With winter approaching just around the corner, it is time to start planning a getaway to a warm beach haven. People often believe that they would have to travel a significant distance in order to escape the cold, but this is not exactly the case. The West Indies is only about a five-hour flight away (depending on where you live in the U.S.), and the paradise you will experience there is well worth the trip.

The West Indies is the perfect winter vacation because the weather is calm, beautiful, and dry all winter long, some of the finest beaches in the world are located in this region, and it is possible to plan a trip that is not horribly bank breaking.

Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, is rated the number two best beach in the world on Trip Advisor. For the person who simply wants to spend their vacation relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, boating, and maybe even a little island hopping, this may be the place for you. Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico is rated the number three top beach in the world on Trip Advisor. Puerto Rico is also the cheapest place to visit in the West Indies as far as airfare goes.

While the flights to the West Indies are generally pretty reasonable, the hotels can get slightly pricey. It is best to avoid going right around Christmas time if you can because that is the highest season for a lot of these vacation hot spots. It would most likely be the most cost efficient to travel in January or February, and you would simultaneously be escaping during the coldest months. The further you plan in advance, the better deals you will find for the hotels.

For those who are not worried about price, here is a list of some of the elite resorts in this region: https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/beaches/articles/21-hottest-caribbean-escapes