Nassau, the Bahamas
Synonymous with sunshine holidays, the Bahamas deliver every time. Nassau, the capital, is blessed with several beautiful beaches, catering to every type of holidaymaker.
Reach the sunshine seamlessly this winter with Air Canada
12 destinations that not only offer winter sun, but also cultural and
adventurous experiences in abundance…
Header photography ©Air Canada
It’s not long till the clocks go back, heralding darker days, colder nights, and a dose of gloom. Bring some brightness back into your life with Air Canada, who fly to over 65 sun-soaked destinations across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. From beaches in the Bahamas to Mayan ruins in Mexico or Costa Rica’s cloud forests, here are our favourite spots and must-do experiences…
Best for beach relaxation
Photography ©Air Canada
Cabbage Beach, on Paradise Island, is one of the best, boasting a long stretch of white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and access to watersports. Picture-perfect Cable Beach is also close to plenty of amenities, from cocktail bars to independent boutiques, and its calm waters make it ideal for families. Soak up the local atmosphere at Junkanoo Beach, within walking distance of Nassau’s renowned Straw Market, where you can find great arts and crafts, as well as colourful food and drink shacks.
Cuba
Beyond the colorful capital, Havana, and the many beaches, nature thrives in Cuba.
Hike through the lush Viñales Valley, where tobacco fields stretch beneath dramatic limestone mogotes (steep-sided hills), or explore Sierra Maestra, the misty, tree-carpeted mountains which once sheltered Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries. Kayak along crystal rivers in Topes de Collantes nature reserve or dive into the coral reefs of Jardines de la Reina, a marine paradise teeming with tropical fish. Immerse yourself in the biodiversity of Ciénaga de Zapata, an extensive wetland area where you might spot flamingos, crocodiles, and the el zunzun, or bee hummingbird – the world’s smallest bird.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Swaying palm trees and powder-soft sand come as standard on the beaches in and around Punta Cana, adding a tropical vibe to your trip. With the region’s coastline spanning thirty miles, you’re spoiled for choice.
Playa Bávaro is Bounty-advert beautiful, with an endless-seeming stretch of sand, aquamarine waters, and access to resorts, restaurants and watersports; if you’re a diver, you can visit the famous wreck of the Astron, a ship which sank in 1978. Less commercial and more unspoiled is Playa Macao, with a pristine, natural setting where you’ll see local fishermen at work. Time a visit to pretty Uvero Alto beach for a spectacular sunrise, for one of the best memories from your holiday.
Cancun
One of the country’s most popular destinations, Cancun is home to magnificent Mayan ruins, sublime cenotes, and a beautiful barrier reef.
In addition, you’ll find dozens of idyllic beaches, many of them lining what’s known as Cancun’s popular Hotel Zone. Playa Delfines is one of the most scenic, and is Blue Flag-certified, awarded for its excellent water and sand quality. More tranquil is Playa Mujeres, set in a more upscale area near luxury resorts, while Isla Blanca offers a glimpse of what Cancun was like before mass tourism, with a 12-mile stretch of mostly unspoiled coast. You can find quiet sands on its northern tip along a narrow peninsula flanked by the Caribbean Sea, and a lagoon teeming with marine life and kiteboarders.
Best for culture and heritage
Lima, Peru
Peru’s capital lies on the country’s arid Pacific coast, with a preserved historic centre and a rich history dating back to pre-Incan times.
The Museo Larco is filled with examples of pre-Columbian art, from ceramics to textiles, and is a great way to understand Peru’s ancient cultures before the Spanish arrived. Huaca Pucllana, in the Miraflores district, is a pre-Inca pyramid composed of adobe, while to the south of Lima, Pachacamac is an ancient religious and ceremonial complex with several temple ruins. The city’s Plaza Mayor is a UNESCO heritage site, surrounded by the striking Metropolitan cathedral, the Government Palace and Archbishop’s Palace; take a trip to the eerie catacombs under the baroque, 16th century Basilica of San Francisco.
After busy days of exploring, refuel on top notch food. The city is renowned for its culinary scene. The diversity of its plates reflects the cultural make-up and history of the city. Whether you choose to feast alongside locals at the food markets and street food carts, or head to one of the many fine dining restaurants, you’re in for a culinary treat.
With Lima well-placed as the gateway to Cusco and the start of the Inca trail, it makes for a great jumping off point for your wider Peru adventure.
Fly from London via Toronto, then Bogota, Colombia or Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile
Sitting in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range, Chile’s vibrant capital city is brimming with historic sights and landmarks.
Head to Plaza de Armas, the grand heart of the city’s old colonial core, and home to the neoclassical Palacio de la Real Audiencia and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral. The Palacio de La Moneda is the city’s presidential palace, site of General Pinochet’s coup of 1973, and which houses the Centro Cultural La Moneda, a creative hub with art exhibitions, a cinema and library. Visit La Chascona, the home-turned-museum of famed poet Pablo Neruda, at the foot of Cerro San Cristobal, a hill offering striking panoramic views.
