road with extensive views over the westerly cays.
A week at an all-inclusive resort promises idle, sunny days but it doesn’t usually spell adventure. After all, where’s the thrill of exploration when there’s a beach in easy reach of your bed, and all meals and drinks are served on site? But hold the piña coladas: resorts can offer much more than a do-nothing holiday.
At these 10 all-inclusives, guests go galloping across lonesome prairies, watch elephants from outdoor pools, and cultivate skills from yoga to axe-throwing. These out-of-the-ordinary spots might even win over hardened resort skeptics.
Resorts are sprinkled across Turkey’s Aegean Coast as generously as pistachios on a wedge of künefe (pastry cheesecake). Club Marvy has the swish spa and sandy beach you’d expect of an upscale all-inclusive. Its kitchen aims high with Turkey-meets-Italy food from locally sourced ingredients (the owner’s mother has an organic farm close by). But best of all is the chance to play sea captain with reasonably priced lessons at the on-site sailing club. Kids can bob around in the sparkling water on a dinghy while adults work to get their sailing license … perhaps you’ll arrive by boat next time.
Full-board packages start around TL1045 (US$185) per night. It’s less than an hour by road from ancient port town İzmir.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, the Bahamas
A Bahamian beach is a suitably dreamy setting to search your soul. This traditional ashram’s immersive yoga holidays on Paradise Island include guided meditation, workshops and dance performances, along with vegetarian meals and accommodation. Some private rooms look straight at the sea; even better value are the wood-lined garden rooms, dorms and tent huts. When you aren’t working on your asanas (yoga postures) you can wiggle your toes into warm sand or go snorkeling.
For a shared room, budget US$105 or above per night. Boat transfers from Nassau reach the ashram.
In Australia’s Top End, a jigsaw of wetlands, rainforests and sandstone plateaus, Bamarru Plains offers a front-row seat to natural drama: gamboling wallabies, strutting storks and herds of water buffalo. Nine stilt bungalows, poised above the Mary River floodplains west of Kakadu National Park, are designed with respect for the land and its history, from Aboriginal artwork to bathrooms made from up-cycled metal. Mesh walls on three sides allow epic views from your bed, while magpie geese act as a cacophonous alarm clock.
Packages start at A$1140 (US$800) per person per night (minimum two-night stay). It’s a three-hour drive east from Darwin (or a 30-minute charter flight).
OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, Maldives
Powder-white sand, crystalline water … few destinations evoke paradise quite like the Maldives. This palm-fringed resort encourages guests to dive in (literally), with complimentary stand-up paddleboard, wind and kite surf, kayak and snorkel hire, plus there’s an on-site diving school to guide the adventurous to wrecks and reefs. Still not done with the deep blue sea? Some packages include an evening at the underwater restaurant – though it’s hard to order fish of the day after seeing Nemo swim past the window.
All-inclusive rates start at around US$966 per room when booked online. Speedboat transfers link to Male’s international airport.
Wildlife prowls straight past the luxury tents at Roho Ya Selous. Guided walking safaris and game drives (included in the price) take you even closer to residents of the Selous Game Reserve: lions, wild dogs, elephants and more than 400 bird species. The eight luxury tents have a certain rough-hewn chic, with stone floors and reed walls, and evening meals are served outdoors allowing diners to count stars. Prime time is from June to October when watering holes shrink, allowing for predictable wildlife-spotting.
Nightly full-board rates per person (double occupancy), including activities and transfers, start at around US$700.
La Cucina Sabina, Italy
Dining on authentic pizza and tiramisu is a memorable though short-lived pleasure. But a stay at La Cucina Sabina might cultivate a life-long love affair with Italian cuisine, with cookery classes woven into a program of gastronomic discovery. At this elegant boutique resort, you’ll sizzle up saltimbocca (prosciutto and sage-wrapped veal) while admiring lemon trees and olive groves from the kitchen’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The itinerary also includes guided tours of castles and Rome’s ancient sights. Best of all, you’ll depart with the secret cooking techniques of Italian nonne (grandmothers).
Six-night culinary holidays start at US$3400 per guest (double occupancy). La Cucina Sabina is 20km northeast of Rome.
Nestled in northwest Colorado’s Elk River Valley, upscale dude ranch Vista Verde isn’t only for serious equine enthusiasts. Novice horse riders are welcome, plus there’s mountain biking, rafting, photography, cooking classes and, in winter, Nordic skiing and sleigh rides (all included in the rate). Communal dining and quality wine lists ensure easy mingling with other guests. Roam the plains on horseback then retreat to a log cabin with a hot tub…ranch life sure is tough.
Seven-night winter stays start at US$3025 per person (US$4525 in summer). Driving from Denver takes roughly 3½ hours.
