So you want to get to know the best tropical vacation spots, huh? That’s really good because you are on the best site dedicated to this topic!

On our website you’ll get to know the best spots for tropical vacation (use the menu at the right to read more about them) and you’ll learn how to choose the best vacation spot for you and your family (what to pay attention to, what to look for, what to avoid, how to make a decision).

Let’s start with the list of 10 best tropical vacation spots in the world. If you want to learn more how to choose the best tropical vacation spot for you, use the menu at the right to read our other articles.

10 Best Tropical Vacation Spots

Although it’s impossible to please everyone, there are some “universal” tropical places that in most cases should be perfect for almost every person.

Since it’s difficult to pick just one perfect spot for each country, we list countries, not specific places (to read more about these countries and specific places, read our separate longer articles on each country). Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Maldives

 

If you have ever seen a photo of a perfect white sand beach with beautiful palm trees surrounded by clear turquoise water, it was probably a photo of a Maldivian beach. Many people call Maldives “paradise on Earth”. And there are many reasons to it.

There are many island resorts, the diving is great, the place is very famous for its natural beauty. The temperatures are pleasant all year round and it’s very sunny from December to April (avoid this place in the wet season from May to November). The most important drawback of this place is that it’s quite expensive. However, if you’re looking for a good place for luxury vacation, Maldives will be a perfect choice – it’s definitely one of the best tropical vacation spots.

Advantages:

• incredibly beautiful,
• great tourism infrastructure,
• English is widely spoken,
• quiet and remote

Disadvantages:

• it’s far away from the United States,
• it can be expensive,
• there’s a problem with drugs in the capital (it’s not a problem if you don’t plan to leave your resort),
• not much to do if you aren’t a beach type of person

Great for:

• families with children (it’s on our list of Best Tropical Vacation Spots For Families),
• romantic getaway,
• honeymoon,
• luxury vacation (check out Top Tropical Vacation Spots for Luxurious Vacations)

Click here to learn more about Maldives.

2. Hawaii

The fiftieth state of the United States is one of the most popular destinations for American tourists and surfers from all over the world. There are many relatively cheap flights there, the weather is perfect all year round, every island is different, the locals are very friendly. One of the most important drawbacks of Hawaii is that’s it’s very popular with tourists and can be overcrowded (if you want to visit the most popular islands).

Advantages:

• part of the United States,
• very easy to get to,
• very well developed tourism infrastructure,
• diverse natural scenery,
• abundance of public beaches

Disadvantages:

• very popular with Americans,
• overcrowded (in some places),
• can be expensive

Great for:

• families (especially with small children),
• romantic getaway,
• honeymoon,
• solo vacation,
• short vacation

Click here to learn more about Hawaii.

3. French Polynesia

Bora Bora, Tahiti, Huahine, Maupiti and Raiatea – yeah, all of these places which you instantly associate with paradise are in French Polynesia. French Polynesia, which is a French overseas collectivity known for its white sand beaches with turquoise water and interesting local culture, is located in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia. If you’re looking for a perfect off the beaten path place, French Polynesia will be a good choice.

Advantages:

• interesting culture,
• beautiful beaches,
• unspoiled nature

Disadvantages:

• far away from the United States,
• most people speak only basic English,
• expensive

Great for:

• couples,
• families with older children,
• luxury vacation

Click here to learn more about French Polynesia.

4. The Caribbean

The Caribbean is a group of numerous island countries and overseas territories of France, The Netherlands, The United States and The United Kingdom. The region is very popular among Americans and Brits. Tourist facilities are well developed and English is widely spoken. Temperatures are high and there’s plenty of sunshine all year round (but remember that it varies from country to country). The Caribbean region is one of the best tropical vacation spots close to the United States.

Advantages:

• easy to get around,
• close to the United States (and some countries are territories of the United States),
• many English speaking countries,
• very diverse,
• beautiful nature

Disadvantages:

• some islands are expensive,
• hurricane season,
• popular with tourists so some places may be overcrowded

Great for:

• families,
• couples,
• honeymoon,
• short vacation,
• weekend getaway,
• solo travel,
• cruise vacation,
• luxury vacation

Click here to learn more about The Caribbean.

5. Fiji

Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, comprises an archipelago of more than 330 islands and many more islets. It’s very popular with scuba divers and surfers. Fiji enjoys a very pleasant tropical marine climate with minimal extremes. Moreover, the country is inexpensive, yet the accommodation and amenities are usually of a very high quality.

