The hotel industry in the Caribbean has been booming, with new hotels coming on the scene every week. Not only are new hotels being built in tourist hot spots like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, but developers are also building in smaller islands like Dominican and St. Martin. 

Here are 15 Caribbean hotels that are either newly opened or will be opened in 2020.

Eclipse at Half Moon – Jamaica

The opening of Eclipse at Half Moon is the most exciting hotel opening in recent years and will be located in Montego Bay. There will be 57 rooms and located on the coast. 

The hotel will be opened on March 1st, 2020. 

Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla – Mexico 

Mexico has been seeing an abundance of new hotels popping up but Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla will bring something different to the table. The hotel will have a co-working space, rooftop pool and will be in close proximity to prime shopping in Cancun. 

The Morgan – St. Maarten

This luxury hotel will have 124 rooms and suites, a rooftop deck, an infinity pool and access to Maho and Simpson Bay beaches. 

The Morgan will start taking reservations in February. 

Planet Hollywood Cancun – Mexico 

Another opening in Cancun, Planet Hollywood will be making its debut this spring. There will be 648 rooms and the decor is inspired by movies. 

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda – Dominican Republic

This location is the first-ever Exclusive Collection hotel by Club Med to open in the Caribbean. 

Located in the serene area of Miches, the hotel has 335 rooms and opened last month. 

Radisson Aruba – Aruba

Radisson left Aruba four years ago but is now making a comeback this year. The hotel will have 208 suites, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. 

Noni Beach, a St Thomas Resort – St. Thomas

This hotel will be opening in late 2020 but is the most anticipated opening on the island in years. Noni Beach will be a boutique hotel will 94 rooms. 

Paradisus Playa Mujeres – Mexico 

Opening this summer in Cancun is this mega hotel with 498 rooms, 10 dining areas, a fitness center, and a spa. 

Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana – Dominican Republic 

This Punta Cana resort will have 500 suites and a water park located in the Macao area of the city. The hotel will have an emphasis on being family-friendly and all-inclusive. 

Margaritaville Beach Resort, Nassau – The Bahamas

The Margaritaville Beach Resort is set to be a major addition to Nassau and will be opening this year. 

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski – Dominica

Dominica’s brand new luxury hotel opened at the end of 2019, drawing more interest to this under-the-radar island. The hotel has 151 rooms and is located near Cabrits National Park. 

Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf – St. Barth

Opening in the first quarter of 2020 is the highly anticipated luxurious Hotel Barriere. The hotel will have 23 rooms in the heart of St Barth. 

Hammock Cove – Antigua

The recently opened Hammock Cove is a boutique all-inclusive, with all the rooms having their own private plunge pools. 

Secrets – St. Martin

Opening in the first quarter of 2020 is this all-inclusive hotel with 258 rooms and located on Anse Marcel. It is the first brand-new resort to open in Saint Martin and is anticipated to increase tourism to the island. 

Alaia Belize – Belize

Alaia will be opening towards the latter part of 2020 and will have a spa, art gallery, rooftop pool, and dive shop. 

Spending your time at an all-inclusive resort while vacationing is a stress-free approach to travel. It’s great when you’re traveling with family or a group of friends because it gives you the change to relax, eat and drink without constantly pulling out your wallet or having to find things to do. 

Although staying at all-inclusive resorts is convenient, there are things you should avoid doing during your stay to stay healthy and safe while on vacation.

Here are 15 things you should avoid doing while at an all-inclusive resort.

Don’t Venture Out Of The Resort Alone

Prior to booking your stay, it’s vital to know what’s going in the area outside of the resort. For example, USnews.com ranks Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic as one of the safest vacation spots in the Caribbean but travelers, especially women, have to be vigilant when venturing outside of the resort. 

It’s best to travel outside of resorts with a group of people or a local that knows the area. 

Avoid Eating The Soup

The beauty of all-inclusive resorts is that there are buffets where you can choose whatever foods you want. However, it’s suggested to not eat the soup.