The Chilko Experience, Canada
Feeling the urge to leave humanity behind for a while? Head to the untamed Chilcotin, the stomping ground of grizzly bears (and only around 1000 humans). Everywhere you look from The Chilko Experience are evergreen forests, alpine lakes and serrated mountain peaks. Along with accommodation in cosy timber-frame and log dwellings, prettily decorated with antiques, the rate includes gung-ho activities from kayaking and lake cruises to ATV riding and axe-throwing. Ideal timing is mid-September into October, when bears travel from miles around to guzzle salmon at the Chilko River.
Three-night stays from US$2950 per person. Flights from Vancouver to Williams Lake land within a three-hour drive of the resort.
At solar-powered Sarara Camp, every moment is a wildlife-spotting opportunity. You might spy warthogs from the terrace of your high-ceilinged tent, watch elephants from the outdoor pool, and spot impala from the al fresco dining area. True Luxury Travel parcel up an all-inclusive stay with a visit to nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Committed to returning orphaned animals to the wild – and opposed to cruel practices like elephant riding – this community-focused project limits human-elephant contact but allows observation of endearing pachyderms at play.
Four-night package (based on two guests sharing) with domestic flights GBP£6600 (US$8250). Transfers from Wilson Airport in Nairobi are included.
Tiger Rock Resort, Malaysia
Tourism can have a disastrous impact on fragile island environments and Pulau Pangkor, a popular beachy retreat off Peninsular Malaysia, has seen rampant development. But Tiger Rock Resort has taken a low-impact and community-driven approach, and the result is a tranquil hideaway that blends into its jungle setting. Knock about on the tennis courts, watch huge Raja Brooke butterflies flit through overhanging palm fronds, cool off in a saltwater pool, and tuck into fish curries and nasi lemak (coconut rice) flecked with the island’s signature product, ikan bilis (sun-dried anchovies).
Full board per person per night starts at RM690 (US$168). Ferries connect Pangkor Island with mainland jetties Lumut and Marina Island.
Georgia doesn’t have a lot of coastline, a little more than 100 miles. But that stretch is packed with some of the Atlantic coast’s most unique features, and visitors would be hard-pressed to find something like it anywhere else.
This region is dotted with barrier islands, small islands formed by waves that deposit sand in the same area for several millennia. This phenomenon creates a fascinating network of tiny islands and tidal rivers that run beside them, lapping up against the mainland; marshes, lagoons and seaside forests complete the delicate landscape. The Peach State is home to 14 of these islands, each one with its own set of gorgeous beaches.
Some of these beaches are closed to public traffic to protect the wildlife living there – everything from sea turtles to wild boars and horses – but the ones open to the public offer just as much natural diversity. Visitors come to Georgia’s island beaches to walk near-empty white sand beaches, photograph the bones of an old forest, and catch breath-taking sunrises every morning. Here’s a list of our favorite stretches of sand – which one will you pick?
Driftwood Beach may feel a bit eerie upon first glance thanks to the gnarled trunks of live oak trees that punctuate the shore, a result of beach erosion that’s caused the forested home of these majestic hardwoods to creep closer to the ocean’s edge. What beach-goers have now is a popular coastal strip that’s a favorite for families, and anyone looking to capture unique photos. Prepare to be joined by several photographers if you plan to shoot the sunrise.
Planning tip: There’s a $10 daily parking fee ($15 for large vehicles) for any vehicle driving onto Jekyll Island. Pedestrians and cyclists are exempt from the fee.
Read more: Get outside at these Georgia state parks
North Beach is a haven for those who love to be active on the water, whether you enjoy surfing, sea kayaking and jet skiing – take lessons or hit the waves on your own. Visitors often report seeing dolphins from their vantage point on North Beach, but serious seekers can also book a dolphin tour to get a little closer. Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse is a stone’s throw away – the Tybee Island Lighthouse was originally built in 1773, then partially rebuilt after the top half was destroyed in 1861 during the Civil War.
Planning tip: Tybee Island pays for public services via its parking fee. There’s no free public parking on the island between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm, so plan to shell out about $4/hour no matter where you park, including the spots near North Beach.
If you’ve been longing for a solo day on an empty beach, Cumberland Island will feel like a dream come true. Cumberland Island is a National Seashore, which means it’s protected and preserved by the National Park Service (NPS) and doesn’t allow commercial development or personal vehicles. Only 300 people are allowed on the island each day, most of whom are day-trippers who come to see the Dungeness Ruins. Stafford Beach is a 3.5-mile hike away from the ferry drop, so either bring a bike on the boat with you or prepare for a walk. Determined souls will be rewarded with miles of powdery-white sand and calm waters all to themselves.
