Top Travel Beach

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Palm Beach, Aruba

With miles of clean shores, tranquil waters and picture-perfect weather year-round, Aruba sees its fair share of tourism. The island offers accommodations in a variety of price ranges and enough activities on land and sea to satisfy everyone's wishes.
Unlike some Caribbean islands, which seem geared toward couples, Aruba welcomes kids with open arms. The island features plenty of fun, child-friendly stuff, such as Kibaima Miniature Village and Park (297-586-0536), where little ones can explore miniature Aruban-style houses and buildings, and observe live animals and plants. Playgrounds like Tira Koochi Park and Neptalle Henriquez Playground provide hours of entertainment, and Aruba is even home to Adventure Golf (L.G. Smith Blvd., across from La Cabana Resort), billed as the world's largest mini-golf course.
But parents hoping to escape for a romantic dinner date or excursion need not despair. Many of Palm Beach's hotels and resorts offer kids' programs and baby-sitting services.
Getting There
Reina Beatrix International Airport (297-582-4800) is serviced by American Airlines, Continental, Delta, United Airlines and US Airways. The flight is only 2 �� hours from Miami and 4 1/2 hours from New York.
Airport Transportation
Hotels do not provide shuttle services, but taxis are readily available at the airport. Additionally, a range of car rental agencies have offices at the airport.
Timing
Fortunately Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt, making it a popular year-round destination. The average temperature is 82 degrees, and there is no rainy season, though it does rain occasionally. High season is from mid-December to mid-April, and while prices generally increase at hotels, entertainment options across the island increase as well. If crowds aren't a deterrent, head to the island for a festive spring break during Carnival in February or March, when parades and parties fill the streets.
Lodging
Family-friendly lodging options abound in Aruba; the island's many large resorts participate in a program called "One Cool Family Vacation," in which participating resorts offer kids 12 and under free bonuses such as tours, snorkeling, cruises and other activities. These resorts also offer family discounts on things like car rentals, horseback rides and submarine tours. Thirteen hotels, including the Aruba Marriott Resort, Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort, and Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort and Casino, participate in the program.
Cuisine
Aruba cooks up an interesting array of local cuisines. Some must-haves include giambo, a fish gumbo made with fish fillets, shrimp, okra and basil; deep-fried turnovers called pastechi, which are filled with cheese, shrimp or spicy meat; and, pudin di coco, a coconut pudding infused with rum and served with lime sauce.
For folks craving continental cuisine, many resort restaurants cater to European-style menus. Foodies will appreciate the Aruba Gastronomic Association's "Dine Around" program, which for a set price offers meal coupons to popular restaurants and allows children under 13 to eat at half price.
Travel Tips
Once on the island, visitors can find information at the Aruba Tourism Authority (L.G. Smith Blvd. 172, Eagle, Aruba; (297) 582-3777).
U.S. citizens do not need passports to visit Aruba (though they are accepted). Only an original and official state-issued birth certificate with a raised seal AND a government-issued (state or federal) photo I.D. (i.e., a driver's license) are required. Children under age 18 traveling with both parents must have an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and the same last name as the parents. A photo ID is not required.
The Aruban florin is the local currency, but US dollars are often accepted in stores. ATM machines are easy to find on the island, and some even dispense dollars. Credit cards are accepted at nearly all hotels, restaurants and businesses.
While You're There
Lying beached under the sun on Aruba's pristine sands might seem like the perfect way to spend a vacation, but visitors will miss out on the island's natural wonders if they bypass exploring its wild outback. At only 21 miles long, Aruba can be easily explored via a guided four-wheel-drive tour through the desert hills, dirt roads and rocky coastline. Most excursions also include swimming and snorkeling (check out the most popular, De Palm Tours, 297-582-4400.
Water lovers will find no shortage of activities at the beach and in the water. Sunset cruises, windsurfing, water safaris, jet skiing and fishing are among the off-shore activities visitors love diving into.
To Fake That You've Been There
Flex your muscles and claim to feel like a million bucks after hitting Conchi, a natural pool in the island's countryside said to have restorative powers.