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Known for its Mayan history, high-altitude location and nearby volcanoes, Guatemala City has plenty to see and do.
The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology holds thousands of ancient Mayan artefacts, while Museo Ixchel displays exhibits of indigenous costumes and other crafts, showcasing the rich, traditional arts in Guatemala’s highland towns. The Kaminaljuyú Ruins are all that remain of a major Mayan centre, today largely hidden under the modern city where you can still see the remains of several temples. Stroll Zona 1, the Centro Historico, for its stunning plazas, historic churches and Palacio Nacional de la Cultura, giving a feel for the Spanish colonial legacy.
Outside of the city, be sure to visit nearby Antigua, a small but deeply historical city that dates back to the 16th century and has been recognised by UNESCO. Spend time exploring its pastel-hued architecture and its magnificent cathedral, all beneath the backdrop of volcanoes.
To go even further back in time, head North to visit Tikal National Park, an impressive Mayan Site that boasts more than 3,000 individual Mayan temples, palaces and other structures. Some of these rise over 60m, which you can clime for incredible views of the surrounding forest.
Fly from London via Toronto, then Washington DC or Newark, USA
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain, on Trinidad’s northwest coast, is known for its huge Carnival, with calypso and Caribbean soca music.
But if your visit doesn’t coincide, begin at Magnificent Seven, a row of seven grand colonial mansions along Queen’s Park Savannah, each telling a different story about the city’s cosmopolitan past. Bordering the park, the Royal Botanic Gardens displays plants from all over the world, and also encompasses Emperor Valley Zoo. The National Museum and Art Gallery displays exhibits which reveal Trinidad and Tobago’s journey from indigenous roots to independence, while the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception showcases magnificent Gothic revival architecture.
Best for adventures in nature
Costa Rica
Located in Central America, and bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is home to over half a million species of flora and fauna, and nearly a thousand types of bird.
Many of these are protected in a range of preserves and national parks; don’t miss the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a mist-shrouded wonderland of hanging bridges, hummingbirds, and the vibrant, electric-green and tomato-red resplendent quetzal, or Tortuguero National Park, whose location on the Caribbean coast features a network of jungle canals and nesting beaches for endangered leatherback sea turtles. The still-active Arenal volcano, which sits in its own national park, is home to steaming hot springs and intrepid hiking trails.
Monterrey, Mexico
As one of Mexico’s largest cities, metropolitan Monterrey may seem like it is all culture, arts and urban experiences, but scratch beneath the surface and you will find that nature is never far away.
Take the Parque Ecológico Chipinque, for instance, which offers 1,791-hectares of mountainous nature that’s just 12km from the city centre. Enjoy picturesque hiking and biking on some of the more than 60km of trails, and look out for wildlife including coatis, deer, hawks and the rare maroon-fronted parrot.
There’s also the nearby Cumbres de Monterray National Park where adventurous types can explore rugged canyons, ride rivers and gaze at thunderous waterfalls.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Known for tequila and mariachi music, use the capital city as a base from which to explore the volcanic landscapes of Nevado de Colima; the views from the summit are spectacular, if you can brave the challenging hike.
Less tricky is the Sierra de Quila, a protected natural area known for its pine forests and hidden waterfalls, home to white-tailed deer, pumas and jaguars. Chapala, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, is framed by rolling hills and charming villages, and perfect for a kayaking trip. Back in town, the Bosque Los Colomos is a tranquil urban forest escape with two themed gardens, and activities from horseriding to birdwatching.
Bogota, Colombia
Colombia’s capital is ringed by the Andes which rise dramatically above the city.
Hike the trails of Monserrate, ascending through misty forests to panoramic views of Bogota, or get out of town to explore the wild, winding paths of Chingaza National Park, home to elusive wildlife and shimmering páramos (sources of water). Cyclists and trekkers can challenge themselves on the mountain trails around La Calera, while birdlovers should visit the Observatorio de Colibríes to see the colourful hummingbirds. More fabulous flora and fauna can be seen at the beautiful Boquemonte nature reserve, perfect for trekking, horseriding and camping.
For your next winter sunshine trip, choose Air Canada to make the most of seamless connections, pre-clearing US customs and world-class inflight entertainment. Click below for more info and to book…
Why fly with Air Canada?
You can connect seamlessly to over 65 sunny destinations throughout the UK across the US, LATAM and the Caribbean; you’ll make your onwards connections from the same terminal you arrive into, and your bags will be checked all the way through, saving you any hassle. Easy!
Sometimes the queues to get through passport control in the US can feel longer than the flight we’ve just taken to get there; thankfully, you can pre-clear US customs when you connect via Canada, at all the major airports Air Canada flies into.
Being on board is a joy with an award-winning service to enjoy as well as three cabin classes to choose from and access to hundreds of hours of top-rated in-flight entertainment, with a personal touchscreen TV at your seat, and Wi-Fi connectivity available for purchase on most flights to keep you connected in the sky. No wonder Air Canada was awarded the Skytrax award for best airline in North America.
