By Sophia Rutti
Many of us are procrastinators, and not just when it comes to work. Plenty of Northern Virginians put off things from cleaning out the closets to planning the summer trip. If you’re one of the many and are in need of a tropical climate, sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water (not to mention some fruity cocktails), don’t worry: It isn’t too late to catch a flight out of town and straight into happy hour.
Washington Dulles International Airport may be an enormous hub, but for those of us in NoVA it’s just the local airport. You can take a look at a few of the nonstop flights that United Airlines offers direct to five different destinations from IAD that are less than five hours away.
Leave at the time you’d normally start work, and you can find yourself in tropical paradise by your lunch hour.
Where: Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
Why: Cancun has a reputation for being a gorgeous party capital in North America and for good reason. With perfect weather, tequila and low prices, people flock to Cancun every year to get a taste of the good life. Cancun is more than just parties and sandy beaches though; there are plenty of resorts that are perfect for families looking to enjoy the beaches and rich cultural history that the tropical Yucatan has to offer. From tequila tastings to hiking Mayan ruins, you can find just about anything you’re looking for in Cancun.
Best for: Budget travelers, students, young couples, single travelers
Official language: Spanish
Flight time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)
Why: If you’re looking for warm nights, fine white sand and calm, clear water, then Jamaica is the perfect island for you. Jamaica is an incredibly versatile destination. You can enjoy chic shopping avenues, browse local open air markets, take to the sea for snorkeling or fishing, or just lie on the beach. It can be a low-key destination if that is what you’re looking for, but at the same time you can find vibrant nightlife everywhere you look.
Best for: Romantic trips, honeymoons, couples, families
Official language: English
Flight time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Where: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
Why: The Dominican Republic may as well be a synonym for leisure. Perfect beaches and miles of golf courses make the Dominican Republic a more than perfect destination for laid-back travelers. The waters are perfect: calm, warm and clear. If you or your family want to get a touch of adventure, there is no lack of that here either. You can visit the beautiful Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park or slip down a zip line adventure high over the palm trees.
Best for: Families, couples, single travelers, golf enthusiasts
Official language: Spanish
Flight time: 3 hours, 50 minutes
Where: San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
Why: With little seasonal variation, Puerto Rico has perfect weather year-round. This island will please every visitor. Explore historic Old San Juan; venture into El Yunque, the only rainforest in the U.S National Forest Service; or kayak out into one of three extremely biodiverse bays nd watch bioluminescent sea creatures light up the night. If you’d like something a little lazier, lie on a sandy beach and enjoy some characteristic Puerto Rican rum.
Best for: Families, single travelers, couples
Official languages: Spanish and English
Flight time: 3 hours, 55 minutes
Where: Oranjestad, Aruba (AUA)
Why: Whether you are looking for beaches, nature or diving, Aruba will be perfect for you. TripAdvisor recently named Aruba’s Eagle Beach one of the top ten in the world. Plus, 20 percent of the island is made up of Arikok National Park. If you want to get out and explore a tropical island where the landscape is far different than that of NoVA, Aruba is the perfect place to do it.
Best for: Families, couples, nature lovers
Official language: Dutch
Flight time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Bonus travel tips:
– Being a student is generally synonymous with being on a budget, so take advantage of your student status and always check for student discounts. Some airlines even offer discounts on flight tickets. If you can’t find one for your flight, you can definitely find discounts at museums, national parks and many shopping destinations.
– The best day to buy cheap tickets is Tuesday. Yes, Tuesday does seem like a little bit of a random day, but here’s why: Most airlines launch their fare sales on Tuesday. You’ll be sure to regret it if you purchase your tickets on a Monday and watch the prices plummet the following day.
– When it comes to the exact day of the week you’re planning to leave, be flexible. The cheapest fares can usually be found for departures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
