Avoid the chill of fall, at least for a bit, by visiting one of these warm places in October. While the changing of the leaves and the sweater weather might appeal to some, for others, the first gusts of cold weather are the perfect time to relax under the sun before the winter settles in.
From the clear warm waters of Grand Cayman, the Mayan marvels of Cozumel, and breathtaking beaches of Bonaire, here are some of the best hot destinations in October.
Grand Cayman
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest and most popular island in the Caymans and a major destination for leisure travel, luxury shopping, and marine sports. The island’s main port is in George Town, where there are lots of great dining options, shopping, walking tours, and local attractions. You can easily explore the island from there via a guided tour, taxi, or shuttle bus.
While in Grand Cayman, take a trip to Stingray City, where you can get up close to these beautiful, gentle sea creatures for a unique educational experience. Then, take an underwater tour of the USS Kittiwake shipwreck and artificial reef, where you’ll have a chance to swim beside sea turtles, giant grouper, and barracuda.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
For a more laid-back day in the sun, stroll barefoot along Seven Mile Beach. Just off the beach, stop into one of the many restaurants for a signature local rum drink and an island food favorite like curried goat or salt-crusted red snapper. If craft beer is on your agenda, you don’t want to miss the classic Caybrew, CayLight, and Ironshore Bock at the Cayman Islands Brewery just east of George Town.
Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Be sure to explore the many shops and sights of Georgetown. This modern port area is perfect for souvenirs, drinks and snacks, and is the starting point for many of the island’s tours and unique excursions.
This is a tender port, with ferries, charters, tours, and ships coming in and out of the bay to service its many visitors. It’s easy to walk around, and you’ll find that a stroll through town makes for a great starting and ending point to your stay in Grand Cayman.
Cozumel
Cozumel
There are few places in Mexico that rival Cozumel when it comes to ancient Mayan history, easy access to exhilarating activities, and beautiful Caribbean beaches. This island is a popular destination for sun and culture lovers and is the perfect warm place to visit in October.
Cozumel is an island that is abundant with unspoiled nature, exciting dining, white sand beaches, and fun-filled activities for the whole family. You can do a lot in just one day here, and you’ll find the island both charming and accommodating during your stay.
Tulum in Cozumel, Mexico
Mayan culture and ancient history are two of the biggest draws of Cozumel, and you will get unprecedented access to both, first-hand, on a Mayan village tour. Taste locally-distilled tequilas as you explore the island’s interior, and visit both rustic villages and prehistoric ruins all in the same day.
Take an ATV tour through the jungle for an off-road adventure, or go for a dune buggy ride for some thrills through the white sands on the coast.
If you’re a foodie, get ready to feast your senses on some of Mexico’s best tacos, ceviche, or a classic Cochinita Pibil, made with seasoned slow-roasted pork. You can also indulge in some of the famous local chocolates, made with many of the ancient recipes that originated from Mayan cacao.
Before heading out, make sure to pay a visit to the Museo de Cozumel, where you will find incredibly preserved artifacts that showcase the island’s deep cultural history and connection to nature in the Caribbean Sea.
Bonaire
Bonaire
The island of Bonaire is best known for its diving, sailing, beaches, and colonial Dutch architecture. Bonaire has a small population and offers some of the most incredible natural preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and aquatic activities anywhere in the Caribbean.
You’ll find unspoiled nature in every corner of Bonaire, with a friendly, small-town feel and a uniquely Dutch touch to the island’s culture.
While visiting Bonaire, take a tour of some of the island’s 400 or so caves, many with crystal clear water through which you can snorkel with a guide. Next, take a quick water taxi to Klein Island, where you can relax on a pristine white sand beach and dip your toes into the turquoise water.
Klein is also a popular starting spot for diving excursions, due to its thriving reefs and abundance of marine life. This island is famous for being one of the best diving spots in the world.
Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. This is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary made specifically to protect over 500 native donkeys and has had a huge impact on the conservation community in Bonaire.
You can get up close and pet these lovable animals as you learn about their connection to history on the island while you tour the sprawling safari park. Before you go, shop for some sustainable souvenirs and pose for some pictures with the four-legged residents of the sanctuary.
Aruba
Aruba
Find out why Aruba’s national motto is “one happy island” after visiting this sun-filled destination. The allure of a vacation in Aruba is that life here is easy; you don’t have to do much more than lounge on one of its famous white sand beaches, such as Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, and take an occasional refreshing dip in its cool, turquoise waters.
