Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas
Slide Nr 1September is the perfect time to experience even busy seaside resorts in their quiet season. For those who really want to go off the beaten track, it’s an opportunity for a blissful beach escape without the crowds. In most Northern Hemisphere countries, the worst of the heat has died down and the school holiday crowds have dispersed, while the Southern Hemisphere is slowly headed into spring. These lesser-known coastal destinations across the Americas are perfect for a quick getaway or weekend break. Make sure you check COVID restrictions before booking, since many countries are still considered high-risk destinations. If you’re feeling more adventurous and willing to travel further afield, check out our lists of small seaside escapes in Europe and across Asia and the Pacific.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 2Uvita, Costa Rica – This small town on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast offers a bit of everything that the country has become known for. You can surf and laze on the beach, take yoga classes and explore the jungle and nearby waterfalls, including the local one that doubles as a water slide. The main draw, however, is the Marino Ballena National Park, where you can see humpback whales, dolphins and turtles, amongst many other marine animals. If you’re looking for a relaxed break, make sure your stay doesn’t overlap with the annual Envision Festival.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 3Cabo Polonio, Uruguay – A small village located in the middle of a national park with minimal infrastructure, Cabo Polonio is often referred to as “off-grid”. Access is by 4WD vehicles only, but despite the logistical challenges, it has become an increasingly popular destination. No matter how busy it gets, the conservation restrictions and limited accommodation options ensure it always feels like a true escape. In addition to the quirky town itself, the surrounding natural attractions, including beaches, sand dunes, forests, a resident sea lion colony and occasional whale sightings, are the main draws.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 7Chiloé, Chile – This is a great time to visit Chile, where the weather is heating up and shoulder-season visitor numbers are low. In a country that’s basically all coastline, there’s an excess of choices. Chiloé, the largest island in the archipelago of the same name, offers an amazing variety of landscapes in one handy package. Home to an eponymous national park, deserted beaches, giant sand dunes, mountains and rainforests, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. However, the touch of human settlement also adds to the picture, with local specialties to be enjoyed, colourful houses and heritage churches to explore, as well as indigenous culture to witness.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 11Mazunte, Mexico – Oaxaca is a state of great ethnic, linguistic and geographic diversity. Likewise, its coast offers a variety of experiences. From surf spots to hippie havens, party haunts to deserted beaches, there’s something for everyone. Mazunte, a fishing village that has retained its local charm despite increasing tourism activity, is a particularly scenic spot to base yourself. It carries an official Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) designation, is home to a well-preserved historic centre and sea turtle nesting grounds. It’s also just a short drive from the famous Zipolite nude beach, if that’s your thing. [Photo: Charlie Marchant/Flickr]
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 12Shell Beach, Guyana – ‘Hidden secret’ is basically Guyana’s middle name, so including the country’s most well-known beach doesn’t count as cheating. This 140-kilometre stretch of sand, named for the broken-up shells that wash up there, is a nesting ground for four of the world’s seven marine turtle species. The sparsely populated coastline, which is in fact made up of nine different beaches, can only be reached by boat, ideally on a multi-day trip. [Photo: Marco Farouk Basir/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 13Livingston, Guatemala – Most travellers don’t associate Guatemala with a beach holiday, but if you plan to do more than laze under a palm tree or splash about in the waves, then the country’s Pacific coast may hold a few surprises. This tropical port destination on the mouth of the Rio Dulce can only be accessed by boat. The town itself offers a unique blend of Afro-Caribbean Garífuna cultures, while the surrounding area will keep you entertained with river cruises through the jungle to Lake Izabal, as well as hikes and natural hot springs.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 14Sitka, Alaska, USA – A visit to Alaska in autumn can go either way. You could get lucky with an Indian summer, mild temperatures during the day and the first glimpse of the Northern Lights at night. On the other hand, it could already be cold and wet, with what little exploring you can do cut short by the limited daylight hours. Either way, you will get a less busy experience at a lower price. Try island town Sitka for a glimpse of the region’s mixed Russian and American heritage, and of course prime wildlife watching.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 15Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Québec, Canada – In this coastal town with a rich colonial and marine history, it’s peak whale-watching season. Located on the Saguenay Fjord, at the confluence of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence Rivers, it isn’t just a great place to spot wildlife, but also an excellent starting point for a road trip to enjoy the changing foliage along the river to Québec City and Montréal. The Charlevoix region is also known as a foodie paradise, so indulge in some local delicacies along the way.
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Travel With A Small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes Across The Americas.
Slide Nr 16Seabrook, Washington, USA – September is already pushing the end of beach season in Washington State. However, if you’re not a fair-weather traveller, it’s the perfect time to be in the perfect place. Olympic National Park is known for its mountains, wilderness hiking, rainforests and hot springs. In autumn, the mystic appeal of its rugged beaches comes to the fore. Seabrook, a relatively new planned seaside town just outside the park, is a great base at this time of year, when smaller, more remote accommodations might feel a little forlorn. It has its own beach, hiking trails and plenty of small-town entertainments to keep you busy on a rainy day. [Photo: camknows/Flickr]
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