Exoticism in autumn and winter
Exotic countries for vacation are very popular among tourists at any time of the year, but it is in the autumn and winter season that they become TOP destinations for a foreign trip. No wonder in recent years, Caribbean and Central American destinations have become more and more popular. On the one hand, there is the sun, palm trees and sandy beaches, on the other, the possibility of communing with the diverse flora and fauna. Other cultures, a number of monuments to see – rest combined with sightseeing is the best way to get to know all the attractions of a given place! Time for an exotic vacation – where and when is it worth going?
Costa Rica – surfing, volcanoes and bananas
The country situated in Central America, bathed on one side by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and on the other by the Pacific Ocean, is a real paradise on earth and a perfect place to commune with nature. The Spanish Costa Riva is translated into English as a rich coast. Admittedly, this term is extremely accurate. Costa Rica has volcanoes, coral reefs, tropical forests and beautiful beaches. From November to April you will experience a warm and dry summer there. The capital of the country is San Jose. You will visit here, among others The National Theater, the National Museum and the Gold Museum.
Not very far from here is the Poas Volcano National Park with an active volcano, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which are beautiful gardens with waterfalls. Costa Rica also has numerous coffee and banana plantations – you can visit them, among others in the province of Heredia. Other places worth seeing include, for instance, the extensive Corcovado National Park, home to many species of animals and plants, or the much smaller Manuel Antonio National Park with sandy beaches and bays. Surf fans should head for Dominical Beach.
Panama – wonders of engineering and nature
Panama, neighboring with Costa Rica, is definitely not lagging behind in terms of tourism. The capital of the country is Panama – a metropolis where tradition meets modernity. The old part of the city (Casco Viejo) marvels with narrow streets and low buildings that remember the colonial times. The new part is dotted with glass skyscrapers. A place of contrasts, where one of the greatest attractions are the ruins of the old city, i.e. Panama Viejo. Tourists willingly head for the Panama Canal (it is worth going on a cruise) and the Panama Canal Museum.
Panama also has numerous national parks, such as the protected Park Coiba, consisting of 38 islands. The largest of them, Coiba, is a deserted island, accessible to tourists. Soberania National Park is a place where you will see many species of birds, including toucans and hummingbirds. Do you like hiking? Climb Panama’s highest peak – Baru’s extinct volcano. The tourist archipelago of Bocas del Toro is a mecca for sunbathers. It is worth going to Bastimentos, where the famous Red Frog Beach is located. The San Blas Islands are also a huge attraction of Panama, where the indigenous people of Panama live. The Indians protect their home, but after obtaining their permission, you can explore the area.
Bonaire – windsurfing and flamingos
Exoticism in winter or autumn without the Caribbean? It is impossible! One of the options is the island of Bonaire, which, together with Aruba and Curacao, is referred to as the Leeward Islands. The capital city of Bonaire is Kralendijk. A city with small, single-family houses, nice beaches and an idyllic atmosphere. Its Dutch history is reminded, among others, by a windmill standing in the center of the island. To taste the island’s specialties, head to the market in Rincon. Bonaire, located off the coast of Venezuela, is also a perfect destination for all lovers of sunbathing and water sports enthusiasts. Excellent conditions for windsurfing offers, among others, Lac Bay.
If you want to relax on the beach, go to the uninhabited Klein Bonaire – a real paradise on earth in the south-west of Bonaire. It is also worth going to Washington-Slagbaai National Park with its beautiful, varied flora and fauna. You will see here, among others pelicans, parrots as well as agaves and cacti! You may have seen postcards with a photo from a beach where pink flamingos, which are the symbol of the island, gather. You will find over 20,000 flamingos at Lake Goto. In your free time, climb Brandaris to see the breathtaking panorama of the area.
Aruba – a paradise for sunbathers and divers
Aruba is another Caribbean island where you will enjoy great exotic holidays. This place is famous primarily for its beautiful beaches with white sand. The best ones which are worth mentioning include Palm Beach, Eagle Beach or Baby Beach, whose shallow waters will be a great place for less experienced swimmers. Aruba also attracts diving enthusiasts who can see shipwrecks or planes underwater. The capital of the island is the small port town of Oranjestad, which captivates with colonial architecture with distinctive colorful facades of buildings. There are numerous pubs, museums, an art gallery and even a casino.
A stay in Aruba is not complete without a visit to the Arikok National Park. Its area covers as much as 20% of the island – the landscape full of cacti is complemented by numerous caves and dunes. An inseparable element of Aruba’s scenery are also Divi Divi trees with unusual shapes that look as if they were in constant motion. They are considered sacred by the locals. One of the biggest tourist attractions of Aruba are the Bushribana gold mines on the north-eastern coast. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover something valuable in them?
Curacao – an exotic piece of the Netherlands
Our exotic destinations are complemented by Curacao. You certainly associate this name with the iconic liqueur, which is made from bitter orange peels. A visit to the distillery and tasting this drink should be an obligatory item in your itinerary! Of course, not the only one. The capital of the island is Willemstad, inscribed in the UNESCO list. Dutch architecture and colorful building facades are why it is called Little Amsterdam. The canal divides the city into two parts: Punda and Otrobanda. In the former you will visit the oldest synagogue in the Caribbean, in the latter you will visit the Kura Hulanda Museum, showcasing, among others, history of slavery.