Planning Tip: Reservations are required ahead of your visit to Cumberland Island. If you plan to stay overnight, book a room at the island’s only hotel, the Greyfield Inn, or reserve a campsite from the National Park Service (the Stafford Beach campground is closest to Stafford beach). It’s also possible to take a day trip to the island. There’s only one company that offers ferry rides, and it leaves from St. Marys a couple times a day.
Read more: Hit the trail with the best hikes in Georgia
4. St. Andrews Beach, Jekyll Island
Make sure you don’t overlook the river-facing beaches on Georgia’s barrier islands! St. Andrews Beach offers visitors calm waters full of seafoam, and it’s a great spot for birding, shelling and dolphin sightings. Just a few feet from the sand is The Wanderer Memory Trail, a short hiking trail parallel to the coast that tells the story of the passengers of The Wanderer, a slave ship that illegally transported more than 400 people to Jekyll Island after the international slave trade was outlawed in the United States.
Planning tip: Double the fun of your beach trip by visiting Driftwood Beach and St. Andrews Beach together. The beaches are about seven miles apart on Jekyll Island and can be reached by car or bicycle.
5. East Beach, St. Simons Island
Warm water and white sand make East Beach on St. Simons a favorite for a majority of Georgia beach enthusiasts. The sand is packed in tight here due to the tides, which makes it ideal for biking along the coastline. St. Simons island’s beaches also get credit for being more pet friendly – unleashed dogs are permitted anytime of year after 6 pm and before 9 am, and they are allowed free reign in the afternoons outside of the busy summer months.
Read more: Pick the best time to visit Georgia for your trip
Warm temperatures aren’t the only thing in the air in Florida: love is too. With more than 1300 miles of coastline, cosmopolitan cities with happenings galore and secluded terrain primed for romantic outings, the Sunshine State is a multifaceted destination for lovebirds near and far.
Central to Florida’s allure are its pleasant year-round climate – particularly for those escaping colder US states during the wintertime – and its spectrum of lux and affordable adventures. This means walks on white-sand beaches, resort stays and intimate outdoor excursions are always in reach.
Here are seven of Florida’s most romantic trips – spanning all corners of the state – to help hearts flutter.
There are plenty of water-adventure businesses to wow you and yours in the Florida Keys. For a build-it-yourself adventure that lets your romantic creativity shine, make a snorkeling outing at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – the site of a pre–Civil War fort – your itinerary’s anchor.
No boat is needed to get your snorkel on here. Simply bring your own equipment (or rent some on-site) and then venture into the water where coral, parrotfish, snapper, lobsters and more colorful creatures will greet you.
After some time on the water, head to Key West’s Southernmost Point. In addition to snagging a photo with the anchored buoy at the Southernmost Point in the continental US, time your trip to coincide with a sunset. Your geographical journey will leave you just as tingly as the cotton-candy-like colors swirling in the sky.
Build your own around-the-world itinerary at Epcot in Orlando
If a dreamy excursion to France or Italy has ever been on your bucket list, you can make it happen in-state – or a version of it, at least. There are few places on planet Earth where you can visit 11 replica countries in one day, enjoying authentic cuisine and shopping up a storm along the way, but at Walt Disney World in Orlando, you can do just that with a classic eating-and-boozing “around the world” adventure at Epcot.
As easy as it can be to randomly wander and nosh on anything within the park’s 300-acre confines, consider building an itinerary around a cuisine you both enjoy. For wine lovers, for example, that could mean hitting Les Vins de France for champagne pours, Japan for plum wine and cold sake and Italy’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. As easy as it can be to focus on wine, you could easily go the beer-and-food-only route at Epcot too.
Shop ‘til you drop in South Florida via Brightline
South Florida traffic can be a total nightmare. Fortunately, the ultra-sleek and high-speed Brightline train has been a total game-changer, connecting the downtowns of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach like never before. For a date night or a weekend getaway, book a premium-class ticket, which includes a lounge and on-board car with drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and curated bites.
As for the quintessential shopping destinations within the Brightline route’s reach, you can peruse the boutiques and restaurants of Clematis Street, Rosemary Square and Worth Avenue in West Palm Beach; mature-tree-clad Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale; and funky, graffiti-covered Wynwood, street mall Lincoln Road and uber-classy Bal Harbour Shops in Miami.
Picnic and see some dolphins at Lovers Key State Park
If the name of this Fort Myers Beach park itself doesn’t do the trick, perhaps its stunning confines will. This is a popular destination for weddings, with a gazebo on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. But there’s plenty to light some sparks even if you’re not tying the knot, including 5 miles of wooded trails to bike, a 2.5-mile estuary to kayak or canoe and a butterfly garden to explore. If you decide to go for a swim, dolphin and manatee sightings can happen here.
Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city by population, with more than 900,000 residents. When locals and visitors alike want a reprieve, they head approximately 30 miles northeast of the River City to Amelia Island and its luxury resorts and golf courses.
One of the state’s more unique experiences for couples is a horseback ride on the beach. And yes, many companies – including Amelia Island Horseback Riding, Happy Trails Walking Horses and Kelly Seahorse Ranch – offer guided excursions for novice equestrians.
Get pampered in Hollywood in a Rock Spa & Salon couples’ treatment suite
Less than 10 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale – a canal-filled romance hotspot in its own right, dubbed the “Venice of America” – the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino beams with warm vibes. And we mean that quite literally: at night, a beam of light streams up through the clouds from its guitar-shaped hotel.
Beyond the Bora Bora–style pool setup and nightly light shows – in which the hotel structure itself puts on a synchronized light and music show – the property’s Rock Spa & Salon is the ultimate couple’s spa destination. For unmatched romance, book one of the three 800 sq ft couples’ treatment suites, each with its own private shower and Jacuzzi. The utopia or relaxation also has an open atrium area with wet lounges, dipping pools, saunas, quiet rooms and a salt room.
Select a hotel to match your romantic vibe
According to Visit Florida, there are more than 4200 hotel properties in the Sunshine State to help set the tone for your getaway. Time-tested options in northern Florida include the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, which has a tranquil sunset deck overlooking the Emerald Coast, as well as Gainesville’s Bed and Breakfast District, which includes the Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast Inn, offering pet-friendly cottages if Fido is joining.
In Central and South Florida, book a stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, where you can explore a 4.5-acre glass atrium loaded with landscaping and waterways with your boo. For Miami luxury, the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort exudes oceanfront indulgence, with Bal Harbour Shops across the street for a shopping spree and an on-property adults-only pool for ultimate privacy.
There is no escaping the romance of Paris. In the early 19th century the French capital revelled in the artistic and literary liberation of Romanticism, yet this graceful city has always inspired love. It permeates through the city’s arrondissements (districts) where loved-up couples laze in its manicured gardens, dine at candlelit wine bars and stroll along the Seine arm-in-arm at sunset.
The opportunities for romance here are seemingly endless, but these are our top picks of romantic things to do in the City of Love.
The Eiffel Tower is a romantic icon in Paris. Neirfy / Shutterstock
1. Take in the view from the Eiffel Tower
It’s no surprise why the Eiffel Tower witnesses so many marriage proposals: scaling the three floors of the 324m Parisian icon to the sweeping panoramic views of the city is utterly romantic – and even more irresistible with a glass of pink Champagne in hand at the top-floor Champagne Bar. Rev up the romance stakes with an ascent after-dark when the tower sparkles every hour on the hour with 20,000 gold lights.
2. Say ‘Je t’aime’ in Montmartre
Montmartre and its signature Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Sacred Heart Basilica) is a place of pilgrimage for romantics as well as the religious. Steep staircases scale the hillside to the basilica’s lofty dove-white domes, from where vistas of the city – from the front steps or from inside its main dome – are second to none.
Delve into the fabled heart of this artist neighbourhood at the Musée de Montmartre, set in the 17th-century manor where Impressionist painter Renoir and later Realist painter Suzanne Valadon had studios. The intimate garden here – with a rope swing hung from a tree evocative of Renoir’s The Swing (1876) – is particularly romantic. Weave your way to place des Abbesses and discover how to say ‘Je t’aime’ in 250 languages on the Le Mur des Je t’aime. Dedicated to love, the I Love You Wall, painted on enamelled lava tiles, is the creation of artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito.
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3. Admire the French Romantics
From place des Abbesses, walk south to the Musée de la Vie Romantique, incongruous yet still at home in red-light Pigalle. The romantic mansion with green shutters and tangled garden sits in a cobbled courtyard at the end of a tree-shaded alley. Writer George Sand and painter Ary Scheffer lived here, and objects exhibited create a wonderful flashback to Romantic-era Paris when Chopin, Delacroix et al attended salons in the house.
Admire works by Romantic painter Delacroix in the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay (in either museum hook up with THATMuse for a love-themed treasure hunt). Or head to Delacroix’s studio-home Musée National Eugène Delacroix to peek at more intimate works like An Unmade Bed (1828). In the genre of sculpture Rodin was the man: be inspired by his The Kiss (1889) and other curvaceous works at the Musée Rodin.
Writer Victor Hugo was another great French Romantic, inspired by Notre Dame. Get close to him at house-museum Maison de Victor Hugo on place des Vosges – a city square full of romancing couples on warm days.
