Spring is a time when most travelers stay put and try to save for that long-awaited summer getaway, but if you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck on your upcoming vacation, the first thing you need to do is to rethink your schedule.
Visiting some of the world’s top beach destinations smack dab in the middle of summer is far from ideal since the timing guarantees that you’ll be dealing with sky-high prices and insufferable crowds.
That’s why Kayak’s “Best Time To Travel” tool, an algorithm based on the latest data surrounding destination prices, weather, and traveler numbers, suggests that several amazing warm destinations are best visited in the spring.
For example, if you’re thinking about going to Hawaii, Phuket, or Cartagena this summer, what you’re about to read might convince you to take that vacation a bit earlier than planned.
Hawaii
Those who want to keep their travel domestic this spring can’t go wrong with Hawaii, where the paradisic weather and movie-like beaches are bound to get you officially out of that wintery mindset.
These upcoming months, return tickets to Hawaii will start at just over $110, giving all travelers, no matter their budget, a chance to hike along the lush trails, snorkel on the crystal-clear waters, or simply lounge around the soft-sanded shores of the 50th state.
Hotel prices in Honolulu, Hawaii’s beating heart, will hover a little over $200 a night, and remember, most of these places are all-inclusive resorts where several meals are included in the upfront fee.
However, I do want to note that scheduling your trip a bit later on in spring might be a smart choice, at least if you want to avoid peak-season crowds.
According to Kayak’s data, December and March are the most popular months in the state, so those looking to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing experience will want to plan their trip in April or May instead.
And I’m not even getting into how dreamy the weather gets this time of year, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s (24-29°C).
Phuket
Are you itching to go somewhere warm and remote this spring? Phuket might just be the place for you.
From March through May, the Thai gem offers everything you could wish for and more, from great prices to fantastic sightseeing opportunities.
Plane tickets to Phuket reach their annual low in March, when a round-trip will cost roughly $859.
In comparison, the same exact ticket would set you back $1322 if you were to schedule your trip in July, marking a remarkable $463 difference – money that would be much better spent toward fun experiences or better accommodation options.
While airfare to Phuket will be steep no matter the time of year, the good news is you can save quite a bit on accommodation instead.
Stays in the city during April and May have an average daily rate of $37, but depending on the neighborhood, it can go as low as $21 a night—that’s less than what most of us are paying for a fast-food meal!
Now that the holiday season has officially passed, you can explore the region’s gorgeous beaches and cultural attractions crowd-free while enjoying the sweet 82°F (28°C) weather.
Cartagena
While the Caribbean coast of Colombia offers the type of picture-perfect views that can be enjoyed all year long, April is hands-down the best month you can choose for your Cartagena getaway.
That’s when the winter crowds have subdued and local beaches enjoy what you’d consider the ideal sunbathing weather – with temperatures that range from 75°F to 88°F (24-31°C).
Value-seeking travelers will be delighted to learn that flight and accommodation prices are at their lowest, too – airfare will cost you around $195, while hotels and short-term rentals have daily rates that rarely go over $75.
So, if you’ve been dreaming about strolling through Cartagena’s cobbled streets, exploring its Old Town, and seeing the iconic Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, scheduling your visit this spring will guarantee that you get the best bang for your buck.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
While 2023 was not a record-breaking year for tourism in the United Kingdom, it was certainly a step in the right direction with visitor numbers just shy of those in 2019.
And it seems that American travelers just love visiting the U.K. – a recent report showed that American tourists are one of the most important to the country, with a 28% increase in spending for 2023 compared to 2019.
So, where are the best destinations in the U.K.? And why? Here’s what’s happening in 2024 at some of the country’s most iconic places that might help sway you.
Of course, there are many timeless reasons why you might enjoy the city, such as iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace and popular annual events like the Chelsea Flower Show or Notting Hill Carnival.
But 2024 will have plenty of its own unique draws that make London an essential, such as the opening of hotly anticipated luxury hotels like Park Hyatt London River Thames and Mandarin Oriental Mayfair.
In 2024, you will be able to experience a newly opened shopping arcade, Battersea Power Station, and get a new 360-degree view of the city in its Lift 109, or celebrate the renaissance of one of the world’s most famous toys on its 65th birthday at Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum.
And if that wasn’t enough, lovers of one of Ireland’s most famous exports will be able to get an authentic taste of it in London later in 2024 when Guinness opens a new microbrewery and kitchen in Covent Garden.
