Why the ABC islands are my favorite warm winter escape

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Winter is about to bear down on the Northern Hemisphere, which makes now the ideal time to start thinking about your escape route.

Last year about this time, a thought popped into my head: “Where can I swim in the ocean in February?” I have no issues enjoying November and December with family, laughter, and good food. January and February, however, tend to drag on, and having even one trip on the books during those two months can make a harsh winter much easier to endure.

What I discovered became my wintertime ABC strategy: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are islands in the Caribbean Sea. They’re located off the coast of Venezuela, closer to South America than the majority of islands you think of when pondering a Caribbean getaway.

That southerly location is hugely beneficial, as it enables all three islands to retain temperatures in the mid-80s Fahrenheit all year.

They’re also close to the east coast, enabling folks in Toronto, Boston, New York, and other frigid winter locales to find a swimmable ocean in ~6 hours or less of flying time.

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I’ve tried Hawaii as a winter escape, enduring ~14 hours of travel from the east coast. While the temperatures are high enough to justify bringing a swimsuit, the weather tends to be quite rainy. Meanwhile, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao remain dry. In fact, you’ll find plenty of desert landscapes (yes, including cacti!) in Aruba.

Of the three, Aruba is by far the most easily accessible. The major U.S. airlines have daily flights throughout the winter to the island’s international airport.

It's also one of only a handful of airports to offer United States border preclearance. That means that you can sign up for Global Entry (and remember to use a premium credit card to reimburse the cost), and you’ll be able to use it in Aruba. Once you land back on U.S. soil, you won’t have to clear customs.

If you’re flexible with dates and willing to fly a variety of airlines, start your searches on Points Path now. While winter is the peak season, competition among airlines is fierce — which means lower prices on airfare for you.

Regardless of which of the three islands you visit, you’ll want to pack plenty of sunscreen or an SPF shirt to protect you from the unrelenting sun. Remember, you’re coming in order to spend as much time in the ocean as possible, but you don’t want to wind up burnt.

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