Anyone fortunate enough to travel always seems to have their favorite spot. For this time of year, that spot likely involves sun, sand, and a large body of water.
Unless you’re seeking a quintessential white Christmas, sunny vacations are calling your name.
Everybody loves to give travel advice saying, “go here” and “go there”, but let’s find out where American travelers are really going.
According to recent flight data, these are the top 7 sunny destinations Americans are escaping to this winter:
Aruba
Rumor has it, the waters of Aruba are so blue that the Blue Man Group have refused to perform here out of sheer embarrassment.
That’s not true. What is true is Americans absolutely love this place! If we’re being honest, who wouldn’t?
The Caribbean never seems to fail when it comes to needing a sunny getaway. Aruba, in particular, has its best months ahead, with consistent sunny days perfect for your dream vacation.
Although not technically a country but rather a province of The Netherlands, travelers do need a passport to visit, but there is no need to exchange your U.S. dollars.
Tourists can spend their days at a picture-perfect beach with flamingos, exploring caves, or even visit a donkey sanctuary.
Puerto Vallarta
When we think of Mexico, the first thing to come to mind is either food or the beach. Here, you can check off both.
Puerto Vallarta is a rare place in that it’s mega-popular for tourism yet somehow still holds onto its authentic culture.
You can stuff your face with real Mexican food rather than menus catered to gringos. And after you stuff your face, you can lounge around at an impeccable resort, escaping the stresses back home, all while questioning your life decisions on vacay.
Puerto Vallarta is super easy to reach and has a convenient airport to reach the city or to go beyond to small town gems, such as Sayulit.
Los Cabos
Both Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos broke tourism records this year, so it’s no surprise Americans are flocking here for sunny vacations with world-class resorts and beaches.
What may be surprising is the price vacationers are willing to pay. Los Cabos is one of the top luxury destinations within close reach of the U.S., with reports of the top luxury hotels averaging $1000 per night in November.
Typically, Los Cabos would be the perfect place to put your phone away and relax, but it might be a good idea to keep it on in case your bank calls.
San Juan
Unlike Aruba, U.S. travelers do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico. In particular, travelers are visiting the wondrous capital city of San Juan.
Whether as a base or your main stay, San Juan is the cultural hub of the island. Many airlines offer affordable flights from the U.S. mainland, where travelers can party into the wee hours of the night after a day spent enjoying paradise.
Trips to other islands, such as Culebra, are great alternatives to see the stunning natural beauty of Puerto Rico away from the city.
Montego Bay
Out of all the places in Jamaica, Montego Bay is the ultimate place to stay in a resort and enjoy the finer things in life.
One might imagine rows of mid-rise hotels along the coast and assume this place lacks culture. While the first half of that assumption is true, Montego Bay is underrated in the culture department.
It’s the same locals who go out of their way to welcome you just like anywhere else in the country. Plus, you can venture away from the resorts and visit a Rastafari Indigenous Village nearby.
Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic continues to be one of the most popular places on the planet for U.S. travelers. You’re all but guaranteed to have the vacation you’ve dreamt of to escape the winter cold.
Punta Cana checks off all the boxes for an easy escape, no matter if you’re alone, with the fam, or simply an excuse to cash in your PTO.
With a new fun theme park, immaculate resorts, and otherwordly beaches you’ll never forget, it’s no wonder Punta Cana is a favorite getaway.
Cancun
Cancun is the number one international destination for U.S. travelers, and there may be no better time to visit.
We all know Cancun is a vacationer’s paradise, but not often does such a popular destination continue to evolve and become even more enticing.
With the new Maya Train launching and already selling out tickets, Cancun will continue to be one of the hottest destinations for travelers in the new year.
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