The Scottish National Gallery has been refurbished and is open for visitors in 2024, while the city added a new Michelin-starred restaurant last year in the shape of Timberyard.
Photo by David Guest
One of the best ways to enjoy a stay in Edinburgh in 2024 will be at the eagerly anticipated luxury 100 Princes Street hotel, which should open in the spring.
Liverpool
Visitors to one of the U.K.’s most historic and cultural cities in 2024 will be treated by the opening of a new Boxpark in the city – a stylish venue for street food, bars, live events, and art that has previously only been seen in London.
You will be able to experience the country’s biggest free celebrations of African music and culture, Africa Oye, when it takes place in Liverpool in the summer.
2024 will also be a big year for Liverpool’s most famous sons, the Beatles.
In July it will be the 60th anniversary of the release of their album A Hard Day’s Night.
This means that the already amazing Liverpool Beatles Museum will have a host of additional artifacts and treasures as part of a celebratory temporary exhibition this summer.
Brighton
Brighton is one of the U.K.’s most popular coastal cities and combines the delights of a traditional, historic seaside town with a trendy vibe that has evolved thanks to many young people from London moving here.
The city is easy to access, being only a 30-minute train ride from London Gatwick Airport, and with more flights from the U.S. expected to connect to here in 2024.
Brighton is home to the biggest pride celebration in the country, which takes place in early August in 2024.
Photo by David Guest
Another reason to visit in 2024 is that England’s National Gallery will be loaning some of its finest artworks from artists such as Rembrandt and Renoir to other museums around the country to celebrate its 200th anniversary, and one of the beneficiaries will be Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
Birmingham
The U.K.’s second-largest city has recently hosted major events such as the Commonwealth Games in 2022, so a lot of money has been spent on improving the city center and transport links.
You can enjoy luxury shopping at the Bull Ring, great dining and nightlife at the Mailbox, or end-of-year festivities at the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market.
One of Birmingham’s (and the United Kingdom’s) most iconic brands, Cadbury, will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2024.
The chocolate maker will have a host of special events going on throughout the year at the family-friendly attraction Cadbury World in Bourneville in the south of the city.
Skye
If you want to experience some of the best nature that the U.K. has to offer, then head north to Scotland and its beautiful Isle of Skye.
This secluded island is easily accessible by road and plays host to many hugely popular annual events, including the Isle of Skye Highland Games and the Skye Live Festival.
The island is a wonderland for solo travelers, whether that’s hikers who’ve come to lap up the incredible scenery, or less active travelers who want to sample the fine food and drink of cute towns such as Portree.
Photo by David Guest
I’m going out on a limb to say that Skye was my favorite place I visited in 2023, so I guess I’ll be heading back again in 2024.
In case you weren’t aware of this already, a new scenic train will be launching from Cancun in time for winter, linking the bustling Caribbean city to other tourist hotspots in the wider Yucatan Peninsula that were previously inaccessible by public transport.
Other than enjoying easier connections to smaller resort towns, such as Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, and even off-path gems like Chetumal and Bacalar, visitors will be able to visit some of the most impressive Mayan ruins in Mexico with minimal hassle.
Starting December 1, basing yourself in Cancun, you will have access to these 5 ancient archaeological sites:
Chichen Itza
The number one tourist attraction in all of Mexico, Chichen Itza will have its very own Maya Train station, helping visitors staying in Cancun or any other coastal spot in the Mayan Riviera get there without paying hefty prices for private guided tours.
Best known for its landmark El Castillo, a step pyramid that’s a symbol of Mexico, Chichen Itza was once one of the most affluent cities of the pre-Columbian period, with architectural feats that reflect Itza’s multiculturalism, as it was home to numerous ethnic groups within the Mayan branch.
Exploring the archaeological site, you will find well-preserved temples, such as the Templo de los Guerreros, the Great Ball Court, where the Mayans practiced their famous ballgame, and the Tzompantli, the eerily-titled Skull Platform.
Chichen Viejo
On the same Maya Train stop, a short six-minute walk from the main archeological complex of Chichen Itza, lies a group of lesser-known ruins that, up until this year, had not been open for visitation: the equally fascinating Chichen Viejo.
Though they form part of the same Mayan settlement, both Itza and Viejo are treated as different attractions as the latter effectively served as a residential area for the elites at the time, offering an insight into the lives of affluent Mayans and their customs.
