I want to go somewhere warm for spring break, but the places I’ve been considering—Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Mexico—either have concerning travel-advisory reports or have been making headlines for recent crimes. I can’t stop thinking about the tourist who was shot and killed in Tulum. Now I’m nervous. Is this just sensationalist news, or should I really avoid traveling to these destinations? —In It for Fun and Sun

Spring break is upon us, and many of Americans’ favorite sunny Caribbean destinations, long considered safe, have been making headlines of late due to crime and safety concerns, so this is a valid question.

On February 9, the boho-chic Mexican beach town of Tulum, on the YucatĂĄn peninsula, made global news when an American tourist was Ìęin the crossfire of warring drug cartels.

In late January, the U.S. State Department renewed travel warnings to Jamaica and the Bahamas. The agency rates (reconsider travel)—one level below its most severe Level 4 warning (do not travel)—citing in its advisory that “violence and shootings occur regularly in many neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in Jamaica,” and “sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”

The State Department considers the Bahamas a slightly safer destination, advisory (exercise increased caution), due to crime. The American Embassy there has reported 18 homicides in the capital city of Nassau since the start of 2024, prompting the agency to , cautioning travelers that “murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets.” With such news, it’s understandable that you’re wary of visiting these places.

“Travel advisories are always important to consider,” says Jack Ezon, founder of the travel agency Embark Beyond, in New York City. “We always tell clients to be vigilant, whether traveling abroad or at home. It’s also very important to put things into perspective. Safety conditions in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York City are often just as precarious, if not more, but we do not put out warnings about our own cities. You need to be careful anywhere you are.”

One could argue that America is even more dangerous. According to the , there were 656 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2023.

I encourage travelers to look beyond the scary headlines and blanket advisory levels before deciding on a trip. Because if you read the advisories’ detailed explanations, you often get a different perspective. For example, the State Department also lists sharks and recreational watercraft such as jet skis among its safety concerns in the Bahamas. And while the State Department’s advisory notes that 13 of Jamaica’s 14 parishes are listed as “do not travel,” these warnings are specific to certain neighborhoods.

When pressed on whether State Department advisories accurately reflect the current safety situation in these host countries, a U.S. Embassy official in Kingston, Jamaica, told me that they share any restricted areas for government personnel with American citizens. These rely on historical data and current trends and patterns and are kept up-to-date.

Realizing that most potential tourists won’t do further research than a quick scan of these advisories, local officials in both Jamaica and the Bahamas have pushed back against the recent State Department warnings, hoping to give jittery vacationers peace of mind ahead of the high season for tourism.

Still nervous? I spoke with repeat visitors to these countries, government officials, and travel experts to get a better sense of why these destinations are being flagged as potentially perilous, and the precautions to take if you decide to go.

Is Tulum, Mexico, Safe for Tourists Right Now?

On February 26, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico who plan to travel to Mexico to exercise “increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark,” specifically flagging tainted drinks and synthetic drugs in the country.

Violence is another concern. Since August 2023, the State Department’s , where Tulum is located, has stated: “While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.” The most recent shooting was similar to a spate of incidents that have happened here in the past three years.

In 2021, during a shootout between drug dealers on Tulum’s main strip, and in February 2022, rival drug dealers opened fire at the upscale Art Beach Tulum restaurant, resulting in two deaths. In both cases, officials confirmed that the tourists weren’t targets, but simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The same goes for the woman killed in cartel crossfire in February 2024.

Additionally, the advisory for the state of Quintana Roo added: “U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.”

I’ve been to Tulum three times, but my last trip was over a decade ago, when the beach town was still considered under-the-radar and attracted a mostly hippie, yogi crowd. Tulum has changed since then, says Zachary Rabinor, founder of travel agency Journey Mexico, whose main office is in Puerto Vallarta. “It’s become a hot spot for nightlife, with all-night DJ parties, recreational drug use, and accompanying risks that this type of behavior brings with it,” he says. Rabinor notes that there have been increased reports of petty crime and isolated cases of more serious crime in Tulum in the past five years.

At least have been identified by authorities as operating around Tulum and CancĂșn, and local authorities told that the latest round of violence is a reaction to the state’s efforts to clamp down on crime.

The State Department has givenÌęmost of MexicoÌęa Level 2 advisory, due to crime. That’s the same level of caution designated to 70 other countries, including Belize, France, Costa Rica, the UK, Italy, and Germany. Travelers to Quintana Roo, it states, should “maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations.”

I called a dozen Tulum hotels, and none reported cancellations as a result of the recent violence, but half reported receiving calls from concerned future travelers. A member of the reservations staff at told me she’s been reminding nervous guests that, with its myriad of wellness offerings and six restaurants, it’s possible to have a great vacation there without leaving the property. And if guests do want to venture off-site, Be Tulum can arrange private transportation for an extra charge.

I also reached out to expat Angelika Pokovba, who is Ukrainian and was raised in the U.S. before moving from New York City to Mexico City and then Tulum, where she has lived for the past four years. Although crime has surged at certain points during her time in her new town, she’s never felt unsafe. “Particularly now, it feels that much of the criminal and narcos chaos has calmed down,” she says, adding that “there is a lot less petty crime here than other places.”

While Pokovba believes that Tulum continues to be welcoming to international travelers, she suggests that visitors attempt to understand local culture and social cues. And speaking Spanish and having street smarts have been key to her experience, she says.

Still feeling uncertain? Mexico is a large country with plenty of other beach escapes to choose from. Journey Mexico created a with a state-by-state analysis to help travelers understand which areas have little to no travel restrictions. For barefoot-chic experiences with a similar vibe to Tulum, Rabinor suggests considering Isla Holbox, Puerto Escondido, Sayulita, and Todos Santos.

Is It Safe for Americans to Visit Jamaica?

Despite a spate of recent news storiesÌęflagging risks for travelers headed to Jamaica, the island has been listed at Level 3 since March 2022, said Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism. In fact, the State Department routinely reissues advisories for countries across the globe throughout the year, and on February 7 it subsequently that the January 23 release specific to Jamaica provided an update on health care and medical services that American citizens receive if they are hospitalized there. It was not prompted by a safety issue. However, according to the U.S. Embassy official in Kingston, currently all parishes but two—Saint Mary and Portland, in the northeast—contain areas on the off-limits list for U.S. Embassy personnel.

In a January 25 , Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, expressed her government’s disappointment that the recent advisory failed to reflect the country’s progress in improving safety. “It is not insignificant that Jamaica has recorded a more than 20 percent decline in serious crimes, along with strong improvements in arrests and prosecution,” she stated in the release.