One of the island’s greatest attractions is the Christoffel National Park. It is a place where many plants and animals such as cacti, orchids, iguanas and white deer live. The highest peak of the island, Christoffelberg (373 m above sea level), is located in the park. In Curacao there are also the Hato Caves with beautiful rock paintings. The island attracts lovers of water sports, diving (be sure to check the conditions in Boca Santa Cruz) and relaxing on sandy beaches – one of the most popular is Kokomo Beach with a swing in the water.
Thailand – Asian wonder
The land of the free – that is how Thailand is usually called. This country is a great choice for your first trip to Asia. Upon arrival, you will feel the amazing atmosphere of this place and taste delicious local food. You also don’t have to worry about the language as you can communicate in English easily. In Thailand, you can find high-standard hotels and beautiful beaches. The European fall and winter season is the best time to visit Thailand as the dry season lasts from November to December. This means the temperature can be around 30 degrees Celsius and you don’t have to worry about rain. The most picturesque islands that can be found there are, for example, Koh Yao Yai, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe or Koh Mook, located on the coast of the Andaman Sea.
In Thailand, you can enjoy a view of the azure sea from a sunbed right under a palm. If you like active relaxation you can head towards the local market to find and taste amazing Thai dishes. One of the most popular attractions are the floating markets. You will be amazed by the richly decorated Buddhist temples and areas for water sports. To find peace in the beauty of nature, you can go for a trip to the world of wildlife, rice fields and coconut groves.
Dominican Republic – the pearl of the Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Islands are the most popular destination for tourists who want to chase the summer sun. There is one place that has a special place in the heart of tourists – the Dominican Republic. After just several hours of flight, you can get from cold weather straight to wonderful sunny beaches and pack a bathing suit instead of winter clothes. Although January and February are the coldest months in the Dominican Republic, the temperature is still high (29 degrees Celsius)! Nice weather, a sea breeze and a view of the endless sea are the best recipes for relaxation and a break from everyday life.
The tourist infrastructure in the Dominican Republic is well developed. The local dishes are based mainly on fish and seafood. After leaving the hotel grounds, you will find wild nature and real small villages. Which is the best resort in the Dominican Republic? The most popular of them is Punta Cana, where you can not only relax on the beach, but also do water sports, including snorkeling and diving among beautiful coral reefs. Other resorts that are also worth visiting and are a bit quieter are Puerto Plata, Las Terrenas, Juan Dolio, Bosa Chica and Cabarete.
Mexico – colors, scents, and flavors
Do you dream of an unforgettable adventure? Go on a Mexican vacation in the middle of winter! The best destinations to choose from are the villages of the Yucatan Peninsula or the islands with beautiful beaches along its coast. The most recommended places are: Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Playa Colomitos, Punta Sur, Playa Aviota Azul or Playa Langosta and Playa El Cielo. In Mexico, you can spend a paradise vacation almost anywhere in the country. In the Riviera Maya you will find the remains of the ancient Mayan culture, in Cancun you can do water sports, and in the Sumidero Canyon you will find exotic animals such as monkeys, iguanas and ocelots.
What weather can you expect in Mexico during the fall and winter period? The weather will be perfect for travellers who don’t like hot weather but want to catch some holiday sun. The temperature from October to February is 23-25 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature is around 23-27 degrees Celsius. You will definitely fall in love with Mexican food. It’s best to take a trip outside the hotel and visit local bars, markets and restaurants to taste real Mexican food such as burrito, tacos, ceviche, enchiladas or guacamole.
Maldives – one of over a thousand islands
The Maldives are called the treasure of the Indian Ocean and it is the perfect place if you dream of a quiet beach vacation. The islands located on the azure sea offer not only great views, but also elegant resorts (including Male Atol, Ari Atol, Baa Atol, Raa Atol) where you can find high-quality customer service. Do you want to dive among coraf reefs? Maldives is the perfect solution to make your dreams come true. If you are lucky, you will see dolphins. This great place has another advantage – the conditions for water sports such as windsurfing are great.
During your stay in the Maldives, you will have many opportunities for great fun, including cruises between small islands, even uninhabited ones. You will be able to see one of the most popular attractions such as water villas. Regardless of the selected destination, you will be able to see this attraction because there are almost 1,200 different islands! What weather can be expected in the winter? You can expect to find high air and water temperatures, with high air humidity, but no rain. You will taste delicacies such as mangoes, coconut milk and bananas.
Zanzibar – the queen’s treasure
If you want to visit an unusual sunny place without a lot of tourists, you can choose Zanzibar! This island is called the Treasure of Queens Sheba. According to a local legend, the islands of this archipelago located in the Indian Ocean are the jewels of the queen thrown into the sea. After visiting this place, you will surely be enchanted by its unforgettable beauty. Beaches with white sand and azure sea are not the only natural attractions of Zanzibar. You will be delighted with the amount of different plants and flowers. Did you know that in Zanzibar you can see ginger, pepper, vanilla and cloves growing in natural conditions? In Jozani you will also see a rainforest. Do you like monuments? Visit the Stone Town with buildings that remember the colonial history of the region.
Zanzibar offers the best services for travellers who like a high standard of customer service and a well-developed infrastructure. If you want to see the real life of local people and feel this amazing atmosphere, take a walk outside the hotel walls. Which beaches are the most worthwhile? It is very difficult to choose just one because the number of breathtaking views of Zanzibar is huge. Most travellers choose Nungwi, Kigomani, Kendwa, Matemwe, Pongwe, Jambiani or Bwejju. The crystal clear and warm water is perfect for diving, swimming and water sports.
