Best Tropical Holiday Destinations For 2025/2026
Looking for tropical holiday destinations can be overwhelming. There are so many appealing tropical islands to visit all year round. Should you head to the Caribbean, or are the Indian Ocean atolls a better bet? Here’s a rundown of the most popular tropical destinations to help you choose. We’ll also recommend the best hotels and resorts.
Maldives: the Indian Ocean island kingdom
The clear waters of the Maldives that create ideal snorkelling and scuba diving conditions make it the first of our favourite tropical holiday destinations. The bioluminescent coral reefs at Vaadhoo are spectacular. Book at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi for a luxury experience. In the middle of a lagoon, it offers stunning views and unforgettable subterranean explorations, plus three restaurants and a Thari Spa.
Get up close with whale sharks as these gentle giants swim around South Ari atoll. Stay at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa. It’s the only one on the islet, with a long sandy beach. This is a family-friendly resort with lots of activities for children, and baby-sitting services.
Creole culture and starlight dining in Mauritius
Mauritius offers a combination of a colourful island vibe with some of the world’s most desirable resorts. It’s long been one of the most tropical islands to visit. Immerse yourself in authentic Mauritian culture at Le Cardinale Exclusive Resort. In Trou-aux-Biches village, 9 miles from the capital of Port Louis, it’s very private. With only 13 rooms, you’ll have a personalised luxury experience. It has an in-house restaurant, a spa, a private pool and a golf course.
Visit the dramatic Black Valley Gorges for its plunging waterfalls. The nearby Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa offers intimate stays for couples. On the beachfront, it offers endless ocean vistas and dining under the stars next alongside the lagoon.
Tropical holiday destinations in Mexico
Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is hugely popular, but there’s far more to enjoy. Explore Mayan ruins, surf at Puerto Escondido, or lose yourself in nature on a jungle trek in the Chiapas. The scuba diving in the reefs of Cozumel is unmissable. Stay at Secrets Aura Cozumel. This luxury adults-only resort boasts a private pier, a Pevonia spa and a fitness centre. There are six gourmet restaurants.
Cancún offers the full Yucatan experience, with stunning beaches and azure water. The Grand Oasis Cancun puts you in the centre of the action. Its 18 restaurants serve a wide diversity of cuisine. There’s a 9-hole golf course, and you’ll have captivating views of Nichupté lagoon.
Tobago: beach resorts and rare natural thrills
For Creole culture, natural attractions and the archetypal Caribbean getaway, Tobago is one of the best tropical holiday destinations. It’s a snorkeller’s dream, with translucent seawater in spots like Buccoo Reef at Crown Point. Here, the Tropikist Beach Hotel & Resort has beachfronts and landscaped gardens, plus glorious ocean views. Enjoy local dishes at its Sunset Grill & Bar.
Or stay at the Starfish Tobago Resort on the fringe of the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve. See some of the world’s rarest hummingbirds. The resort fronts Great Courland Bay, where leatherback turtles lay their eggs.
Dominican Republic: whales, waterfalls and wilderness
Punta Cana overflows with Caribbean flair. Snorkel unreal coral gardens, visit the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park, or sunbathe and swim on its 30 miles of palm-fringed beaches. Dreams Cap Cana is a luxurious haven on Juanillo Beach. It has 10 restaurants, one with its own brewery, plus a fitness centre and spa.
The serenity of Miches offers birdwatching and kayaking. Visit from January to March for whale-spotting. You can explore the forests hiding gems like the tallest waterfall in the Caribbean at Salto La Jalda. Stay at Viva Miches by Wyndham. It specialises in Dominican cuisine, with an ocean-front pool, a swim-up bar and a secluded beachfront.
St Lucia: the Gateway to Heaven of tropical island holidays
The Tet Paul Nature Trail is the ecological pride of St Lucia, dubbed the “Gateway to Heaven”. Hike past traditional island houses and watch age-old cassava plant food preparation. At the top of the trail, you can see clear across to the neighbouring islands of St Vincent and Martinique.
Stay in the heart of lush rainforests at Rabot Hotel Chocolat. This eco-lodge offers open-air rain showers and private porches. It’s on cacao farm and each room has a Chocolat Velvetiser to make artisanal hot chocolate.
The therapeutic mud pools of Sulphur Springs are a unique experience. Bathe head to toe in mineral-rich volcanic mud. Book at Anse Chastanet. It’s four miles from the springs, and has a full-service spa, a tennis court and three restaurants.
Jamaica: icon of tropical holiday destinations
Jamaica’s reputation precedes it. Reggae, rum, Rastafarian culture and its famous jerk cuisine. Montego Bay has crystalline water and a party atmosphere. Visit this iconic playground and stay at Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay. It’s a luxury adults’ resort with a mile-long beach. There are nine gourmet restaurants serving Jamaican and international food. Among its eight bars is a swim-up bar, and a lounge bar with live music tinkled on a petite grand piano.
For exclusive tropical island holidays on the secluded side of Jamaica, there’s Sandals South Coast. You’ll be in a nature reserve with 50 acres to yourself. Book a water villa stilted above the turquoise seawater.
Tropical destinations in bountiful Barbados
Barbados evokes the swashbuckling history of the Caribbean. Crane Beach is a perfect example, with its tropical rainforest backdrop, dramatic cliffs and pirate artefacts. The Crane is the obvious place to stay. It offers everything from yoga to tennis, plus a luxurious spa. If you’re travelling as a family, there’s a helpful Kids’ Club.
For a more vibrant location, choose Dover Beach Hotel. You can walk to The Gap, where you’ll find bars, duty-free shops, and all the nightlife you could want. This boutique beachfront hotel has a spa, restaurants and golfing facilities.
Stunning tropical locations are waiting for you
There’s ample choice of tropical holiday destinations, including a host of Caribbean islands. Each has its own cultural nuances, history and luxury resorts. Stay at family-friendly hotels or find secluded romantic hideaways. Each is close to popular tourist attractions or lesser-known magical places. If you prefer the Indian Ocean for tropical island holidays, the Maldives and Mauritius beckon. They’re both stunningly beautiful with top-class resorts.
Source for all meteorological information: Met Office
FAQs on tropical holiday destinations
Where is the best place to go for a tropical holiday?
Both the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean offer idyllic locations for tropical island holidays.
Which tropical island has the best beaches?
The Maldives and Tobago have some of the most glorious beaches in the world. You can’t go wrong with either.
Where is hot all year round?
Most tropical holiday destinations are hot all year round. Year-round temperatures stay between around 28°C and 31°C in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean equatorial islands.
What should you look for from a tropical holiday destination?
Most people look for three things: warm sunshine, beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts.
What is the average temperature of tropical countries?
The average temperature of tropical countries is relatively stable year-round, at about 29°C.