“While soup is usually not problematic, some kitchens will reuse leftover meats and vegetables; yesterday’s beef medallions or chicken breast could become the soup du for,” states Food Network. 

You’re also not aware of how long the leftovers put in the soup have been sitting out, so it’s best to just avoid soup altogether. 

Don’t Do The Same Activities Everyday

Sure lounging by the pool is relaxing and wonderful but there are so many great activities offered by resorts. 

Try something new like a yoga class on the beach or a water sport. Whatever activity you choose, make sure it’s fun and something new. After all, we only live once. 

Don’t Drink The Complimentary ‘Welcome’ Juice Offered At The Lobby

Upon checking in, it’s normal for resorts to offer complimentary welcome drinks. These drinks are usually filled with lots of sugar and artificial ingredients. If you want to avoid feeling sick or bloated on vacation, don’t drink the complimentary juice. 

Avoid The Crowds

If you’re looking for a bit of serenity and peace while on vacation, it’s best to avoid the crowds at the resort. Peak season starts in November and ends in April which means loads of crowds. 

If you want to avoid crowded resorts, travel during the off-season months. 

Don’t Eat At The Buffet The Entire Time 

In addition to the buffets, there are sit-down restaurants at the resort that serve up delicious meals. Sometimes leaving the resort and trying other restaurants is a nice change of pace. 

Don’t Eat Food That Seems It Was Sitting Out For Hours

A good rule of thumb when at all-inclusive resorts is to eat food that is cooked thoroughly. This means avoiding meat that is pink in the middle or cold foods like sushi and shrimp. These foods need proper refrigeration and usually at resorts, they end up sitting out all day. 

Avoid Any Hidden Fees

All-inclusive resorts aren’t usually what they seem to be. Some things may come at an additional charge such as airport transfers or certain dishes. Be mindful of any hidden fees so you won’t be hit with surprise charges. 

Avoid Shopping At The Gift Shops

When packing, be sure to include absolutely everything you may need while on vacation. If you forget an item like sunscreen or toothpaste, you may be having to pay unnecessarily high prices for them at the resort shop. Items in those shops are usually outrageously overpriced. 

Don’t Lose Your Resort Wristband

When checking into the resort, you’ll be given a wristband. You should always keep the wristband on to avoid losing it. Having your wristband allows you to enter restaurants, bars and other activities on the resort’s premises. 

If you lose your wristband, you can expect to pay hefty fines. According to Wolters World, some resorts charge between $75-$100 per day for lost wristbands. 

Avoid Only Staying At The Resort The Entire Time

Just because you shouldn’t leave the resort alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t leave at all. Leaving the resort allows you to really see the country you’re visiting and what it truly has to offer. 

Avoid Drinking Sugary Drinks

Staying at an all-inclusive resort means having 24/7 access to unlimited food and drinks. While drinking cocktails is a nice way to unwind, it’s suggested not to drink it every day. 

Not only do these drinks have loads of sugar, but according to Everybody Craves, these sugar-filled drinks can lead to dehydration. 

Don’t Eat Exotic Foods

When traveling, it’s natural to want to try exotic foods like iguana, grasshoppers, or scorpions. However, to avoid getting sick in a foreign country, it’s best to leave these foods alone altogether. 

Don’t Stay Out In The Sun All Day

Laying out by the pool or beach is definitely a must while on vacation but exposing yourself to the sun all day can be harmful to your health. 

Copake Camping Resort states, “too much sun can be dangerous in the case of sunburn, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Overheating, along with dehydration, is a serious risk, especially for children and older adults.”

Don’t Drink The Tap Water

Sure drinking tap water in your city may be fine but if you’re heading to Cancun, it’s best to stick to bottled water. 

According to Trip Savvy, “generally, the water is purified at the source, but the distribution system may allow the water to be contaminated en route to the tap.”

Deijha Gordon and her boyfriend Andrew Walsh are proof that a long-distance relationship can work and so can traveling together.