Hermosa Beach, California

Just far enough away from high-profile Hollywood is the South Bay community of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo beaches. Those travelers anxious to enjoy California's sunny weather and gorgeous beaches away from the high-maintenance and crowded city center can pack their beach bags and head to this residential enclave known for its white sands and active pier scenes.
Hermosa Beach is the center of the universe for some die-hard beach volleyball players, including amateurs and professionals, and there always seems to be intense serving and spiking action on the 1.5-mile stretch of sand. The community takes pride in its abundance of outdoor beach activities, which include surfing, swimming, paddleball and, of course, sunbathing. The bustle of activity is reminiscent of songs by the Beach Boys or reruns of Baywatch. The Strand is the place to see and be seen both during the day and come nightfall. By day, this paved boardwalk that borders the beach is a thoroughfare for bikers, bladers, joggers and strollers. At night, the Strand is a great people-watching spot as crowds fill the restaurants and bars. Kids going through videogame withdrawal will find relief at the Hermosa Penny Arcade located on the pier as well.
It is easy to celebrate a low-key beach week without ever leaving Hermosa Beach and the neighboring beaches - Manhattan, Redondo and Long. However, many will find the lure of nearby Los Angeles, glamorous Beverly Hills and starlit Hollywood hard to resist, which is fine as they are all a short drive from Hermosa. It is possible to spend the day touring the nearby neighborhoods and still get back to the beach to ride a few more waves before the sun goes down. Then, head to a bar on the Strand in the appropriate attire, i.e., shorts and flip-flops, to celebrate happy hour with the lifeguards getting off duty.

Culebra Island, Puerto Rico

Overview
Many people fail to associate a Caribbean paradise with historic significance, assuming instead that it has always been a sandy, sun-drenched beach swathed in sunbathers and snorkelers. That's part of the beauty of Puerto Rico's Culebra Island. Yes, this island, situated 20 miles off the northeast coast, has beautiful beaches and plenty of sun, but it's also an old pirate hideout loaded with virtually undisturbed treasures. Not to mention that in 1493 Christopher Columbus dropped by this tropical oasis during his second voyage, and in 1909 Theodore Roosevelt declared Culebra one of America's first wildlife refuges.
When World War II erupted, the US Navy turned Culebra and the 23 other islands in the archipelago into the primary site for gunnery and bombing practice. This island remained a target until 1975, which turned out to be a good thing - the reefs and surrounding waters remained unscathed by boaters and divers and the beaches were unspoiled by large-scale tourism development.
Today Culebra is appealing for what it lacks. There are no luxury resorts, elegant restaurants, discos, movie theaters, casinos, museums or boutiques. There's also no crime, hardly any traffic and few crowds (except during Semana Sancta - Holy Week - which precedes Easter).
What Culebra does offer is an unsullied and under-populated beach along with pristine waters filled with beautiful fish. There is also plenty of wildlife. The disconnected tracts of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which total more than one-third of the islands' area, are populated with terns, gulls, pelicans, boobies and several species of endangered turtle. And the natives - or culebrenses as they are known - as well as the expatriates provide plenty of the signature laid-back attitude that is so familiar in the Caribbean.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thailand's Hidden Beaches