The media attention around the advisory comes on the heels of a December 2023 that heralded Jamaica as a “beacon of safety,” ranking it as one of the safest locations in Latin America and the Caribbean for visitors. Crime involving visitors is low, just 0.01 percent, says White. The vast majority of crime occurs in non-tourist areas, much like in U.S. cities, says Terry Gallagher, a New York City–based publicist who works with the Jamaica Tourist Board.

In 2023, —a record for the island—3.1 million of whom came from the U.S. Moreover, Jamaica’s repeat visitor rate is the highest in the Caribbean, at 42 percent, which leads one to believe that many travelers feel safe vacationing there.

Kristin Hostetter, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Inc.’s head of sustainability, is one of those repeat visitors. She’s vacationed in the western town of Negril with her family for 20 years, starting when her kids were just eight months and two years old. Most recently they visited in December 2023. And her family hasn’t holed up at the hotel; they’ve gotten out and about to explore the reggae scene, beaches, and culture.

“I’ve never felt threatened or scared,” she told me. “We take precautions if we’re walking on the beach at night, but you’d do that anywhere.” She notes that newcomers might feel threatened by the vendors on the beach. “You’ll likely be propositioned to buy weed ten times a day, but just smile and say, ‘No thanks,’ and they walk away.”

White reiterates that travelers visiting Jamaica should take the same precautions as they would on a trip anywhere, even in their own country. “Be aware of your surroundings, keep abreast of local customs and laws, and keep your belongings secure at all times,” he says.

Are the Bahamas Safe for Tourists?

Similar to Jamaica, the was not elevated recently by the State Department. The Level 2 advisory has been in place since 2022 and was reissued in January due to violence in specific neighborhoods rarely frequented by tourists.

A spokesperson of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation says that the Bahamas is working to counter confusion caused by the advisory, by promoting the nation’s milestone growth of nine million visitors in 2023. That’s more than a 28 percent increase from numbers.

It’s important to remember that the Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 islands, only 16 of which are tourism hubs, including Eleuthera and Cat Island. According to the , “The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands.” And even on those two islands, it notes only certain specific neighborhoods, such as the Over the Hill area south of Shirley Street in Nassau, where travelers are advised to travel with extra caution.

“Gang-on-gang violence” is “primarily affecting the local population,” says the advisory. Latia Duncombe, director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation, assured me in an email response for comment that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has a plan to address public-safety concerns impacting these specific problem areas, including enhanced police presence to keep residents and visitors alike safe.

Crimes against tourists are rare but do occur. In May, were allegedly awakened in their vacation rental by three gunmen and driven to an ATM, where they were forced to withdraw cash.

Margie Hand, a Caribbean specialist with Andavo Travel, based in Salt Lake City, says clients traveling to the Bahamas have reached out recently and opted to book a resort instead of a private villa or home rental, due to the increased security offered at a resort.

, a thousand-acre beachfront resort complex on Nassau, was at peak capacity over Presidents’ Day weekend, and it’s expected to be similarly full throughout the spring-break season, says Baha Mar president Graeme Davis. “While we are aware of and monitoring recent incidents, it’s important to note that none of them happened near Baha Mar or Nassau resort areas,” he says, adding that the property has full-time security and surveillance staff who have direct access to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

No matter the country, Hand advises travelers to be aware of their surroundings and book reputable group tours versus doing sightseeing on their own. “I also suggest that they leave expensive jewelry at home and to make use of the safes in their rooms,” she says. Further, she recommends that anyone traveling abroad sign up for the State Department’s free , designed to send U.S. travelers updated information on safety conditions in their destination, which might range from natural disasters to civil unrest.

What Precautions Should You Take if You Go to These Places?

No matter where you travel, Jack EzonÌęof the Embark Beyond agency tells travelers to adopt these safety tactics:

• Buddy up. Travel with a friend, family member, or companion.
• Don’t frequent establishments of ill-repute.
• Only use official taxis that are ordered through your hotel, restaurant, or other trusted source.
• Nothing good ever happens after midnight. If you’re out late, make sure to utilize the buddy system and leave no one behind.

If you’re a solo traveler, like I often am, I always tell my hotel receptionist where I’m heading when I go off property. I don’t accept drinks from strangers, and I limit myself to one alcoholic drink. And if I ever feel uncomfortable in a situation, I leave immediately.

Tragedies are unfortunately inevitable, but reading about a heli-ski accident or an avalanche fatality still hasn’t deterred me from skiing, and news of a shooting in Tulum or a burglary in Jamaica wouldn’t deter my beach holiday. It’s easy to let your guard down when you get into vacation mode, so consider the news and advisories as reminders to stay smart and sharp rather than scare tactics to keep you at home.

Jen Murphy has traveled solo to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Tulum and has always felt safe in these destinations.

The post Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas? appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Each year, we send our editors and writers on a mission to find the destinations on the vanguard of the travel. The major takeaway from our 28 favorites of 2016?ÌęThe entire world is getting more adventurous. Travelers are pushing boundaries, fromÌęseeking out newly accessible Cuban bars to touring North Carolina breweries—by canoe. In years past, a cruise around the Antarctic involved lots of gawking at icebergs. Today, the same cruise has you booting up and ripping untouched snow with mountaineers Andrew McLean and Chris Davenport.

But don’t think for a second that this trend is limited to far-flung and expensive trips: small towns like Bentonville, Arkansas, are investing in world-class mountain bike trails—maintained by professional crews!—and innovative, hard, and fun-as-hell races like Quincy, California’s Grinduro are popping up just about everywhere. There's never been a better time to get out there—and this is the definitive guide to a year well traveled.

