For many people, winter has arrived with a flurry. The winter chill has already come to visit a few times this season. Spring can’t come soon enough, right? So it’s time to makes plans for a tropical beach getaway.

Snow and other wintry weather aren’t always welcome. At this time of year, many people opt to head toward balmy breezes in tropical locales. But you can do something about it. Therefore, take charge and book a tropical beach getaway vacation.

Below are eight great destinations to consider for a tropical beach getaway. Each one has all-inclusive resorts that are easy to book for winter escapes. Since you know your upfront rate, these all-inclusive resorts include your room, meals, drinks and many activities.

Luxury Beach Destinations:

Playa del Carmen, Mexico
On the Yucatan Peninsula about 34 miles south of Cancun International Airport, Playa has a laid-back ambience. The mood is reflected in its low-rise hotels. Relax on white-sand beaches, play championship golf courses and stroll Fifth Avenue. Stroll down pedestrian streets lined with shops and eateries. At Xcaret Park you can float along underground rivers. Plus, explore a re-created ancient Mayan village and visit habitats for manatees and jaguars.

Los Cabos, Mexico
Historic San Jose del Cabo and lively Cabo San Lucas bracket the 20-mile coastal area known as Los Cabos. It’s found at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Among the draws are challenging golf courses, superb sport fishing and horseback riding. In addition, desert landscapes that can be explored by all-terrain vehicle. Prime whale-watching season runs from December through March. Hene, you can snap a photo of iconic El Arco, a natural stone arch that stands where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.

Palm Beach, Aruba
On the northwestern coast of Aruba, 2-mile-long Palm Beach offers powdery sand and calm, clear waters. In addition to big-name hotel brands, it offers beach bars, restaurants and lively nightlife. Water-sports concessions can arrange parasailing, WaveRunner rentals, diving excursions and more. The Butterfly Farm cares for brightly colored winged creatures in a tropical garden. Be sure to go early in the morning and you may catch one emerging from its chrysalis.

Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and home to 18th-century fortresses. It includes the pink colonial buildings of Parliament Square. It’s connected to Paradise Island. The site of the sprawling Atlantis resort connects by a pair of 600-foot-long bridges. Both offer beautiful beaches and many leisure opportunities. For example, try catamaran sailing, fishing and diving at coral reefs and shipwreck sites. Seek souvenirs at Nassau’s famous Bay Street straw market. Lasty, explore the shopping stalls of the Bahamas Craft Centre on Paradise Island.

Willemstad, Curacao
Willemstad is the capital of this Dutch Caribbean island. It’s well-preserved historic districts dating to the 17th century earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Colorful gable-roofed buildings make a great photo op, especially from the Queen Emma pontoon bridge. Sample local cuisine at the food stalls of the Old Market. Then head to the revitalized Pietermaai district for its music clubs.

Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport provides easy access to this resort destination on the northwestern coast. Floating down the Martha Brae River on a 30-foot-long bamboo raft has long been a favorite activity, while championship courses like Cinnamon Hill lure golfers. Chukka’s Montpelier Jungle Outpost, on the grounds of an 18th-century sugar plantation, offers hikes up to a waterfall and tubing on the Great River.

Gros Islet, St. Lucia
At the northern end of St. Lucia, is the fishing village of Gros Islet. Also nearby is Rodney Bay, which has emerged as one of the island’s prime vacation spots. Gros Islet hosts a famed Friday night street party, or “jump up.” Here, residents and visitors alike gather for music, dancing and food. Enjoy barbecue, seafood and local rum and beer. Rodney Bay is home to two shopping malls. There are international and local restaurants and Splash Island Water Park. In addition, try an inflatable aqua obstacle course with a trampoline, climbing wall, hurdles and other features.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
At the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is Punta Cana. This tropical area boasts a 30-mile, white-sand coastline. The area is inviting and perfect for vacationers to swim, snorkel, kayak and fish. Explore the countryside on an off-road adventure. Plus, learn to ride the waves at Macao Surf Camp or head to Scape Park. You can swim in underground caves or splash down in the water after ziplining through the trees. Last, at the Ojo Indigenos nature reserve, hiking trails wind through a rainforest to a dozen freshwater lagoons.

