Top Winter Getaways to Escape the Cold

When winter settles in and the temperatures drop, nothing feels more tempting than a warm, sunny escape. Some of the world’s most beautiful destinations enjoy peak sunshine just as the snow starts to fall at home. From the Caribbean’s powdery beaches to the turquoise lagoons of the Maldives, these warm-weather retreats are the perfect antidote to winter blues.

Below, you’ll find our top winter getaways organized by region, each featuring standout luxury resorts ideal for couples, families, or anyone craving a tropical reset. Pack your sunscreen and leave the parka behind. Paradise is calling.

The Caribbean shines in winter. From mid-December through April the region enjoys its dry season, which means warm, breezy days and perfect beach weather. If you're looking for romance, relaxation, or family fun, you’ll find it here.

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

For: Couples, honeymooners, and anyone seeking a romantic, ultra luxurious escape

Perched high above St. Lucia’s coastline, Jade Mountain is more than a resort. It is an architectural experience. Each suite, known as a “sanctuary,” opens directly to sweeping views of the Pitons with an open-air design that eliminates the fourth wall entirely. Many include a private infinity pool that seems to float above the sea.

Expect peace, privacy, and a retreat that feels far removed from the world. There are no TVs and no distractions, just total immersion in nature, world class service, and breathtaking scenery. Winter from December through April is the ideal time to visit for sunny skies and comfortable temperatures.

Beaches Turks & Caicos, Providenciales

For: Families and multigenerational trips

Set along Grace Bay, one of the world’s best beaches, Beaches Turks & Caicos is a sprawling all-inclusive paradise designed with families in mind. With 21 restaurants, premium drinks, endless activities, a huge waterpark, kids clubs, Sesame Street characters, and gorgeous pools, there is always something to do.

Winter is peak season for Turks & Caicos and brings sunny, mid 80s Fahrenheit days that are perfect for snorkeling, waterslides, and beach time. With dining, drinks, water sports, and entertainment included, this resort takes the stress out of planning and maximizes the fun for every age.

Mexico’s coastal regions offer some of the most reliable winter warmth in the Western Hemisphere. Whether you prefer the Pacific coastline or the Caribbean side of the Yucatán, you will find luxurious resorts, rich culture, and plenty of sunshine.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

For: Couples, families, and travelers craving laid back luxury

Located on a private peninsula north of Puerto Vallarta, Four Seasons Punta Mita balances refined luxury with an easygoing, authentic Mexican vibe. Expect beautiful beaches, sweeping ocean views, a lazy river, world class golf, a spa, and excellent dining.

Winter brings dry, warm weather and calm seas that are ideal for whale watching and sunset cruises. Families love the Kids for All Seasons program, while couples enjoy the adults only pool and romantic beachfront dinners.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

For: Luxury lovers, foodies, families, and spa seekers

Set among mangroves and along the beach north of Playa del Carmen, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is often called one of the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts in the world. It takes the “all inclusive” idea to a higher level with gourmet dining, oversized suites, premium drinks, top tier service, and an award-winning spa.

The resort is divided into three “ambiances.” Zen is tucked in the jungle, Ambassador focuses on family-friendly beachfront fun, and Grand Class is adults only and oceanfront. No matter where you stay, you can enjoy all restaurants and pools.

Winter brings warm, dry weather that is perfect for beach days, snorkeling, cenote swims, and visits to nearby Mayan ruins. If you want five-star service with everything included, this is a fantastic choice.

For a tropical escape within the United States, Hawaii is hard to beat. Winter temperatures sit in the upper 70s Fahrenheit, and it is prime time for whale watching, surfing competitions, and spectacular sunsets.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

For: Honeymooners, families, and anyone wanting five-star service in a postcard setting

The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea is one of Hawaii’s most iconic luxury properties. With an adult only Serenity Pool, complimentary cabanas, oceanfront dining, and direct access to Wailea Beach, it delivers on every classic Maui fantasy.

Winter brings whale watching season and you may spot humpbacks from the shore. The south side of Maui is one of the driest areas on the island, so showers are usually brief. It is an ideal time for beach hopping, snorkeling, and exploring Haleakal? without intense summer heat.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Oahu

For: Families and Disney fans

Aulani sits on a calm lagoon in Ko Olina on Oahu’s west coast and blends Hawaiian culture with Disney magic. The resort features a lazy river, multiple pools, waterslides, a snorkel lagoon, and an incredible kids club. Disney characters appear in Hawaiian outfits, adding extra fun for younger guests.

