Easy Beach GetawaysFrom D.C.

With direct flights to Nassau and an array of wonderful hotel options, Nassau is a great place for a quick beach getaway. The beaches in the Bahamas are absolute perfection, boasting sugar-like sand, turquoise clear waters and umbrella-touting cocktails. For the best beach, head to the popular Cable Beach, which looks as though you’ve stepped into an idyllic screensaver.

Baha Mar is about 20 minutes from the airport and has three hotels, many restaurants, a gorgeous beach, several pools (one with a fish tank in it), kids clubs, flamingos, food trucks, a new water park and so much more.

A bit farther from the airport is Atlantis. Near Atlantis, you’ll want to check out Cabbage Beach** **where you can walk 100 yards and escape the sun worshippers and tourists that clog up the Bahamas’ other beaches.

Once you’ve soaked up enough sun rays, make a visit to the Queen’s Staircase in Nassau. This 66-step walkway was carved out of solid limestone between 1793 and 1794. Notably, the Queen’s Staircase looks more like a magical jungle than a staircase as it features cascading water and verdant plants flanking its steps.

With mountains, cliffs and gorgeous beaches, Jamaica really has it all. Wake up to delicious Blue Mountain Coffee (considered some of the best coffee in the world), sway to the tune of reggae music and dine on delicious Caribbean fare.

A worthwhile two-hour drive from the airport is Goldeneye, a magnificent property east of Ochos Rios and perfectly situated between the beach and a lagoon. There are several different types of rooms here, each with its own distinct character and location. Beach villas sit on the main beach just steps from the ocean, lagoon cottages have their own docks complete with kayaks, and beach huts rule the other end of the property with striking sea views. Notably, this shabby chic resort is also the place where author Ian Fleming penned the James Bond novels.

For another excellent hotel option, check out the private villas at the Round Hill Resort. Folks traveling with kids or with larger groups will love the extra space as this becomes your home for the duration of your time in Jamaica. A section of smaller individual hotel rooms lines the beach if you prefer to be right on the sand.

Located about an hour south of Cancun airport in the town of Playa del Carmen is Mayakoba, a 500+ acre development composed of four hotels (The Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood Resort).

As a general overview, the Rosewood Hotel is great for families, the Andaz Mayakoba has a fantastic taco restaurant and the Fairmont has suites with pools that are right on the beach.   Each of the four hotels are laid out similarly and, due to protecting mangrove forests, are flanked by forests and beaches. Getting between the four hotels is easy enough with rides or one of the boats that routinely float along the canals connecting the properties.

While the Mayakoba area has something for everyone – including golf courses, water sports, great food, and spas – you won’t want to miss an eco-tour on one of the canal boats. This boat tour will show you some of the iguanas, crocodiles and wild birds that inhabit the mangrove forests of Mayakoba.

If you’re looking to take a day trip to nearby Playa del Carmen, you can check out the funky sculptures that make up Parque Los Fundadores, have a beach day at the gorgeous Playa Punta Esmeralda or swim in a cenote at Cenote Cristalino.

Before you head back to Mayakoba, make sure to take a stroll down 5 Avenida Norte, Playa del Carmen’s main promenade and a great place to eat or shop.