There's no doubt that winter is a beautiful season. When you see the city covered in white, glistening snow, it's as if you're looking at a Christmas card come to life. If only it wasn't so darn cold! Perhaps then you could enjoy winter a lot more. But if you're the type who prefers warmer climates, look no further than Southeast Asia. This place is a treasure trove of paradises, especially when you want to escape the winter cold. Discover the relaxing luxury of Bali, Indonesia, one of the most famous destinations in the world. Get lost in all the excitement in Phuket, Thailand. And revel in the tropical beauty of Palawan, Philippines.
Bali, Indonesia
There's no way you don't know about Bali, Indonesia. It's one of the top tourist destinations in the world, let alone in Southeast Asia. When one thinks of the ultimate tropical paradise, Bali often comes to mind. Its natural beauty knows no bounds, from the lush rainforests and all its fascinating flora (and fauna) to its captivating coasts and its glittering waters. The modern-day tourist probably knows of Bali through the various
luxury villas and high-class resorts that have set up shop here, but true-blue travelers know that the island's beauty is in its natural wonders.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
When compared to Bali's immense popularity, Raja Ampat is virtually unknown. Which is weird because the former is only one, albeit a big island. The latter, on the other hand, is an archipelago made up of over 1,500 islands. If you've explored every part of Indonesia, there's a good chance you might've been to Raja Ampat yourself and you probably didn't know it. Located off the coast of New Guinea in Indonesia’s West Papua, Raja Ampat offers one paradise after another. But arguably its true beauty likes under the sea, where colorful corals and creatures show a different side of this beautiful world.
Koh Samui, Thailand
In the Gulf of Thailand, you'll find
Koh Samui, the Southeast Asian country's second-largest island. Known for its exceptional beaches and Wat Phra Yai Temple's gigantic Buddha statue, it's another perfect destination for escaping the winter cold. While it's hardly the most famous place in Thailand, it's definitely among the most beautiful. If you thought
Koh Samui's beaches are stunning, wait until you get deeper into the island. Its rainforests and coconut groves capture the tropical magic of Southeast Asia; a welcome sight for those who are used to seeing piled-up snow and icicle-covered trees in winter.
Phuket, Thailand
What is perhaps the most famous island in Thailand is
Phuket, a mountainous paradise in the Andaman Sea. Just like many of the Southeast Asian islands on this list, natural beauty reigns supreme here, from its stunning coasts and
beautiful beaches to its majestic mountains and their ravishing rainforests. With that said, however, these aren't what makes Phuket a worthy destination to escape winter. At least, they're not all of it. A huge part of why this island is a top tourist choice is that it's as busy as a big city. Phuket City, for example, bursts with lively local life thanks to its bustling markets.
Siargao, Philippines
If you land in Siargao now, a popular island in southern Philippines, you may be surprised at its population. You'll immediately notice that there are a lot more foreigners than Filipinos here, enough to confuse you as to whether you're still in the Philippines or not. Don't worry! Siargao Island is still very much part of the Southeast Asian country. It's just that so many tourists have fallen in love with the place, they decided to live here. And that alone is a strong testament to how much this paradise with enchant you. You already know that it will have some exceptional beaches, but it's the tropical appeal that seals the deal!
Palawan, Philippines
It's not far-fetched to say that Palawan, one of the largest islands in the Philippines, has the most beautiful beaches in the world. There's Nacpan, San Vicente, Las Cabanas, Nagtabon, Banol, and more. If white snow is not to your fancy, perhaps the white sands of these breathtaking coasts are! A lot of these beaches are largely untouched, meaning they're not spoiled by urban development and man-made litter. Instead, all you'll get is sun, sand, and sea—aren't these what you traveled to Southeast Asia for? Also, the iconic Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park is worth checking out too. Discover its magical secrets and find out what made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tioman, Malaysia
Turquoise waters, tropical birds, and beautiful underwater creatures are reason enough to travel to Tioman, Malaysia. The island may not be as famous as Bali or Phuket, but its paradisiacal appeal certainly lives up to its caliber. The island is located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is a nature reserve, meaning you'll barely find any big cities and bustling towns here. The closes thing Tioman has to all of that is the barrage of fishermen and tourist-carrying ferries that go in and out of the island. For the most part, Tioman is a quiet place where relaxation is the name of the came.
Singapore
Southeast Asia isn't just made up of tropical islands and sunny beaches, you know! They're arguably the best part of the region, but they're not all of it. Case in point:
Singapore. One of the wealthiest territories in the world, this city-state is beaming with and metropolitan madness and cosmopolitan class. If you're the sort of traveler who wants the hustle and bustle of big cities but with Southeast Asia's signature sunny climate—especially during winter!—then Singapore is the place to go. There are tons of sights to see and things to do, ranging from taking a foodie tour of Chinatown or Little India to shopping at Orchard Road.
Is the winter cold getting to you? Are freezing to death? Then perhaps you can spend this holiday season in any of these beautiful Southeast Asian islands instead. These places are so warm and sunny, you'll forget it's actually winter back at home!
