With autumn’s arrival come shorter days and cooler, crisp air. The kids are back at school, routines are firmly in place, and we are just enjoying the moment before the busyness of the holidays take hold.
If you’re not quite ready to let go of the warm weather and lazy days of summer — is anyone ever? — then you’re in luck.
Cheers to the land of never-ending summer. (Photo Credit: @frontiersej)
Just below, we’ve put together some of the best warm weather destinations in Latin American, Mexico, and the Caribbean for travelers looking to keep the summer spirit alive this season.
The Cayman Islands, Caribbean
With its breezy charm, Grand Cayman is beloved for its white-sand beaches. The famed Seven Mile Beach still reigns supreme, or opt for laying out along the chilled-out Barkers Beach.
Is adventure calling? There’s tropical rock climbing in Cayman Brac and stellar scuba diving in Bloody Bay on Little Cayman. Or maybe you’ll opt to swim with the stingrays at Grand Cayman’s famous Stingray City?
On Grand Cayman, you can rest easy at Kimpton Seafire Resort. (Photo Credit: @zare_lovecayman)
Enjoy fresh island fare amidst a backdrop of sparkling blue oceans. (Photo Credit: @seafireresort)
Hungry? Beach shacks dole out island classics: Jerk chicken, conch fritters, and coconut shrimp are local favorites. Ms. Piper’s Kitchen and Garden doubles as a chic bohemian cottage with an outdoor patio while the polished Ave serves tasty Mediterranean fare. The cozy Le Petit Bar pours cocktails and niche wines, and Library by the Sea shakes up literary-inspired cocktails.
Appease your sweet tooth at Rum Point Club, home of the mudslide and the best boozy milkshake you’ll ever have. For visual delights, don’t miss The National Gallery of the Cayman Arts featuring local and international artists alongside special exhibitions.
Where to stay: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Tulum, Mexico
It’s no secret that the once-sleepy Tulum is known for its powdery white sand beaches, cenotes (natural swimming holes), and Mayan ruins amidst a lush jungle backdrop. But first — start with a swim in the confines of Playa Paraiso.
Cenotes are a must when visiting Tulum. (Photo Credit: Jakob Owens)
The waters are waiting for you — just jump in. (Photo Credit: Jakob Owens)
Shopping? Mr. Blackbird hawks hand-crafted jewelry, sandals. and bags. World by Hand showcases gorgeous pottery from around the globe, and ZacBe is home to jewelry made with recycled silver that is influenced by the region’s cultures.
North of town, the wood-and-concrete SFER IK Museion stands as an experimental exhibition space with international works and artist residencies.
Because looking up at palm trees never gets old. (Photo Credit: Rodrigo Martin)
And the best part? You won’t go hungry in Tulum. Nosh on pineapple pastor and chicken tacos at a trio of low-key joints: Taqueria Honorio, El Pollo Bronco, and Chamico’s, which is beloved for its cooked-to-order seafood. Fashionable evening spots include the rustic, candle-lit Hartwood, the Argetenian-flared Casa Banana, and Bhanu Sky Kitchen, an airy outdoor venue serving Mexican-Asian fusion fare.
Where to stay: Kimpton Aluna Resort Tulum
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Beautiful beaches, historic colonial buildings, and buzzy nightlife merge in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Start by enjoying the beaches of Playa Guayacanes, Playa Juan Dolio, and Boca Chica. Later, stroll the historic Zona Colonial, a stretch of narrow cobblestone streets in the heart of the city.
Enjoy impromptu street dancing, musicians, restaurants, and indie cafés along El Conde Street, explore Columbus Park’s tree-lined paths, and stroll Calle Las Damas, a historic street dotted with 16th century architecture, museums, and gardens. Peek into the country’s history and heritage at Museo de las Casas Reales.
