| can already feel the impending low temperatures and | | | | south-reaching concave slash extending below the |
| nasty weather of the fall and winter seasons nipping | | | | hook has rougher sand, but a heartier atmosphere. |
| at your summer happiness, don't despair. It is never too | | | | Even along the beach you can custom-tailor your |
| late for a beach-bound getaway to the Caribbean. | | | | experience. |
| Literally — it's never too late. The weather is | | | | As for activities in Cancún, where to begin? One of |
| excellent year-round, and that wide open tourist | | | | the standout local attractions in the collection of |
| season means that it's never overwhelmingly busy. | | | | shopping malls within the city limits. While you can't |
| Here we'll look at three of the top beach spots in the | | | | completely avoid those resort staples like over priced |
| world to help you fight off stave off those fall and | | | | jewelry stores and novelty shops, the shopping |
| winter blues for just a little longer. Our tour includes the | | | | centers of central Cancún at least offer more than |
| Dominican Republic, Mexico's Western Coast, and the | | | | tourist traps. Stores selling crafts indigenous to the |
| Yucatan Peninsula. We'll pinpoint the very best beach | | | | area, representations of Mayan culture, and traditional |
| in each region, discuss some fun things to do, and | | | | clothing are all worth a browse for the shopping |
| make lodging recommendations at each stop. | | | | enthusiast. |
| The Dominican Republic | | | | While it's a bit of a ride, the trip to the capital of the |
| For the definitive island getaway, look no further than | | | | Mayan Empire, Chichen Itza, is well worth it. Guided |
| the Dominican Republic. Sharing the island of Hispaniola | | | | tours will lead through the fascinating world of the |
| with the smaller Haiti, the Dominican Republic boasts | | | | Ancient Maya as the design and at time frightening |
| over 300 miles of staggered coastline blanketed by | | | | purposes of these incredible structures are explained in |
| cool white sand beaches, and the inner regions of the | | | | vivid detail. Be sure to apply sunscreen and consider |
| nation are lush with ecological attractions, historic sites, | | | | bringing the bottle for reapplication during the trip. |
| and the untamed wild. The economy of the Dominican | | | | Cancún and all the Yucatan Peninsula has a wider list |
| Republic is fueled a large percentage by tourism, a | | | | of options than the Dominican Republic, so it's not |
| metric that continues to grow year-over-year. This | | | | necessary to stay all-inclusive or even at a resort |
| means that along with the world-class beaches that | | | | hotel, but it is certainly preferable. Along with luxurious |
| only nature could provide, the local hospitality industry is | | | | service and accommodations, one of the primary |
| ready and waiting to receive your business, and it | | | | benefits of staying all-inclusive is the excursion and |
| knows how to treat valued customers. | | | | area assistance. With so many great attractions to |
| Undisputedly the beach to visit in the Dominican | | | | explore, the helpful advice of a knowledgeable hotel |
| Republic is Bávaro Beach. One of the top resort | | | | concierge is truly invaluable. |
| destinations in the world, Bávaro Beach is known for | | | | Consider one of these Cancún, Mexico all-inclusive |
| the pillowy softness of the sand and the light | | | | resorts by Barceló. |
| aquamarine tone of the water. Virtually untouched by | | | | Western Coast |
| the pollution that can plague many North American | | | | This is a deceptively vast region with room (and |
| coastlines, the jewel-toned waters along the beaches | | | | beaches) enough to produce several "Best Of" articles. |
| of Bávaro will capture your heart and soul with their | | | | The second most popular resort town in Mexico, |
| hypnotic splendor, and what's more, there's plenty of | | | | Puerto Vallarta, can be found along the upper reaches |
| beachfront to go around. | | | | of the western coast, and Manzanillo, Ixtapa, and |
| While the swaying palms of the "Coconut Coast" are | | | | Hualtulco offer great options as you move |
| likely all the attraction you'll need, the Dominican | | | | southwards. You'll find that each stop has an |
| Republic is rich with exciting things to do, most of them | | | | atmosphere all its own, but one concurrent fact runs |
| family-friendly, and all of them near Bávaro Beach. | | | | through them: this is the place for active travelers. |
| The Punta Cana Ecological Park combines fresh | | | | Sure, lounging out on the beach as the sun slowly |
| water lagoons, flora habitats, and horse riding trails for | | | | bakes your skin and the only sound is the stir of the |
