The holiday season is the perfect time to spend with family and friends – especially when that time can be spent far from the cold weather.

Costa Rica

To begin with, consider Costa Rica for the holidays. The average temperature this month is 73 degrees – a far cry from the chilly temperatures almost everywhere else – and it offers dazzling rainforests and beaches to explore.

While there, those with an adventurous spirit can also take advantage of Lake Arenal for windsurfing or head out to the coast for traditional surfing. Rental equipment and lessons for both activities are available nearly everywhere. The less-adventurous can take advantage of the beaches for lounging in the sun, wading in the surf, scuba diving, snorkeling and even sailing.

Relaxing in a hot spring, viewing the plentiful waterfalls from overlook platforms, exploring volcano territory, birdwatching, and walking along paved paths through nature are also some of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica.

Christmas day can be spent at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. This luxury hotel located on a Pacific isthmus surrounded by golden beaches offers an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, three swimming pools, spa, and access to the ocean or forests is a favorite for many.

Guests go fly fishing, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, boating, jet skiing, or any number of other things in the area.

Fly into Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, also known as Liberia International Airport (LIR), for your Costa Rican getaway.

 

Playa del Carmen

With temperatures in the mid-70s throughout the month of December, Playa del Carmen in Mexico is another popular spot for holiday travelers.

This year should be especially interesting in Playa del Carmen as it is the land of the ever-popular Mayan’s who predicted eons ago that the world would end in December of 2012. So while there, visit the Mayan ruins located in the Yucatan Peninsula. Check out some ruins located in Playa del Carmen itself located on Quinta Avenida between 12^th and 14^th Streets (Calles 12 and 14 as they are called in Mexico).

By staying at the Viceroy Riviera Maya, guests can also take advantage of all the activities offered not only by the luxury resort, but the area itself including swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, sailing, tennis, windsurfing, parasailing, water skiing, deep-sea fishing, sky diving and jungle tours, just to name a few.

The Viceroy Riviera Maya offers 41 private villas with views of the ocean or jungle gardens, luxurious furnishings, and access to a private patio and plunge pool. Top chefs prepare meals at any time for guests to enjoy either in the on-site restaurant, grill and bar, lounge, or in guest rooms.

Complete spa services in additional ancient Mayan Rituals (which include detoxification and purification of the body and spirit) and a full fitness center are also provided.

The staff at the hotel can arrange for guests to explore the Riviera Maya and the surrounding area so that no place is left undiscovered.

Fly into Cozumel or Cancun to get there, but keep in mind that flying into Cozumel means visitors will have to take a ferry to get to Playa del Carmen.

 

Australia – Whitsunday Islands

White sand beaches, sailing over pristine waters, diving and snorkeling in the water surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, relaxing in pure paradise, and reveling in all that is offered by the Qualia Resort is what vacationing at the Whitsunday Islands is all about.

Whitsunday Island is off the coast of Queensland and the Qualia Resort makes visitors feel like they are nestled on their own private island in the middle of paradise.

The resort is made up of 60 different pavilions that face the ocean, all of which are decorated with simple, yet luxurious furnishings.

Guests can have their trips tailor-made so that unique interests can be met. Take a helipad to the Hamilton Island Gulf Club to spend Christmas on the green; take a short flight arranged by the concierge to nearby white-sand beaches for a private experience on the water; spend the days receiving one signature spa treatment after the next; or do a little bit of everything while visiting Whitsunday.

The Whitsunday Islands offer some of the most incredible sights offered by nature. Plus, this time of year, the weather is undeniably beautiful.

To get there fly into any one of Australia’s major international airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. From there visitors can fly to Hamilton Island Airport and then take a ferry to Qualia.

 

 

Las Vegas

Las Vegas might seem a bit domestic compared to some of the other locations on this list, but it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for the whole family. Granted, Vegas is necessarily the type of place one thinks of as a family destination, but it certainly has enough for everybody.

Stay at the Wynn Hotel in the Tower Suites, kick back with a drink at the Country Club, play some poker by the pool, bang out a round of golf on the 18-hole course on the grounds, shop at Cartier, Chanel or Alexander McQueen, and enjoy all of the Christmas displays that manage to bring the spirit of the season to Sin City.

While Vegas isn’t as warm as some of the other places on this list, the area still offers ample sunshine, heated pools, spa getaways, world-class shows, and virtually anything else visitors might want to experience.

Fly into LAS and be at your final destination in minutes.

 

 

 

 

Turks and Caicos Island

Amanyara Resort located on the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos is a popular destination this time of year.

Providenciales offers secluded white-sand beaches and rocky coves, abundant nature found in the maritime forest and in the water itself, and unique experiences in wall and reef diving off of the reef walls.

In addition, this time of year provides visitors with the unique opportunity to watch as the Atlantic humpback whale migrates through the waters just off shore from the beach. It’s common to see the whales breaching, blowing and fluking, tail and pec slapping, and swimming alongside bottlenose dolphins.

The beach itself is where many visitors to Providenciales spend much of their time as it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Water sport rental equipment is available to anyone interesting in kayaking, snorkeling, and diving. Arrangements can also be made to go deep sea fishing.

For those interested in venturing off the beach, visit the sites of two plantation houses built by Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill or check out the world’ first Conch Farm and learn how this sea creature known for the shell it lives in is grown.

The Amanyara Resort offers world-class spa services for visitors to enjoy yoga, massages, facials, beauty treatments, scrubs, holistic healing practices, and more. The best part is that these services can be enjoyed either at the spa itself or privately in guest rooms.

To go to Providenciales, fly into Providenciales International Airport (PLS).

No matter where you go for the holidays, any of these locations are sure to make it memorable. Contact a Jet Charter operator from JetCharters.com to make it more so.