Welcome to the Dominican Republic. (Photo Credit: Katherine Marchena)
Warm, sandy beaches await. (Photo Credit: Katherine Marchena)
At mealtime, don’t miss iconic national plates like la bandera Dominicana (white rice, stewed beans, beef, and salad) and mofongo (boiled mashed plantains with garlic, olive oil, and pork rinds). To drink, sip a Mama Juana (made by soaking tree bark and herbs in rum and red wine).
A table at the locally-loved El Conuco hosts traditional merengue dance shows, or drop in at Zola for Northern Italian al fresco dining coupled with old-world wines. And later, enjoy premium cigars and digestifs at El Pozo, which showcases a restored 500-year-old well.
Where to stay: Kimpton Las Mercedes
Mexico City, Mexico
The hip neighborhood of Polanco is an ideal location to explore Mexico City’s best restaurants, museums, and leafy parks. Start your day at Museo Soumaya and Museo de Arte Moderno — a gem known for its modern 20th-century Mexican art collection.
Get lost in the art museums of Mexico City. (Photo Credit: @kirillmmacz)
Later, stretch your legs inside small, leafy Parque Lincoln showcasing an aviary, pond, and sculptures. Or visit the large, sprawling 1,600-plus-acres of Chapultepec Park. Built in 1939, the Ángela Peralta Theater offers musical performances and doubles as a lovely venue for outdoor concerts.
For unforgettable dining, both chef Enrique Olvera’s Pujol and chef Jorge Vallejo’s Quintonil offer tasting menus made with indigenous Mexican ingredients that are paired with mezcal and tequila flights.
Because tequila is a must when in Mexico. (Photo Credit: Nahima Aparicio)
Edgy cocktail bars like Limantour are known for their creative sips, while the buzzy La Caña rooftop is lovely for small bites and a refreshing Paloma. Love chocolate? Que Bo! uses only Mexican ingredients in their handmade confections, which make great giftables.
Where to stay: Kimpton Virgilio
Roatán, Honduras
Nestled on the northern coast of Honduras, Roatán is a tropical archipelago surrounded by coral reefs and clear waters. With the second-largest barrier reef system in the world, snorkeling is a must — or opt to ride on a glass-bottom boat for prime reef viewing and epic ocean sunsets.
Looking for a land adventure? Hit the jungle for ziplining or visit Coxen Hole and immerse yourself in a sloth excursion, where guests can hold and feed native wildlife.
Escape the gray and say hello to the bright jewel tones of Roatán. (Photo Credit: @jonigwu)
For seafood, Sunken Fish serves up bright ceviches and made-to-order pastas. Or score a table at Alera where a Mediterranean-leaning menu uses local produce, herbs, and spices — the cocktails even lean on fresh ingredients.
In the West End, nab an oceanfront drink at the laid-back Tita’s Pink Seahorse or join the spirited crowd at Vos Café & Bar for sunset cocktails and fresh island fruit juices.
Where to stay: Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa
The Riviera Maya, Mexico
The Riviera Maya is home to pristine beaches, barrier reefs, Mayan ruins, and an energetic nightlife scene. Day trip to the ruins at Chichén Itzá and Cobá — whose 120-step pyramid called Nohoch Mul offers expansive jungle views from the summit.
When in the Riviera Maya, visit the Mayan ruins that the region is named for. (Photo Credit: Malek Bee)
The area is one that is rich with history. (Photo Credit: Falco Negenman)
Between Tulum and Playa del Carmen are a trio of refreshing cenotes (natural pools that Ancient Mayans believed to be gateways to the underworld) including Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul, and Dos Ojos. A protected nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site, Sian Ka’an Biosphere (known as the “Gateway to Heaven”) is home to swimming and hiking, beaches, and fauna-filled wetlands.
And, don’t miss the 300-acres of tropical forest and 90 animal species and plants sitting inside Tres Rios Nature Park. Thankfully, after all the outdoor adventure, you won’t have to travel far for dining thanks to ten unique bar and restaurant concepts inside the forthcoming Kimpton.
Where to stay: Kimpton Tres Rios Resort