Are you ready for a tropical beach getaway vacation? The Life of Luxury can help you plan and book your entire trip itinerary. Let our travel specialists help you every step of the way. It’s time you start living a life of luxury and enjoy a VIP experience.

Come back again and follow our popular luxury blog. Read about more tropical beach getaway destinations.

Dedicated beach-lovers head to Kauai for some of the most beautiful and scenic beaches in Hawaii. Kauai beaches comprise more than 140 miles of sandy shores, more than any island in Hawaii. Along the coastline visitors will find more than forty Kauai beaches to choose from creating unrivaled options in the chain of islands.

Incredible sunsets are synonymous with Ke‘e Beach Park. Located literally at the end of the road on Kauai’s North Shore between the dramatic Na Pali Coast and Limahuli Stream, the reef lagoon at Ke‘e Beach is a favorite snorkeling site.

The water is clear and there are tons of colorful reef fish and turtles. Ke‘e Beach has a very tropical look with a backshore lushly vegetated by ironwood trees, coconut palms, ti, and guava.

Ke’e Beach is another rival for the best beach on Kauai and is one of the most frequented. It’s found where the road literally ends on the North Shore. The Kalalau Trail and the Napali Coast both begin here where sweeping cliff views fill the western landscape. Azure blue water, amazing black lava cliffs and powdery sand flanked by swaying palms create an idyllic setting.

Large rocks and reefs keep the water currents gentle in the summer but in the winter the water becomes more rough and dangerous. Though not as stunning or wide as Tunnels Beach or Hanalei Bay Beach, Ke’e Beach remains near the top of the list of the best beach on Kauai.

The beach offers pinic areas, restrooms, and several historic sites. If you’re looking for Kauai beach villas, your best bet is to look between Ke’e Beach and Hanalei for a good variety of properties.

To book a travel reservation to Kauai, Hawaii or any of the tropical Hawaiian islands, please contact The Life of Luxury by using the below contact form:

On the Big Island of Hawaii, Hapuna Beach is consistently called America’s most beautiful beach. Hapuna Beach is located in Hapuna Bay, at the north end of the beautiful Kohala Coast.

Hapuna Beach is the largest white sand beach on the island and is unbelievably beautiful. Hapuna Beach on the Big Isalnd of Hawaii is about a half a mile long and 200 feet wide.

The sandy beach faces almost directly towards the west, so you will almost always be treated to amazing sunsets.

There is excellent snorkeling to be found at the south end of Hapuna beach along the rocks. There are also some pretty cool lava tubes or cave to explore in the cliff side.

The body surfing’s pretty decent, especially when the wind picks up). Going on a weekday means less crowds and more room to explore on your own.

There’s a snack bar at the park entrance offering basic food choices,  plus chair and umbrella rentals, which help protects you from the tropical sun.

Shade is minimal at the beach, so pay the $10 for two chairs and an umbrella, and enjoy your day. If it’s too windy, find yourself a shady area near the trees in the back.

On the North Shore of Kauai, after crossing a series of one-lane bridges, you will find several spots that are perfect for those wanting to get away from it all.

A few miles past Hanalei, you can find Haena – a small, ocean front, residential community. Haena is an odd combination of luxurious million dollar homes and older metal roof homes.

For many, Haena is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The area is framed by a backdrop of the stunning Na Pali Coast on Kauai with jagged cliffs, incredible waterfalls, lush tropical forests, and of course, amazing white sand beaches.

Located across the street from the Dry Cave, you will find Haena Beach Park. Haena Beach Park offers Tunnels Beach, one of the most popular white sand beaches on Kauai.

Tunnels Beach is very popular for a variety of reasons. It’s the perfect place for sun worshipers who just want to lay out and work on their tan. Scuba divers and snorkelers will enjoy discovering the amazing underwater reefs.

