• Placencia, Belize

Skip the crowded beaches of Cancun, Mexico, and head just south to the coast of Belize for an entirely different type of beach vacation. Though Placencia is a small coastal village, you’ll find lots to do between the water activities, nearby Mayan temples, and sampling local cuisine. The beaches are breathtaking and because Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, snorkelers and divers will find lots to explore. While there are other more traveled beach spots in the region, Placencia allows for total relaxation. There are a number of resorts in the area housing modern amenities so you won’t have to scrimp on comfort at all. (Larue Beya Resort)

• Belize barrier reef
• Bocawina Rainforest Resort & Adventures
• Caye Caulker, Belize

Why you need to go: Life’s a Beach; No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem; On Island Time… the bumper sticker tropes speak truth here. There are no cars, only bikes and golf carts; no traffic signs save one; and no bustle, only unhurried locals and visitors deciding when next to hit the white-sand beaches. A longtime fave among the backpacking set, it’s 80 percent about the water sports here, from snorkeling to fishing to windsurfing. When you’re feeling sufficiently waterlogged, hit up one of the island’s budget-friendly beach restaurants for a feast of lobster and conch. The one must-do thing: Divers should visit Blue Hole and Turneffe, while those who eschew tank breathing can opt for a manatee tour.

• Ka’ana Resort - Belize

Stargazing resort