Wander beneath the elegant arches of the historic Passage des Panoramas. stu.dio
4. Discover covered passageways
Indulge in the romantic nostalgia of 19th-century Paris in the Right Bank’s covered shopping arcades. Browse antique and secondhand bookshops in Passage Verdeau, and doll house miniatures and old-fashioned toys in Passage Jouffroy. Tea room Le Valentin seduces with homemade gâteaux (cakes).
Stroll south to Passage des Panoramas, the first arcade to be lit with gas lamps in 1817. Vintage boutiques burst with collectibles here (stamps, coins, medals, postcards etc) and old-world bistros mix with on-the-trend eating addresses like gluten-free Noglu and Philippe Starck’s Caffè Stern in an old engraving workshop at No 47.
From Passage des Panoramas continue to Jardin du Palais Royal, wrapped within the elegant arches of Galerie de Montpensier and Galerie de Valois. Guy Martin’s gastronomic Le Grand Véfour here is the last word in 18th-century opulence.
5. Stroll arm-in-arm down Canal St-Martin
There are few finer spots for a romantic stroll or cycle than along the shaded 19th-century tow paths of tranquil Canal St-Martin. Linger on the iron footbridge by the intersection of rue de la Grange aux Belles and quai de Jemmapes to watch the vintage road bridge swing open to let canal boats pass. Or grab a waterside pew at Chez Prune to boat-watch and fall in love with this fashionable Soho-boho quartier.
For lunch, feast on traditional French in the vintage romance of Le Chansonnier or play it cool with a picnic on the banks of the canal: grab a bottle of wine from Le Verre Volé and a pizza to go from Pink Flamingo.
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6. Go boating in Bois de Boulogne
There is a certain romance to sailing down the Seine on a Bateaux Parisiens or Bateaux Mouches river cruise. But two in a boat is more memorable. Head to the Bois de Boulogne to glide in a rowing boat around Lac Inférieur – romance and serenity guaranteed. Afterwards make your way through the woods to Jardin Shakespeare where plants, flowers and trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays grow. Summertime performances in the garden’s delightful open-air theatre are magic.
7. Tuck into a memorable meal
The maze of candlelit rooms inside a vine-clad 17th-century townhouse in the 5th arrondissement at Le Coupe-Chou is overwhelmingly romantic – as are the tables between art nouveau columns at Mini Palais in Grand Palais. Top choices for a romantic lunch are the art-nouveau jewel Bouillon Racine or Le Frank at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in the Bois de Boulogne. Feast on aphrodisiac oysters at Au Rocher de Cancale – a favourite since 1804 – or pair a dozen with wine at Le Baron Rouge then whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears while gorging at dessert restaurant Dessance.
Elsewhere, Les Ombres and Café Branly have splendid Eiffel Tower views, certain to set hearts aflutter any time of year. In summer, warm Paris evenings woo lovers with a stunning rooftop garden at La Tour d’Argent, cobbled courtyard eating at Derrière, and romantic dining beneath the stars on cafe terraces all over the city.
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A number of luxury boltholes are located next to Place des Vosges. s74 / Shutterstock
Paris’ most romantic hotels:
– The ultimate place to stay is black-clad Hôtel Amour in the increasingly trendy 9th arrondissement. – Luxurious choices loaded with history, romance and seductive gardens include Hôtel du Jeu de Paume on Île St-Louis and Le Pavillon de la Reine in a courtyard off place des Vosges. – Opt for a rose petal-covered levitating bed beneath a starry ceiling at contemporary romantic The Five Hotel. – The decor alone at midrange options Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais, Hôtel du Petit Moulin and Hôtel Félicien sweeps romantics off their feet. – Hôtel du Nord – Le Pari Vélo is a budget-priced charmer. – Stylish doubles with private terraces at Generator Hostel overlook Montmartre – or go for a dorm bed with bathroom art declaring ‘je pense que je t’aime’ (I think I love you).
This article was first published in June 2015 and last updated in January 2020.
Off Africa’s west coast, the archipelagic nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the continent’s most special secrets.
Made up of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe offers the best of tropical paradise: long and deserted beaches fringed with palms and a plethora of activities to help you access all this beauty.
But there’s something more here – in a word, harmony. On these islands, nature holds sway and the people move in respectful tandem with the natural world, those who make the long trip here will find superb landscapes and a tourism industry in sync with the surroundings.
Expect quiet pleasures, like lingering over a banquet of moqueca de peixe (fish stew) and gloriously named blá-bla (smoked fish) while gazing out over the Atlantic. Hiking through a forest, finding a beach and being the only one there.
Interest piqued? Read on to learn more before your first visit to São Tomé and Príncipe.
When should I visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
The busiest time to visit – a relative term, given those wonderfully low arrival numbers – is between June through August. These are the driest months, and they coincide with European summer holidays, drawing visitors from Portugal (from which São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence in 1975) in particular. To avoid even the hint of a crowd, come in June, before Europeans set off on summer vacations but when the weather is already lovely. Note that while deep-blue skies are the norm in summer, since this is the tropics it can (and often does) rain at any time.