Around the North Plaza, tourists can now see up close the exposed remains of five cremated human bodies linked to the noble Cupul family, civic buildings dating back to 878 AD, and many more mind-blowing structures they previously were not allowed to access.
Izamal
The next stop on the Maya Train after Chichen Itza, Izamal is a small Yucatanese town that’s attained Instagram fame for its vibrant yellow townscape. Beneath its charming cobbled streets and colonial aesthetic, however, lies an often-forgotten past that is just as rich.
Before it was seized by the Spaniards, Izamal was an important Mayan city where the third (or fourth, depending on sources) largest pyramid in Mesoamerica was built. Today, this very same pyramid is the most striking Mayan monument in Izamal.
Sadly, a majority of the pre-Columbian buildings are now ruins, scattered around Old Town Izamal, but it’s precisely this contrast between far more ancient, indigenous heritage and the territory that was lost or ‘conquered’ by the Spanish.
Nuevo Xcan
The closest one to Cancun, only a single stop away on the Cancun-Izamal line, Nuevo Xcan is a different type of Mayan heritage site, as it is neither a necropolis nor a vast uninhabited city slowly being reclaimed by nature: it is a natural site.
A protected reserve, Nuevo Xcan encompasses a series of flooded underground chambers, or cenotes, that the Mayans perceived as sacred. Back then, sacrificial offerings were held in the turquoise-colored waters, as well as major ceremonies.
After all, the ancient civilization reportedly believed that cenotes were the gateway to the Underworld. As scary as that may sound, the caves now only host tourists hoping to go for a dip at the end of an arduous trail, as well as History enthusiasts keen on deciphering the Mayan mindset.
Tulum
Though it is most commonly associated with luxurious resorts and wild jungle raves, Tulum can also make for an incredible cultural destination, especially for those interested in the Mayan World, as it comprises a walled city established as early as the 6th century AD.
The archaeological complex in Tulum is distinguished for its near-perfect state of preservation, as it is one of the last cities to have been built by the Mayans ahead of the arrival of European settlers, and it was abandoned much later.
A postcard view, the Castillo sits atop a cliff overlooking the bright-blue Caribbean Sea is an iconic scene of the Mexican Caribbean, and even prior to the launch of the Maya Train, it attracted millions of tourists every month.
Learn more about the Maya Train, including how much tickets will cost here.
Movies and TV shows have been inspiring many travelers to explore new destinations and experience different cultures. According to a recent survey, 96% of people have visited places related to their favorite movies or shows.
In 2023, probably more Americans will be curious about Romania, where Netflix’s TV show Wednesday was filmed, and now Sicily, after the great success of the second season of HBO’s show The White Lotus, which recently aired the final episode.
The series’ last season takes place in the beautiful Mediterranean Sicily and showcases a spectacular luxury resort, as well as impressive landscapes, activities, and attractions. Making it all more glamorous and appealing for travelers with its impressive cast.
The White Lotus In Italy
This black comedy-drama TV show has been recently considered the best show of 2022 by Variety. The first season took place in Hawaii and despite the murder story, many travelers rushed to Hawaii after watching the series.
The White Lotus, created by Mike White, is about a fictional White Lotus resort chain where wealthy guests —and employees— experience dark, exciting, and personal situations during their stay.
The second season, charged with local mythology, takes place on the Italian Island of Sicily, and guests stay at the White Lotus, which is actually the spectacular San Domenico Palace, a Four Season resort, in real life. And the main characters —impersonated by famous actors like Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, Will Sharpe, Michael Imperioli, and Meghann Fahy— make Sicily more appealing than ever.
6 Amazing Places To Visit In Sicily Inspired By The White Lotus
Most of the locations used to film the White Lotus are in East Sicily. The entire island measures 25,711 km2 —nearly 10,000 square miles— and has fascinating towns and cities, as well as gorgeous beaches. Truly exploring it all might take a few weeks.
The main characters arrive in Taormina, a hilltop town on the east coast of the island, near Mount Etna —which The White Lotus guests can see from their rooms—, that has beautifully preserved medieval streets. This is one of the most popular towns in Italy for its fascinating architecture and history.
The Greek Theater
One of Taormina’s main attractions, visited by the series characters, is the ancient Greek Theater, the second largest amphitheater in Sicily —the largest one is in Syracuse—, built by Greeks—experts still debate this, considering that Romans also took part in its development— in the third century B.C. to fit 10,000 people.