If you enjoy getting out on the Pacific Ocean, then Haena Beach Park is the launching point for kayak excursions during summer, up and down the magnificent Na Pali Coast on Kauai, Hawaii.

Due to the strong winds, the Tunnels Beach area is ideal for both kite surfers and windsurfers.

Haena Beach Park also provides a terrific camping ground, in addition to well kept shower and bathroom facilities.

There are wonderful hiking trails nearby to explore at your leisure.

As the day nears an end, sit back and take in one of the most beautiful sites, a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

Bellows Beach Park on Oahu, is one of the more popular ocean recreation areas on the island.

On July 4, 1964, about 46 acres of Bellows Field Air Force Station beachfront was turned over to the State of Hawaii for public use on weekends and national holidays. This section of the beach, known as Bellows Field Beach Park, is maintained by the City and County of Honolulu.

This beautiful beach has shallow water and a small consistent sandbar, shore break making it perfect for swimmers, bodysurfing and bodyboarding.

Bellows is a typical windward beach with an interesting array of marine life. The prevailing trade winds blow a jellyfish called the Portuguese man o’war onshore.

Small, blue, floating bubbles that are hard to see in the surf, man o’war inflict painful stings on unwary swimmers.

Mahaulepu Beach is one of the best beaches found on Kauai. If you are looking to get away from the crowds, there’s no place better than the unspoiled and rugged beauty of Mahaulepu beach.

Located on the south side of Kauai, Mahaulepu Beach is one of the best-undeveloped coastal regions anywhere on the Hawaiian Islands.

Mahaulepu is a place of beautiful heritage. The undeveloped coast is a habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals.

The surrounding land is quite sacred to the native peoples of Hawaii, who harbor ancestral ties and influential cultural traditions. Native Hawaiians continue their cultural ties including fishing and gathering.

On the western side of the beach, the waters are sometimes calm and good for swimming and snorkeling. But watch for the strong currents that often occur.

It can be quite windy. Even experienced surfers need to be aware of the ocean and weather conditions.

Take time to explore the miles of pristine coastline, and take in the untouched beauty. Stroll along the soft, white sand and enjoy the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Access to Mahaulepu Beach is from private land. You may also be asked to sign in and produce identification.

The Hawaiian island of Lanai is the smallest of Hawaii’s inhabited islands. Lanai measures approximately only 140 square miles, with a coastline of about 47 miles.

On the remote northern shore of Lanai, you will find scenic Polihua Beach. About a mile and a half long, Polihua Beach is the longest white sand beach on the island of Lanai.

Beaches on Lanai are never crowded since the island’s population is so small and it receives so few visitors. Lanai City is the only town on the island.

Polihua Beach used to be an egg-laying spot for the endangered green sea turtle. The name Polihua means “egg nest.”

Although Polihua Beach is picturesque, it’s waters can be dangerous. The beach receives high winds and rough surf, along with an unpredictable surf.

Swimming in the ocean waters off Polihua Beach is not recommended and it could be quite unsafe.

If you do make it the island of Lanai, be sure to visit Polihua Beach … even if you don’t go into the rough waters.

Polihua Beach is only accessible via a rugged dirt road.

Photo: Jeff Greenberg

Pu’u Keka’a” is the Hawaiian term for Black Rock. The large, black lava flow juts out into the Pacific Ocean and virtually divides Kaanapali Beach on Maui, Hawaii in half.

If you do not want to pay for a cruise to do some great snorkeling, Black Rock is supposed to have some great underwater viewing for snorkelers. Black Rock lava flow is the last lava flow on the island of Maui.

If you don’t find the snorkeling good at Black Rock give Old Airport beach a try. It is just around the point from Black Rock.

If you are not staying at one of the hotels that line Kaanapali Beach, there are public access paths so that you can also get down to the same beach where others are paying hundreds of dollars a night to stay.

Each night the Sheraton Hotel, which is anchored right into Black Rock, puts on an act where a diver climbs out onto the end of Black Rock with a torch. At the appropriate time, the diver tosses his torch into the ocean and then dives in. This is symbolic because ancient Maui residents believed that their spirits “jumped off” or left this world at this spot.

