International trips you can swing in a three-day weekend

When a long weekend beckons, why not consider crossing borders? There’s a slew of international destinations that are within surprisingly easy reach of major U.S. cities, whether you’re looking to experience a fast-paced cultural capital or disappear off the radar at a secluded beach retreat. Read on for seven getaways outside the country—all within a 3.5-hour flight or less of U.S. hubs.

One of North America’s most exciting capitals, Mexico City exudes style, history, and a dining scene that could keep a hungry traveler busy for weeks. Those who have just a long weekend, though, can book themselves into Círculo Mexicano, one of the latest properties from homegrown hoteliers Grupo Habita, which is conveniently positioned within the city’s energetic centro histórico. The former townhouse of Mexican photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo was reimagined as a hotel with 25 Shaker-inspired guest rooms; some have skylit patios, while others have views of the nearby Metropolitan Cathedral from private balconies.

On the hotel’s ground floor, Itacate del Mar serves coffee and street food–style bites like esquites de camerón (cooked corn kernels with shrimp) and tuna tostadas—creations of chef Gabriela Cámara, who is behind the city’s seafood-focused Contramar (a must for your restaurant list).

From the hotel, make the six-minute walk to the Zócalo plaza to see the Metropolitan Cathedral up close; the central post office with its Spanish Rococo, Art Deco, and Neoclassical flourishes; and the Templo Mayor, the stone ruins of an ancient Aztec temple. La Merced, the city’s largest market, is also just 20 minutes away on foot. You could spend all day in the labyrinthine network of stalls with their towering piles of corn, molé, and fruits, but don’t leave without buying a carnitas (shredded pork) taco from one of the many food vendors.

Farther afield, head south a half hour by car to quieter Coyoacán to visit Casa Azul, also known as the Frida Kahlo Museum, where the Mexican artist’s life and work are featured in the home she once shared with social realist painter Diego Rivera. For dinner, one of the hottest tables in town right now is Botánico in posh Condesa, which serves modern bistro dishes like roasted chicken and pappardelle with beef tail ragú.

Cabo and the Baja California peninsula may be synonymous with ultra-luxurious hideaways for beach-seeking celebrities, but Paradero Todos Santos provides a deeper connection to the destination through immersive activities on the land, in the surf, and in nearby towns. Located about an hour’s drive north of Cabo San Lucas International Airport, Paradero is just a few minutes away from the artsy surfer haven of Todos Santos on a five-acre working farm.

The 35 suites, with their hand-built Mexican furnishings, were all created to let the outdoors in. The Cacti View Sky Suites have rooftops with built in “star nets,” where guests can relax while suspended over a cactus forest, while the ground-floor Garden Suite Soak Tub accommodations feature enormous outdoor tubs next to private gardens.

The restaurant’s open-fire kitchen serves such dishes as green scallop aguachile and short ribs cooked with black garlic. The resort has a full roster of onsite activities, ranging from gardening lessons and cooking with the property’s homegrown ingredients to yoga and meditation classes. Paradero also offers surfing lessons at secluded beaches nearby, day trips on the Pacific Ocean via catamaran, and cultural walks in cobblestoned Todos Santos that focus on the town’s colonial architecture and artisan shops.

The coastal Caribbean city of Cartagena has got it all: beaches, wildlife, and a centuries-old walled city with a fascinating history. Those who want to stay in the centro histórico can try Hotel Casa San Agustin, where the onsite pool connects to a 300-year-old aqueduct, while beach lovers should choose the new Sofitel Barú Casablanca Beach Resort, which lies 40 minutes by boat from Cartagena on Isla Barú. Not far from the Sofitel is the National Aviary of Colombia, a bird park with close to 200 species, including toucans and flamingos.

Back in the city, one of the biggest historical landmarks is Castillo San Felipe, a 17th-century fortress built by the Spanish to protect Cartagena from invaders. Due to its location on a hill, it affords visitors panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea. Then there’s the fascinating Palace of the Inquisition, which now functions as a museum showcasing historical artifacts (including torture devices used during the Spanish Inquisition). The 18th-century building itself is one of the city’s best examples of colonial architecture.

For a glimpse at everyday life, check out the chaotic Bazurto fish and produce market; tour operator Cartagena Connections can help visitors navigate the maze of stalls stacked with everything from fish to tropical fruits. Up for a day tour? Head about 30 miles by car to San Basilio de Palenque, the first “free town” for Africans within the Americas who fled slavery. Today it has a population of 4,000, and highlights include a monument to Benkos Biohó, who founded the town in 1599, in the main square.