While Andrew lives in New York City, Deijha recently packed up and moved to Ghana this year. Nevertheless, in 2019 alone, the couple has managed to travel to six countries!

In an interview with Travel Noire, the couple discussed how they make it work.

Travel Noire: Tell us how long you’ve been together and how did you meet?

D + A: We’ve been together for 2 years, since Oct 2017. We actually met on Instagram. Andrew saw my page on a mutual friends page and started following.  I was giving him a hard time at first and then I started actually liking him.  I still have the messages saved from when he first started writing to me on Instagram.

TN: So you managed to travel to six countries in 2019 alone. Tell us your favorite country so far and why?

D + A: Cancún, Mexico was our favorite. It was the first country we visited together, I took him for his birthday. Mexico is always a great time!

TN: What’s the best part about traveling together?

D + A: The best part about traveling together is the memories we create, and experiencing something new together. I think it brings us closer as a couple. You know when we’re home we usually just work, but us traveling together is like an adventure where we don’t even think about work or what’s happening back home.  We are able to get lost together and just enjoy 

TN: Tell us about one of your most challenging times you’ve had during your travels and how you got through it?

D+A: The most challenge that we’ve faced was when we’re traveling with my (Deijha) family!

There’s 12 of us total and when we travel together, there’s so many opinions, personalities, kids, so it’s just one big fun headache sometimes lol.

TN: What’s the next destination on your list?

D+A: We just experienced Ghana together, but our next baecation will be Bali in March for Andrew’s birthday. 

TN: What advice would you give to traveling couples?

D+A: I would tell other traveling couples to take loads of pictures, be opened to everything this new experience has to offer, do some research on the country first so that you can kind of get an idea of what to expect and how you should pack. 

Chi-Town, we’ve got you covered on a cheap winter escape. United Airlines now has flights from Chicago to Cancun, Mexico for only $170 roundtrip. Did we mention that these are direct flights?!

These low price flights are available for dates throughout January and February. We searched using 1/13- 1/16 on Google Flights. When using Google Flights, look for the dates that populate in green. That indicates the lowest price available at the time of your search. Spirit Airlines is also offering similar prices, so be sure to check which airlines are being offered.

Keep in mind this is a basic economy fare. What this means is that there are some restrictions that apply. United Airlines lists the following:

• You cannot select your seat. One will be assigned to you on the day of travel.
• You are limited to a personal bag only and you cannot use the overhead bins. Your first checked bag will be the norma price of $30.
• You cannot make changes to the reservation or upgrade it under this fare class.

The Yucatan peninsula’s most famous destination is Cancun. An all-inclusive resort ensures that travelers never have to leave their hotel premises. The city is composed of two main areas: the traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops, and restaurants.

You can find endless activities in Cancun such as dolphin encounters, jet skiing, and paragliding. Or you could relax for hours by the beach with a good book and listen to the waves roll in.

Cancun is the perfect hub for those wanting to venture out to other areas of the Yucatan peninsula. Low-cost transportation makes it easy to travel to nearby cities.

Tulum is a sleepy, super-chill beach town with its own dose of hip. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Cancun. People visit for yoga getaways, endless beach days and views of the stunning Tulum ruins nearby.

Visit Akumal to snorkel with marine turtles in the warm turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you decide to snorkel, you’ll see turtles, an occasional stingray, and schools of fish. Booking a tour with an experienced guide is the best way to go. Your visit will include all the equipment you need.

Related: Cancun Is The Newest Turn Up Spot This Holiday Season

Donations are pouring in for an Atlanta couple who are reportedly stranded in a Mexican hospital over a billing dispute.

What was supposed to be a dream vacation for Tori Austin and her fiance Stephen Johnson, has turned into the couple’s worst nightmare.

The duo departed Galveston, Texas on a Carnival cruise ship en route to Cancun when shortly after getting onboard, Johnson became severely ill. He was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and Diabetes, and fell into a diabetic coma, according to Austin. She told CBS 46 Atlanta that the cruise line recommended immediate medical treatment in the Mexican port city of Progreso, located about two hours from Cancun.

