10 best tropical islands that you can get from the United States in less than three hours

You look at the light blue waters with a Piña Colada in your hand in no time.


As time cools, sometimes youjust needs to escape-Especially in a place that does not have a pile of snow, ice on the roads and wet melting snow that somehow infiltrates your shoes, regardless of their robust. But it is not because you want to get out of the cold that you have to stuff yourself with theplanning anxiety A big trip.

There are so many tropical islands, filled with beaches, snorkeling places and incredible food, to explore - and many of them are within three hours of the continental United States. You don't need to undertake steep stews and apparently endless flights just to go out in the sun. Instead, consult the 10 best tropical islands that are within three hours of the American continent

Read this then:The 10 best seaside resorts in the United States for a stressless getaway.

The best tropical islands that you can easily from the United States

1. Saint-Martin

Yachts in the Marina in St. Martin
Napa / Shutterstock

Located in the North-East Caribbean Sea, Saint-Martin is a relatively unique island-it is divided around 60:40 between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. So, in a trip, you can get a little French culture, Dutch culture and a lot of Caribbean pleasure in a single island. For this reason, the island is known as Saint-Martin in English, Saint-Martin in French or Sint Marate in Dutch.

But translating between French and Dutch is not the only thing to do on the island. He is known for his beautiful beaches,hiking trails This leads from beach to the beach and snorkeling opportunities.

Saint-Martin is accessible from several destinations on the East Coast by a non-stop flight, including New York City, Newark and Atlanta, and Princess Juliana International Airport is an is athree hours Miami flight.

2. Puerto Rico

Castillo San Felipe Del Morro in San Juan
Serge Yatunin / Shutterstock

You can take a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico from most major cities in the United States, but it is easily reached in less than three hours of most destinations in Florida. As an American territory, American citizens can go to Puerto Rico without the need for a passport or need to change money. While the main language spoken on the island is Spanish, many people also speak English, which makes it an easy transition for travelers in the United States

"The island is filled with natural and historical wonders", explainsSteve Prohaska, a travel expert and founder ofSee the best places. "There, you can hike on the trails of El Yunque, the only tropical forest in the United States. Go to a bioluminescent bay in Fajardo.San Juan National Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as within the framework of the National Park system. Walk the cobbled streets of old San Juan and explore historical Spanish forts like Castillo Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal. ""

Prohaska also recommends stopping in one of the beautiful beaches of the island, and trying a local cuisine like lechon, arroz con gandules or mofongo, a dish made from plantains, chicharrón, oil and d 'garlic.

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3. American virgin islands

Virgin Islands National Park
Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

To go to the American virgin islands, all travelers must fly in Saint-Thomas or Saint-Croix, who areBoth accessible In less than three hours of Miami, and St. Thomas is accessible in just over three hours in New York.

"The American virgin islands consist of three main islands: Saint-Croix, Saint-Jean and Saint-Thomas, as well as many small islands", explainsFeross Bessadeg, the founder ofTravel. "The total area of ​​the islands is 133.73 square kilometers (51.67 m²). There are a lot to do in the American virgin islands, such as snorkeling, diving, sailing, exploration of The tropical forest and the visit of historic sites. "

Islands travelers can also stop atVirgin Islands National Park, which is located in St. John, to make the boat, explore the beaches of the park or hike among the historic ruins.

4. The Bahamas

Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas
Pola Damonte / Shutterstock

It takes less than an hour to fly from Miami to many destinations to the Bahamas, including the national capital, Nassau, and can take less than three hours to get there on a boat from Miami, because the country is only 110 miles northeast of the city of Florida.

Although it is easy to spend a whole trip to the Bahamas on the beautiful white sandy beaches of the many islands, if you want to get out of sand and water a little,Discover some stories On the real Pirates of the Caribbean. The Blackbeard tower is one of Nassau's most fascinating sites, ruin ruin was used as a point of view for the many pirates, including Blackbeard, who occupied the island in the 18th century.

Do not feel restricted to stay in Nassau. The Bahamas are made up of more than 3,000 different islands, many of which are accessible to travelers.

5. Bermuda

Bermuda
Visual Envy Productions / Shutterstock

Maybe you saw the series of "Caribbean pirates" films, or went to the famous Disney Ride, but if you want to live authentically where the pirates were based, and discover the story of when they governed the seas , all while enjoying beautiful beaches, there are few better places than Bermuda, a British territory abroad in the Caribbean Sea.

"The island was the favorite destination of the first known, notable colonial pirates being Henry Jennings", explainsJamari Douglas, the vice-president of marketing, public relations and communications atBermuda tourism authority. "Jennings is one of the most renowned and emblematic black pirates. All around the island, you can always feel the impact of their history. With more than 300 shipwrecks surrounding the island, the Bermuda have the most From shipwrecking by Mile Carré to the world, provides endless quantities of discoverable premiums. The island is also surrounded by a ring of coral reefs which protects and caused many of these historical wrecks dating from the years 1600 to 1997. "

If you fly in the small British territory, you will land at L.F. Wade international airport, less than 10 miles northeast of the island’s capital, Hamilton. The airport has non -stop flights from several destinations on the East Coast, including Charlotte, in North Carolina, which is two and a half hours. A flight from New York will also take a little more than two hours to reach the small island.

