Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is the jewel of Baja California. Come for the sunshine and clear Pacific waters, and stay for the fantastic Mexican food!

The airport is a 45 minute drive from Cabos San Lucas. Take a taxi on arrival or arrange pick-up through your hotel or resort.

While many places will accept USD, keep small bills handy for tipping, souvenirs and boat tours. Alternatively, take out pesos from an ATM on arrival.

EAT

Hacienda Cocina y Cantina Celebrate something special here. The views of the beach, water and sunset are stunning and the food is excellent.

Koi This hole in the wall serves amazingly fresh sushi. Recommended by a friend.

Los Claros Tasty and cheap tacos!

Los Tres Gallos Romantic, old world Mexican restaurant.

DRINK

Bar Esquina Attached to Bahia Hotel, this place comes alive at night and is a hip hang.

Mango Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar Chill spot for sunset and happy hour drinks on Medano Beach.

PLAY

Medano Beach

Pelican's Rock and Lover's Beach Accessible only by water taxi, a round trip to this iconic spot will set you back $5 a person.

Snorkel and catamaran cruise We had a great afternoon cruise with SunRider Tours, and have heard excellent things about Cabo San Lucas Tours.

STAY

Avoid the spring break crowds and stay at a boutique hotel or classy resort near Medano Beach. Check out the Bahia Hotel and Beach House or its neighbor, the slightly more upscale Casa Dorada.

Cabo San Lucas

Guanacaste

Guanacaste is the northwestern-most province in Costa Rica. The region is incredibly diverse, boasting volcanoes and green mountains, dense rain forests and airy deciduous forests, lush sugarcane fields and peaceful beaches.

Liberia Airport is the gateway to Guanacaste and offers daily direct flights from major US cities.

Costa Ricans are known for their kindness and laid back personalities. They live by the code of “pura vida” and love using this term in greeting and farewell.

A quarter of the roads in Costa Rica are paved, making long distance travel bumpy and occasionally painful. While many areas are accessible without four-wheel drive, if you are renting a car reserve a four-wheel drive vehicle.

All beaches in Costa Rica are public, meaning that locals and neighbors are welcome on the beach connected to your resort. This is a boon as you will get a better priced massage on the beach than the resort spa.

EAT

Soda Viquez Excellent, traditional Costa Rican food in La Fortuna.

DRINK

Imperial The most popular beer in Costa Rica, Imperial is a home grown, American-style lager. It claims to be the world’s first “water positive” beer, meaning that it conserves water throughout the brewing process.

PLAY

Arenal Volcano National Park While Arenal has been active since 1968, hiking along its base is safe and offers extraordinary views on a clear day.

Balsa River whitewater rafting Admire the magic of Arenal’s forests while white water rafting class II and III rapids in the Rio Balsa.

Buena Vista del Rincon An eco and wellness adventure park near Ricon de la Vieja National Park that offers canopy zip-lining, horseback riding, natural hot springs and mud baths.

STAY

We loved the Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa and Resort near Arenal. While a bit outside of La Fortuna town (10 minute cab ride), it had lovely views of the volcano and a heated thermal water pool.

In Guanacaste we stayed at Dreams Las Mareas, an all-inclusive beach-side resort a few miles from the Honduran border and 1.5 hours from Liberia airport. While the property and our room were lovely, the food was ok. There are many other beach resorts in Guanacaste, but if you are looking for a more authentic trip we heard excellent things about Tamarindo, a coastal town in southern Guanacaste.

Guanacaste

Hawaii (The Big Island)

The largest, youngest and driest of Hawaii’s islands, The Big Island has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, miles of lava fields and active volcanos. It is still growing from eruptions and lava flows from the Mauna Loa and Kiluaea volcanoes.

Fly in and out of the Kona International Airport, located just 15 kilometers from Kona’s town center.

A rental car is needed to get from place to place.

EAT

Punalu’u Bake Shop Pick up malasada donuts from this bakery in Na’alehu on your way to Volcanoes National Park. These sugary, pillowy balls of goodness were brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants.

South Side Shaka Restaurant & Bar A simple restaurant and bar along Mamalahoa Highway in Na’alehu serving up authentic Hawaiian comfort food. It calls itself the “most southern bar in the USA”.

DRINK

Kona Blue Sky Coffee A shop and roastery in Holualoa offering tastings and tours of the tiny plantation next to the shop.

Kona Brewing Company Craft beer microbrewery in Kailua-Kona. Also has good food!

PLAY

Anaeho'omalu “A-Bay” Beach A stunning white sand beach sprinkled with palm trees.

Body Glove Cruises’ This sunset, dinner cruise from Kailua-Kona to Kealakekua Bay and back features a local historian who shares background on Hawaii, the island and historic sites along the coast.

Hapuna Beach One of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Do not miss its bleached sand.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Holualoa Village An eclectic, artsy little village in the hills above Kailua-Kona. A special ukulele shop that offers ukulele-building workshops lives here.

Magic Sands Beach Local beach south of Kailua-Kona town. Sea turtle spotting here.