Johnson was stabilized in the hospital after receiving medical treatment but he’s reportedly uninsured and unable to pay the $14,000 medical bill.

Both Austin and Johnson told the hospital staff that they would make payments on the bill once back in the United States, but Austin said the hospital refused to let them leave by locking the doors and threatening to call the police if they tried to leave.

Austin called the incident a “hostage situation” on Facebook and said the hospital even got physical.

Their story has prompted donations to help get the couple home.

In an emotional video on Facebook, Austin thanked everyone for their support.

“We’re coming home,” Austin said in the video. “I want to thank everyone who donated to our Go Fund Me. God is good. Someone offered to pay for our whole bill.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the couple is still in Mexico awaiting the donation from the donor who offered to pay the bill in full.

This story is developing.

Winter is coming and it’s time to lock in some plans when you need an escape. We found a great deal for those in the Chicago area just in time for the harsh winter season.

United Airlines is advertising nonstop flights from Chicago to Cancun, Mexico for as low as $180 roundtrip.

The deal is valid for travel throughout January and February of 2020. We searched using 1/27- 1/30 on Google Flights. When using Google Flights, scroll over to the month(s) that you are interested in traveling. You will see the lowest price options available at the time populate in green. Select the date range that is best for you and follow the link and instructions to book.

Keep in mind this is a basic economy fare. Under this flight option there are some rules that apply:

• You are limited to a personal item only and you cannot use overhead bins. Your first checked bag will be $30.
• You cannot select your set prior to check-in. One will be randomly assigned to you.
• You cannot make changes to the reservation or upgrade.

Otherwise, you will be allowed the same things that those in regular economy have.

The Yucatan peninsula’s most famous destination is Cancun. An all-inclusive resort ensures that travelers never have to leave their hotel premises. The city is composed of two main areas: the traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops, and restaurants.

You can find endless activities in Cancun such as dolphin encounters, jet skiing, and paragliding. Or you could relax for hours by the beach with a good book and listen to the waves roll in.

Cancun is the perfect hub for those wanting to venture out to other areas of the Yucatan peninsula. Low-cost transportation makes it easy to travel to nearby cities.

Tulum is a sleepy, super-chill beach town with its own dose of hip. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Cancun. People visit for yoga getaways, endless beach days and views of the stunning Tulum ruins nearby.

Visit Akumal to snorkel with marine turtles in the warm turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you decide to snorkel, you’ll see turtles, an occasional stingray, and schools of fish. Booking a tour with an experienced guide is the best way to go. Your visit will include all the equipment you need.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most breathtaking parts of the peninsula. The area is made up of lagoons, canals made by ancient Mayans, and a tropical forest. You can easily join a tour by booking it through your hotel or arriving at the visitor center.

Hurry and book your seat before the price increases.

Related: Cancun Is The Newest Turn Up Spot This Holiday Season

A plane carrying more than 300 passengers from Germany to Mexico had to make an emergency landing in Ireland after a pilot spilled a cup of coffee on the control panel.

The Condor Airlines flight was carrying 326 passengers and 11 crewmembers from Frankfurt, Germany to Cancun, Mexico when the cabin crew gave the pilot a coffee without a lid on it, according to the report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The cup ended up spilling onto the pilot’s lap and on the audio control panels which caused immediate malfunction.

Approximately 40 minutes after the spill, one audio control “unit became very hot and failed and there was an electrical burning smell in the cockpit” before one of its buttons melted and a “small amount of smoke was observed coming from” the control unit that had failed first, as stated in the report.

At that point, the pilot decided to divert the plane to Ireland as a precautionary measure.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch reported that there were no injuries and that the airline has since changed its procedures that require lids on cups.

A spokesperson for Condor Airline confirmed with CNN:

“After the aircraft was fully inspected and repaired by our team of engineers, the flight continued via Manchester due to the legal operating hours of the crew.

