As the cold winter winds start to roll in and you slowly begin to turn up the heating, your mind cannot help but relay images of beaches and sunshine. With white sandy beaches, warm tropical sunshine, the calm swaying of palm trees and the sounds of crystal clear waves breaking on the exotic beach shoreline, who could blame you for wanting to escape for some winter sunshine. As we are enjoying the weeks leading up to summer here in South America, we can’t help but think of you back home during the winter. This is why we have come up with the top 5 destinations across Central & South America to get rid of the winter blues.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Located just off the north-east coast of Belize and surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean, Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize. The beautiful azure waters and white sandy beaches along with the wide range of activities available in its small and traditional town of San Pedro makes Ambergris Caye the perfect Central America getaway. This amazing winter sun destination is situated just a couple of miles west of the beautiful Belize coral reef system which is the second largest in the world making it the perfect location to enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving amongst the astounding reefs. With the island’s enchanting combination of mangrove forests, tropical savannah, lagoons and its glistening beaches it is no wonder that this Belizean island has become one of the most popular destinations to get rid of the winter blues.
Praia do Forte, Brazil
Known as the Brazilian Polynesia, Praia do Forte is situated in the northern state of Bahia in Brazil. With over 8 miles of pristine beaches, the sound of palm trees in the calm and warm winds makes this winter sun destination a beach-lover’s idyll. Overflowing with stylish restaurants and shops, the ecologically sensitive beach village is extremely attractive. Apart from its obviously stunning and picture perfect beaches, Praia do Forte also has quaint churches, castle ruins, lagoons to enjoy canoeing and the headquarters of the national turtle preservation program, the Tamar Turtle Project. The beauty of Praia do Forte truly shines through and makes it the perfect destination for a relaxing and luxurious ecotourism winter vacation.
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Often described as a cross between Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands, Fernando de Noronha is one of the best hidden treasures in South America. Lying 220 miles from Brazil’s north-eastern coast, Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago made up of around 20 smaller islands and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exquisite natural environment. Brazil’s ‘Guia Quatro Rodas Praias’, which is their ‘Beach Bible’, ranks three of Fernando de Noronha’s beaches as the top three in all of Brazil! That alone should be a reason to visit this spectacular island! If you aren’t convinced yet, its white sand, dolphins, colorful marine life, crystal clear water and national park makes it one of Brazil’s and indeed one of the world’s best ‘eco’ destinations, deserving its place in this list of the top 5 winter sun destinations.
Morro de São Paulo, Brazil
One of five villages on the island of Tinharé, Morro de São Paulo has the same postcard-pretty atmosphere as any Mediterranean island village. This wonderful tropical and exotic paradise with its sandy streets, calm waters and romantic candlelit nightlife scene makes it the perfect romantic winter getaway. The relaxed pace of the car-free town along with the unique landscape of jungle-topped hills and the crystal clear shallow waters of the Atlantic ensures that you are able to unwind and concentrate on enjoying the beautiful views and atmosphere of Morro de São Paulo.
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
The secluded peninsula of Nicoya in Costa Rica has a plethora of bays, beaches and jungle countryside to explore which will leave you spoilt for choice when picking your favorite part. Sun-drenched and following the Ticos ‘Pura Vida’ way of life, makes Nicoya Peninsula the perfect destination to relax whilst enjoying its wonderful nature, natural beauty and national parks. A vacation to this beautiful region with its miles of stunning white sand beaches and turquoise waters against the backdrop of the lush jungle palms creates a dramatic and visually pleasing landscape. Nicoya Peninsula is the perfect winter sun location to make the most of the adventure and activities available whilst being surrounded by the exquisite natural environment that is ever-present throughout Costa Rica.
Thanks for visiting our South America Travel Blog! Feel free to contact one of our Travel Specialists via email, phone or chat to plan your perfect Belize, Brazil or Costa Rica travel itinerary.