Ocean City is the quintessential boardwalk carnival for the East Coast. Perfect for families, Ocean City has roller coasters, arcades, water parks and even sky diving. And the beach itself isn’t bad either. Ocean City has great water for fishing and boating.

Yes, Maryland is famous for its crab, but there’s no shortage of food choices in Ocean City. Eat carnival-style hot dogs and French Fries on the boardwalk, have a two-scoop ice cream cone at one of the beach’s many ice cream parlors, and of course there’s always the all-you-can eat fresh seafood buffets.

This gorgeous beach more than lives up to its tropical-sounding name. Its sands are clean, golden and powder-textured, the sea matches the cobalt blue sky, and the backdrop one of soaring mountains and lush forests. Renowned for its blue flag status, Playa Flamingo has clean water and is safe for swimmers, so you can spend all day snorkelling amongst the abundant marine life, enjoying a variety of watersports or fishing, and in the evening, simply sit back and gaze on one of Costa Rica’s most famously glorious sunset vistas.

For endless secluded beaches of dark volcanic sand, stretching away against a backdrop of swaying palm trees and lush tropical jungle, the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is hard to beat. There are abundant surfing and fishing possibilities. The sunsets here are among the most beautiful anywhere.

Known as “the virgin island that still is,” Guana is one of the last remaining privately-owned islands left in the Caribbean. And this island certainly is private. There are no more than 32 guests on the island at any give time, giving each guest more than enough space to stretch out in this 850-acre island. Some of Guana’s seven white-sand beaches are only accessible by boat, and you can order a private picnic to take along with you.

Boating, fishing, sailing and snorkeling abound – but of course lounging on the beach all day is perfectly acceptable. Guana also has a population of wildlife that includes brightly coloured tortoises, flamingoes and iguanas. And if you desire, you can rent the entire island for an intimate holiday or wedding with 36 of your closest family and friends.