Still, for the intrepid traveler, it can be altogether disheartening to travel halfway around the world only to find your dream Thai beach packed with your fellow Statesmen (behaving badly, to boot) and an abundance of 7-11 and Starbucks-related signage.
For sure, the well-trodden beaches of Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui and Ko Phangan are exquisitely beautiful. But if you're looking for a private piece of paradise away from Thailand's tourist masses, follow our lead to some of the former Siam's more serene escapes.
Koh Lao Liang
Offshore from Trang province, in southern Thailand, Ko Lao Liang is an enigma for most foreign tourists, who tend to stick to Krabi province to the north. And that probably has a lot do with why Thais on weekend trips from Bangkok consider the island one of their country's best-kept island secrets. Limestone cliffs tower over a perfect crescent of white-sand beach on Ko Lao Liang, and upscale sea camping tents provide eco-minded and comfortable accommodation within earshot of the gently lapping sea. You can arrange boat tours just offshore, where reefs painted the colors of the rainbow in soft coral formations teem with clownfish and swaying anemones.
NaiHarn Beach
A 1-hour flight from Bangkok, the island of Phuket, on Thailand's Andaman coast, is about as undiscovered as Disneyland. But armed with some insider knowledge, you can still experience the island's stunning beaches in relative peace and isolation. Nai Harn Beach, on the southern end of Phuket, has just a smattering of hotels along a thickly forested shore, and is a favorite destination for island locals. For a great snorkeling spot that's quieter still, take the dirt road from The Royal Phuket Yacht's Club's parking lot to the tiny beach of Ao Sane.
Railay Beach
International rock jocks have long had Railay on the radar; the limestone karst formations jutting eerily from the landscape here are heavily bolted with climbing routes reaching skyward. Such a sporty slant to the beach means the sugary sands at Railay remain relatively lonely -- particularly compared with the people-patterned patches of beach elsewhere in Krabi province. From Krabi's chief built-up beach town of Ao Nang, it's just a 15-minute trip by longtail boat to Railay. However, perched outside your thatched bungalow with a frosty Singha beer in hand, you'll feel eons away.
Ko Kood
Isolation, like many good things, often comes with a hefty price tag. If you can afford the limited luxury accommodation offerings on this island in the Ko Chang chain -- situated very close to Cambodia on Thailand's east coast -- you're sure to relish a private Thai beach experience. Past problems with Cambodia have been resolved, but the fact that Ko Kood (also called Ko Kut) was inaccessible to outsiders for many years has kept it relatively off the tourist radar. The beaches here have been likened to those of the Maldives, and you'll have your run of inland waterfalls and lush hiking trails, too.
Ko Lipe
Afloat in the Andaman Sea, off the southwest coast of Thailand, Ko Lipe is 1 of more than 50 islands in Ko Tarutao National Park. With a thick jungle interior dotted with coconut farms that opens onto perfect cove beaches lapped by crystal water, the tiny island conjures castaway fantasies. And Ko Lipe's residents -- renowned for their mind-blowing ability to free dive to great depths -- are predominantly sea gypsies who most likely originated in Indonesia.
Ko Adang
Also part of Ko Tarutao National Park, Ko Adang is one of the larger islands in the archipelago. Apart from its beautiful beaches, you can explore inland waterfalls once used by passing pirate ships to replenish their water supplies. Hiking trails abound. In addition, if you visit between September and December, you're likely to see green sea turtles lumbering ashore after dark to deposit their eggs in the sugar-fine sands.
Ko Chang
After Phuket -- its far more popular and crowded big sister -- Ko Chang is Thailand's second-largest island. Situated in the province of Trat in eastern Thailand, near the Cambodian border, the island is famed for its national park -- a protected area of thick forests and rocky bays. The white sandy beaches are mostly found on the island's west coast, and even though development is ever-increasing, there's still a blissfully forgotten feel to the place. The aptly named Lonely Beach, on the southern end of the island's west coast, is one of the best places to soak up some solo time on the sand. For the region's best snorkeling and diving, hire a longtail boat to take you to the tiny islands just off Ko Chang's southern coast.

Best California Beaches

Click here for more on the best California beaches.
Manchester State Beach, Point Arena
Where: The beach entrance is half a mile north of the town of Manchester on Highway 1.
The vibe: Friendly locals with wind-burned faces beachcombing the many miles of postcard-perfect beach.
Why it's popular: It's breathtakingly beautiful and never overcrowded. There are sandy dunes, grassy flatlands and piles of driftwood that have washed ashore.
Hint: In January and February, the nearby Garcia River is a mecca for local steelhead fishermen.
Rodeo Beach, Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Marin Headlands
Where: Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 101, take the Sausalito exit and follow signs for Marin Headlands and the beach.
Why it's popular: Although swimming conditions aren't always ideal, it doesn't deter sun-worshippers, dog-walking and semi-precious stone hunters.
Hint: It's the only nude beach in the Marin Headlands that faces the Pacific Ocean.
Cowell's Beach, Santa Cruz
Where: Located on West Cliff Drive, near Bay Avenue.
The vibe: More than 15 volleyball courts means lots of athletic action (and buff eye-candy).
Why it's popular: It's a great spot to learn to surf -- the waves are small and locals aren't too territorial about sharing the ocean.
Hint: Park up the road by Depot Park for free.
Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel Highlands
Where: Enter three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
The vibe: Fierce winds don't stop casual outdoor enthusiasts from wandering the coastal trails, snapping pics of tide pools, marine life and wildflowers. The Reserve has often been called "the crown jewel of the State Park System."
Why it's popular: Diving (both scuba and free) is available at Whalers and Bluefish Coves.
Hint: Visit during the spring when adult and baby harbor seals abound.
Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove
Where: From Highway 1, take Highway 68 west. Watch for signs to Asilomar Beach as you near Sunset Drive.
The vibe: Despite frequent fog, the 1-mile strip of sand is a favorite for tide-pooling, long walks, and windy al fresco wedding ceremonies.
Why it's popular: Dogs reign supreme. There is a leash law in effect, although few owners seem to abide.
Hint: There are no restroom facilities. If nature calls, walk across the street to the Asilomar Conference Grounds and act like you belong.
Cayucos State Beach, Cayucos
Where: Take Highway 1 to Cayucos at Cayucos Drive. Turn west toward the ocean -- the beach and pier are at the end of Cayucos Drive.
The vibe: In-the-know Californians regard this underrated beach town as one of the best getaways in the state.
Why it's popular: Probably best known for its pier -- it affords incredible views of the area, as well as sea lion and pilot whale sightings.
Hint: Cure your hangover at the annual polar bear dip -- it draws thousands annually on New Year's Day.
Rincon Beach, Santa Barbara
Where: Three miles east of Carpinteria adjacent to the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line. From Highway 101, take the Bates Road turn-off south to the park entrance.
The vibe: Surfers, surfers and more surfers.
Why it's popular: Widely considered one of the best surf spots on the Central Coast. Winter waves create a rocky shoreline, while summer currents create pleasant swimming conditions.
Hint: Arrive early on weekends to stake out prime sunning spots.
Dockweiler Beach, Los Angeles
Where: Located at the last western stop of Imperial Highway in Playa del Rey.
The vibe: Slightly surreal, attracting a social crowd. The beach is located under the flight path of nearby LAX.
Why it's popular: Not the most scenic of beaches, the three-mile shoreline is best known for its oceanfront entertaining options -- fire pits and barbecues abound.
Hint: It is one of the very few beaches in Los Angeles County that allows bonfires.
El Matador Beach, Los Angeles
Where: 32215 Pacific Coast Highway.
The vibe: Malibu's celebrity jet set and bathing beauties. It's a photo shoot favorite.
Why it's popular: Bodyboarders and bodysurfers love El Matador, because it boasts summer and winter swells. Kids love the tide pools.
Hint: It's a steep walk down several flights of stairs to reach this, making it, unfortunately, inaccessible for the handicapped.
Coronado Beach, San Diego
Where: From downtown San Diego, cross the Bay Bridge, travel several blocks on Third Street. Turn left onto Orange Avenue, then right onto R.H. Dana Place, which will take you to Ocean Boulevard.
The vibe: Families, locals and tourists alike frequent these friendly environs in droves.
Why it's popular: It's a 1-size-fits-all beach destination offering swimming, surfing, sailing, volleyball, kite flying or the option to laze and do absolutely nothing at all.
Hint: Park free on Ocean Boulevard, but plan to arrive early on summer weekends to beat the crowds.