There are two shoulder seasons in this part of the world. The first, from March to May, begins with the last rains of the wet season in March and April; May can be magnificent or torrential, depending on the year. The same applies from September to November. September is usually lovely, though rising humidity can be an uncomfortable sign of things to come. By October, everything is steamy; November usually brings the first rains. In these shoulder months, the rain is rarely constant, arriving instead in the form of apocalyptic afternoon storms that disappear almost as soon as they arrive.
December to February is the rainy season. It can be busier than usual at this moment due to Christmas–New Year holidays in Europe, though with near-constant rain, we wouldn’t recommend this season as the best time of year to visit.
How many days do I need in São Tomé and Príncipe?
It’s feasible to see most of what this compact country has to offer in 10 days. Yet two weeks would be ideal for truly taking it all in, for São Tomé and Príncipe deserves to be savored, rather than just “seen” and “done.” (What’s more, budgeting an extra day or two for rain disruptions is never a bad idea.) So in addition to the must-do list of attractions, any trip here is enhanced by slowing down and embracing the languid pace of life. Moments such as these are ones you won’t forget – or regret.
Is it easy to get to and around São Tomé and Príncipe?
Yes – but some aspects of a visit here require careful advance planning. Unlike many African countries, São Tomé and Príncipe makes it easy when it comes to visas. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK and most European countries don’t need a visa for a visit of fewer than 15 days; travelers with most other nationalities (or those with the nationalities above staying more than 15 days) can apply for an e-visa.
Flights to São Tomé and Príncipe are few: if you don’t fly directly from Lisbon, you should count on connecting in Libreville, Gabon or Luanda, Angola – with all airfares quite high. Once you arrive, however, flights open up the country. Boats between the two main islands can be overcrowded, slow and even dangerous – so book ahead to catch one of the regular flights between Príncipe and São Tomé on STP Airways.
Unless you’re on a tour with all travel arrangements taken care of, it makes sense to rent a car on each island you visit. As international car rental companies don’t operate here, you should expect to do this through your hotel, with any car also coming with a local driver/guide. If you want to plan on driving yourself, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (unless your license was issued in Portugal).
Top things to do in São Tomé and Príncipe
Forests carpet the country and beaches encircle São Tomé and Príncipe. Which is why eating fabulous seafood, hiking through forests to pristine beaches and climbing to volcanic summits are some of the most popular things to do here.
Savor the seafood of northern São Tomé
You’ll eat well wherever you go in São Tomé and Príncipe – freshly frilled fish from a roadside stall makes for a guaranteed good meal. Yet to really elevate things, head for São Tomé’s northern coast, where two spots – the Mucumbli ecolodge, and Celvas restaurant in Guadeloupe – do remarkable things with all manner of local seafood, including white grouper, amberjack, swordfish, spider crab and octopus. The smell of the sea air, the profusion of tropical vegetation and the combination of local ingredients with Portuguese flavors (the feijoada à moda da terra, a bean stew, is a rare land-based preparation) mean you’ll find yourself looking for reasons to be in the area whenever lunch or dinner draws near. To fill the time in between, you could always spend the afternoon swimming in the bath-warm waters of nearby Praia dos Tamarindos.
Be awed by nature in southern São Tomé
Things start to get wonderfully weird as you head south on the main island of São Tomé. At a point around 51km (32 miles) south of the capital, Cão Grande thrusts up above the forest, a 663m(2175ft)-high finger of rock that appears to have been generated by CGI. Of volcanic origin, this petrified tower of magma is from a long-disappeared volcano. Protrusions like these are found across the south: hike through the forest from the tiny hamlet of Santa Josefina and you’ll pass Cão Pequeno (271m / 889ft). For a really great day, continue along Rio do Portinho to the blissfully isolated Praia de Santo António Mussacamú, a tiny cove beach accessible only by hiking trail or boat.
Lie out alone on Príncipe’s glorious beaches
Many agree that São Tomé lies truly apart from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world. And then they arrive in Príncipe. The second-largest of the country’s islands yet with fewer than 10,000 residents, Príncipe is swathed in forest, rich in biodiversity and lined with empty beaches. And these beaches are some of the world’s best. Your first view of Praia Banana, for example, will be from the cliff-top lookout at Roça Belo Monte in the island’s north. Elemental colors – deep forest greens, golden-white sands, profound Atlantic blues – dominate. Continuing south along the coast, Praia Macaco and Praia Boi, each accessible only along its own winding forest path, are just as pretty. Pick the right day to visit and you may be the only ones there.