1. Jamaica

We know what you’re thinking—reggae and ganja. But there’s another reason to head here: Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park just earned World Heritage Status in 2015.ÌęThis 65,000-acre tropical rainforest’s two mountain ranges are a Caribbean biodiversity hot spot, with 1,357 species of flowering plants plus endangered birds like the yellow-billed parrot. On the clearest days, 7,402-foot Blue Mountain Peak offers views of Cuba, 130 miles to the north. Arrange an overnight or long-haul backpacking trip with Kingston-based (from $230). For easy access to the park, book the brand-new, six-bedroom (from $2,750), which sits on a lush hilltop near the northeast beach town of Port Antonio. —Stephanie Pearson

2. Bentonville, Arkansas

Yes, the home of Walmart’s corporate headquarters. The retail behemoth’s presence means the town is flush with cash, and a lot of it has gone toward creating a premier mountain-biking destination. There are now some 23 miles of singletrack just three miles from downtown. Even better: Arkansas employs the only professional mountain-bike-trail maintenance crews in the U.S. But don’t just take our word for it. The booked it for this year’s World Summit in November. —Bryan Rogala

3. Basecamp Hotel, Tahoe City, California

In 2012, Christian Strobel turned a decrepit motel in South Lake Tahoe into , a boutique lodge for adventure travelers, with fire pits and GoPro screenings. Now he’s giving Tahoe City a Basecamp of its own, with a yoga studio, in-room bike racks, and concierges with climbing beta—all located less than 20 minutes from the slopes. —Megan Michelson

4. Iran

Look past the complicated politics and the dark image of the country’s leadership; intrepid travelers who’ve trailblazed here come back with tales of lively culture and the overwhelming friendliness of the people. Skip the canned tours and start with a DIY circuit of Tehran’s museums, cafĂ©s, mosques, and the Unesco World Heritage site of ancient Persepolis, in Shiraz. Then hook up with British outfitter to summit Iran’s highest peak, the 18,464-foot, still-active volcano Mount Damavand (from $3,675). Located just 45 miles northeast of the capital, Damavand is a nontechnical but demanding five-day ascent, with views of the Caspian Sea to the north and barren desert to the south. “Damavand has the challenge of other more famous treks like Kilimanjaro but without the crowds,” says Exodus’s Emma Garrick. “Not encountering other groups for the entire route is practically guaranteed.” —Graeme Green

5. Ladder Ranch, Gila Mountains, New Mexico

Media mogul Ted Turner has impeccable taste in real estate. Take , a remote five-bedroom home that opened to guests in September and sits on 160,000 acres of Turner’s private land on the edge of the Gila Mountains and the Chiricahua Desert. Guests spend days mountain-biking, spotting bighorn sheep and elk, and visiting ancient petroglyphs. $6,000 for four people, all-inclusive. —Kate Siber

6. Nihiwatu, Sumba Island, Indonesia

After a long search for the perfect surf spot, Claude and Petra Graves knew they were finished when they saw the reef break 100 yards off Nihiwatu Beach. The couple built the by the wave—it’s an hour’s flight east of Bali and comes complete with spear-fishing guides and an equestrian center. But the focus is still on surfing, and less than 80 guests per day means you won’t have to battle for a spot on the huge, hollow left. From $1,000, all-inclusive. —Jen Murphy

7. Quincy, California

Think of the as a soulful gran fondo for mountain bikers on hardtails and gravel-grinding nuts on cross bikes. The folks at Giro invented it as a new kind of race, combining the timed segments of endurance mountain biking with the luxe food of a century ride and inviting everyone to camp at a fairgrounds high in the Sierra Nevada. And while the resulting vibe is laidback, the course—held on fire roads in the Plumas National Forest—is definitely not: riders gain 7,500 feet in 60 miles, half of which comes in a brutal five-mile dirt climb that averages 12 percent and reduces many to walking. October 8. —Scott Rosenfield

8. Pemberton Music ­Festival, British Columbia

Picture Bonnaroo without the sweltering heat and mosquitoes and you’ve got . Last year 115,000 people saw Kendrick Lamar and the Black Keys headline, and things got weird. (Think: an adult-size ball pit and waterslide.) Plan to stay a couple of extra days to ride Pemberton’s abundant singletrack, which you can roll to directly from the village. July 14–17; passes from $295. —Graham Averill

9. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an outlier. It follows a calendar different than the rest of the world. It harbors some of the world’s last subsistence tribes, one of the harshest deserts on the planet, and (if you believe the locals) the Ark of the Covenant. It’s also one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, and recently it has made efforts to improve conditions for visitors. So tackle the Northern Historical Route, a rugged overland trail that leads past ancient stone churches and roaring waterfalls. Or book a few nights in the airy (from $140). It opened in March in the Simien Mountains, which are threaded by trekking routes and populated by animals, like Ethiopian wolves and gelada monkeys, that are found nowhere else in the world. —K.S.

10. Portland, Oregon

Specifically the Central Eastside. Once an industrial zone packed with old warehouses, it’s now one of the city’s coolest spots. Yes, that sounds like a setup for a Portlandia sketch. But the stunning new location of outfitter is giving the area adventure cred. And after you browse skis, you can catch acts like Neko Case at , a remodeled brick high school, or get the four-course chef’s menu at , situated in a former loading dock. —M.M.

11. French Broad River, North Carolina

The beauty of traveling by canoe is that you can carry a lot of beer. There’s probably no better place in the country to test out this theory than the mild 45-mile stretch of the French Broad that flows past the Southern outposts of three of America’s most cherished craft breweries. Put in at , hit midway through the trip, and take out at on the edge of downtown Asheville. Three days, three killer breweries, and island camping, thanks to the , a newly established series of campgrounds along the way. —G.A.

12. Smith Island, Maryland

Some of the most determined watermen in the world live on Smith Island, 12 miles off Maryland’s coast. Shaped by Chesapeake Bay tides, this small patch of dry ground set in salt marsh offers access to a natural maze of kayak trails that cut through the sea grass. Undaunted by rising sea levels, the 300 or so remaining islanders stay true to age-old traditions, fishing for oysters and crabs while speaking the 400-year-old dialect of their Welsh and English ancestors. Catch the on the mainland at Crisfield ($26 round-trip), then check out the island’s cultural center, where you can rent bikes and kayaks. Stay the night at the (from $125), and don’t skip a slice of ten-layer Smith Island cake, Maryland’s official dessert. —Andrew Evans

13. Nevada

It’s fair to say that Nevada’s mountain-biking scene is exploding—from the 539-mile Trans-Nevada Trail, which starts at Lake Tahoe and spans the entire width of the state, to miles of new trails being constructed in the state’s 48 million acres of Bureau of Land Management wilds. Start your tour of the best stuff 36 miles south of Las Vegas and ride 35 miles of smooth, flowy intermediate singletrack at the Bootleg Canyon bike park, which has received the Epic distinction from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Then get farther afield in tiny Caliente, 150 miles northeast of Vegas, where IMBA plans to create 42 miles of trails this year. The group’s ultimate goal is to build a 150-mile system. Until then, the gravel riding in the area’s surrounding four million acres of BLM land is spectacular, and the 15 new campsites at just south of town are quiet and tucked away at the base of a 700-foot canyon ($17). —S.P.

