If you are seeking a healthy dose of happiness, Vitamin D might just be the magic pill. The best part? Sunshine is free! Tropical paradises will immerse you in a mixture of nature, history, culture and wildlife. You might find a balance of exhilaration and relaxation, adventure and pampering. So pack your bags, grab your sunglasses and head to one of these sun-filled destinations. You’ll find happiness almost immediately!
Channel the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii, United States
The near-constant sun, the temperate sea, and leis made of flowers make Hawaii close to happiness incarnate. The islands combine the perfect blend of beaches and wildlife, delicious food and a welcoming culture. You won’t want to miss the chance to experience some astonishing stargazing and the chance to live like a local. Grab a surfboard and channel the spirit of the ocean! There is truly no better place to get away and with over 400 listings, you’re sure to find a home you’ll want to bring the whole ohana (it means family) along to visit.
Ideal timing: Hawaii has only two seasons and both of them warm. April to October has a dry season that corresponds to summer; November to March can be a bit rainy for winter. A September visit proves to be the best time to enjoy all the “Aloha festivals”.
Hula over to Hawaii
Fall in Cita with Bali, Indonesia
Find yourself transported by the scents of blossoming frangipani trees and burning incense as stress drains from your body. You will fall for the intricate local artwork and be entranced by shadow puppet performances. Channel your inner mystical spirit by walking through the majestic temples while dressed in a batik sarong. Be prepared to marvel in a seemingly endless collection of geological wonders or go for a life-changing yoga vacation. Start searching through the 220 listings in Bali now and find your inner peace.
Best time to visit: Bali’s tropical monsoon climate has two distinct seasons: dry (between May to September) and wet (between October to April). So the best times to travel are typically considered to be May through July.
Set your sights on Bali
New Caledonia: Offering the best of both worlds
Offering the perfect mix of French and Melanesian culture; this rarely mentioned paradise is surrounded by the world’s largest lagoon and features an astonishing barrier reef. Adventure lovers won’t be disappointed. Snorkel through the clear emerald waters, strap on your boots and head for the hills, or hit the surf and swim with turtles. One must see location is the Jean Marie T’jiabou Cultural Center. A visit will immerse you in the storied past of the indigenous Kanac. Explore the listings for New Caledonia now and start craving some seriously delicious seafood.
When to go?: April to May offers a fresh break from the heat and rains while October and November gives you the chance to catch life on the islands before the locals head off on the ir summer vacations. July to August may be cool for beachgoers, but that bodes well for hikers and whale-watchers.
Dive in to New Caldonia
Mauritius and Reunion Island: the Indian Ocean’s sisters
Only a 40-minute flight apart, Mauritius and Reunion offer the perfect blend of a relaxed tropical beach break and a cultural adventure holiday. Mauritius is all about taking advantage of the crystal-clear sea and Reunion Island offers an active volcano, national park, sheer cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and lush forest life. It’s said that while their Mauritian cousins look to the sea, the inhabitants of Reunion live by the mountain. So, where will your vacation lead you? Explore the listings now.
Ideal timing: The climate in the two sisters is fairly warm year-round. December is cool, dry and sunny. May to October has winter temperatures that drop from hot to balmy. While November to April brings the hot and humid days of summer.
Set Sail for Mauritius & Reunion
The Crown Down Under in Queensland, Australia
The Tropical North of Australia, with its untouched beauty, is pretty much the definition of paradise. That is if you don’t mind the sharks, crocodiles and killer jellyfish, of course. It is the only spot on the planet where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet: The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Forest. Jump on the Captain Cook highway because adventure awaits. Take the road less travelled, hug a tree (or a koala) and unleash your inner Crocodile Dundee. You might even try to surf the green (throwing yourself off a 30-metre tree) and disconnect thanks to many heavenly islands. Just know, diving in the Great Barrier Reef will be one of the most magical (and peaceful) experiences you will ever have. Find your home-away-from-home from over 700 listings.
Best time of year?: Visit all year long! There are two distinctive seasons; the wet season that runs from November to April (hot and humid, potential cyclones) while the dry season that runs from May to October and is a little more crowded.
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Find the Corazón of Costa Rica
Considered one of the happiest countries in the world based on the Happy Planet Index, this land brims with adventures. As the locals would say, it is Pura Vida (Pure Life). Find your thrills and be the adventurer you always wanted. Zip-line through a rainforest, dive into waterfall-fed lagoons. Perhaps you are a wildlife enthusiast, then you will cherish the chance to visit some baby sloths in a sanctuary or take a ride through the rainforest where you might meet some cheeky monkeys. Looking to relax? Be as unadventurous as you want to be along the almost 1,000 miles of coastline, where you will find soothing warm water year round and perfect surf-able waves. You will fall in love with this country and its friendly people as they will make you feel like family. Explore over 170 listings and find your heart in Costa Rica.
When to go: The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). It is the ideal season for wildlife-enthusiasts to enjoy the spectacular rainforest and for beach-seekers to savor the sandy shorelines.
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