Make winter break worthwhile—enjoy the cold holiday months in these special countries away from the hustle and bustle. Don’t trade being cooped up at home for a cooped-up vacation! Jaya Travel created a list with some of the most unique winter destinations so you can enjoy the season and spend time with loved ones.
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Unique Winter Destinations
El Jadida, Morocco
Weather in El Jadida isn’t terribly hot this time of year, but it’s certainly warmer than the snowy, freezing winters of North America and Europe. If your ideal winter break doesn’t include bikinis and sweating in the sun, Morocco is perfect for you. It’s the perfect destination to go and soak some sun and feel the cool breeze at the same time.
El Jadida is one of the most unique destinations to explore. It’s located on the Atlantic coast, so it’s perfect for strolls on the beach away from more crowded areas like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh.
Visit the Portuguese Fortress of Mazagan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, but taken over by the Moroccans in 1769. An excellent example of Renaissance military design, the architecture is done in the late Gothic style. Visitors can see the fusion of European and Moroccan culture exemplified by this building.
Playa De Carmen, Mexico
You’ve probably heard of Cancún. It’s the quintessential destination for spring breakers, and one of the most popular destinations in Mexico. However, you may not be familiar with its lesser-known counterpart, Playa del Carmen.
If you’re interested in the Cancún area but don’t want to run into a herd of college kids, Playa del Carmen is for you. It’s only an hour and fifteen minutes south of Cancún and not as crowded as its northern neighbor. In short: it’s the perfect winter break spot for adults to relax on the beach. This is one of the biggest reasons people visit the Yucatan Peninsula. The best part about Playa del Carmen is that you’ll have fewer tourists to contend with for the best spots.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is one of, if not the most, famous Maya ruins. This pre-Columbian city was built over 1,400 years ago and is one of the largest Maya cities ever constructed. The most famous part of the complex is the El Castillo Pyramid, which stands 98 ft (30 m) high. Unfortunately, you can no longer climb the pyramid to see inside, but its majesty is no less apparent from the foot of the stairs.
In addition to El Castillo, be sure to walk through the Great Ball Court. Here, Ancient Mayans played a high-stakes game in which the losers were sacrificed. Evidence of this is found on the Skull Platform: a wall with carved depictions of the losers’ skulls. It’s two hours away by car, but if you don’t feel like renting a vehicle, Jaya will schedule a tour that includes roundtrip transportation as part of the cost. It’s the perfect day trip! This gem in Playa del Carmen is definitely a must-go unique winter destination for all travelers wanting to experience history and glory.
Darwin, Australia
Darwin may not seem like a common choice for winter break. It’s a long plane ride and, unlike Sydney, isn’t close to any other major Australia Cities. However, once the long-haul flight lands, you’ll understand why it’s listed as a unique winter destination. The average temperature is high 80 – 90s °F all year long, so you can count on nice, predictably warm weather.
Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory in Australia and is situated on the coast of the Timor Sea. It serves as the gateway to Kakadu National Park, which you definitely don’t want to miss when you visit.
Kakadu is home to some of the most recognizable critters in Australia: wallabies, kangaroos, and saltwater crocs (or “salties” as the Aussies say). There are also a number of natural sites that garner attention from visitors. Jim Jim and Twin Falls Waterfalls are very popular, and Christmas break is the best time to see the falls as they can disappear in the dry season.
If you do nothing else in Kakadu, make sure to visit at least one prehistoric rock art site. Paintings and hand prints can be found in several areas of the park. The Aboriginal cultures that created them did so over 20,000 years ago. The two main sites are Ubirr and Nourlangie. These exquisite sites represent one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world.
Travel in the Winter with Jaya!
Ready to add excitement to the cold months by visiting one of these unique winter destinations? Jaya Travel is here to assist you every step of the way. We can even plan the whole trip for you, so the relaxation begins sooner! Call Jaya Travel & Tours today!