14. San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge, Dolomites, Italy

Giorgia and Stefano Barbini, two Italian fashion-industry veterans, reimagined a into the type of place their friends would visit, preserving its Alpine charm while updating it with creature comforts like heated floors and, naturally, a heli-pad to access distant peaks for -hiking and skiing. Back at the lodge, Giorgia prepares dinner in the wood-fired stove while Stefano selects the evening’s pairings from the stable turned 1,500-bottle wine cellar. From $2,300 for up to ten people. —J.M.

15. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, Alaska

On ’ new pack-raft traverse across Alaska’s Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the action starts the moment the bush plane drops you at Nizina Lake, where you’ll blow up your pack raft and paddle across the water, dodging icebergs fallen from the Nizina Glacier. Then you’ll backpack for the next several days, until you reach the braided White River. From there it’s all downhill: a four-day, 60-mile Class II trip that ends with a pickup in Canada’s Yukon. From $4,000. —Chris Solomon

16. Scotland

If John Muir and James Bond got together and dreamed up an adventure, it would look a lot like șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű GO’s across Scotland. You’ll experience the spectacular Highlands and then unwind in 007-worthy castles, complete with roaring fireplaces and aged Scotch (which Ian Fleming aficionados know is Bond’s true drink of choice). You’ll arrive in Edinburgh and shake off jet lag with a hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano that affords Instagram-perfect views of the capital. The next day, you’ll head to the Highlands, taking a boat ride to the Strait of Corryvreckan for a spin in one of the world’s largest natural whirlpools, off the coast of Islay. The village of Glencoe will be your base for mountain-biking singletrack and scrambling up rugged peaks. And you’ll want to burn as many calories as possible, since dinners at Glencoe Country House have a reputation for decadence—think roast rump of lamb and sticky toffee pudding. In the morning, you’ll kayak past otters and eagles en route to a secluded beach where camp tents and a roaring fire await. After a night in the wild, check in at Fonab Castle, then fish for salmon on the River Tay and take in views of Loch Faskally. From $5,450 for ten days. —J.M.

17. Nepal

Go now. Much of the country was unaffected by the 2015 earthquake, and just 15 percent of the trekking routes were damaged. With tourism down by almost 40 percent, there’s actually elbow room on the ($3,799 with REI șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs). Visitors to Kathmandu can watch the painstaking restoration of historic monuments while staying at , a monument unto itself (from $220). The quake hasn’t stopped exciting new developments, either. (from $250), a sustainable resort less than five miles from Pokhara, sits in a lush valley on a working organic farm and will eventually donate up to 70 percent of its profits to charity. From there you can hike Himalayan foothills or set out on a dawn birdwatching tour. Mountain bikers with big lungs: consider ’ 12-day tour up trails between 5,000 and 13,000 feet in the Annapurna and Lower Mustang regions (from $3,350). —S.P.

18. Northshore, Louisiana

For Bayou charm, skip bland, boozy Bourbon Street and the voodoo tourist traps of New Orleans and head across the causeway to the other side of Lake Pontchartrain. The Northshore region was rocked by Hurricane Katrina but has undergone a serious rebirth in the past couple of years. In Covington, rent a set of wheels from and hop on the Tammany Trace, a 27-mile rail trail that weaves through the wetlands. Pull off in Abita Springs, where is brewed with the namesake springwater. If it’s a Saturday night, stick around for a bluegrass show at the . If not, head back to Covington to fill up on salumi and mussels at , then sip a Sazerac at the Cypress Bar in the century-old . —Cheney Gardner

19. Antarctica

One can only imagine what Ernest Shackleton would think of the continent’s transformation into an adventure travel hub. Now skiers can carve empty slopes with ski mountaineers Andrew McLean and Chris Davenport on a with Ice Axe Expeditions (from $8,995, plus a $1,000 backcountry-skiing fee). Shackleton buffs can join all-star explorers Conrad Anker and Tim Jarvis on a that sails to Elephant Island, where his expedition took refuge after their ship sank (from $14,995). The seriously hardy can fat-bike to the South Pole on TDA Global Cycling’s 18-day, 69-mile . The $70,000 price tag is staggering but includes a Specialized fat bike to take home. Or opt for șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű GO’s on a 68-passenger icebreaker. You’ll sea-kayak to remote inlets, hike to rugged peaks, and, if you dare, cannonball into the frigid ocean (from $11,595). —S.P.

20. Colombia

The country’s passion for cycling is superheated at the moment, thanks to Nairo Quintana’s second-place finish at the 2015 Tour de France. And adventure companies like are offering new routes into forgotten corners of the Andes and across the coastal plains. Tackle the Alto de Letras—Colombia’s signature ride and what’s said to be the longest paved climb in the world at 51 miles. Or opt for something mellower: pedal a chunk of Colombia’s coffee region, riding narrow, low-traffic streets past colonial villages, plantations, and high-elevation jungles. Make sure to fuel your ride with an agua-panela, hot sugarcane water mixed with melted cheese, known to locals as Colombian Gatorade. —G.A.

21. Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara usually brings to mind retirees on picture-perfect beaches. But the town of 90,000 is becoming younger, more active, and more interesting. , off downtown’s State Street, was started by two former pro cyclists and is the de facto meeting spot for the new breed of Santa Barbaran—the type that’s fueling up for a trail run in the Los Padres National Forest or a ride into the Santa Ynez Mountains. At night you’ll find the same crowd at downtown bistro , which opened two years ago under the leadership of a twenty-something manager and wunderkind head chef. The team mixes can’t-miss dishes with a sense of humor: the Egg McMuffin is an ode to the sandwich invented in 1971 at a McDonald’s just down the road. —J. Wesley Judd

22. Australia

Trekkers often overlook Australia because they’re dazzled by the descriptions of the routes in New Zealand (plus that whole Lord of the Rings thing). But Oz offers some of the best hiking routes on the planet. A particular stunner is Victoria’s four-day guided , a moderately difficult trail that covers 34 beautiful and remote miles hugging mainland Australia’s southernmost coastline along the Bass Strait. Guests stay at an eco-lodge designed for trekkers, with a foot spa and an impressive collection of wines. From $1,432. —S.P.

23. Hokkaido, Japan

The far northern island of Hokkaido is known for hot springs, temples, serious powder in the winter, and alpine hiking in the summer. Getting there used to require a ferry or pricey flight. The new , scheduled to begin service in March, will take you from Tokyo to Hokkaido in just over four hours, reaching speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour and traveling through the longest undersea train tunnel in the world. —G.G.

