Tropical Travel To Escape Winter Blues

Once winter is in full swing, many travelers will be seeking out tropical escapes to catch endless sun, incredible food and cocktails, and adventure.

Destinations that should be on travelers’ radar this winter include Cancun, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico, perfect for relaxation, outdoor adventurers, and history buffs.

Let’s take a look at three Caribbean destinations that are sure to warm you soul.

• Cancun: Relaxation – With direct flights from 38 cities in the United States, Cancun is an easy international destination to explore. Winter is an ideal time to visit as the weather is mild but sunny, perfect for refreshing a summer tan. Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla offers a relaxing environment for guests looking to recharge. Smaller than the mega-resorts dominating the destination, Canopy Cancun offers a more boutique experience with authentic local touches. Guests can enjoy locally inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and live music while laying out by the pool at Wander Rooftop, the heart of the property that offers unparalleled views of the Nichupte Bay and Caribbean Sea. Located in the La Isla Shopping Village, guests can also explore high-end shopping, take a ride on the Ferris wheel El Sol de Cancun, dine at a variety of restaurants, or explore an aquarium and wax museum.

• St. Croix: Outdoor Adventure + History – St. Croix offers a taste of tropical paradise with no passport required. The lesser-known US Virgin Island features an array of adventures for outdoor enthusiasts, from kayaking in a bioluminescent bay to snorkeling the only underwater national park to ATVing and so much more. Additionally, St. Croix was the home of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton for many of his formative years, so history buffs can take a walking tour that shares more about his time on the island. King Christian Hotel offers a boutique respite in the middle of historic Christiansted, serving as the perfect home base for island adventures with an array of incredible dining options including contemporary Mexican restaurant El Leon, elevated tiki bar Breakers Roar, and the artisanal Cream & Co Ice Cream Parlor. For a more intimate escape, opt for the 11-suite Waves Cane Bay, which is located just off the water with patios directly overlooking the ocean and features the sustainable seafood restaurant, AMA, as well as Sunset Bar, which serves craft cocktails and ceviche.

• Puerto Rico: Culinary Immersion + Luxury – A short flight from the East Coast, winter is the best time to escape to sunny Puerto Rico and miss the island’s rain and humidity. Visitors seeking a luxury escape and epicurean adventure will find a home at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Tucked away on Puerto Rico’s Atlantic coast and encompassing over 1,200 acres of tranquility, the estate is a true luxury sanctuary designed to allure the world’s most discerning travelers through a bevy of one-of-a-kind lifestyle activities. The estate is home to four spectacular dining experiences: Flor de Sal, COA, Posi+ivo and La Cocina Gourmet, each offering a distinct experience. At Flor de Sal, guests will enjoy Italian cuisine al fresco while exploring the complexity of salt, using it as a transformative element that elevates each dish’s flavor, while guests at Posi+ivo can enjoy incredible Asian-inspired flavors and Latin-fusion dishes, highlighting the best variety of locally-sourced seafood. COA is the estate’s signature restaurant that honors and explores Puerto Rico’s storied culinary heritage and the land’s indigenous Taíno people, with many dishes created on Mi Brasa, a traditional Spanish wood-fired oven. For guests who want a closer look or even to try a hand at cooking themselves, La Cocina Gourmet is home to the property’s culinary center offering wine dinners and cooking classes showcasing seasonal ingredients and international cuisines.