12 Paradisiacal Beaches for a Tropical Summer

To enjoy the summer, there is nothing better than a good beach with fine sand, parasols or palm trees and transparent waters. There are beaches of all types and for all tastes. This selection includes some of the most beautiful in the world, all wrapped in the magnetic and paradisiacal atmosphere of the tropics.

1. Rangiroa (French Polynesia)

This stunning coral atoll in the middle of the Pacific, the second largest in the world, is the most remote and lonely place you can find. Many tourists go there for scuba diving, but what's wrong with lying on the beach and sipping a couple of cocktails? There is also a huge lagoon, almost an inland sea, which increases the already wide perception and sense of perspective; even the very name of the island means "vast sky". Rangiroa is one of the travel proposals within French Polynesia for those who  find Bora Bora, Moorea or Tahiti too touristy places.

2. Cape Tribulation (Australia)

This  World Heritage-listed region of Queensland deserves attention for many reasons; Splendid beaches and ancient rainforests that reach down to the water, coastal reefs, beautiful fauna and flora, pools on the rocks, mangroves, wooden boardwalks and stunning rugged mountains as a backdrop. 40 minutes from the coast is the Great Barrier Reef, a unique place in the world.

3. Islas Gili (Indonesia)

This group of three enchanting islands northwest of Lombok, Indonesia, has the essentials for a vacation: coral reefs, pristine waters, fantastic fishing or diving spots, and friendly locals. According to legend, there is also a magic ring around it that prevents people from leaving. You have to go and check it out. If you're immune to the power of the ring, perhaps the tuna loins, the plentiful local beer,  and the complete absence of motor vehicles will accomplish what magic failed to do.

4. Fernando de Noronha (Brazil)

This sparsely populated archipelago, located off the northeastern coast of Brazil, is famous especially among divers for its dolphins, wrecks and corals. Not only that, but it's home to the largest colony of tropical seabirds in the western Atlantic, something that gets any observer's pulse racing. In Fernando de Noronha there are not many facilities, but instead the islands are preserved more or less as they have been for the last 500 years.

5. Lalomanu (Samoa)

Thank God that the South Pacific exists, guardian of more sea, sand and sun than a person can see in his or her entire life. This time it's Samoa's turn, whose Lalomanu Beach in Upolu is the perfect spot for world-class swimming and diving. From the beach you can see the uninhabited island of Namua. If you want to sleep there, the fales (open huts) confirm that you are on a tropical island, a kind of virtual reality for jaded Westerners. Locals completely agree: Lalomanu is what it is and you have to see its sunsets to believe it.

6. San Andrés and Providencia (Colombia)

Lovers of tropical paradises with a Caribbean flavor should visit this little-known retreat, with its adventurous tales of English, Jamaicans and pirates. This enclave enjoys a great Rastafarian influence and its beautiful beaches, caves, coves and pools join the local architecture with lots  of reggae, rum and cocktails to provide a sensual pleasure. A visit to  the perfect islet of Johnny Caye is a must, with boats departing from the harbor near the Decameron Aquarium.

7. Tulum (México)

Make no mistake; this place on the Yucatan Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, is an archaeological center, but also one of the best beaches in  the world. It has 7 km of fine sand,  perfect blue waters that seem to come out of a dream and its famous cabin-type accommodations, without electricity, next to the coast. Isn't all this enough? As an added bonus, the backdrop is astonishing: the ruins of a walled Mayan city whose origin dates back to the 6th century (Tulum means "wall" in Mayan), surely the most majestic setting in the world.

8. Cape Verde

This archipelago of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of Senegal has always been synonymous with mystery and exoticism. A strange amalgam of West African rhythms and Portuguese colonialism, it  has finally succumbed to tourism and the government intends to commercialize all its sun-drenched splendour. But you have to tread carefully: its coastline without tourist development and its attractive deserted beaches protect a very fragile ecosystem plagued by native species.

9. Playa de Ipanema (Brasil)

There is nothing quite like the experience of taking off your flip-flops and strolling along Rio de Janeiro's most famous beach. Surrounding the base of the mountain of Dois Irmaos (Two Brothers), at the western end of the beach, Ipanema is the backyard of the city, free and open to everyone, with all kinds of entertainment, from jogging along the promenade to sitting with coconut water in hand to watch volleyball players sweat profusely.

The beach is divided by a series of postos (lifeguard towers) into 2 km stretches, with each section hosting its parishioners. Post 9 marks the Garota de Ipanema,  where bathers with athletic bodies usually go. The area is also known by the name of Cemitério dos Elefantes after the old hippies and artists who frequent it. Gays flock to another stretch of beach known as Praia Farme, and posto 8 is the children's area of the favelas. It doesn't really matter where you plant the towel: there's no doubt that the birthplace of the curtain bikini is still as sexy as ever.

10.Aitu(Cook Islands)

The entire tropical trousseau is in this corner in the middle of the Pacific: deserted beaches, blue waters, and snow-white sands. But there's also something else: a cluster of  multi-chambered limestone caves, hidden in the jungle thickets of  the coralline coastal plains that surround it. Some were used as tombs, but rest assured, the island's fierce warriors are long gone. Today it is the mecca of ecotourism and has more flora and fauna than can be captured with binoculars.

11. Phi-Phi (Tailandia)

With its azure blue waters, surrounded by a crown of jungle-covered limestone cliffs, Maya Bay in Ko Phi-Phi Leh topped the list of places every backpacker must visit after the release of the movie The Beach in 2000. This pilgrimage site is one of the most beautiful and crowded in Thailand. Since you can't stay overnight in Leh, at dusk the hikers flock back to their barracks in neighboring Phi Phi Don, where long days lounging on white beaches give way to sweaty nights of drinking and dancing. You have to climb the 300 m of the Phi Phi viewpoint to contemplate the lush beauty of the butterfly-shaped island or take a boat tour on the sea.

12. There is Yala (Panamá)

If you Google "tropical paradise", you will surely find images of this archipelago. These islets (also known as San Blas Islands) are part of the semi-autonomous territory of the Kuna people and possess palm trees, fabulous beaches, thatched-roof huts, and timeless charm. Development has not made a dent thanks to the environmental conservation laws imposed by the Kuna. So there are no horrible hotels to spoil the landscape or mass tourism to pollute the environment, just many uninhabited islands to explore.

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Conclusion: Go out, travel and live your life to the fullest.

This year, treat yourself to a break from the ordinary and seek an adventure abroad. You'll come back refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to bore all your friends with travel stories.

Any time of year is a good time to travel. Discover the best places to travel by month:

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