24. South Africa

Because the country offers incredible wildlife and wine—but also because it hosts world-class races. On March 6, ride along-side 35,000 others in the 67-mile . Surfers, SUPers, and longboarders can sign up for the second annual August 19 to 21, at Muizenberg Corner, 16 miles south of Cape Town. Worth noting: last year’s inaugural event was cut short due to a great white shark sighting. The hottest new stage race is the three-day, 99-mile . You’ll skirt the local high point—8,209-foot Compassberg—and pass through a game reserve filled with wildebeests, springbok, gemsbok, and zebras. —S.P.

25. čóĂ€±čŸ±°ì±đČÔ, JĂ€rpen, Sweden

Remote and well regarded—it’s number 25 on the San Pellegrino list of the 50 best restaurants in the world— is set in an 18th-century barn on a 24,000-acre hunting estate 374 miles north of Stockholm. It’s worth the journey. The 30-course meal, orchestrated by head chef Magnus Nilsson, is farmed, foraged, and hunted on or near the estate. From drippingly fresh scallops cooked over juniper branches and birch coal to pine-bark-syrup ice cream, every bite is original. The best strategy to get one of its coveted 16 seats? Call on April 1 for a reservation for May through December, and spend the night in one of the restaurant’s five rustic bedrooms. Dinner, $258; accommodations, $292. —S.P.

26. Mealy Mountains National Park, Canada

Canada’s western half has long dominated the dreams of adventure travelers, but this year all eyes are on Newfoundland and Labrador with the opening of 4,130-square-mile Mealy Mountains National Park. Officially titled the Akami–uapishku-KakKasuak–Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, it will be the largest in eastern Canada and comanaged by Parks Canada and the Innu people, who will develop aboriginal cultural experiences for visitors. The terrain ranges from rivers full of wild Atlantic salmon, rugged mountains capped with snow, sub-arctic tundra, boreal forest, and sandy ocean beaches that marauding Vikings called the Wonderstrands when they sailed past 1,000 years ago. Wildlife highlights: caribou, wolves, black bears, and martens, just to name a few. Base at the Innu-owned (from $2,190 for three days) or land a salmon at the fly-in fishing camp ($6,465 for three days). —G.G.

27. The Hotel ­Habana Riviera Bar, Havana, Cuba

Havana is a city of ghosts, of absent gods and buried criminals. Take a seat in the ’s lobby bar—a tiny black curve with just four or five stools—and listen for the sounds of the past: the roulette wheel, the clacking of poker chips, the murmuring crowds and celebrity high rollers. The principal owner at the time, Meyer Lansky, was the American Mafia’s main man in Cuba. His aerospace pleasure palace opened with a performance by Ginger Rogers in December 1957. Barely a year later, Fidel Castro took power, the casino tables were tipped over, and the hotel nationalized, the brief moment of corrupt glory over. But you can still have the memories. The hotel’s interior is stuffed with rich marble, golden latticework, and Enzo Gallo sculptures. The bar is now a quiet space, backstopped by an epic picture window full of ocean. There’s usually baseball on, and the Daiquiri Natural is good, year on year. —Patrick Symmes

28. WeeCasa, ­Lyons, Colorado

Test-drive living small at this . There are 12 rentals on-hand, clustered along the banks of the North St. Vrain River in Lyons, 30 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park and a quick bike ride from the Oskar Blues brewery. From $189. —G.A.

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Sometimes you want the people watching and social scene of a lively pool. Other times, you’re not in the mood for screaming, splashing children, or preening. If you just want to float freely and alone, or with a special friend, that’s when it’s worth upgrading to a room with its ownÌęprivate pool (and, of course, a view). Here are nine worth fantasizing about—swimsuits often optional. Ìę

Santorini, Greece

Grace Santorini

Santorini is the most vertical of island paradises, with the appeal lying in bohemian hotels in cliff-top villages far above the island’s famous caldera and the Mediterranean flowing around it.ÌęÌęis one of the full-service places to stay, and also one of the most water-fully blissful. All the honeymoon suites, and most of the others, have dreamy white-walled plunge pools, a distillation of the colors of the Greek Isle, and particularly epicÌęviewsÌęat sunset.Ìę

Cabo San Lucas, MexicoÌę

The Resort at PedregalÌę

Fully recovered from last fall’sÌę, which devestated Cabo, each of the guest rooms, suites and casitas atÌęthe stylishÌęÌęhave Pacific-view plunge pools on their terraces or balconies. Their infinity edges beg you to rest your arms on them, along with perhaps a margarita or a Corona, and gaze out over the Pacific. But before you get to the lounging, get your blood flowing by surfing the nearby at world famousÌę.

Marrakech, MoroccoÌę

Palais Namaskar

Mountain bikingÌęamong the Atlas Mountains with this hotel's expert guides isÌęone reason to stay at the recently opened Ìęin the lush Palmeraie district of Morocco’s famous Red City. There areÌęalso the oasis-like rooms, reached by following a walkway lined with bougainvillea. EachÌęroomÌęcomes with itsÌęown private, heated swimming pools that float inside separate ornamental pools, fragrant with orange blossoms and jasmine. Want more soaking? The bedroom has a freestanding bathtub.

Krabi, ThailandÌę

Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

After kayaking the fanciful sea caves of the Andaman Sea, cooling off in a pool at this hotel isn’t hard. The Ìęis the big splurge for water aficionados: It has a long, infinity-edge swimming pool with hydro-jets overlooking gumdrop-like limestone cliffs rising up from the Andaman Sea. In the more accessible room category, the Reserve Pool Villas haveÌępools (between 200 and 500 square-feet)Ìęoverlooking gardens. And as for the standard villas, you might not do laps, but you can still have a languid soak. The Jacuzzis in each of them are sized just-right for an afternoon of gazing at lush gardens and the sea below.Ìę

Riviera Maya, MexicoÌę

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Swimming is serious business at theÌę, located in its own 590-acre wildlife reserve, about a half hour north of some excellent kayaking and fly-fishing in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and Tulum. Each of the 118 villas has a personal pool. Not just a splash-around plunge pool—a proper 323 sqare-footÌęswimming pool, that unspools along the length of the villa, big enough to swim laps. Adjacent to each swimming pool is a Jacuzzi lined in sapphire blue mosaic tiles to reflect the sky above.Ìę

Masded, JamaicaÌę

Cottage 7, Jamaica Inn

The old-world Ìęis already arguably the most romantic resort on the island, but its top room—the 2,000-square-foot, seafront Cottage 7—clinches the deal. Twenty-foot glass doors open onto a private veranda with a 16-foot-long infinity pool, which is suspended over the Caribbean Sea. A second deck is set up for lounging or dining, and a staircase that leads down to a private cove in the sea for further aquatic indulgence.Ìę

AntiguaÌę

Cliff Suite at Curtain Bluff

Scuba diving and water skiing are included in the room rates, and the aquamarine Caribbean Sea is seemingly a part of your room. The heated, eight-by-eight-foot soaking pool in , one of Curtain Bluff’s premium rooms, is situated just so the iridescent blue seems to extends straight from this watery corner of the (super-private) terrace and out into the sea down below. If you float toward the edge, your view can take in the powdery white sand of Grace Bay Beach.Ìę

Okavango Delta, BotswanaÌę

andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Lodge

It’ll be just you, the elephants, and zebras at one of the finest watering holes in the Okavango Delta. Except those animals won’t be drinking from them—the villas here come with small, cooling plunge pools situated on an elevated platform, safely above the animals’ reach. Reopened after a renovation last fall,ÌęÌęhas not only beautiful design but also exclusive traversing rights through a wildlife-rich stretch of land adjacent to theÌę.