Mauna Kea A dormant volcano with astronomical observatories at the summit. Go for sunset and stay for a bit of star-gazing. Bundle up, because of the elevation the temperatures are incredibly cold!

Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site Ruins of temples built by King Kamehameha.

STAY

Stay in Kailua-Kona town if you want to be close to restaurants and night life. Or one of the numerous resorts that dot the coastline nearby.

For a more authentic experience, consider renting a home with a view in the hills. We stayed at Hale Akala in Holualoa, a charming and historic Hawaiian plantation home and guest cottage. The Hale Akala ranch and main house were built and owned by Lindsay’s ancestors in the 19th century.

Hawaii (The Big Island)

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Kauai

The smallest and oldest Hawaiian island, Kauai is also the most laid back and rural. Called the Garden Island, it rains nearly every day and is covered in lush rain forests. Head here for quiet beaches and rugged landscapes away from the maddening crowd.

Kauai is remote and the beaches and trails are a distance from each other. Rent a car for your visit to the island.

EAT

Foodland Princeville Get groceries before heading to your rental in Princeville or Hanalei Bay.

Pono Market This small, humble market on the Kuhio Highway in Kapaa has incredibly fresh poké.

Tiki Iniki Tiki-style bar and grill in Princeville with Hawaiian food and fun cocktails.

DRINK

Tahiti Nui Polynesian dive bar and restaurant in Hanalei. Go for happy hour or dinner.

PLAY

Anahola Beach Quiet, locals’ beach on the northeastern face of the island.

Hanalei Bay This natural bay is stunning. Spend an afternoon at the beach and then walk south a few blocks into Hanalei town for happy hour.

Queen’s Bath This natural tide pool in Princeville is beautiful, but can be a treacherous hike and dangerous. Admire the pool versus swimming in it, as this spot has been responsible for dozens of deaths.

Kapaa Town Quiet town on the eastern shore with a handful of shops and restaurants. Visit the the Wailua and Opaekaa falls, both just off the road.

Kalalau Trail Starting from Ha’ena State Park, this 11 mile trail is not for the faint of heart. While difficult, the hike rewards with stunning views of the NaPali coast and is the only way to access its lookouts and hidden beaches, including the beautiful Hanakāpī‘ai Beach.

Kayak Wailua Take a guided kayak tour through the rain forest and down the Wailua River.

Kealia Beach Long beach north of Kaapa Town.

NaPali coastline Kauai’s ancient, jagged coastline is eerily surreal… and familiar (it was featured in Jurassic Park). To appreciate it’s magnificence, take a catamaran day cruise and snorkel trip with Captain Andy’s.

The Sleeping Giant Another hiking trail. However, the Sleeping Giant himself is best viewed from a distance.

Waimea Canyon The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” is seriously awe-inspiring. Admire the red canyon walls and waterfalls from one of the look-outs, hike through the Waimea Canyon State Park, or take a helicopter tour through the canyon.

STAY

Rent a house or condo in Hanalei or Princeville depending on the size of your group. Both are near world class beaches, restaurants and nightlife.

Kauai

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Bermuda

Just 90 minutes by flight from New York City, this tiny island nation has the prettiest water and finest sand in all the Caribbean (and perhaps the world, wethinks!). Journey to Bermuda for its the natural beauty and laid-back, island lifestyle.

There are no rental cars on the island and cabs are expensive. The best and easiest way to get around is by electric scooter. Spend your days beach hopping all along the island.

EAT

Bailey’s Bay Ice Cream Parlour Quaint ice cream joint near the Crystal Caves.

Barracuda Grill Posh seafood and steak joint in Hamilton.

Bermuda Rum and Cake Company Bermuda is well known for its rum cake. Pick up a few goodies from the Royal Naval Dockyard location.

Frog and Onion Pub English-style pub in the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Wahoo’s Bistro and Patio Excellent fresh fish in St. George’s.

DRINK

Gombey’s Bar Beachy dive bar at Clearwater Beach.

The Swizzle Inn A historic tavern that claims to be Bermuda’s oldest pub. Good food too! Try the signature Rum Sizzle drink.

PLAY

Clearwater Beach Our favorite beach in Bermuda. Far from tourists on the northeast side of the island, and oh so blue.

Crystal and Fantasy Caves Book a guided tour to the underground caves. Lots of opportunities for rock jumping.

Elbow Beach Lovely beach on the south shore.

Horseshoe Bay Beach This pink sand beach on the southern shore is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Tobacco Bay Beach A small beach cove off the tourist track in St. George’s. Wander through the rock pools nearby.

STAY

Looking to splash out? The Fairmont Hamilton Princess and Beach Club in Hamilton is pure luxury. Its beach club on the southern shore is a gorgeously calm and private bay.

For the budget-minded, or those simply looking for a more authentic experience, we recommend a quiet serviced apartment or AirBnb with a view on the North Shore Road cliffs. You’ll be well away from the cruise ships in Kings Wharf and tourist resorts in Hamilton and the south shore.

Bermuda