My favorite thing to do in São Tomé and Príncipe
I have seen no body of water in Africa more beautiful than the Baía das Agulhas (Bay of Spires) in Princípe. Looking like a drowned city of skyscrapers cast into stone, the bay is a stunner, with granite towers (called the Father, the Son and the Grandson, and Table Mountain) soaring over the ocean. The only reason this extraordinary place is not packed with people is that very few knows it exists. Which, of course, is fine by the rest of us.
There are many ways to experience Baía das Agulhas. You can arrange a scenic (and pricey) helicopter flight through the Bom Bom Resort, for example. Or go on a 3-hour boat trip looking for whales (which pass through from July to September). Or strap on a mask and go snorkeling; if you’re in the water from October to December and have some luck, you might swim with sea turtles. Having made it this far, I always try to do them all.
How much money do I need for São Tomé and Príncipe?
São Tomé and Príncipe is not a cheap destination – though it’s far more reasonable than other African island idylls like Mauritius or Seychelles; for a top-notch hotel, think €300 a night rather than €3000. On a tight budget, you might be able to get by on €100 per person per day – or even a little less. At the upper end of the price range, expect to spend at least €200 per day, although you could spend three times that.
Hotel room: €40–350 per day
Car/4WD rental: €40–100 per day
Street food (riz sauce, or rice with sauce): €2–5
Deluxe three-course dinner for two: €100
Pint of beer at the bar: €3
Things you should know in São Tomé and Príncipe
Is São Tomé and Príncipe safe?
Yes – in fact, São Tomé and Príncipe might just be the safest country in Central Africa, with crime of any kind extremely rare. Still, remember that some late-model smartphones may be worth the equivalent of a local’s annual salary, so be discreet with your belongings. Be especially careful on beaches (leave any valuables in your hotel’s safe), particularly near Morro Peixe, north of São Tomé city.
Bring euros with you
The local currency is the dobra, which you’ll mostly use for smaller, more-local transactions – at a market or casual restaurant, for instance. Everywhere else, it’s increasingly the norm to pay in euros, so make sure you bring plenty, including in a range of different denominations, as US dollars are becoming far less popular (and less changeable) than they used to be.
São Tomé and Príncipe is almost entirely a cash economy, with credit cards accepted only at the most luxurious hotels, restaurants and travel agencies.
Learn some Portuguese
It’s a good idea to brush up on your Portuguese before visiting São Tomé and Príncipe: nearly 99% of the population speaks the language, compared to just 5% who speak English. While that ratio is higher in larger hotels and restaurants that cater to tourists, it’s not by much. Nearly one-third of people here speak Forro, a kind of Portuguese Creole.
We have the movement of glaciers way back in the Ice Age to thank for formation of the Finger Lakes – 11 slender bodies of water flanked by wilderness, vineyards and farmland in an idyllic swath of Upstate New York.
While the Finger Lakes wine country may be finally getting its due, there are plenty of other things to love about this bucolic region. Within a few hours of leisurely driving among the lakes, you’ll encounter waterfalls, bird-watching, sculpture, women’s history, craft breweries and lots and lots of ice-cream. Here’s what to add to your itinerary.
It would be hard to pinpoint one thing that makes the Finger Lakes so charming, but a lot of it has to do with the sleepy lakeside villages dotted throughout the region.
Skaneateles, located at the top of its namesake lake (the moniker for which, pronounced “Skinny-atlas,” comes from the Iroquois term for “long lake”), vies hard for the title of the quaintest village in the land. Take a swim in the lakefront of Clift Park, just off the town’s main street, and then stroll through the smattering of adorable boutiques followed by a meal or ice-cream cone at the beloved Doug’s Fish Fry or a treat from Skaneateles Bakery.
Perched midway along the east bank of Cayuga Lake, Aurora is home to liberal arts institution Wells College, earning the village a reputation as a playground for intellectuals. The college is named after Henry Wells, co-founder of Wells Fargo and American Express, and still houses several stagecoaches as a result. Long Point State Park sits just south of the college and is a lovely spot for a picnic (pick up your provisions at The Village Market or at the farmers market if you’re there on a Saturday between June and October), as well as swimming, fishing, kayaking and boating. And if ornate homewares take your fancy, stop by the MacKenzie Childs store and its onsite Victorian farmhouse and gardens, just outside Aurora.
Over on Seneca Lake, Geneva is perhaps most well-known for its innovative concept restaurant FLX Table, which serves seasonal cuisine at one 14-seat dining table in front of an open kitchen (reserve your spot online a month in advance). The village is also home to the scenic Seneca Lake State Park and Lakefront Park, the latter of which hosts weekly free concerts in its gazebo in July and August. You can also take a stroll around the campuses of Hobart and William Smith Colleges or past the historic row houses on South Main Street.
