MEXICO CITY
Okay, no beaches, but Mexico City’s got great shopping and an average daytime temp of 70. Delta runs direct five-and-a-half-hour flights from JFK (from $317 round trip). Find kitschy designer tees at NaCo Miscelánea (55-52-86-13-43) in the Condesa district. Have marlin tostaditas at La Bipolar (55-54-84-82-30). Book a terrace suite with views of the Parque España at the Condesa DF (from $195; condesadf.com).
PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
As of this week, JetBlue can get you from JFK to the D.R.’s cushy but not crowded North Coast in just under four hours (from $297 round trip). Stay at the Casa Colonial (from $286; casacolonialhotel.com), a Spanish-style beachfront mansion with a rooftop infinity pool. Dominican stogies are legal and arguably as good as Cubans; stock up at the Grupo León Jimenes factory outside Santiago (809-535-5555).
ISLAMORADA, FLORIDA
The low-key archipelago is just 75 miles south of Miami, and nearly every major carrier can get you there in three hours (from about $200 round trip). The sixteen-suite Casa Morada (from $379; casamorada.com) is designed by Ian Schrager alums. Explore the isles on bike or kayak, or book a ride on the hotel’s 32-foot skipjack boat, the Sol Sister ($100 per person).
TREASURE BEACH, JAMAICA
Jamaica’s secluded south coast has no megaresorts, no fancy water sports, and no peddlers. Heaven. Fly American (from $300 round trip) four hours to Montego Bay, and drive two hours south to Jake’s Resort (from $115; islandoutpost.com/jakes). Book a Sea Puss room over the ocean if you’re a couple, or the Calabash Bay cottage if the kids come along. Take a dolphin-flanked boat ride out to Pelican Bar for a morning snorkel ($75 per couple).
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
Fly to LAX in style (mood lighting, power outlets) on Virgin America (six hours; from $304 round trip). Then drive an hour north up the Pacific Coast Highway to the Inn of the Spanish Garden Hotel (from $205; spanishgardeninn.com). Rent bikes and a map at Open Air Bicycles (805-962-7000) and cruise the two miles from East Beach to west-facing Butterfly Beach, the locals’ pick for sunset watching.