​St. BarthÌę

Hotel Le Toiny

Tiny St. Barth packs in activities from windsurfing and deep-sea fishing to kite surfing and water skiing, but it’s also a romantic paradise. The most amatory and secluded hotel on the island?Ìę, which has just 15 freestanding villa suites, each with own heated, 12-by-20-foot private pool. The pools are made of lava stone, situated to have dreamy views over Caribbean, and softly lit with underwater lights for after you’ve savored the last seconds of sunset.Ìę

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Feet in sand, cold beer in hand—does life get any better? Not really, which is why the highlight of a tropical beach vacation is often the moment you stumble upon a simple beach bar where the lobster is perfectly done, the proprietor tells stories for hours, and the drinks are tasty but lethal. No matter if you’re camping on the beach, Airbnb-ing it, or bunking at the Four Seasons—a beach bar without pretense is always a crowd-pleaser. Serendipity is, of course, part of the thrill—so we can’t help you there, but here are eight so good they’ve made a name for themselves (some even have websites!) and are worth seeking out.

The Soggy Dollar, British Virgin Islands

This in Jost Van Dyke (the smallest of the four main British Virgin Islands) earned its name by merit of its access route: You had to swim there. Once you’re good and salty, the drink to ask for is the painkiller, said to have been invented here in the 1970s. It is made of dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, orange juice, and freshly ground Grenadian nutmeg. Don’t have your own boat to moor nearby? There are ferries and water taxis from Beef Island and St. Thomas—but you’ll still get wet.

La Huella, José Ignacio, Uruguay

More than a dozen years after opening, the beachfront is still the epicenter of the scene in JosĂ© Ignacio, the thinking man’s exclusive alternative to casino and tourist riddled Punte del Este. The kind of place you go to unwind without hordes of people. It’s an accomplished restaurant serving top-notch sushi, South American-style grilled meats, homemade bread, and vegetables from a nearby organic farms. Book well in advance.

Scilly Cay, Anguilla

Eudoxie Wallace calls every woman who sets a foot in the sand of his “Gorgeous,” and he somehow gets away with it. That’s the first thing you need to know about this Anguilla institution, which Eudoxie and his wife, Sandra, have run for nearly three decades. It’s become such an Anguillan institution that the Wallaces run boats from the mainland, for visitors to feast on decadent lunches of lobster, crayfish, and chicken. (Skip the chicken. The crustaceans are enormous and delicious).

Pelican Bar, Jamaica

“Beach bar” is a bit of a misnomer for this . It’s a quarter mile from the beach—well, from any landmass—and 20 minutes by boat from Jakes hotel on Treasure Beach. The proprietor is a local fisherman-turned-barman named Floyd, and it’s hard to believe the charmingly dilapidated structure is still standing. Stay for a dinner of fried fresh fish—possibly a fish that you’ve caught yourself (bring gear) or by one of the fishermen who ferry guests out to the bar.

Sunshine’s Bar and Grill, Nevis

The owner—called Sunshine himself—won’t tell you what’s in his signature drink, the Killer Bee, beyond “some rum, some passion fruit juice, then some more rum,” but you should take his word for it. There’s a reason has become a Caribbean standout in the 12 years its been around. Sunshine still serves his potent cocktails under a thatched-roof bar that’s been through five hurricanes and two fires, and still fires up the same barbecue grills that got him started.

Bar do Ulysses, near Ubatuba, Brazil

Close to the cool colonial town of Paraty and the surfer city of Ubatuba, embodies the dream of barefoot Brazilian lifestyle. The best way to arrive is by boat from the nearby dreamy small hotel Pousada Picinguaba; the captain of the hotel’s schooner will call ahead to arrange for fresh grilled squid and icy Brahma beers to be waiting. There are hammocks on the beach for post-prandial lounging, as well as an easy access point for stand-up paddling.

La Gloriette, St. Barth

A welcome respite from all the dressed-up, champagne-spewing bars on St. Barth, is a classic feet-in-the-sand kind of establishment. The menu doesn’t extend much further than pizza: the ambitions here are refreshingly in check.

John Moore Bar, Barbados

It looks more like a gas station, but is one of the favorite bars on the island. Brightly painted but simple, the longtime rum shop is now a social community for its regulars and tourists who come to sample the Caribbean’s finest by the glass. There’s fresh local fish to soak up the booze.

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Rum—historically guzzled by Hemingway, happy islanders, and frat bros spring-breaking in Fort Lauderdale—is having a renaissance. But forget the blended slushies, Flaming Zombies, and tiki bars. Modern rums are as smooth and drinkable as fine cognac—and considerably less expensive.

In Jamaica, the heart of rum culture, the spirit is becoming tastier than ever. The oldest distillery in the land, Appleton Estate, has been making rum since the mid 1700’s. Their , readily available in the US, is a balanced rum that mixes well and, at $35 a bottle, hardly a budget-buster.

Brugal Rum is another Carribean rum that carries the (tiki) torch for the islands. The only 100% Dominican rum on the market, Brugal is truly a local operation to this day, with family members not only as owners in the company, but supervising the technical details of every batch. Deep texture of cinnamon and nutmeg, ($55) is an expression of chocolate, honey, and brown sugar, with a finish of mulled wine and apple spice. And yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds.

While few consider rum an American-sourced product, Jim Meehan (of PDT fame in New York City) has helped create a solid blend from five islands around the world. Banks 5 Island ($29) sources rums from 6 distilleries in Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Barbados, and Java, to make a delicious, clean, and more mixable drink.

