How to Decide Where to Go on a Tropical Vacation

Decide how far away you want to travel, how much time you have, and how much you want to spend. If you live on the East Coast, you can go as far as Fiji or as close as Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Skip far-off locations if you have only a few days for your tropical vacation.

Choose between flying, driving or cruising. Drive to Hilton Head, or consider a cruise to Cancun, St. Maarten, St. Lucia or the Galapagos. Hop a plane if you want to get somewhere fast and stay put. If you have a difficult time deciding, look at the cost to help narrow down your choices.

Pick a tropical location that offers what you're looking for. If you're concerned with luxury and convenience, you might try an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic or the Turks and Caicos Islands. Look into St. Barts if you'd like a more European experience where French is spoken. Visiting a remote area of Haiti or Jamaica may offer a more rustic and authentic island experience.

Consider your traveling companions. If you have small children, you might want a resort with a kids' club and babysitting services. Don't pick a casino area in New Providence in the Bahamas if you want a family vacation. For romance, look for a secluded setting at a beach-side resort on Anguilla or St. Lucia. History buffs can visit Pearl Harbor in Hawaii or Mayan ruins in Mexico.

Look into the activities offered. You can take a zip-line canopy tour over the rain forests of Costa Rica. Or visit the rain forest and caves in Puerto Rico. In Hawaii you can explore volcanoes, go hiking, try surfing or take hula lessons. Take a tour through the remains of an ancient Greek civilization in the Ionian Islands of Greece.

Consider the weather. Not all tropical vacations will be warm. Bermudan winters are similar to spring in the Northeast. Many tourists show up in January expecting hot days and find chilly weather instead. Hurricane season in the Caribbean typically runs from June 1 to November 30. Check the weather forecast before you travel, and invest in adequate travel insurance that specifically covers hurricanes.

Look into more local tropical vacations if price, distance, or vacation time are issues. Try Florida's Key West to enjoy the beach, visit the Hemingway House, eat Key lime pie and enjoy oceanfront cocktails. You can also take a domestic tropical getaway in the Outer Banks in North Carolina or California's Channel Islands.

Decide on a tropical vacation that will make everyone happy. For instance, in Puerto Rico you can hit the city of San Juan, the historical attractions in Old San Juan, Vieques Island, the rain forest in Fajardo, and surfing in Rincon. You can drive around the entire island in about 3 to 4 hours and make stops for everyone.