MTA Today - Winter 2018

Aruba

What makes the perfect vacation destination? If your answer is that you want a place that has one of the best beaches in the world, bountiful water activities, a child-friendly atmosphere and unique cuisine and culture, Aruba should be next on your travel list.

The white sand and turquoise water of Eagle Beach, one of TripAdvisor’s 10 best beaches in the world, creates the perfect location to relax. Child-friendly resorts are abundant throughout the island, and there are plenty of activities to keep the young ones entertained.

For inexperienced swimmers, the perfect spot is Baby Beach, a lagoon where the water is calm and only about five feet deep. If there are animal lovers in the family, don’t miss the Butterfly Farm, Bubali Bird Sanctuary and the Donkey Sanctuary.

Dutch, South American and Caribbean influences combine to create Aruba’s unique architecture, culture and food. You’ll find mouthwatering dining choices at resorts, but make sure to visit local restaurants for a true taste of Aruba.

The island has some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean thanks to coral reefs, shipwrecks and gentle trade winds.

The Palm Pleasure Snorkel Adventure is a great way to see it all. Aboard a catamaran, you’ll sail to deep blue waters. Upon arrival, grab your snorkel and fins and dive right in. You can explore the Antilla shipwreck, the largest in the Caribbean, as well as Boca Catalina and the Arashi Reef.

Travel Tip

The island sits outside the hurricane belt and gets very little rainfall.

With average temperatures between 80 and 84 degrees, perfect weather is practically guaranteed.

To learn more about fun-in-the-sun getaways, check out TNT Vacations powered by Funjet at mtabenefits.com. Click on Benefits and choose Travel.

Have you had your fill of cold, snowy weather this year?

Plan your next trip using the MTA Vacation Center and you’ll be heading to your choice of sunshine-filled destinations at a great price.

Mexico

Los Cabos

Did you know that the destination known as Los Cabos is actually two destinations in one?

The two towns, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, are physically close but vastly different.

Cabo San Lucas is a lively town that attracts travelers who like to explore all day and stay up late into the night. San José del Cabo is more laid back, allowing you to relax, recharge and reconnect. Both towns offer mountain views, delicious food, some of Mexico’s best golf courses and plenty of sunshine.

The Land’s End Arch is one of the most recognizable structures in Cabo San Lucas.

This beautiful rock formation is found near Playa del Amor. Most beaches in Los Cabos are too rocky for swimming, so gear up for water sports instead! Deep-sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez is popular, and you can do some whale watching in La Paz Bay, where the magnificent humpback whales are visible all winter.

Los Cabos is also a spot for professional golf courses. With names like Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf, you know the courses will be of championship quality. The course at Cabo Real, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., takes you up a mountainside and back down to sea level over the course of 18 holes — with the last one overlooking Land’s End.

Travel Tip

Close out a day in Cabo with an
evening cruise so you can watch the
sunset in one of the more dramatic settings
Mother Nature has to offer.

Mazatlán

This is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. Here you’ll find a blend of five centuries of Spanish influence along with New World wonders — a beautiful combination that provides a stunning backdrop for the area’s culture and history.

Located east of the Baja California Peninsula and lined with some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, Mazatlán is known as the “Pearl of the Pacific.” You’ll experience music, culture and gourmet Mexican cuisine. The city’s local beaches are perfect for relaxing, water sports and surfing.

You’ll find surfers at all skill levels catching waves along the beaches.

You’ll find a variety of fresh seafood along Mazatlán’s 12-mile stretch of beach. Try different flavors of the rice-based drink horchata to find one that suits your palate. The sweetest types have more cinnamon and coconut, while a blander type has more ground seeds and nuts.

You’ll see how indigenous cultures have made their mark on the area over the past 1,500 years.

Check out Las Labradas, an outdoor museum of archaeological carvings and sculptures. In the historic center of Mazatlán you’ll find Teatro Angela Peralta, where you can take in an opera, ballet or any number of theatrical performances.