S.S. Antilla shipwreck, Aruba
If you’re an adventure seeker, experience Aruba’s best snorkeling around one of the island’s protected coral reefs teeming with marine wildlife including sea turtles, stingrays, and colorful schools of tropical fish. For even more spectacular sightseeing, head out to the Antilla shipwreck, which is considered one of the world’s best scuba diving and snorkeling sites.
Though it’s still Caribbean hurricane season in October, Aruba falls outside of the hurricane belt, making it the perfect time to visit this Southern Caribbean island paradise.
Read: The Best Food in Aruba
Curaçao
Curacao
Escape the autumn chill and head to the warm waters of Curacao, a charming island that mixes Dutch history with a laid-back tropical atmosphere.
Dip your toes in one of the Caribbean’s best beaches and enjoy cocktails made from the island’s famous liquor, blue Curaçao, while you admire the spectacular shades of blue and green in the ocean in front of you.
Willemstad, Curacao
Stroll through iconic Willemstad, where the island’s Dutch influence is in vivid display on the facade of the pastel-colored buildings that line the harbor. Stop by one of its many cafes, shops, and museums filled with Caribbean history and culture.
Go swimming with dolphins, meet sea lions, and spot stingrays, eels, and colorful angelfish while snorkeling around Curacao’s coral reefs. One of the most thrilling things to do in Curacao for the truly adventurous is to go on a shark-feeding expedition, where you can get up close to the lemon sharks that live in the island’s waters.
Like most of the Caribbean, Curacao enjoys warm weather all year long. October is an ideal time to visit Curacao since it’s right before high season, so you’ll enjoy less-crowded beaches and attractions.
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos
Explore one of the world’s most fascinating places when you visit the Galapagos Islands, an untouched volcanic archipelago where you’ll encounter animals and plants found nowhere else in the world.
Sitting near the equator, the Galapagos Islands enjoy warm weather throughout the year, making October an ideal time to visit this eco-friendly destination and dive into its teeming waters.
Galapagos tortoise
Follow in the footsteps of Darwin, who came up with his theory of evolution after visiting the Galapagos. Experience some of the endemic animals of the region including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and sea lions.
Start off at Baltra Island, the gateway to the islands. Later, visit San Cristobal, where there are several sea lion colonies; this is one of the largest islands in the region that was formed after three or four volcanoes fused together.
Pinnacle Rock in Bartolomé Island, Galapagos
Stop by Bartolomé Island, a tiny, uninhabited island and one of the most popular destinations in the Galapagos. Take a photo in front of Pinnacle Rock, a pointy formation that adorns one of Bartolomé’s stunning beaches, where you can find green sea turtles, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and black- and white-tipped sharks in the water.
Puerto Egas in Santiago Island, Galapagos
In Santiago Island, visit Puerto Egas, home to playful sea lions, or go to Espumilla Beach, an abundant sea turtle nesting site. While in Santa Cruz, the second largest of the Galapagos Islands, you’ll see prickly pear cacti, an impressive population of land iguanas, and The Twins, a pair of geological holes that were formed after the collapse of a magma chamber.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Santa Maria Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s most popular destinations and a haven for those craving a vacation full of sea and year-round sunshine. Here, you’ll find everything you’d want from one of the best warm places in October to visit—pristine coral reefs, delicious local cuisine, and miles of golden-sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.
El Arco in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is famous for its rocky formation, El Arco (The Arch), a spectacular natural landmark. During your visit, make sure to visit Land’s End to witness this stunning site, which serves as the perfect background for a family photo.
Spend a day at Lover’s Beach—one of the best beaches in Cabo—which is a heavenly slice of sand near El Arco. Marvel at the crystal-clear waters and towering rock formations that cradle this secluded beach. Go snorkeling and look for colorful fish, or simply take a leisurely swim to cool off on a hot day.
Read: Best Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas is a prime destination for whale watching in Mexico. Board a Zodiac boat, binoculars at the ready as you search the ocean for migrating or feeding whales. If you’re lucky, you might even see one breaching.
Water sports enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to enjoy during their visit to Cabo San Lucas. Explore the waters of Cabo while on a kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski. Put that scuba certification to use and dive into the sprawling natural reef system located just off of its shores.
October is a particularly good month for fishing enthusiasts to visit Cabo, as several professional fishing competitions take place. Head out into the waters for a chance to catch tuna, blue marlin, and sailfish.
Read: What Is Mexico Known For?
The Retreat
Ready to visit one of these warm places in October? Book a cruise with Celebrity and enjoy world-class dining, luxurious accommodations, and endless entertainment aboard one of our ships. Browse through our October cruise itineraries and get ready to have an unforgettable vacation at sea.
