Local Color

The beach, in itself, is a wonderful thing. But there are times when you want more than just sand and surf. This week we’ve got our eye on some beach destinations where the local life is as enticing as the water.


Be Tulum
Tulum, Mexico
It’s on its way, to be sure, but at the moment this village on the Riviera Maya strikes just the right balance between rustic charm, far-flung isolation and a certain low-key glamour.

The Library
Koh Samui, Thailand
It’s been some time since Koh Samui was an unspoiled little hippie paradise, but all that activity means there’s never a dull moment — and you’ll appreciate the Library’s quiet.

Geejam
Port Antonio, Jamaica
This north coast town has a history as a discreet Caribbean escape. Today it’s as well known for its natural charms as for Geejam, a boutique hotel with a world-class recording studio.

Jalousie Plantation
Soufrière, Saint Lucia
The Plantation itself is a gorgeous mountainside enclave, but the nearby town of Soufrière, with its creole culture, and its French-Caribbean cuisine, is half the appeal.

Alila Manggis
Bali, Indonesia
Parts of Bali have been a little too thoroughly developed for our tastes, but the island’s east coast mixes traditional ways of life with low-key, low-impact designer hospitality.

Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita
Punta de Mita, Mexico
Punta de Mita, on the Pacific coast, is a model of splendid seclusion, but a few miles up the coast is Sayulita, a colorful little surf village that serves as the antidote to Mexico’s big resort towns.

The Chedi Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Oman’s coastal capital could hardly be more different from its flashy Emirati neighbors — here historic architecture and a vibrant local culture complement the charms of the beaches.

Etnia
Trancoso, Brazil
Forgive us, but we find we just can’t say enough about Trancoso, a beautiful beach town that’s managed to preserve its local character even as it’s become a world-class destination.

The Marquesa
Key West, Florida
It’s hardly undiscovered country, but beneath the Margaritaville veneer is a town with a storied history and a distinctive local culture, rare things indeed in present-day Florida.

La Passion
Cartagena, Colombia
The colonial city of Cartagena is like a Caribbean time capsule, a particularly lovely window into the region’s past. The best beaches are out of town, but easily accessible by ferry.

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