“As safety is always our top priority, we have comprehensively investigated this incident and reviewed the procedures of liquids in the cockpit. Our crews were reminded of careful handling as well as to use appropriate containers for their water or coffee. We apologize for any inconvenience the diversion might have caused to our guests.”

Fall is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to say goodbye to warm weather and days spent by the water. But, if you want to stretch the fun out a little longer we have a deal that you want to check out.

United Airlines has dropped prices on its nonstop routes from Chicago, Illinois to Cancun, Mexico. The lowest price found at the time of the post is only $192 roundtrip.

This low price deal has availability throughout September into early December. For this post, we searched using September 24-27.

To find and book your seat, you can use Google Flights. Once on the website, scroll to the month that works best for you. From there, you should see the lowest prices available show up in green.

Be sure to check the option carefully as some dates will have you departing on United but returning on another airline, such as Spirit.

As a way to allow more people to travel, airlines like United introduced their basic fares. Under United’s basic economy, the following rules apply:

• You cannot select your seat prior to the day of travel.
• You will be limited to a personal item or an item that can fit under you seat only. They do not allow overhead bin access for basic economy.
• You cannot make changes to the ticket once confirmed.

If you are a light packer, this is definitely a cheap way to take advantage of a quick getaway.

Related: Cancun Is The Newest Turnup Spot This Holiday Season

The Yucatan peninsula’s most famous destination is Cancun. An all-inclusive resort ensures that travelers never have to leave their hotel premises. The city is composed of two main areas: the traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops and restaurants.

You can find endless activities in Cancun such as dolphin encounters, jet skiing, and paragliding. Or you could relax for hours by the beach with a good book and listen to the waves roll in.

Book your seat ASAP.

Is the inner nudist in you calling out for a chance to reveal itself? If ‘clothing-optional’ sparks your curiosity, here are some of the most stunning resorts in the Caribbean where clothing is not only optional but frowned upon.

Desire Pearl Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico

A solo trip is out of the question, as this resort is reserved for couples only and promises to immerse you both in a deliciously sensual ambiance, where inhibitions do not exist. Expect to partake in a number of erotic activities including adult entertainment nights, an adult playroom, and Jacuzzi Lounge.

RELATED: Must-Try Signature Cocktails Throughout The Caribbean

Hawksbill, Hawksbill Bay, Antigua

This beautiful resort has four secluded beaches to offer its guests, including, for budding naturists, the only clothing optional beach in the whole of Antigua. Set on 37 acres of landscaped tropical gardens directly on the beach, Hawksbill resort is an adults-only getaway to truly get you back to nature.

Couples Tower Isle, Ochos Rios, Jamaica

This renowned resort actually requires you to wear clothing everywhere except for Tower Isle, a small private island located a short boat ride from the main resort where nudity isn’t just optional, it’s required.

Hidden Beach Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico

The Hidden Beach Resort is the only 5 Star, an adults-only nudist resort in Mexico and stays true to its name located next to a jungle and surrounded by walls to protect guests’ privacy. Not for the shy or timid, nudity is expected the entire time while you stay here.

RELATED: Most Beautiful Airbnb’s In The Caribbean With Beachfront Views

The Natural, Willemstad, Curacao

“Clothing optional, be yourself”, is this resort’s motto offering tranquility for nature lovers, divers, and conscious living people.  The Natural Curacao is centrally located on one of the most beautiful and vibrant places of the island Curacao in the southern Caribbean and welcomes solo travelers, couples, and anyone over the age of 14.

Longer days, combined with the number of people taking a break from work and school, makes summer one of the most popular times to travel.

With the season’s popularity, however, comes an expensive price tag for flights due to demand.

Related Post: Here Are The Four Best Places To Visit In May

The good news is that if you are planning a trip this summer, it’s not too late to save money on flights to popular destinations.