Advantages:

• English is the official language,
• it has one of the best diving spots in the world,
• it’s cheap,
• very diverse country and culture

Disadvantages:

• far away from the United States,
• it’s a poor country,
• it’s politically unstable

Great for:

• families with older children,
• couples,
• honeymoon,
• adventure & sports vacation,
• budget vacation

Click here to learn more about Fiji.

6. Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion

Two island countries (Mauritius and Seychelles) and one overseas department of France (Réunion) are located in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles aren’t geographically close to Mauritius and Réunion, but share similar characteristics. The coasts of Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion offer long stretches of white sand beaches and clear turquoise water.

Mauritius and Seychelles are the only two of three African nations with a “high” Human Development Index rating (Réunion is a part of France, so it’s not on this list). These places are especially popular for luxury vacation and sustainable tourism. They are definitely one of the best tropical vacation spots in the Indian Ocean.

Advantages:

• English speaking countries (Mauritius and Seychelles),
• biological diversity,
• multi-ethnic population

Disadvantages:

• far away from the United States,
• a little remote,
• expensive

Great for:

• luxury vacation (especially Mauritius),
• longer family vacation,
• couples,
• honeymoon

Click here to learn more about Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion.

7. The Cook Islands

Photos from the 15 islands of the Cooks which lie half way between New Zealand and Hawaii are perfect wallpapers: clean white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, calm blue lagoons, swaying palm trees, hammocks – everything you need to have a perfect vacation is there. The Cook Islands are a little remote, but once you get to New Zealand, it’s easy to get there.

Advantages:

• English speaking country,
• picture-perfect beaches and lagoons,
• small (easy to get around),
• cheaper than other South Pacific islands

Disadvantages:

• it’s a very long way from the United States,
• in some places inadequate infrastructure

Great for:

• couples,
• honeymoon,
• longer family vacation

Click here to learn more about The Cook Islands.

8. Mexico and Belize

Unquestionably one of the easiest countries to get to if you live in the United States or Canada. Ideal for both longer and shorter vacation (even weekend getaways). There are many cheap flights to both Mexico and Belize, the tourist industry is well-established and there’s a wide variety of accommodation and attractions. You can choose either Mexican Caribbean coast and Belize (easier and faster to get to) or Mexican Pacific Coast (“more tropical”, less developed than the Caribbean coast).

Advantages:

• geographic proximity to the United States,
• inexpensive,
• well developed tourism infrastructure,
• English speaking (Belize),
• many different activities

Disadvantages:

• very popular with American tourists,
• some places are overdeveloped

Great for:

• short vacation,
• solo travel,
• family vacation,
• weekend getaway

Click here to learn more about Mexico and Belize.

9. South East Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia)

South East Asian countries are definitely one of the most diverse and culturally interesting places in the world. You can spend the day at the beach and hike in the mountains the next day. Countries in the South East Asia region are one of the cheapest tropical vacation spots. Moreover, it’s fairly easy and cheap to get there. It’s very warm all year round, but you should avoid the wet season because it rains almost every single day.

Advantages:

• cheap,
• beautiful,
• diverse,
• easy to get to,
• many English speakers (in Malaysia and Philippines)

Disadvantages:

• some places are very poor and there’s an issue with panhandlers (especially Philippines),
• some places are overcrowded (especially Thai islands and some places in Bali)

Great for:

• family vacation,
• couples,
• budget vacation,
• solo travel

Click here to learn more about South East Asian countries.

10. Costa Rica and Panama

Located in Central America, Costa Rica and Panama are destinations which are very popular with American tourists and expats. Both places are well developed, it’s very easy to get there, both countries are great for ecotourism. However, if you love white sand, turquoise water beaches, you probably should choose something else, because it’s hard to find them in Costa Rica and Panama (with some exceptions).

Advantages:

• geographic proximity to the United States,
• the United States dollar is widely accepted,
• well protected biodiversity

Disadvantages:

• very popular with Americans (many places are Americanized),
• very rainy in the wet season
• no white sand beaches

Great for:

• short family vacation,
• solo travel,
• couples,
• weekend getaway,
• ecotourism

Click here to learn more about Costa Rica and Panama.

So, which of the tropical vacation spots listed above did you choose?