Travelers Are Sharing The 20 Winter Getaway Destinations They've Been Gatekeeping
Many of us use the winter months to hibernate, and while I'm all for rest and self-care, adventure doesn't need to take a season off! The best way to reignite your wanderlust when the world goes quiet in winter is to ask a traveler about their favorite destinations.
Over on Reddit's r/travel community, sightseers shared their sunny spots for affordable winter travel. I, in turn, asked the BuzzFeed Community about the gatekept travel destinations that get overlooked in the winter months. Here’s a roundup of underrated seasonal travel spots to inspire your next adventure. I'll kick things off with a personal recommendation: Venice!
1."In December of 2022, I took a 10-hour FlixBus to Venice. The gorgeous Rennaisance city is known and popular with tourists for sunny gondola rides and walking tours. My experience of Venice was unlike depictions of the city in Summertime or The Tourist. The temperature did not go above 40°F during my trip, and it rained nearly all of the time, but I have to say, it was one of the most magical places I've traveled to. Going to Venice in winter was a major part of what made my experience there so wonderful."
2."Flights to Palm Springs can be inexpensive, depending on where you're flying out from ($300–400). I went in the winter last year, which helped my mood immensely. Some fairly affordable rentals are down there, and it should be warm all winter. Great hiking and lots of opportunities to see nature!"
3."Athens, Greece. Amazing, small crowds and not unbearably hot seeing the sights."
4."I went to Vietnam last November. It's so underrated, and the history is fascinating. It is a beautiful country with amazing food."
5."Bergen Aan Zee in the Netherlands."
—Anonymous
6."Cuba! Especially if you're Canadian. Most people go the package holiday route, but you can plan it cheaply if you do it yourself. We flew into Havana for a week last winter to explore the old history, then Viñales for some exploring and adventuring in incredible landscapes. Plus, it's affordable if you stay in Cuban homes, and there are some rentals for $10–20 a night."
"It definitely requires some planning ahead, but that’s where I would go again."
7."The San Juan Islands in Washington. This place is legitimately magical. I've been going there since I was a child. I've been to 20+ countries, and I truly don't believe anywhere is as beautiful as this place. There's blue water, a dynamic landscape, lush green trees, and exquisite wildlife — whales on a good day! A small-town vibe but is coastal. It's adorable and quaint, even with some Michelin-starred restaurants. You can stay at a resort and spa and be boujee, or camp and bike around the islands."
—Anonymous
8."Chicago, Illinois! It's so pretty when it snows. Lots of museums and indoor activities. It's also so much cheaper than the summer. A few years back, I got a hotel room in River North for $60 a night."
9."Phoenix, Arizona. The weather is great in winter and there's lots of hiking and other activities."
10."Japan in January (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto/Osaka)."
—Rachel, Colorado, 35
11."The Philippines! I flew from Canada last February, and the flight was 1,200 bucks. It's absolutely beautiful there and cheap once you're there, too. You'll have a way more fun and interesting experience than the Caribbean. They have beaches, cities, and so much nature (we went canyoneering, swimming with whale sharks, and played with tarsiers)."
12."Belize! It's relatively inexpensive and temperatures are usually around 25°C in January. It's a beautiful country with wonderful people."
13."Puerto Rico in December."
—Rachel, 35, Colorado
"Puerto Rico. Get out of San Juan, and it's about as cheap as possible. It's not at all resorts; you can get a nice rental on the water, and the food there is bonkers. Old San Juan has a great history and vibe for the days you want to be more touristy. The only trick there is, yes, you would need to rent a car to 'save money' this way, so I'm not sure what amount of savings you'd get in the end."
14."Niagara Falls, Canada, is spectacular in winter, especially in February. The beauty of this natural wonder is amazing when shrouded in ice and snow. A sight not to be missed! There is still lots to do and enjoy in less crowded venues in winter. Also, accommodation and restaurant prices are lower than peak travel season."
—Joey, Canada, 68
"Niagara Falls in January. The trees are covered in sparkling ice crystals if it's cold enough. It is a site to behold. Since many relatives from Southern Ontario could not attend our January wedding, we traveled toward them instead. Our honeymoon 25 years ago was Niagara Falls."
—Kathy, Ottawa, 60
15."I went to Barbados in February, and it was perfect. Lovely people, incredible beaches where you may be one of few people, nature, and anything else you'd like to enjoy. You can easily get a rental or a hotel and save a bit by being about 5–10 minutes away from the beach."
"Barbados was gorgeous when I went in January. I can't wait to go back. However, it is NOT cheap. It's the most expensive plane ticket I ever bought. It's also not cheap once you get there. 'Island prices' are real."
16."Sint Maarten."
17."Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. The people are incredible. The most caring people on Earth. They also have the most beautiful beaches and water, which you can float on top of and see through without goggles. It's costly but worth every dollar. We visited one beach on the island for several hours, and nobody was on it for a mile in any direction. We felt like we were completely alone in the entire world."
—Jenn, Florida, 51
18."Morocco. It's relatively easy to travel around, and there are many beaches."
19."Let me introduce you to Nicaragua. It has beaches on both sides: the Pacific Ocean on the west (great for surfing) and the Caribbean on the east side, wonderful colonial towns like Granada and León and hiking up volcanoes, with some active, and you can even volcano board off Cero negro near León. Ometepe is also a gem with two challenging hikes on volcanoes, a jungle, and its own beaches. It's cheap to stay and has great and affordable food."
20."Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The best value winter tropical destination (at least flying from the USA)."
What winter travel destinations have you been gatekeeping? Tell us in the comments or anonymously via this form. Your submission might just end up in a future post.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