Analysts from Hopper, an airfare forecasting app, say flight prices are at a historic low for the month of May.

Hopper works by predicting future flight prices and notifying app users when to purchase flights on a particular destination with 95% accuracy.

Related Post: Best European Destinations For Black SinglesB

Hopper analysts calculated popular destinations for upcoming summer travel and found that travelers would save the most on these trips.

Topping the list is Porto, Portugal with an estimated savings on flights to be around 46% during the month of May, and to Cancun, Mexico where travelers are predicted to save 44% on flights.

Other destinations on Hopper’s Top Ten list include:

3. Vieux Fort, St Lucia with a 39% savings, 4. Phuket Town, Thailand with a 37% savings, 5. Havana, Cuba with an estimated savings of 35%, 6. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico also calculated to be a 35% savings, 7. Vancouver, Canada at 31%, travelers to Milan, Italy can expect to save 30%; 9. 30% if you’re traveling to Medellin, Colombia, and 10. Munich, Germany is with an estimated savings of 29%.

To ensure you are getting a better deal for summer travel, it’s best to book by the end of May. According to Hopper, May airfare prices are expected to be in line with 2018 levels and down -6.7% compared to two years ago. Airfare prices will rise until June, then begin to fall between July and October.

View the report from Hopper in its entirety by clicking here.

Looking for a budget-friendly getaway? Here is a list of the most affordable international destinations around the world with incredibly low hotel fares and meal prices, leaving you with more money to explore and experience the local scene and culture.

Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal has become the hottest travel destination in recent years for its stunning coastline and beach options as well as its local cuisine and history. If traveling on a budget, you can also easily enjoy Lisbon for under $100 per day. With hotels averaging around $45 a night and transportation throughout the city at just $1.70 each way, you can see all that Lisbon has to offer and keep your wallet happy.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Expect to grab a hotel for only around $30 a night and around the same for an average three-course meal in Dubai. A city best known for its nightlife, shopping, and its towering, modern architecture, the affordable hotel costs will leave you plenty of room for entertainment and exploring the city.

Cancun, Mexico

Flights to Cancun from JFK run around $350. Not bad considering Cancun is one of the top vacation destinations in the world for its renewed beaches and nightlife. Meals and accommodation are also incredibly cheap at around $5 to $14 for an inexpensive meal and affordable accommodations as low as $40 a night.

Cancun, Mexico | Arthur Gonoretzky | Getty Images

RELATED: How To Do 6 Days In St. Maarten For Under $1,500

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Exploring a new city via public transportation is a great way to meet locals and experience daily life at an affordable cost. In Buenos Aires, you can purchase a one-way bus ticket for just 36 cents. You can also enjoy a three-course meal at a moderately priced restaurant for just around $12 per person and hotels average $50 a night.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Located on the Pacific Coast side of the country within the Guanacaste region, Tamarindo is a surf, beach town with local culture and an impressive nightlife. You can get cozy beach accommodations for only $40-50 a night and enjoy a local staple of rice, beans, pollo, and plantains for only around $5 per person.

Panama City, Panama

Panama City is a vibrant metropolitan city that also offers access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With average hotel prices around $56 a night and local transportation at just 25 cents per person to get around the city, you can easily do this city on a budget and still enjoy all of its natural beauty and activities.

Panama City, Panama | Dixon Hamby | Getty Images

RELATED: 5 Central American Destinations That Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List

Shanghai, China

Shanghai is one of the best cities for the budget traveler. You can eat, travel, and sleep well in Shanghai at incredibly affordable rates and excellent service. An inexpensive restaurant will cost you about $5 per person or $16 for a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant. You can also find hotels averaging around $30/night.

Bali, Indonesia

It seems that Bali tops just about everyone’s travel bucket list, and for good reason. With some of the most stunning beaches in the world and laid-back culture, people are flocking to Bali to experience its natural beauty firsthand. It is also extremely affordable at just $23 per day with hotels averaging $11 a night and just $2 per person at an inexpensive restaurant.