Parents can enjoy the spa, adults only pool, and beachfront cocktails while kids spend time at Aunty’s Beach House, the supervised club that many families say is the best they have experienced. Winter brings warm, sunny weather and gentle seas, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and family adventures.

Crystal clear lagoons, lush jungles, and overwater bungalows make the South Pacific one of the world’s most romantic winter destinations (although it’s technically summertime there). It is the warm and sometimes rainy season, but showers are often brief and followed by sunshine.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia

For: Honeymooners, anniversaries, and bucket list romance

Four Seasons Bora Bora sits on a private motu (island) in a turquoise lagoon with Mount Otemanu rising in the background. Overwater bungalows and beachfront villas offer indoor-outdoor living with direct access to the lagoon.

Days here revolve around swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and lounging on your deck. Even during the wetter months, sunshine is frequent and the water stays warm. The resort is famous for exceptional service, private dinners on the beach, and canoe delivered breakfasts, which makes it ideal for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji

For: Adults seeking serenity, romance, and local culture

Likuliku Lagoon Resort is an intimate adult only property on Malolo Island in Fiji. It was the first resort in the country to offer overwater bures (bungalows) and remains a favorite for couples who want privacy and a sense of place.

The bures are built in traditional Fijian style with thatched roofs and natural materials. Some sit directly over the lagoon, others along the beach. Likuliku is essentially all-inclusive and serves excellent Pacific Rim cuisine. Guests spend their time snorkeling, kayaking, taking village visits, or enjoying private picnics on a tiny sandbank island. Warm, friendly Fijian hospitality is a big part of the charm.

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is summer in Fiji and brings hot, humid weather with occasional storms but also plenty of sunshine. For many couples, the tradeoff is worth it for warm seas and fewer crowds.

Southeast Asia is rich in winter sun escapes, from the beaches of Thailand to islands scattered through Indonesia. Many coastal areas enjoy their dry, cool season during this time, which makes conditions excellent for island hopping and beach time.

Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand

For: Couples, wellness travelers, privacy seekers, and adventure lovers

Six Senses Yao Noi is tucked on a small island between Phuket and Krabi in Phang Nga Bay. Villas cling to a jungle hillside and look out over dramatic limestone cliffs and emerald water. Each villa comes with a private pool and large sun deck.

The resort leans into barefoot luxury and wellness. Guests can enjoy sunrise yoga, Thai massages in an open-air spa, outdoor cinema nights, and boat trips to nearby islands. The Hilltop Reserve, with its infinity pool and restaurant, offers one of the best views in Thailand. Winter, from December through March, is dry, warm, and ideal for boat excursions and relaxing by the pool.

The Maldives often feels like a dream of what a winter escape should be: private islands, overwater villas, and water so clear it does not look real. Its dry season aligns beautifully with winter in North America and Europe.

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

For: Honeymooners, couples, and barefoot luxury fans

Gili Lankanfushi sits on a small private island in North Malé Atoll. The resort encourages a “no news, no shoes” mindset, so most guests go barefoot from the moment they arrive. Villas are spacious, rustic chic, and built over the lagoon. Some are only reachable by boat for ultimate privacy.

Each villa comes with a personal host, known as a Mr. or Ms. Friday, who helps with everything from unpacking to arranging private dinners on a sandbank. Days revolve around snorkeling on the house reef, lounging on hammocks above the water, sunrise yoga, and long, lazy meals. There is even a jungle cinema where you watch movies under the stars.

Winter from December through April offers near perfect conditions with bright skies, warm seas, and light breezes. It is also the most popular and expensive time, especially around Christmas and New Year. If you can travel in early December or late March, you may find slightly lower rates while still enjoying beautiful weather.

Whether you are craving a romantic overwater bungalow, a lively family beach vacation, or a serene adult only retreat, these warm weather destinations offer the perfect winter antidote. Sunshine, turquoise seas, and barefoot days are all within reach.

This winter, trade your wool coat for a bathing suit and let one of these tropical getaways pamper you. Your hardest decision will be whether to order another piña colada. That is exactly the kind of winter problem everyone deserves.