With the winter holidays right around the corner, there’s no better time to plan a getaway to sun, sand, and warm climes. After all, a beachy escape is certainly a way to ensure your holidays are merry and bright. Not only do these destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America feature stunning nature, but they’re also home to some of the best festive hotels, where magical settings combined with local traditions are guaranteed to make this a season to remember.
From lavish Christmas buffets and family-friendly tree-decorating ceremonies to chic beachfront New Year’s Eve parties and year-end spa rituals, these seven resorts promise to get you into the holiday spirit.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Experience a Luxurious Holiday Getaway in Los Cabos
Spend the holidays immersed in art, nature, and Mexican culture at Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos, located on Baja California’s sparkling Sea of Cortez. The upscale beachfront property weaves original artwork by Mexican artist César López-Negrete throughout and displays Indigenous art and regional artifacts.
Against the backdrop of this unique setting, the seasonal celebrations begin with the ceremonial lighting of the lobby Christmas tree on December 5. Christmas Eve dinner at Riccio di Mare features a special menu inspired by an Italian holiday feast. Christmas at the resort is an all-day culinary affair, with festive breakfast, brunch, and dinner on offer. Afternoon and evening beach bashes are part of the seasonal fun, as are Christmas-themed cocktails and mocktails at the hotel’s bars. Kids can take part in the merrymaking, too, thanks to a whole host of activities ranging from painting ornaments to decorating gingerbread houses to making their own snowman pillow.
Guests can celebrate the coming year with a gourmet four-course feast or dance the night away at the New Year’s Eve dinner and party, featuring live music, DJs, and an open bar, followed by a midnight Champagne toast and fireworks. The festivities extend into January with a New Year’s Day Champagne brunch and a Fiesta de Los Reyes breakfast replete with la rosca de reyes, a traditional wreath-shaped Mexican cake served on Three Kings Day. And for those seeking a wellness experience during the holidays, the hotel’s Ojo de Liebre Spa offers winter solstice and year-end ceremonies using rituals to harmonize the body and mind.
Celebrate with Family at an All-inclusive Holiday Resort in Riviera Nayarit
Perched on a hillside in the Sierra Madre mountains and surrounded by lush tropical jungle, Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit, An All-Inclusive Resort is a holiday adventure for the whole family. The numerous pools, lazy river, and water park — complete with a waterslide — promise plenty of outdoor fun for the kids, while the Tzicuri Spa gives parents a quiet space to relax and rejuvenate.
The holiday season at this all-inclusive resort is centered around family, with child-friendly events like a tree-lighting ceremony, plus a chance for little ones to try out their cookie-decorating skills. The traditional Mexican Christmas Posada Party with the breaking of piñatas gets everyone in on the fun. Meanwhile, parents can partake in tastings of agave spirits or create their own artwork at the Art & Wine event.
For adults, there is also a New Year’s Eve party held in the Central Garden, where guests can ring in the year surrounded by nature.
Exquisite Holiday Celebration in San José del Cabo
Enjoy an enchanting holiday escape at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a luxury beachfront enclave in San José del Cabo offering panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez.
During the holiday season, the hotel hosts an array of festive events that honor Mexico’s rich heritage. The scene is set with a tree-lighting ceremony replete with hot chocolate and buñuelos (fried Mexican treats) and a Christmas Bazaar featuring local crafts. Guests can experience a Mexican posada celebration on Christmas Eve, complete with traditional dishes, caroling, and the breaking of star-shaped piñatas to mark the occasion.
On Christmas Day, Santa arrives and welcomes families to join in on holiday-themed activities like cookie decorating, followed by Christmas dinner featuring seasonal dishes. Ring in the New Year with a gourmet dinner accompanied by live entertainment and a fireworks show.
Family-friendly outdoor excursions inspire a love of the natural world and beyond. Embark on a guided Christmas Trail tour, which allows guests to explore the surrounding desert, or gaze at the cosmos on a Polar Star experience. Wellness enthusiasts can visit Sensei, with specialized winter spa treatments to nourish the body and mind and prepare for the year ahead.
Enjoy a Kid-Friendly Holiday in Puerto Vallarta
Nestled along the Pacific Ocean against the backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers an array of festivities that make for the perfect family holiday celebration.
Little ones can get into the Yuletide spirit with activities such as decorating gingerbread cookies with the resort’s pastry chefs. The whole family can enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners featuring traditional holiday dishes, complemented by live music and a festive atmosphere. On New Year’s Eve, the hotel hosts not one but two celebratory events. Opt for a festive dinner of Spanish dishes designed to be shared with loved ones at Marieta, or don your finest Roaring ’20s attire for a glamorous, Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve party with live music and gourmet bites, culminating in midnight fireworks over the ocean. The following morning, usher in a new chapter with a sumptuous New Year’s Day breakfast buffet at La Estancia.
Have a Festive Caribbean Holiday in Aruba
With themed holiday celebrations and plenty of Christmas fun for the kids, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is one of the best spots in the Caribbean to rejoice in the season. Its location along Aruba’s Palm Beach ensures endless ways for guests to enjoy the sea and sunshine, whether that means lounging in a beachfront cabana or taking advantage of all the water sports on offer. With saunas, whirlpools, and an oxygen bar, the hotel’s spa is made for relaxation, while the on-site casino buzzes with gaming action and live entertainment.
During the holiday season, kids can make a Christmas wish list with the festive Letter to Santa Experience, and then later share their messages and get a photo with Santa himself.
The hotel goes all out for New Year’s Eve with a glamorous party featuring an exquisite dinner buffet, drinks, and dancing.
Find Christmas Cheer in Riviera Maya
The holidays come alive for the whole family at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, a luxury beachfront resort surrounded by the natural beauty of a mangrove preserve. Kid-friendly Yuletide activities include a tree-lighting with caroling, a holiday cookie-decorating class, and gingerbread house workshop that includes a surprise visit from Santa. You can also enjoy alfresco family movie nights with s’mores and popcorn, or gather on the beach to stargaze through telescopes at the Night Sky Observation event.
Choose your Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner experience from the three hotel restaurants, which range from family-style buffets to multicourse tasting menus. Other festive events include a Christmas brunch with a bloody mary bar, a signature holiday afternoon tea, and a seasonal mixology class.
Have a Coastal Celebration in Punta Mita
Set on a picturesque peninsula where the lapping waves of the Pacific meet the shore, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is a magical spot to make Christmas memories. From Thanksgiving through early January, the resort hosts a parade of festive events.
The Christmas season kicks off in mid-December with an evening tree-lighting ceremony on the lawn that includes cocktails and live music. From December 23–25, the days are filled with kid-friendly activities at the Children’s Club, with puppet shows, cookie-decorating, photo ops with Santa, and a festive Christmas show. On Christmas Eve, guests can dig into a four-course menu accompanied by live music.
Ring in the New Year with a sunset Champagne toast, and then indulge in the New Year’s Eve Gala, which features a buffet of coastal Mexican specialties on the beach, plus live performances and fireworks. The following morning, a complimentary sound bath is a peaceful way to start the new year.
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