Athens, Greece

Airfare to Athens averages about $500 round-trip, making this an extremely affordable European getaway. Your per day spending will also be low with hotels around $36 a night and an inexpensive meal coming in at just $11 per person.

Athens, Greece | Sergio Amiti | Getty Images

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh is a city located in southern Vietnam known for its history and bustling city-life. According to USA Today, you can expect to pay just $30 per day when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Here is the breakdown: $13 a night on average for a hotel, $2 per person for an inexpensive meal, and 26 cents for a one-way bus ticket around the city.

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Once a sleepy fishing village, San Juan Del Sur is now a major hub for nomads, expats, and surfers. Expect to pay $5 a night for a hotel room just blocks from the beach and many excellent bars and restaurants. Gallo Pinto, a traditional meal composed of a mixture of fried rice with onion and sweet pepper, red beans boiled with garlic can be purchased for around $4-6 per person.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar, known as the Spice Island, is a hidden beach paradise that few people consider when planning their vacation getaways. But for just $50-$60 a night hotel accommodations and just $10 per person for an inexpensive meal, this archipelago in the Indian Ocean is truly a budget traveler’s paradise.

[Source: USA Today]

From the people to its beaches, culture, and food, Mexico remains a top destination for tourists looking for sun, relaxation, and an overall good time.

But with recent reports advising against travel to Mexico, you’re probably wondering how safe it actually is before you head to the country for spring break. Here are some things you should consider if you’re planning a trip to Mexico.

For starters, the most recent travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department was back in November 2018 and categorizes Mexico with a Level 2 travel advisory.  This level indicates that officials are advising Americans to exercise increased caution when visiting most states and cities in Mexico.

To put that in perspective, that’s the same travel advisory level for France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

As of now, there are a few states that U.S. officials warn residents about due to the threat of crime, including, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas.

Related Post: Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Mexico

The good news is that the states of Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo, states which account for a great deal of Mexico’s tourism are considered safe.  Within these states are popular areas such as Cancún, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and La Paz. According to the the travel advisory, these places are also considered Level 2, as reported in MSN.

When considering travel to any place, remember to check the U.S. Department of State website before your trip.  Keep in mind that there are four travel advisory levels in all: Level 1, exercise normal precautions; Level 2, exercise increased caution; Level 3, reconsider travel;  and Level 4, do not travel.

Overall, Mexico is both a safe and cheap destination for travel.  Like any place, always be aware of your surroundings, have a contingency plan, and always use your better judgment.

If you have ever wanted to do something a little more thrilling, check out these ideas to add to your travel bucket list. They are sure to get your adrenaline pumping on your next vacation.

Shark Cage Diving

We are just going to jump right into one of the most adrenaline pumping things you can do while on a trip. Get up close and personal with some of the most dangerous animals in the world while being suspended in a cage underwater. There are many places to do this. The most notable spot is in Cape Town, South Africa. If you aren’t brave enough, most companies will allow you to stay in a boat and get a glimpse of the sharks from a safer place.

Jeff Rotman| Getty Images

Paragliding

Not to be confused with skydiving, paragliding requires you to run off of a mountain or cliff. You are typically strapped to a guide, so you don’t have to worry about controlling the parachute on your own. You are sitting on a makeshift chair as you glide through the air via a large parachute. Paragliding is offered all over the world. Be sure to choose a place that will give you an awesome view as you float back down to the ground.

Photo courtesy of Coco

Extreme Hiking

If you want to kick things up a notch, find a place with some awesome hiking trails. You can hike literally anywhere, including your backyard. So challenge yourself with a longer hike or one that requires you to put in more effort to get to the peak. Make sure that you are physically able to withstand the elevation before you venture out. Also, be prepared with water, proper shoes, and layers because the temperature can change the higher you go.

stockstudioX| Getty Images

Skydiving

The most sought-after adrenaline rush comes from jumping out of a moving plane. As you climb up to 14,000 feet off the ground, you start to question why did you decide to do this. Once you jump, all fear goes away as you free fall and then launch your chute. One of the prettiest places to take such a jump is in Dubai overlooking the Palm.