Aruba beach

As the colder weather settles in and winter nears, we wanted to share some of the best Tropical Destination Getaways provided by VacationsToGo.

These tropical destinations all offer a variety of sandy beaches and opportunities for great outdoor  fun including swimming, sunning and snorkeling.

Many of these exotic vacation spots also provide unique sightseeing opportunities. Enjoy the list and happy traveling!

Aruba — Beyond the smooth, sandy beaches of this southern Caribbean island lies a rugged and arid interior. In the nearly 8,000-acre Arikok National Park, visitors will find landscapes of candelabra cactus, huge boulders and hills of volcanic lava. The Natural Pool is a cool oasis protected from rough seas by the surrounding rocks (a four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to reach this remote spot). Or, explore some of the island’s caves. The Guadirikiri cave has two inner chambers illuminated by sunlight streaming through holes in the roof, and the nearby Fontein cave features pictographs left behind by Arawak Indians.

Bahamas — Pirates of Nassau is an interactive museum in Nassau, where kids can storm the decks of an 18th-century pirate ship — a detailed replica complete with cannons and costumed characters. Entrance fees are $12 for adults and $6 for children. Create your own perfume at Fragrance of the Bahamas just outside Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, where guests can mix essences of flowers and fruits to create a signature scent. A one-ounce custom sample costs $30.

Barbados — Barbados rum is distilled locally by companies such as Malibu and Mount Gay. Both offer factory tours and tastings, as well as the chance to buy duty-free bottles in their Bridgetown gift shops. At the Caribbean Cigar Co. in Bridgetown, you can watch as tobacco is cut, cured and hand-rolled. Tours of the factory are free, and there is a gift shop.

Bermuda — It’s said that Mark Twain was one of the first visitors to Crystal Caves, a series of limestone caverns at Bailey’s Bay. Subterranean lakes and stalactite formations can be explored through guided tours. Admission is $20 for adults and $8 for children. Dolphin Quest at the Bermuda Maritime Museum, located at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Sandys Parish, allows guests to mingle with the creatures in a protected lagoon. Prices range from $160 for a 20-minute encounter to $650 for a five-and-a-half-hour “trainer for a day” session. At the Dockyard Glassworks, visitors can watch artists demonstrate the glass-blowing process.

British Virgin Islands — In Capoons Bay on Tortola, a bar called Bomba’s Shack has become infamous for its wild full moon parties, a tradition since 1989. A family-friendly version takes place at Trellis Bay, where festivities are marked by barbecues and live bands. Both events are free, but bring money for food and drinks.

Curacao — Christoffel Park, the island’s largest national park, teems with bird and plant life. There are eight hiking trails, from a 20-minute, shaded walk through a native white-tailed deer sanctuary to a strenuous trek up a mountain. Fees are $10 for adults and $4.50 for kids. Learn about the island’s namesake blue liqueur during a complimentary tour of the Senior & Co. Curacao Distillery near Willemstad.

Dominican Republic — Amber deposits are abundant on the island’s north coast, and the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata and Amber World Museum in Santo Domingo display some of the samples found here. Baseball is extremely popular in the Dominican Republic, with six professional teams supporting a thriving winter league from October through January.

Grand Cayman — The clear waters that ring this island chain make wildlife-spotting a favorite activity. In the calm, shallow waters of Stingray City, dozens of southern Atlantic stingrays swarm divers and snorkelers. Numerous day cruise companies visit the attraction, and prices vary. Boatswain’s Beach is a 23-acre protected park that offers up-close views of small sharks, green sea turtles and iguanas. Entrance fees that allow access to the entire park are $45 for adults and $25 for children; tickets to the turtle farm only are cheaper.

Hawaii — Early risers can witness the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Crater in Haleakala National Park on Maui. On the Big Island, visitors can walk through the Thurston Lava Tube at Volcanoes National Park. The tube was formed more than 500 years ago when an underground channel of molten lava drained from its already cooled walls. The fee for both parks is $10 per vehicle.

