Warm-weather getaways for every traveler
From the Caribbean and Mexico to California and Florida, these warmer climes make it easy to get outside and embrace the sunshine.
By Tanvi Chheda | March 17, 2023 (Updated November 25, 2025)
Celebrate the sun by booking a getaway to one of these warm-weather destinations. Guaranteed to please, these must-visit locations are where powdery beaches, sunset sails, urban green spaces, hiking trails, Michelin-starred dining and golf courses await.
For families: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The largest of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman is ideal for a kid-friendly warm-weather getaway. Would-be adventurers will delight in the island's beach play, water sports, and conservation-minded wildlife experiences. Start at Stingray City, where the whole family can swim alongside majestic southern Atlantic stingrays on a guided educational tour. Marine explorations don’t have to end when the sun goes down. Take a night tour of the Bio Bay to experience bioluminescent plankton light up in the water like a starry night sky. You also won’t want to miss the blue iguanas, butterflies, and orchids at Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park. Base your brood at the all-suite Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach for a convenient, centrally located base during your stay — it’s just 43 steps from the sand, and close to restaurants and shops.
For friends: Tulum, Mexico
Grab your gang of friends and head to Tulum, on the eastern shores of the Yucatan Peninsula, for outdoor adventures, history and a slice of the jet-set life. Discover how history blends with nature when you visit Tulum’s ancient Mayan ruins and explore the remnants of a walled Maya settlement dating back to the 13th century. Spend a day snorkeling and diving at one of the dozens of sacred cenotes — natural fresh-water sinkholes that form when limestone collapses — in the area. Among the best: Cenote Dos Ojos, El Gran Cenote and Cenote Cristal. When you’re ready to slow down, stroll along Tulum’s main drag in Tulum Pueblo, lined with trendy cafes, bars, and fashion boutiques. A dinner reservation at sustainability-focused Hartwood, with its sea-to-table menu and delicious cocktails, is a must.
For the solo traveler: San Francisco
Gorgeous pastel-hued Victorians, world-famous museums, top restaurants, neighborhoods to wander, and an urban green space that’s been designated as a National Park — San Francisco lives up to its hype. Explore this hilly Northern California metropolis on foot, or perhaps by cable car. Ride the Powell/Hyde 2.1-mile (3.3-kilometer) line for some of the best city views and peek at the famous winding Lombard Street. After working up an appetite, head to Chinatown to take your pick of countless dim sum spots, bakeries, and karaoke bars in the oldest Chinatown in North America (and the largest outside of Asia). Enjoy a quiet moment to yourself as you take in views of downtown alongside locally inspired fare and cocktails at Canopy by Hilton San Francisco SoMa’s Shelby’s Rooftop lounge, conveniently located in the bustling SoMa district.
For couples: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
Think palm trees, shimmering turquoise waters, miles of sand, and your person's hand in yours while on your next warm-weather getaway in Aruba. Fuel your passion as you practice couple’s yoga on the beach or sail into the sunset and explore Aruba’s natural beauty and culture on a boat ride for two. Explore Arikok National Park together — be sure to pack swimsuits as you make your way to the Natural Pool, also known as conchi, a small depression surrounded by volcanic rock, where you can swim and snorkel. Join a mural art tour in the San Nicolas district to see vibrant artwork by local and international artists. If you and yours are music lovers, plan your trip around the island’s music festivals, including the Soul Beach Music Festival and Aruba Summer Music Festival.
For the elevated explorer: Orlando, Florida
If living your best life involves golf courses — including the stunning 18-hole championship course at Waldorf Astoria Orlando — fine dining, boating, and retail therapy, then sunny Orlando is calling your name. For retail therapy, the Mall at Millenia is the ultimate destination for high-end shopping. Once you’ve had your fill of the boutiques, take a private boat out for the day on one of the several nearby lakes. After a day of activities, have the concierge reserve a table for dinner at Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, where the chic atmosphere is complemented by an elevated steakhouse menu alongside inventive recreations classic dishes.
Tanvi Chheda
Formerly an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure, Los Angeles-based Tanvi Chheda has been freelancing for 15 years now. She writes mostly about lifestyle and travel, which often spills into arts & culture, food, design, and more. With two young children, family travel is also a passion of hers. Given her South Asian heritage, she writes about India quite frequently as well (she was born in India and speaks three Indian languages). When not traveling or writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, AFAR, Virtuoso Life, Four Seasons magazine, Qantas, Inspirato, Invited, Pasadena magazine, OLTRE, and Ciao Bambino, among others.
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