The 11 Best Tropical Vacation Spots in the World, From South Caicos to Trancoso

The best tropical vacation spots offer an abundance of choice for rest, play, and all the joys in between. With temperate weather that allows for swimming, snorkeling, and forest spelunking, these getaways are also prime locations for napping to the gentle sound of waves by the beach. From island hopping along the always-sunny Maldives and admiring pink sands in the Bahamas, to coconut mangrove-trekking in the Philippines and biking past pineapple fields in French Polynesia, tropical charm manifests in an array of ways. If powder-white beaches, turquoise waters, and lush jungles are at the top of your travel itinerary, the following 11 idylls are must-gos, where nature is at its most relaxed and pleasurable. In the Maldives, November to April bring vibrant rays of sun. Though the Indian Ocean archipelago encompasses over 1,000 islands, consider visiting Baa Atoll, a UNESCO-protected biosphere since 2011 that is home to one of the largest coral reef groups in the Indian Ocean and the seventh largest in the world. From July to October, spot whale sharks and manta rays flocking by the hundreds, or save your trip for November through April to enjoy its dry season, with minimal rainfall