Even with its deep-rooted culture, beaches, biodiversity, and archaeological sites, this Central American country—which sits along the Caribbean Sea, just a short flight from several major U.S. cities—is still surprisingly under the radar for many travelers. Those who want to experience the jungle and Mayan ruins–filled interior can head for Cayo, a district in the western part of Belize. Tucked away in the forest filled with waterfalls, caves, and tropical birdsong, Gaia Riverlodge provides everything from birding walks and mountain biking to guided tours of ancient Mayan sites. The resort has an eye toward sustainability: The 16 thatched-roof accommodations were built with local materials like palmetto sticks, while the onsite restaurant buys from regional farms.

Nearby, Ka’ana Resort is a collection of villas and suites that offers cooking classes, horseback riding, and ceramic making with the locally based San Antonio Mayan women’s group. If it’s a beach vacation you’re after, however, hop on a quick 15-minute flight from Belize City to Ambergris Caye, the country’s largest island, for the Alaia Belize. The resort has 155 modern, light-filled guest rooms with three restaurants, three pools, and direct access to the white-sand Mar de Tumbo beach. Those who want to take a closer look at the area’s rich underwater wildlife can go on a scuba diving excursion to the nearby Belize Barrier Reef. At 180 miles long, it’s second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and is a habitat for sea turtles, manatees, and red-footed boobies.

For a quick fix of abundant sun, white sand, and turquoise waters, East Coasters know that Bermuda, a 21-square-mile island that lies parallel to North Carolina, is the place to go. The new 120-room St. Regis Bermuda Resort checks all the boxes for a tropical vacation. It sits along a powdery beach in St. George, on the island’s East End. There are separate pools for families and adults, and there’s a spa with everything from hot stone massages to facials. If you’re seeking something less pricey, try the 47-room Rosemont Guest Suites, which faces scenic Hamilton Harbor.

It’s easy to get from place to place on this small island. There’s the town of St. George, which is lined with colonial buildings dating back to the 17th century. On Bermuda’s West End, Blue Hole Park features a swimming hole surrounded by mangroves, plus caves, grottoes, and opportunities for cliff diving.

Those interested in learning about Bermuda’s challenging but important history with slavery should explore the African Diaspora Heritage Trail, created by the UNESCO Slave Route Project in 2001 to highlight key sites. Stops include St. Peter’s Church and graveyard, where slaves and ex-slaves attended services in a separate gallery area, and the Lost at Sea Memorial, honoring the Black Bermudians who lost their lives while working as fishermen, whalers, and pilots.

This Atlantic Ocean archipelago about 100 miles off the coast of Miami is the place for travelers in search of mesmerizing blue waters, tropical breezes, and soft, white-sand beaches. While 2019’s Hurricane Dorian, followed by the pandemic, did a number on tourism, the islands are welcoming visitors with open arms again.

From Nassau, it’s easy to get to Baha Mar, a sprawling, 1,000-acre resort complex that sits on picturesque Cable Beach and offers three distinct hotel experiences: the romantic and ultra-luxe Rosewood, with its private alcoves and gardens; the more playful and social SLS, with its focus on nightlife; and the Grand Hyatt, which is easiest on the budget and great for kids, who will also love Baha Mar’s 15-acre beachfront waterpark. The artistically inclined can join a landscape painting or botanical leaf printing class at the resort’s Current Gallery and Art Center, run by noted Bahamian artist John Cox. Watersports enthusiasts can rent motorized watercraft like the resort’s AquaKarts, which are like go-carts, but on the water.

The official language of Montreal is French, which will make you feel like you’re in Europe—without the long flight across the Atlantic Ocean. This Québecois metropolis is easy to tackle over a long weekend from several major U.S. hubs. Base yourself at the Auberge du Vieux-Port, a 19th-century warehouse turned hotel that sits along the scenic Saint Lawrence River, or the hip Alt Hotel Montreal, located in charming Griffintown.

Be sure to kick off your weekend with an exploration of Vieux-Montréal­, with its cobblestoned streets and Gothic Revival–style Notre Dame Basilica. For a splurge meal that represents the region’s cooking, dine at Au Pied de Cochon, where chef Martin Picard is famous for such regional dishes as foie gras poutine (French fries, cheese curds, and gravy) and maple pie. On another day, go on in search of the city’s best bagel, a culinary tradition brought over by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. In artsy Mile End, St-Viateur has been churning out sweet, dense bagels since 1957.

If you love a public market, the 1933 Marché Jean Talon is the place to find everything from artisanal cheeses to fresh-baked pastries. When you’ve had your fill of culinary adventures, head to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canada’s oldest museum with a massive, 45,000-work collection showcasing both Canadian and international artists. Afterwards, take a walk at the city’s 500-acre Mount Royal Park, created in 1876 by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York City’s Central Park.