As the weather turns frigid in the northern hemisphere, our eyes turn toward sunnier locations. But often, the cost of a winter vacation to a popular destination can be very high because so many people are thinking the exact same thing: Time to get away from the cold! Fear not, though; there are lots of welcoming vacation destinations that won’t break the bank. Here are a few of our favorites.
Belize
While people are partying away and spending lots of money in Cozumel and Cancún, you can get away to this small Central American country that has all the most desirable features of Mexican resort towns at a fraction of the cost. You can lounge on beaches, go scuba diving near the nation’s beautiful barrier reefs, enjoy the night life on Ambergris Caye, and visit some spectacular Mayan ruins.
New Orleans
Although this city is nearly unbearable in the summer months due to sweltering heat and high humidity, winter in New Orleans brings reasonable temperatures and sunshine. The city is steeped in culture, music, and history, not to mention delicious Cajun and Creole food. Despite Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac and the BP Oil Spill, New Orleans is rebuilding itself and today it looks almost as good as it did before the devastating 2005 hurricane. Our tip: If you want a calmer winter vacation, don’t go during Mardi Gras. On the other hand, if you want to experience a citywide party, that’s the absolute best time to visit.
Puerto Rico
Because it’s not as popular as other Atlantic resort locations, Puerto Rico can offer you a warm, lovely and affordable winter vacation. Visit the beaches, check out the night life in San Juan, and visit some of the more secluded and beautiful islands like Culebra and Vieques. The island offers jungle and cave experiences and fantastic surfing. Better yet, since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, if you’re flying from the States, you can use American currency there.
If you’re more of a cool-weather fan, here are a couple of affordable winter vacation destinations for you.
Québec City
The capital of Canadian province Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its ancient winding cobblestone streets and patisseries will remind you of Paris, and with good reason: 400-year-old Québec City is the birthplace of “New France” and continues to serve up delightful French culture. Enjoy patisseries featuring croissants and other delightful pastries, and visit the historical sites and museums. If you prefer, you can enjoy a big serving of poutine, the ultimate Québecois comfort food. French is the primary language in Québec, but virtually everyone you’ll meet is bilingual and speaks English very well.
Jackson Hole
If you want a skiing vacation, skip the glamorous but expensive cities of Aspen and Lake Tahoe and visit this city in western Wyoming. In recent years it’s evolved from a logging and ranching town to a city with a vibrant art scene and great ski resorts. It also has lots of rugged snowmobile trails for people who want a more outdoorsy experience.
Do you have any favorite winter vacation destinations? Please share them in the comments!