Summer in North America
Coastal rhythms, tropical weather and easy escapes
Across Latin America and the Caribbean, travel revolves around the coastline. Days stretch longer outdoors, beach clubs fill before sunset, and entire cities seem to move to the rhythm of the water.
Some travellers want energy, drawn to samba bars in Rio, catamaran afternoons in Cancún, and rooftop cocktails overlooking the marina in Punta Cana. Others are chasing something slower, like easy resort mornings without schedules, afternoons that drift between swimming and lunch, and destinations where doing very little becomes the entire point.
This is warm-weather travel at its easiest. Relaxed, social and built around life outdoors.
Rio de Janeiro: samba and sunset energy
In Rio, the beach doesn’t offer a break from the city. It is the city, shaping the way mornings begin and evenings unfold across the coastline.
By early morning, Copacabana is already moving. Runners weave along the promenade, kiosks stack fresh coconuts into neat pyramids, and locals settle into beach chairs long before the heat peaks. In Ipanema, footvolley matches spill across the sand while vendors move between umbrellas carrying grilled queijo coalho and icy cans of guaraná.
The rhythm of summer in Rio de Janeiro follows the coastline. Afternoons drift naturally into sunset drinks at Arpoador, where crowds still gather nightly to watch the sun disappear behind the rocks, applauding as it slips beneath the horizon. Neighbourhoods like Botafogo have become increasingly popular with younger travellers, with wine bars, vinyl listening lounges and smaller restaurants keeping the city’s social energy going long after the beach empties.
Cancún: beach clubs and Caribbean ease
After years of travellers chasing quieter corners of the Yucatán coastline, holidays in Cancún have quietly become fun again. It's easier, more polished and built around effortless summer energy.
Most days revolve around the water. Catamarans leave early for Isla Mujeres while travellers drift between rooftop pools, beach clubs and stretches of bright Caribbean shoreline. Beyond the hotel zone, cenote routes and smaller coastal towns have become part of a slower, more experience-led style of travel that balances beach time with easier exploration inland.
After sunset, rooftop diners turn into mezcal bars and barefoot lounges beside the water. Despite its scale, Cancún in summer rarely feels complicated, and that simplicity is part of its charm.
Resort calm in Punta Cana
A holiday in Punta Cana moves at a gentler pace. The appeal here isn’t a packed itinerary or trying to see everything. It’s waking slowly, staying near the water, and letting entire afternoons disappear between shaded loungers, long lunches and swims in impossibly calm seawater.
Along the Dominican coastline, wellness travel has grown noticeably in recent years, with resorts focusing more heavily on outdoor spa treatments, restorative experiences and spaces designed to feel intentionally unhurried.
For travellers looking to properly switch off after faster-paced city travel, few places do it better.
A slower start to the journey
Whether the trip revolves around samba nights in Rio, catamaran days in Cancún or slower afternoons beside the water in Punta Cana, the journey itself becomes part of your Latin America trip.
If your route takes you through Mexico City International Airport before heading onwards to the coast, unwind at VIPort Lounge, a Priority Pass lounge designed for dining, relaxing and easing into the slower rhythm of beach travel before your next flight.