6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Underwater Museum of Art in Isla Mujeres
Rob Atherton / Shutterstock

Although the name Isla Mujeres means the island of women in Spanish, it is full of relaxed pleasure for everyone. Located near the popular Mexican tourism destination, Cancún, Isla Mujeres is a little more relaxed than the party hotspot filled with action on the Yucatán peninsula. It is filled with many breathtaking beaches and diving destinations, includingIsla Mujeres Underwater Museum of Art, a dedicated art museum which is completely underwater, and only accessible in apnea.

"Here you can have a magnificent view of a Mexican island without the activities of places like Cancun or Playa del Carmen," saidNick Mueller, operations director atHawaiianislands.com. "Known for its inhabitants, Isla Mujeres offers sports, shops, views and relaxation."

To get to the island, you will have to fly to Cancún nearby and make a 15 -minute ferry trip to the island from there. Most major airports in the United States go to Cancún, and many have theft of less than three hours, including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

7. Roatán, Honduras

Roatán Honduras
Unai Huizi Photography / Shutterstock

Originally occupied by the Pech people, an indigenous group in northeast of Honduras, Roatán changed their hands between the Spanish, the British and the pirate groups for a while, before being finally annexed to Honduras in 1861. Now , the island is one of the most beautiful tropical destinations. In addition to a fascinating history, the Hondurian island also houses incredible natural natural sites and wild animals.

"One of the things that makes Roatán so special is that it is located on the second largest reef in the world, theReef of the Meso-American barrier, "saidJenn Lloyd, a travel writer and the founder of the blogA sick girl travels. "This gives an apnea and spectacular scuba diving. The island also offers meetings with local fauna such as lazy, dolphins and various tropical birds. There are a lot of superb white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. "

Roatán is served by Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport and has been offering direct flights from the continental United States, including Dallas and Miami, the latter who has a two-hour and 27-minute flight time.

8. Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker Island
Aleksandar Todorovic / Shutterstock

If you are looking for a relaxed trip, there are few better places to have one than Caye Caulker, an island in Belize which is located about 20 miles from the largest city in the country, Belize City. The island consists mainly of white coral sandy beaches, and the majority of the island's transport are based on walking, golf carts or bikes.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"The island of Caye Caulker in Belize is one of the most magnificent tropical islands in the world", explainsLarry Snider, vice-president of operationsCasago Rental vacation. "You can dive with snorkel, dive the scuba diving and swim with sharks to the Hol Chan marine reserve reserve system. You can also feed Tarpons on a special Tarpon diet."

To get to Caye Caulker, you must first connect to Belize City, which can be reached in just over two hours of cities like Houston, Dallas and Miami. From Belize City, you can either take a 10 -minute flight to Caye Caulker, or a 45 -minute taxi route.

Read this then:The 6 best destinations outside radar in the United States which must be on your list of buckets.

9. South Padre Island, Texas

Sandcastles in south Padre Island
Eduardo e Hurtado / Shutterstock

Just at the southern tip of Texas, near the state border with Mexico, is a series of barriers, and the southern island of Padre is as the southern south. The small island, which has only one area of ​​just over 3 square miles, is best known for its beautiful beaches and calm water.

"This barrier island off the coast of Texas is a tropical refuge all year round," explains the travel editorJenny Ly, the founder ofBurst. "The island offers 34 miles of white sandy beaches, hot and clear water, comfortable time and a variety of activities. Some activities to take advantage of the island include fishing, pleasure navigation and visit fromSouth Padre Island Bird, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary. ""

There is no airport on the island, but it is 30 minutes by car in a rental car at Brownsville Spi International Airport, which has services from American Airlines and United Airlines, and The island is 50 minutes by car from Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas. The island is two hours and 50 minutes by car from Corpus Christi.

10. Jamaica

Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios Jamaica
Gmeland / Shutterstock

When you think of a holiday destination on the tropical island, Jamaica probably comes to your mind fairly quickly. The island nation is a beloved hotspot in the Caribbean, receivingmillions of tourists every year. Although it may look like a place that suffers from bursts, there are a lot of spots on the island to check who will not be filled with people.

Visit the many beaches of the country and enjoy time in the sun, but also stopDunn's River Falls and Park In Ocho Rios, to see some of the most majestic cascades in Jamaica and beautiful sources. Do not end your trip without stopping atBob Marley Museum, to the legend of reggae and the old house of the Jamaican icon in the national capital, Kingston.

Jamaica is accessible to go directly to many cities in the United States, and is accessible in less than three hours almost everywhere in Florida, as in New Orleans and Atlanta.


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