Isola Bella
This small island right next to Taormina became a natural museum and travelers can visit it for a small fee —around $4— and admire its beauty, vegetation, unique scenery, and beaches. It’s also popular to rent jet skis, just like Cameron and Ethan did in The White Lotus.
Mount Etna
Also known as just Etna, this natural area offers travelers great hikes near the active volcano and also wine-tasting experiences in Passopisciaro just like a few of the characters did in the series.
Cefalu
For those wanting to relax more at the beach, Cefalu offers visitors some of the best beaches in Sicily as well as interesting monuments like the Monreale Cathedral. Travelers’ favorite beaches are Spiaggia Caldura, Spiaggia Sete Frati, and Lungomare di Cefalù.
Noto
The characters Olivia and Harper take a quick trip from Taormina to Noto, a fascinating town with impressive Sicilian Baroque architecture. The wives stay on their own at the luxurious Villa Elena, about an hour’s drive from Noto, but also explore the city. At Noto, travelers can visit the Cathedral, the house museum Nicolaci Palace and then hit the road for 20 minutes to visit Calamosche Beach.
Have you been dreaming of leaving it all behind and jetting off to the Caribbean but keep putting off that passport renewal? Luckily, Americans can experience the beauty and charm of the Caribbean without a passport!
In fact, Americans can experience the best of the Caribbean without a passport, without exchanging money, without a long-haul flight, and without dealing with the hassle of international cell service limitations.
Take It From Me, Puerto Rico Is The Most Accessible Caribbean Destination
When the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico this fall presented itself, I jumped on it immediately. Having lived elsewhere in the Caribbean since July, I was interested to see how different things were in San Juan. As an American, I knew I could travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. However, it didn’t register how truly easy it was to visit until I flew to San Juan.
The flight was a breeze! A lovely 2.5 hours from Miami with gorgeous weather, so the view from above turned the world below into a painting.
Having never been to Puerto Rico, I still felt like I was traveling to another country outside of the States. With Puerto Rico being a U.S. territory however, flying into San Juan was like any other domestic flight. When I landed and took my phone off airplane mode, I had fantastic cell service. Once deplaned, a small part of me felt like I needed to go through customs.
Instead, I was outside the airport and waiting for my ground transport in about 5 minutes! The drive to my hotel, The Sheraton, was smooth and short, which felt out of the norm for the Caribbean. If you’ve frequented much of the Caribbean, you probably know how rough the roads can get!
As we all know, the media often tends to exaggerate. As my departure date inched closer, I watched two hurricanes make landfall in Puerto Rico. First Fiona, and then Ian. Friends and family kept asking me if I planned to cancel my trip. I never had any intention of doing so, but did wonder what things would be like when I arrived.
Hurricane Fiona Approaching Puerto Rico Credit: Zoom.Earth
By no means am I discounting the impact Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian had on residents of Puerto Rico, particularly those in the south. Still, while exploring San Juan, I saw no evidence of storm damage and no areas without power, save the occasional traffic light. Everything seemed to be operating business as usual.
Speaking with my driver on the way to the hotel, he recounted his experiences throughout various hurricanes. He told me how much his life changed during Hurricane Maria, one of the worst to ever hit the island. Fiona and Ian were no comparison, at least for him.
Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, later informed us at a press conference that Hurricane Fiona barely impacted travelers’ plans to come to the island for vacation. Less than 10% canceled their trip, and in Dean’s words, Hurricane Fiona was “a setback, not a reset.” Indeed, most of Puerto Rico was and still is completely open and safe for travel.
One Of The Best Ways To Give Back
It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to help the local economy of Puerto Rico, even after a hurricane, is through travel and tourism. Even something as simple as grabbing a quick bite at a local brewery adds up and supports the locals who work there.
During my stay, I had the pleasure of talking to numerous locals working in the tourism sector. Each of them echoed this sentiment, traveling to Puerto Rico and enjoying local activities is one of the best ways you can help.
An Immense Cultural Experience
Since it was my first time in Puerto Rico, I didn’t know what to expect. My typical go-to destinations are mostly European, and I have a deep-rooted love for the old. Marveling at the beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, walking among ancient Viking burial mounds in Mølen, and exploring Blarney castle in Ireland are memories solidified in my brain. Not because of their visual appeal, but because of the connection I felt to the history and culture of those experiences.