| an all-in-one taste of the local wildlife. A petting farm of | | | | waves and maybe the icy clink of a cold beverage is |
| domesticated animals is ideal for younger guests. | | | | great. There's room for that kind of vacation here, |
| If you're looking for something a little more active, suit | | | | much like you can enjoy it in the Dominican Republic. |
| up and hit the waves with your surfboard. Thanks to | | | | But if you like to surf, play volleyball, go horseback |
| the strong winds slapping past the eastern most tip of | | | | riding, mountain climbing, river rafting, nature seeing, |
| the island, the wave patterns along the coast are | | | | sport-fishing, golfing, and yachting, your paradise is sure |
| consistent and ideal for surfing at the intermediate and | | | | to be along the western coast of Mexico. |
| challenging level. Adventure sports enthusiasts wanted. | | | | There are countless fantastic beaches to choose |
| Due to the inherent prestige of the property and the | | | | from, but for the sake of keeping your options open, |
| critical importance of the tourist trade in the area, | | | | the best beach along the western coast must be the |
| getting the most out of Bávaro Beach and all the | | | | twenty-five golden miles of Puerto Vallarta. Now an |
| Dominican Republic will require a stay at one of the | | | | expansive resort Mecca, Puerto Vallarta was a fishing |
| many all-inclusive resorts that dot the coastline. For | | | | village before it became famous, and the rustic feel of |
| both the Dominican Republic and Mexico we | | | | the city serves as a nice visual counterpoint to the |
| recommended the all-inclusive resorts of Barceló for | | | | soaring resorts. Some of the best fun to have during |
| the effortless combination of five-star service with | | | | your stay will take place in the water. The crystal blue |
| unbeatable locales. | | | | waters offer incredible visibility for snorkeling and |
| For all-inclusive Dominican Republic vacations, consider | | | | scuba diving, and the temperature is just right for |
| these resorts by Barceló. | | | | swimming, surfing, and body boarding. If you have the |
| Yucatan Peninsula | | | | opportunity, charter an excursion out to Corbetena. |
| The Yucatan Peninsula and its closest regional | | | | You'll find an abundance of sea life in the underwater |
| neighbors are home to some of the biggest names in | | | | cave systems from manta rays to turtles to sharks |
| beach resort travel: Cancún, Cozumel, and Playa Del | | | | (the safe kind). |
| Carmen to name a few. The Yucatan also revels in | | | | Golfers are also in luck. Even in the small bay area |
| an entirely different personality than the Dominican | | | | surrounding Puerto Vallarta there are literally more than |
| Republic. The immersive, soulful relaxation of a resort | | | | a dozen excellent golf courses, many of which have |
| like Bávaro Beach is not so much replaced as it is set | | | | garnered some form of critical acclaim from awards |
| in the background as the surging rhythms of a party | | | | to magazine recognition. You won't go wrong no |
| atmosphere rise to the top. | | | | matter which you choose, but Jack Nicklaus Golf |
| In other words, the Yucatan Peninsula is ideal for | | | | Course is arguably the best, and it won't be far from |
| vacationers who want just as much luxury, but also | | | | your Puerto Vallarta resort. |
| like to hit the dance floor at a boisterous party. | | | | Once again, to ensure the complete experience (and it'll |
| Undoubtedly the place to visit in the Yucatan is | | | | be costly either way so why not go for it?), it's |
| Cancún, the most popular tourist destination in | | | | recommended that you stay at an all-inclusive resort. |
| Mexico. The sands along Cancún beach are not as | | | | Like the Yucatan Peninsula, you have other options, but |
| soft as those along Bávaro, nor the waters as | | | | the added complexity of "doing it yourself" can really |
| strikingly hued, but there might not be another beach in | | | | put a hamper on the whole experience. |
| the world that's got more going on. Beachfront fiestas | | | | For all-inclusive Mexico vacations to Puerto Vallarta, |
| are a daily occurrence, and you'll have no trouble | | | | consider the resorts of Barceló. |
| simply walking in to any party you like, even when they | | | | This is obviously just the beginning of a list that could |
| are resort-sponsored. Along the northern hook of the | | | | go on indefinitely and include hundreds of beaches that |
| beach you'll enjoy the softest sand and gentler waves, | | | | all make compelling cases for being the best. |
| but you'll also pay more to stay, while the | | | | |