Akumal ("Place of the Turtle" in the Mayan language) is located 60 miles south of Cancun. Catch a colectivo van on the roadside or hire a car if you're planning more than a day trip. Snorkel among coral, eels, barracudas and turtles or laze away the day on the idyllic sandy beaches of Akumal Bay. Take a Turtle Walk, dip a toe in gentle Yal-Ku Lagoon and gaze at Akumal Beach's white sands and seemingly endless clear, sparkling waters. Art and crafts are for sale in the town's shops, markets and galleries.

A 34-mile long tropical paradise located on the Gulf Coast of Texas, South Padre Island is consistently ranked as a top beach destination by travellers across the globe. It’s a beautiful setting rich with leisure and experiences — ranging from stunning sandy beaches, extensive nature tourism attractions, and world-class wind and water activities to outstanding local restaurants and a growing entertainment district.

Resort-style pampering, top-notch golf courses and a plethora of water sports await in Nuevo Vallarta, located 16 miles north of its more well-known Mexican sibling, Puerto Vallarta. Lounge on the golden-sand beaches of Banderas Bay or take an ATV tour through the nearby Sierra Madre jungle. Swim with dolphins, sample tequila and sail away into a brilliant sunsets. The local water park, with its twisting slides and sea lion shows, adds to the city's family- friendly appeal.

Dubbed the Queen City, Charlotte reigns over a 300-square-mile (482-square-kilometre) hodgepodge of neighbourhoods that spin out from the banks of the Catawba River. From brewery-heavy art districts to historical corridors dripping in charm, consider Charlotte a crowd pleaser.

Isn’t it romantic? The Caribbean island of St. Croix is practically the backdrop of a Hollywood love story. White sand beaches and lush rainforests set the scene for tropical bliss. Take in the historic small town charm of Christiansted and Frederiksted, sip your way through a spirited tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery or explore the ruins of a sugar plantation. And the diving…oh, the diving. Think shipwrecks, think vibrant ocean life, think endless underwater possibilities.

There's more than one way to enjoy the spa experience in St. Lucia. One is to book a treatment at any of the luxury spas or resorts on the island. The other is to visit Sulphur Springs, inside the bowl of an extinct volcano, where you're welcome to try a volcanic mud bath or the 31°C/88°F Roman bath.

Chile's fourth largest city, Vina del Mar in Valparaiso, is also a popular summer beach resort. A Mediterranean climate prevails and an appealing array of sandy strips beckons, including Renaca, Miramar, Las Salinas and Casino. Renaca's calm waters and great waves make it a hit with families.

Giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, endangered jaguars and clouds of butterflies are among the attractions at this World Heritage-designated park that marks the border between Brazil and Argentina. By foot or by raft, explorers can view one of the world's most stunning waterfalls, Iguazu Falls. Among the park's 270 waterfalls, spectacular Devil's Throat combines 14 falls and generates a "perpetual rainbow" in good weather.

Argentina's top beach resort town, Mar del Plata boasts 10 miles of sandy beaches, from family-oriented La Perla in the north to very popular Bristol in the centre and sophisticated Faro in the south. Regardless of the beach, expect very dense crowds, particularly in the summer months. Once an elite enclave, it now attracts visitors of all budgets.