If you are going for pure class, and a sultry, sippable rum, ($37) is worth the hunt. Sometimes tough to find in the U.S., Ron Diplomatico is one of the most award-winning rums in the world. Hailing from Venezuela, this fine spirit is aged for at least 12 years, and features the raisin, cinnamon, banana, and vanilla flavors that your palate dreams of when swashbuckling through your weekend.

Still want to relive a bit of that Hemingway style? Check out , from Hemingway Rum Company. Winner of the “Double Gold” at the 2013 World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, this fine sipper comes in Dark ($40) and Blonde ($30). The former is a well-aged (up to 24 years) blend with a long, velvety finish, while the Blonde is part of a growing class of rums that forego the aging process to showcase the “pure” taste of the ingredients.

We’re not gonna fault you if you want to mix one of these into a mojito, or pour into a flaming Zombie at your favorite tiki bar. But try them alone on the rocks if you really want to know why this under appreciated spirit is making a bold comeback.Ìę

Sinjin Eberle is director of , and a licensed spirits sommelier.

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Here are five choices worth traveling for:

Eat and drink in a Mexican cave at Alux Bar and Lounge.

At approximately 6,000 years old, the Sunland “Big Baobab” is the widest of its species. The inside of the tree is cavernous and contains the world-famous Baobab Tree Bar.

Tip the bartender at Floyd’s to get your name carved in the bar. Also, don’t forget your sunscreen.

In addition to JukkasjÀrvi, Icebar also has locations in Stockholm and London.

Vernadsky Station Lounge is the southernmost bar on the planet.

in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula is known for extensive cave systems, but this might be one of the most alluring. The sprawling caverns include spaces for a restaurant, event room, and, of course, bar, where cocktail tables sit next to stalagmites and glowing light fixtures dangle from the low, limestone roof.

in Modjadjiskloof, South Africa

The largest baobab tree in the world roots on what is now Sunland Nursery and measures a stout 154 feet in circumference. The trees become hollow after a millennia—and this particular tree has lived six of them. In 1993, the van Heerden family, owners of the farm where the tree grows, cleared compost from the grotto inside and installed a narrow pub with draft beer and a sound system. Guests of the farm’s jungalows (chalets) can sip a cold one here.

Floyd’s Pelican Bar off Negril, Jamaica

Getting to this bar requires sea legs: it’s a half-a-mile off Treasure Beach. With a driftwood deck and dried palm-leaf roof, the bar’s not much to write home about. But with an ice-cold beer and lobster casserole (made by Floyd himself), you’ll want to take up residence at this adrift lounge.Ìę

in JukkasjÀrvi, Sweden

Ensconced in the Icehotel, the Icebar sits 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Each year, visiting artists design the hotel and bar anew, molding thousands of tons of ice from the Torne River and “snice” (snow and ice) to construct the upscale igloo. In the Icebar, everything from the tables to the Champaign and shot glasses are constructed of from the translucent material.

Vernadsky Station Lounge at the South Pole

This bar is the southernmost on the planet and the only bar in Antarctica. The British built the research station in 1947 and sold the base to the Ukranians in 1996 for ÂŁ1. That symbolic payment now hangs in the English-style pub at the Vernadsky Research Base. An impish band of carpenters built the bar with wood they reallocated from planned pier repairs. The lounge welcomes the public and serves made-on-site vodka for $3 a shot.Ìę

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It’s awfully hard—though not impossible—to find a long network of decently paved roads in most island and tropical countries. Your mountain biking options are somewhat better: mostly uncrowded trails through scenery that will make all of your gearhead friends at home jealous. Here are my on- and off-pavement recommendations. I’m sticking to the Caribbean and Central America because they’re the most accessible. If you’re going solo, bring your bike or make sure to figure out where you’ll rent one beforehand—most outfitters in these parts only rent rigs to people taking one of their guided tours.

Turrialba, Costa Rica
The tiny town of Turrialba, about an hour east of San Jose in the Central Valley, is the inland adventure capital of Costa Rica. Though most people think of it as a whitewater rafting hub for the roiling Pacuare and Reventazon rivers, it’s also mountain biking central. custom-plans mountain biking trips for all levels, on everything from dirt plantation roads to snaking singletrack on the flanks of the rumbling, and still very much active, 5,400-foot Arenal Volcano. Their nine-day mountain-to-Caribbean tour starts at $3,000 per person. operates a five-day all-inclusive biking, hiking, and rafting tour through the area starting at $1,000 per person.

Blue Mountains, Jamaica
If you stand on the highest point of the 7,400-foot Blue Mountains on a clear day, you can see almost the entire length of Jamaica. Considering that its tallest ridges lie barely more than 10 miles from the coastline, you get an idea of how precipitous its jungle-laden slopes are. leads three-hour downhill rides that switchback on pavement from top to bottom. The ride isn’t challenging, but the scenery as you descend through alpine jungle zones makes the trip completely worthwhile. Bonus: you get to end the day with a waterfall swim. Tours start at $98.

Curacao
The most vibrant cycling community in the Caribbean is on the 40-mile-long by 9-mile-wide, moustache-shaped island of Curacao. Its paved roads are home to the annual 45-mile Amstel Curacao Race, which attracts some of the world’s top cyclists. It’s also home to several different mountain bike networks that vary in difficulty from .Ìę Viprides rents bikes for $20 a day, and can give you advice on where to go. operates mountain bike tours starting at $40 for a half day.

Antigua, Guatemala
Between the nearby 12,000-foot volcanoes and its proximity to the Pacific coast, the 500-year-old Spanish settlement of Antigua, Guatemala, is an ideal base camp for adventure. It’s also the mountain biking capital of Central America, home to hundreds of miles of singletrack and old jeep roads in the surrounding highlands. leads everything from half-day to multi-day rides.

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Let’s get this straight: you wan place that’s beach-filled but mountainous, and fun and luxurious—but cheap. I’ll do my best to achieve the near-impossible here. My first suggestion is to go with a Caribbean destination. There are tons of fantastic islands with mountainous terrain not too far from the beach. Second, to keep costs down you should pick somewhere that can be accessed by a lot of direct flights from the States. With those suggestions in mind, here are a couple of possibilities.

Port Antonio, Jamaica, as seen from Folly Point Lighthouse

Port Antonio, Jamaica, as seen from Folly Point Lighthouse

Port Antonio, Jamaica
This port town on Jamaica’s northeast coast, about 90 minutes from Kingston, has never firmly established itself on the tourist map, thank goodness. As a result, its sugary beaches stay relatively empty, the resorts are cheaper, and it’s not tacky or overbuilt. The Port Antonio area is also the prime base for hiking and backpacking adventures into the rugged Blue Mountains, which rise as high as 7,400 feet.