Puerto Rico now has a place among this special set of memories, and I can’t wait to go back. Walking through the historic district of Old San Juan showed me that Americans don’t have to travel far to see a unique blend of history. Old San Juan is the oldest city in the U.S. and its territories. Visitors can see gorgeous buildings displaying Baroque, Neoclassical, Gothic, and Spanish Colonial architecture — all within walking distance of each other. On the western side of Old San Juan, some buildings date back to the 1500s — the history lover in me felt right at home.
A Unique Take On History
I explored Old San Juan in a unique way that I highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. Rather than simply walking around and exploring independently, I went on the Old San Juan Walk & Taste Tour with The Spoon Experience. This tour wasn’t just a guided walk among beautiful buildings and experiencing local food and drinks. While that was certainly part of it, what made the tour unforgettable was the vast amount of history eloquently expressed by our incredible guide.
In just a few hours, I sampled the most authentic local foods available while learning each meal’s historical and cultural significance. In between our food stops, our guide talked about Old San Juan’s rich history. From the obvious details like its strategically defensible position, to the not-so-obvious fact that the endless shade offered by San Juan’s architecture only exists due to a poor compass reading during the city’s planning. There was so much incredible history shared, and I can’t wait to go back and do it again to learn more!
Top 6 Reasons I’ll Be Going Back To Puerto Rico
It’s So Easy – Visiting Puerto Rico was like taking everything great about the Caribbean and packaging it with easy domestic flying. My flight from Miami was only 2.5 hours, and getting through the airport and to my hotel was a breeze. If I lived in Miami, I’d visit Puerto Rico on every available long weekend.
For More Of Old San Juan – I fell in love with Old San Juan the moment I saw it. The architecture, the charming little shops, and the immense cultural experience have cemented this beautiful city in my mind.
For The Adventure – My trip was spent in San Juan, but next time I head to Puerto Rico, I plan to check out more off-the-beaten-path sights. Some that I have in mind include El Yunque National Forest and Laguna Grande, a bio bay where visitors can experience the beauty of bioluminescence in the water.
For More BeachTime – I didn’t spend much time at the beaches, but definitely will in the future! From the gorgeous El Escambrón in San Juan to the stunning Pelícano Beach in Ponce, I’ll be scoping out Puerto Rico’s beaches during my future trips.
For The Art – I had the pleasure of taking part in a walking art tour in Santurce, a municipality in San Juan known for its vibrant art scene and exciting nightlife. Just like the culinary tour, it was a history lesson in disguise. I learned more about Puerto Rico and its people during the tour than I ever had in school. This was entirely due to our incredible guide from theartwalkpr.
For The Food – The food, I miss it so much! Aside from the Old San Juan Walk & Taste tour, I had the pleasure of taking a cooking class with Mesa Redonda at the lovely Cocina Abierta. My group was responsible for making the Sofrito, a staple base for many Puerto Rican dishes. Everything was incredible, and I left convinced that every meal should start with Alcapurrias and end with Tembleque.
Best Times To Visit Puerto Rico
I’m of the opinion that anytime is the best time to visit. However, depending on your preferences, there are months of the year that may best suit your needs.
To avoid crowds, stick to the shoulder seasons of September to mid-December and mid-April to May.
To save money, June through September is generally more affordable, as it is hurricane season. Just keep an eye on the weather and be sure to purchase suitable travel insurance, and you’ll be all set.
To avoid rainy days, shoot for February, as it is one of the driest months of the year.
How To Get There
While you may stop and see Old San Juan for a day during a cruise, if you want to stay in Puerto Rico for a while, you’ll have to fly. This is where Puerto Rico shines when compared to many other Caribbean destinations. San Juan has over 25 direct routes from the U.S. mainland, and flying in is incredibly easy.
Americans will not need a passport, and there is no lengthy customs line waiting for you upon landing. Not only that, it’s typically quite affordable. For instance, a direct flight from New York City to San Juan can be found for around $300 with JetBlue this November, carry-on included. Puerto Rico is undoubtedly one of the most accessible destinations in the Caribbean.
The Number One Reason I’ll Be Back
I arrived in Puerto Rico not knowing what to expect. I left with a newfound love and respect for the culture and people that made this island come alive. While the experiences themselves were incredible, the people behind them were the true magic. And they, more than anything else, are the reason I’ll be coming back.
**Travel Off Path was a guest of Discover Puerto Rico who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**