Top 10 Caribbean Resorts

Welcome to paradise. We're counting down Caribbean resorts with crystal-clear waters, powder-soft sands, sumptuous settings and world-class accommodations. These aren't your average cookie-cutter beachfront hotels either. These Caribbean hot spots rank among the most luxurious and lavish in the world. For even more beach bliss, check out our beaches page.

Hyatt Regency, Aruba Resort & Casino
Aruba, Netherland Antilles
Set just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is the westernmost island of the Netherland Antilles. Here Spanish, Dutch and Caribbean culture blend as comfortably as your beachside cocktail. The Hyatt Regency Aruba is one of the region's premier resorts, because it has a lot of casual elegance and the staff combine that attribute with an incredible array of really fun activities.
Caneel Bay
St. John, US Virgin Islands
The island of St. John is a treasure trove of tropical jungle and enticing enclaves. It was once the playpen of gazillionaire Lawrence Rockefeller, who fell in love with this lush land in the 1920s. Facilities here include 166 elegantly understated rooms, 3 restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa and a state-of-the-art tennis facility.
Parrot Cay Resort & Spa
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos Islands
Located 575 miles southeast of Miami, the 8 major islands and more than 40 keys of Turks & Caicos cover only a combined 196 square miles of sun-drenched shoreline. Stars like Paul McCartney, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and David Copperfield have all said ahoy to this place. And unlike super-accessible mega-resorts, the exclusive 5-star Parrot Cay Resort and Spa can be reached only by small boat.
Little Dix Bay
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Set 90 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, Virgin Gorda is 8 1/2 square miles of lush greenery and stunning crescent bays; it truly is a tropical wilderness. The huge sprawling property includes an amazing number of hiking trails and amazing snorkeling.
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
A visit to these beautiful islands will often cost you a pretty penny, but not if you stay at the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and Spa. Opened in 1997, this popular spot is an all-inclusive resort.
Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
St. Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands, just east of Puerto Rico. Blessed with breathtaking views, it's no wonder this island attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Combining Old World Colonial charm with a tropical setting, the 152-room Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas sits on 15 acres of impeccably manicured grounds and its stately elegance attracts guests from all around the world.
Four Seasons Resort
Nevis, West Indies
The tropical island of Nevis sits a balmy 19 degrees north of the equator. While it's only separated from other islands in the West Indies by 2 miles of warm water, go there and you'll feel a world apart. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Four Seasons, Nevis, is that it has attained a 5-diamond rating. Getting a five-diamond rating from AAA is hard enough in the United States, but to get this rating on a relatively remote Caribbean island is a testament to the resort's commitment to service.
Atlantis
Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas
Rising up majestically from the Caribbean is Atlantis, a resort based on the mythical city that sank without a trace 11,000 years ago. Along the 3 miles Cabbage Beach's sugary sand, guests can snorkel, parasail, jet-ski or just lounge to their hearts' desire. Then there is the Leap of Faith: a 60-foot drop down a Mayan temple water slide that takes you to 1 of the resort's spectacular family attractions -- the aquarium.
Sandy Lane
St. James, Barbados
Fresh off a $200-million renovation, the stunning Sandy Lane is just what any Caribbean connoisseur is looking for. This 800-acre resort features an 18-hole golf course, a 7,000-square-foot pool, state-of-the-art tennis facilities and museum-quality art. In fact, Sandy Lane has become not only the premier luxury resort in Barbados, but also 1 of the premier resorts in the world.
Hotel Maroma
Maroma, Mexico
Thirty miles south of the crowded Mexican resort of Cancun, in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, you'll find the pristine, quiet area of Maroma. The Hotel Maroma has a mere 36 suites decked in handmade mahogany and bamboo furniture. A stay here is worth every penny.