Located at the top of its own eponymous lake, Canandaigua’s many charms include the 50-acre Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion Historic Park, which features nine painstakingly tended gardens, as well as a greenhouse complex and a Victorian mansion (be sure to check the events calendar if you’re headed there in summer). The kids will love you if you factor in a day at Roseland Waterpark, open June to September, while Roseland Wake Park is the only full-sized cable wakeboarding park in the region. But if you prefer to stay dry while out on the water, book some seats aboard the Canandaigua Lady, 19th-century paddle wheel steamboat replica that offers lunch, dinner and excursion cruises.
Though more of a town than a village, Ithaca – nestled at the foot of Cayuga Lake – is the liveliest enclave of the Finger Lakes, in part thanks to the presence of Cornell University and Ithaca College. A vibrant bohemian spirit permeates its pleasant streets, which are lined with surprisingly top-notch foodie spots (try Coltivare and Le Café Cent-Dix) and offbeat boutiques like Angry Mom Records and Autumn Leaves Used Books. Bibliophiles will love the A.D. White Library at Cornell University, while the Cornell Botanic Gardens will undoubtedly enchant green thumbs.
Explore Finger Lakes wine (and beer) country
Many who flock to the Finger Lakes are drawn to its wine country, which has earned itself a reputable name in the past few years. There are wine trails aplenty, with Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake being the most popular, but you’ll pass by boutique vineyards and wineries throughout your journey. Two of the oldest wineries in the regions, Dr. Konstantin Frank and Hermann J. Wiemer are well known for their Rieslings, while newer standouts include Heart & Hands Wine Company in Union Springs, Bloomer Creek in Hector, Boundary Breaks in Lodi, and Sheldrake Point in Ovid.
And if wine’s not your thing, or you’ve just had your fill of it, the region also has a thriving craft brew scene, best experienced via the Finger Lakes Beer Trail.
In July 1848, the first women’s rights convention in the United States convened at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who would become known as the founders of the US women’s rights movement. The Wesleyan Chapel still stands as a tribute to that historic event, alongside the official visitor center of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, which hosts exhibitions and educational tours. You can also pay a visit to the Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home just across the lake or the National Women’s Hall of Fame nearby.
Other cultural highlights in the Finger Lakes include the Johnson Museum of Fine Art in Ithaca, designed by architect IM Pei (who also designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris), and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning. The Corning Museum of Glass, dedicated to the art, history and science of glass (the first light bulbs were blown by hand in Corning in the 1890s), houses more than 45,000 glass objects.
Stop for ice-cream, often
One of the great things about traveling through a region dotted with small towns and villages is that mom-and-pop ice-cream spots are plentiful. Some of the best purveyors include Super Cream Dairy Bar in Homer, Pete’s Treats in Union Springs, Spotted Duck in Penn Yan, Purity in Ithaca, Cayuga Lake Creamery in Interlaken, the Colonial Pottery and Creamery in Watkins Glen, Dippity Do Dahs in Corning, Scoops in Canandaigua, Jones Humdinger in Binghampton, Chill & Grill in Palmyra and Mr Twistee’s, which has outposts in Geneva and Dresden.
Be sure to hit up an ATM first – true to their old-fashioned feel, many of these shops only accept cash. And if your tooth runs more sweet than savory, you might like to do the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail instead.
While there is ample opportunity for sailing and other watersports on the lakes, you’ll also find many other ways to experience the area’s natural charms.
The Finger Lakes are situated within the Atlantic Flyway, which is a prominent migratory route for North American birds. Grab your birding book and binoculars and pull up a perch at one of the many key bird-watching spots, including Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, Montezuma Wetlands Complex, Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area and Salmon Creek.
For a stunning hike, head to Watkins Glen State Park, where the trail winds through gorges and under and over 19 waterfalls. At Taughannock Falls near Ulysses, you can view the cascade from a lookout above or hike down the easy Gorge Trail to the base of the falls (the Rim Trail is a little more difficult, but worth it for the views). And remember your swimsuit if you’re headed to Buttermilk Falls just outside Ithaca, because you’ll likely want to take a dip in the natural pool at its base after completing one of the state park’s many hikes.
Chances are you’ll have a pretty decent view wherever you happen to stay in the Finger Lakes, but for the best lakeside vista, book a room at the Inns of Aurora, Belhurst Castle or Geneva on the Lake in Geneva, or the Sherwood Inn (originally a stagecoach shop) in Skaneateles. Or for something a little more intimate, try Onanda by the Lake Bed and Breakfast.
Getting to the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are about five hours’ drive from New York City, or accessible from Rochester or Syracuse airports, the latter of which is undergoing a $45 million renovation that will include a regional aviation history museum.