Stay: Nowhere else but , a 45-acre beachside estate (which calls itself the first-ever all-inclusive resort) where Queen Elizabeth and her royal rugrats once stayed in the 1960s but you can now get a one-room villa for $95 a night, or a three-bedroom one for $295 a night.

Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Forget the town of Puerto Plata, which has become a hive of all-inclusive resorts—where people go to enjoy the benefits of a tropical land with all of the culturally barren comforts of home. A better compromise for adventurous you and your stick-in-the-sand friends would be nearby Cabarete, slightly further east on the Dominican Republic’s north coast. It’s grittier than Puerto Plata, and overrun with Europeans (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and kitesurfers, but incredibly lively and diverse. It’s also the jumping-off point for the three-day climb up the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, 11,000-foot Pico Duarte.

Stay: is one of the Caribbean’s low-cost luxury gems (although officially, it’s on the Atlantic). The resort boasts an infinity pool, the suites have kitchenettes for budget-minded groups, and yes, cabana boys will serve fruity drinks with toothpick umbrellas in them at the beach, rates start at $99). Local adventure outfitter will arrange your hike up Pico Duarte.

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,
Belize
One of two properties owned by Francis Ford Coppola (yes, that Francis Ford Coppola) in Belize, the 25-room Turtle Inn is considered the country’s premier resort. Its smattering of thatch-roofed cottages, decorated with handmade Balinese furniture, rest on the tip of a quiet peninsula jutting into the Caribbean and protected by one of the world’s largest barrier reefs. You’ve got snorkeling and diving outside your door in water teeming with colorful marine life, not to mention deep-sea fishing, boat trips up the rainforest-fringed and aptly-named Monkey River, and hikes through a sprawling jaguar preserve. On-property there are two restaurants, two pools, and a spa that specializes in Thai massage (starts at $350 per night).

,
Costa Rica
If your idea of an eco-lodge involves sleeping in tents and taking night trips to the outhouse, then you’ve never seen Arenas del Mar. Concealed within its own 125-acre beachside jungle preserve on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, it takes the concept of sustainability to luxurious new heights. It boasts two swimming pools that use a chemical-free cleaning system, hot water provided from solar panels, roof tiles on the buildings made from old plastic bags, a hydroponic garden that supplies produce to the two gourmet restaurants, and recycling bins just about everywhere, including in the spa and all of its 42 rooms. The resort is so enmeshed with the surrounding wildlife that monkeys have been known to raid the mini-bars (starts at $280 per night).

,
Jamaica
There’s probably no other beachside resort in the world where you can book a room for less than $100 a night, and find yourself next door to a Hollywood celebrity or mega-famous rock star. Jake’s is true Jamaica—laid back, friendly, informal, inexpensive, and spiced up by a killer reggae soundtrack in the background. Its 29 rooms are spread among a collection of thatch-roofed buildings across five palm-shaded acres on the island’s quiet central-southern shore. You can laze by the mosaic-tiled pool, on the beach, or overlooking the sea during an outdoor spa treatment. Or you can fish, hike to nearby waterfalls, or go for a bike ride into the nearby village of Treasure Beach (starts at $95 per night).

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Jamaica
By Jonathan Runge

From the 7,402-foot Blue Mountain Peak, one of the Caribbean’s loftiest vantage points, you can survey all of Jamaica’s undulating coast. And on a clear day, you’d swear you can just make out Cuba off to the north. The Blue Mountains are about as far as you can get from the frenzied self-indulgence of Negril on the west coast; if you just want to hang out and listen to reggae
and dance hall, go there. But if you want to cool out amid the fern forests and orchids of the upper elevations, base yourself on the island’s eastern end.

Start the seven-mile ascent of Blue Mountain Peak from Penlyne Castle, 32 miles from Kingston. The trailhead begins at the village and follows a road through coffee plantations and towering eucalyptus trees; from there it’s a moderate but steady two-mile climb up Jacob’s Ladder and through dense ferns to the rarely manned ranger station at Portland Gap. (Hiking boots are
recommended; the trail is loose gravel in places.) The last three miles to the summit are fairly steep, but the heart-stopping views are worth the effort.

In the town of Jacks Hill, in the foothills six miles from Kingston, the Maya Lodge (doubles, $30; 809-927-2097) is a rustic hostelry with cabins, dorm rooms, and campsites. Owner Peter Bentley also operates Sense șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs (809-927-2097), which runs overnight hikes into the Blue Mountains ($125 per person) and three-day canoe trips on the Black River ($250 per person).
Bentley can customize hiking, canoeing, and snorkeling trips upon request. Another foothill lodging, at 3,100 feet in Irish Town, 15 miles north of Kingston, is a big step up in style. Recently opened Strawberry Hill (doubles, $214; 809-944-8400), owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, has 12 villas with balconies overlooking the mountains and the city.

Hardware Gap, in Newcastle, five miles away, is the starting point of the Fairy Glade Trail, a three-and-a-half-hour scramble over roots and rocks to the 4,037-foot summit of Mount Holeb. You’ll pass through tropical montane and elfin forests dense with orchids and ferns, and you’ll bushwhack through thickets of wild ginger. After the climb, suck down a Ting (a grapefruit
drink) or a Red Stripe at the Gap Restaurant. From there, Blue Mountain Tours (809-974-7075) will meet you with beach cruisers for the scenic 18-mile bike ride to Wakefield ($80 per person, including brunch). For a less commercial experience, they’ll customize a two-day bike trip on mountain trails through coffee plantations and tropical forest ($150 per person).

To the south, you’ll find some of Jamaica’s best diving off the cays and reefs of Port Royal, at the entrance to Kingston Harbor. While most of Jamaica’s reefs have been plundered by overzealous fishermen, these are in relatively good shape. The Buccaneer Scuba Club (two-tank dive, $50; 809-924-8464), which operates out of Morgan’s Harbor Hotel (doubles, $116), will take you to
sites like the Edge (a virgin reef where you’re likely to see dolphins, parrotfish, nurse sharks, and turtles) and the Texas (a gunship covered in black coral). Reportedly the Sunken Reef, the section of Port Royal that sank into the sea during the earthquake of 1692, will soon be open to commercial dive operations. Call the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (809-922-1287) to verify
the site’s status.

The best beaches on this side of the island are to the north in Port Antonio, a slow-paced banana port two hours from Kingston. Frenchman’s Cove is a protected inlet fed by a swimmable freshwater stream. Stay above the beach at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill (doubles, $120- $140; 809-993-3370), a small, environmentally friendly hotel with ten double rooms.

See also:

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