Top 3 bucket list tropical destinations
If you’re searching for a tropical vacation spot, look no further than these bucket-list destinations in Florida, Mexico, and Thailand.
By Shayla Martin | April 17, 2025
Shayla Martin
Shayla Martin is an award-winning travel and culture journalist based in Washington, D.C. Find her work in outlets including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Coastal Living, Hemispheres, Veranda Magazine, and many more. She specializes in content about Black history and culture, luxury travel, historic preservation, wellness, interior design, and personal narrative topics. She is also the founder of The Road We Trod, a bi-weekly newsletter that explores travel destinations through the Black gaze.
Dreaming of paradise? A trip to the tropics offers sun-drenched beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural traditions. Whether you're seeking relaxation or exploration, these bucket list-worthy locales in Florida, Mexico, and Thailand should be on your radar.
Marco Island, Florida
Marco Island is one of the largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, located just south of Naples in the sparkling Gulf of Mexico. Here, you can spend your days tanning on white-sand beaches, then shift gears to spotting rare and endangered wildlife like manatees and loggerhead sea turtles at the nearby Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. A stay at Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa places you in the middle of it all, offering both beachfront access with complimentary loungers and umbrellas, and Guided WaveRunner Eco Tours of the rugged natural surroundings. Feast on fresh-caught Gulf Coast snapper and South Florida clams at on-site restaurant, The Deck at 560, and don’t miss a trip to The Spa at the Hilton Marco Island Resort for a signature massage.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Laid-back daytime vibes meet sultry nightlife in Playa del Carmen, a vibrant Mexican coastal town on the Caribbean Sea. You’ll find everything you’d want in a tropical vacation spot: swaying palm trees, clear waters perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, and cultural treasures like nearby Mayan archeological sites. As the sun sets, Fives Rooftop at The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton is the place to be for specialty cocktails, sweeping seaside views from an infinity pool, and a live DJ. Unwind from all the excitement with restorative treatments at The Fives Spa. A stay here also places you in the heart of pulsing Quinta Avenida near trendy boutiques, nightclubs, and restaurants.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, also known as “The Pearl of the Andaman Sea,” is one of the most gorgeous islands in Thailand for a tropical summer vacation, constantly wowing visitors with its pristine beaches and bustling markets in historic Phuket Town. Since there is stunning natural beauty everywhere you turn, carefully choosing where to stay will be what elevates your trip to bucket-list level. Look no further than Twinpalms Surin Phuket Resort, an SLH Hotel. This sleek and secluded resort is surrounded by lush garden palms and is just steps from the soft sands of Surin Beach, with guestrooms featuring private terraces and some including private pools. Release some tension at the luxurious Palm Spa, which specializes in traditional Thai massage. Don’t miss the daytime parties and nighttime fun at the on-site Catch Beach Club and The Lazy Coconut, both respected as two of the best beach clubs in Phuket.
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