Best Barbados Beaches

Silver Sands
A windy outcropping ideal for windsurfing, Silver Sands beach is internationally recognized as a world-class beach for this sport. Located on the southern coast of Barbados, Silver Sands holds the Waterman Festival every February; a competitive contest for surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing, the festival has been going strong since 1989. The Silver Sands Resort is located here, offering affordable accommodations on prime oceanfront real estate.
Crane
Crane Beach, originally a harbor, is one of the most beautiful beaches along the coast of Barbados. It's home to one of the prettiest and oldest resorts on the island, The Crane Beach Hotel. Simple luxury and elegance define the hotel that sits on a beach named one of the 10 best in the world by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. The waves here are perfect for beginner surfers or for body surfing, while the coastal coves offer sheltered swimming close to shore.
Bottom Bay
Located just north of the sprawling historic mansion known as Sam Lord's Castle, the pink-sand cove of Bottom Bay is protected by high jagged cliffs. The sugary beach is lined with coconut palms, but the crystalline waters feature a significant undertow, making Bottom Bay a perfect spot for picnics but not swimming. The postcard-perfect views are inspiring many to build homes here, so make sure to pack your picnic basket and visit before it's all private property.
Bathsheba
This picturesque East Coast fishing village hums with activity when the surf contests come to town. That's because this popular beach is the surfing capital of Barbados; the surfing sweet spot is known as Bathsheba's "Soup Bowl." If you don't surf, there are pools and reefs ideal for snorkeling and sunbathing. The breathtaking beach's wild landscape makes it one of Barbados' most popular.
Accra/Rockley
This beach, known either as Accra or Rockley, is one of the widest and most popular stretches of sand along the Barbados coast. Several vendors line the beach selling clothing and local jewelry. Waves are moderate without an undertow, making it a great place for windsurfing, sunfish sailing, snorkeling, boogie boarding and body surfing.
Bath
Bath beach is one of Barbados' best swimming beaches. Located on the Atlantic Coast, there are minimal waves and almost no undertow. Facilities here include ample parking, picnic spots and changing rooms. Stroll north along the perfect sandy beaches to a small waterfall and the remains of a train line that once ran from Bridgetown to Bathsheba.
Cattlewash
This is one of the longest beaches on Barbados; it has a rough and rugged character that makes it a spot for sightseeing and sunbathing rather than swimming. Because of the waves and undertows, this beach is often deserted, so pack a cooler and hit the beach that was once the bathing spot for herds of cattle shepherded from the surrounding villages.
Dover Beach
This popular beach on the South Coast of Barbados is idyllic for swimming, jet skiing, body surfing and romantic shore-side strolls. Across the street is the Dover Playing Field where you can often catch a cricket match or see Bajan footballers in action.
Folkestone Beach
Situated 1 mile north of Holetown, Folkestone is home of the government-run Folkestone Marine Park. This gorgeous beach features many water-related activities, a marine museum and coastal environment displays. Snorkeling aalongmidst the fringe reef or diving off a private boat are perfect aquatic afternoon activities.
Mullins Bay
Mullins is a popular hangout, a charming bay surrounded by a placid beach, perfect for relaxing in a chaise lounge. There's a beach bar here serving cold drinks and simple lunches so you can fuel up before taking to the waters in a jet ski. If you prefer to move at a slower speed, rent snorkeling equipment and leisurely explore the tranquil waters.