@flyingjohnson/instagram

Related: Meet The Black Skydiving Instructor Challenging Stereotypes In Dubai

Ride Underwater Scooter On The Ocean Floor

If you have ever been to a tropical destination, you have likely snorkeled at some point. Well, you can kick things up a notch by renting a scooter to ride along the ocean floor. It is similar to scuba diving. However, you are on a motorized water bike. It takes off some of the work of swimming the entire time and still gives you the same view of ocean life that you would get from scuba diving. One of the most known places for this is around the Cancun, Mexico area.

Photo courtesy of DeAnna Taylor

Travelers are over going to the mountains and playing in the snow for the holidays. The Mexican paradise of Cancun is the new turn up spot, with an estimated one million visitors heading that way this season.

Just like spring break, the city is working hard to prepare for the overflow of travelers flocking to Cancun Beach and Riviera Maya. The Director of the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo Darío Flota Ocampo expects the specific number of 422,267 tourists to travel to Cancun-Puerto Morales and over half a million are expected at Riviera Maya.

The island of Isla Mujeres should get 66,745 sightseers while Chetumal prepares for 44,508 tourists. Ocampo estimates around 42,822 tourists will be pacing the streets of Cozumel and the numbers continue on from there. Close to 18,000 in Holbox, 9,365 in Bacalar, 9,056 for Mahahual, 4,314 in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and 1,356 for José María Morelos. Thanks to the lack of travel rules and hard work of the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo, the numbers in tourism have been sky high.

RELATED: Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Mexico

Speaking of the lack of regulations, however, it seems to be an issue in Mexico. Alarming headlines of violence and crime did cause some pause for travelers, even though Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world. But officials have worked diligently to put visitors at ease. Like in Los Cabos, the city invested in a five-point security plan to address the violence that resulted in a 90 percent decrease in crime.

“We’re closing 2018 with very strong tourism growth,” managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board Rodrigo Esponda said. “Overall, the year is going to close with 7 percent growth overall in terms of tourists to the destination.”

With the city becoming a new safe haven, Los Cabos has added a few new high-end hotel properties, with over 4,000 rooms. More hotels are set to open in the new year.

We’ve found the perfect way to escape the brutal winter in Chicago. American Airlines has dropped its prices to Cancun, Mexico. You can find routes from Chicago for as low as $169 roundtrip and nonstop on your return.

The low-priced routes are valid for travel between now and early March. This sale can be found from New York, Miami, and Dallas too. You can also find fares via Spirit Airlines around the same price. Use Google Flights to find the best route for you.

The Yucatan peninsula’s most famous destination is Cancun. An all-inclusive resort ensures that travelers never have to leave their hotel premises. The city is composed of two main areas: the traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops, and restaurants.

You can find endless activities in Cancun such as dolphin encounters, jet skiing, and paragliding. Or you could relax for hours by the beach with a good book and listen to the waves roll in.

Cancun is the perfect hub for those wanting to venture out to other areas of the Yucatan peninsula. Low-cost transportation makes it easy to travel to nearby cities.

Tulum is a sleepy, super-chill beach town with its own dose of hip. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Cancun. People visit for yoga getaways, endless beach days and views of the stunning Tulum ruins nearby.

Visit Akumal to snorkel with marine turtles in the warm turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you decide to snorkel, you’ll see turtles, an occasional stingray, and schools of fish. Booking a tour with an experienced guide is the best way to go. Your visit will include all the equipment you need.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most breathtaking parts of the peninsula. The area is made up of lagoons, canals made by ancient Mayans, and a tropical forest. You can easily join a tour by booking it through your hotel or arriving at the visitor center.

Related: American Airlines Will Soon Fly To More Places In Mexico And South America. 

Hurry and take advantage of this low-priced fare. It may not be around very long.