Jamaica — Just outside Ocho Rios, the cascades of Dunn’s River Falls form a series of pools as they flow over miles of river rock and into the sea below. Many visitors like to hike through the surrounding jungle, where bamboo, ginger lilies and orchids flourish, before taking a dip. Entrance fees are $20 for adults and $12 for children.

Mexico — Sunny Acapulco, Mexico’s first true resort town, is famous for its cliff divers, whose daredevil 12-story plunges from rocky La Quebrada are a daily occurrence. Xcaret is one of the biggest attractions in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. In addition to a beach, underground rivers, lagoons and pools, the park offers a marine turtles exhibit, jaguar sanctuary, manatee lagoon, a spider monkey island, Mayan archaeological sites and a replica of a Mayan village. Tickets start at about $80 for adults and $40 for kids.

Turks and Caicos — The Conch Farm on Providenciales is the world’s only commercial conch hatchery, where the Caribbean queen species of this mollusk is harvested for the meat and the shells are used in art and jewelry. Entrance fees are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. A favorite local mascot, JoJo the dolphin, has greeted visitors to the islands since 1980, when the Atlantic bottlenose first began to interact with humans in the shallow waters of Providenciales.

U.S. Virgin Islands — Virgin Islands National Park covers about half of St. John and offers numerous hiking trails, among them the 2.2-mile Reef Bay Trail, which leads to the remains of four sugar estates and to ancient rock carvings. At the St. Peter Great House and Botanical Gardens, set high in the island’s volcanic peaks, you can see waterfalls, tropical birds, fish ponds and more than 400 species of tropical flowers, including many orchids, from trails winding through the property.

Duke Kahanamoku Beach

On Oahu, Kahanamoku Beach is located in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Fort Derussy.

Although everyone has heard of Waikiki Beach, it’s actually a two-mile stretch of white sand on Oahu’s southern coast and is comprised of nine individually named beaches.

Kahanamoku Beach can be found on the north end, adjacent to the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.

Kahanamoku Beach was named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. He was a legendary figure in Hawaii, setting numerous world records in swimming and an Olympic swimmer Gold Medal winner.

But for Hawaiians, Kahanamoku’s larger contribution was his role in rejuvenating surfing in Hawaii, plus introducing surfing to the rest of the world. He is often called the “Father of Modern Surfing.”

Kahanamoku Beach offers nearly clear, ocean waters and a soft sandy ocean floor. Due to the beach being protected by an offshore reef, the ocean waves are minimal.

The sidewalk near the beach is wide and often busy with locals and visitors strolling along and taking in the fantastic Hawaiian views. It’s definitely one of the best family beaches in all of Oahu.

It was just announced that Kahanamoku Beach was rated the #3 Best Beach in the United States.

An annual survey is conducted by Florida International University professor Steven Leatherman, otherwise known as “Dr. Beach.”

Several of the rating criteria used in the survey includes water temperature, sand softness and wind/rip currents.

Regarding Kahanamoku Beach, Dr. Beach states, “A shallow offshore reef protects this beach from the big waves, making it a great swimming area for families with children.”

Here’s the complete list of top U.S. Beaches for 2011 (also includes Oahu’s Waimanalo Bay Beach Park)
1. Sarasota’s Siesta Beach, Florida
2 Coronado Beach, San Diego Calif.
3. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
4, Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y
5. Cape Hatteras in North Carolina
6. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
7. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.
8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
9. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park near Miami.

Chang’s Beach is another terrific snorkeling spot in Maui., is just south of Po’olenalena Beach. Because of this location, it really offers the same snorkeling grounds, just accessed from the south side of the rocky point, instead of the north side.

This park beach is located near Kalama Park and is favored by local residents. It is well known to have great surfing, when the waves are really pounding.

Actually, Chang’s Beach is rather small. Depending at the tide level, the beach can go away completely. Because of this, you may want to snorkel this from the Po’olenalena side because the beach is much better, and there are showers there.