Black Friday & Cyber Monday are just around the corner, which means it’s time to kick your travel planning into high gear if you want to snag some of these hot deals for your 2021 vacations. Since 2020’s lack of traveling has probably given you a mile-long bucket list, you might be feeling unsure of where to go first.
Well, look no further than our list of the best destinations to book this year on Cyber Monday. These destinations have it all: unending things to see and do, good for spring break or summer trips, and stunning scenery. Most importantly, we’ll have deals for all of them this Black Friday & Cyber Monday.
*COVID restrictions and notes were current at the time of posting, but are subject to change at any time. Before traveling, always check local and national government guidelines for your destination to ensure you understand what restrictions are in place.*
1. Croatia
If you can’t wait any longer to get back to Europe, book your tickets to Croatia for early next summer. Croatia’s been welcoming back US travelers for a while now so long as you have a negative PCR COVID-19 test. Croatia makes for the perfect summer getaway for Europe: it’s full of stunning beaches and island escapes, plus unique and charming cities. It’s also less crowded (and cheaper!) than more well-known European island destinations like Greece or the Italian coast. While cities like Dubrovnik can definitely get crowded in the summer, traveling in May or September will help you avoid most of the crowds.
Croatia has a unique blend of both Austro-Hungarian and Mediterranean cultures. You’ll find unique and delicious foods, art and architecture with influences from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Explore Zagreb, Croatia’s stunning capital, then head to Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Parks for some incredible scenery. Of course, you’ll also want to make time to visit Dubrovnik, the coastal city made famous by Game of Thrones.
Fly into: Zagreb (ZAG) or Split (SPU). Zagreb is more central and often has more flight options and cheaper flights, but Split is right on the coast. If you’re planning to spend lots of time on the beach and/or do a sailing excursion, starting in Split makes sense. If you want to see some of Croatia’s incredible cities too, Zagreb is a good option.
Current COVID restrictions: Travelers from the US can enter Croatia for tourism so long as you present a negative PCR test at the border that was taken within 48 hours of traveling. If your test is older than that, you must self-isolate and re-test in Croatia at your own expense, or quarantine for 14 days. Stay updated with Croatia’s COVID restrictions before traveling.
2. Tulum
Tulum, Mexico is a great place to check off your bucket list in 2021. It’s super easy to social distance, since the good weather and endless beaches means everything can happen outdoors. Safety measures like increased cleaning and mask mandates are in place in many areas and at most hotels. In addition, many hotels are operating at limited capacity. For maximum social distancing, choose a smaller hotel that’s right on a beach (they’ll be easy to find!). This will make it easy to walk straight from your room to the ocean. While you’re there, make sure to visit a few Cenotes, swim with sea turtles, fill up on authentic Mexican food and of course, enjoy plenty of beach time. We don’t have sales on flights to Mexico very often, so this is going to be a good chance to snag a discount!
Fly into: Cancun, Mexico (CUN), then take a taxi or bus to Tulum. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s the closest airport. Taxis cost about $80 but the bus is around $12. Either way, it’ll take about an hour and a half.
Current COVID restrictions: None, however non-essential travel overland to Mexico is currently restricted (aka you can fly into Mexico but you can’t drive). You may need to undergo a temperature check and/or a health screening at the airport. If you’re symptomatic, you may be asked to quarantine/return home. However, no official travel restrictions are in place.
3. Canada
If you’re looking to get some new scenery without going too far from home in 2021, why not take a trip to visit our northern neighbors? Summers in Canada are beautiful! You’ll find plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and social distancing, no matter where you visit. Head to Vancouver for a coastal city escape or Yoho National Park for some of Canada’s best scenery and hiking. Toronto offers a diverse city with plenty of culture and food or head to Montreal for European vibes.
Current COVID restrictions: Currently, US citizens are not permitted to travel within Canada for tourism purposes, however, this of course could change at any time.
4. Miami, FL
Where better to social distance than on a sunny beach? Flights to Miami have been at rock-bottom prices for weeks now. You know what that means: Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are only going to make them even cheaper. Whether you’re booking ahead for spring break or just planning a winter getaway to soak up some vitamin D, Miami is an easy destination for year-round sunshine. And it’s a destination with something for everyone. Enjoy plenty of time for relaxing on the beach or going surfing, trendy nightlife and a hip urban city, plus plenty of delicious (and outdoor) food options. Taco truck by the beach, anyone?
Current COVID restrictions: None, for US travelers.
5. London
London is a must on every European bucket list, so if you haven’t been yet, 2021 is a great time to plan a trip. From visiting iconic sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey to museums and cathedrals like the enormous British Museum or St. Paul’s Cathedral, London has plenty to keep you busy! And there are plenty of outdoor spaces to explore as well, from St. James’ Park to the Kensington Gardens—perfect for social distancing and picnicking. If you’re thinking ahead to next summer, London is a great destination to add to your list. Plus, we’ll have big promo codes for London come Cyber Monday.
Current COVID restrictions: Currently, visitors from the US must self-isolate in the UK for 14 days upon arrival. Travelers also need to fill out a traveler health form before arriving. Find more updates on the UK’s travel guidance.
6. Costa Rica
If Costa Rica’s been on your bucket list for a while, but you’ve never made the time to get down to Central America, 2021 is a good year to make it happen. Costa Rica’s already welcoming back US travelers. Whether you’re wanting to travel in the next few months or holding out for a trip later next year, Costa Rica is a possibility. Costa Rica’s known as an adventure destination, so it’s perfect for students. It’s also perfect for traveling when you want to have plenty of options to stay outside and socially distanced. From hiking in national parks and rainforests to waterfall rappelling, climbing volcanoes, or snorkeling, surfing and windsurfing on one of Costa Rica’s many beaches, you’ll find adventure galore in Costa Rica!
Fly into: the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose
Current COVID restrictions: Currently, US citizens can enter Costa Rica without providing a negative PCR test or quarantining. However, travelers must provide proof of a medical insurance policy able to cover any COVID-19 related treatment or quarantine accommodations while in Costa Rica, should it be needed. All travelers must also complete a Health Pass screening before arrival.
7. Dubai
Dubai might not be on your bucket list yet, but it’s an underrated destination that has a lot to offer for students! Dubai is one of the modern, exciting and diverse cities in the world, with stunning skylines, record-breaking architecture, amazing beaches, endless shopping and more. It’s also home to some fantastic adventure options if you like a bit of an adrenaline rush with your vacations! Go skydiving, mountain biking, sandboarding, dune bashing, kite-surfing, hot air ballooning and more. The year-round warm weather also makes it easy to do most things outside and social distance. It’s also one of the safest countries in the world. And—in case you still needed another excuse—we’ll have some incredible promo codes for Dubai on Cyber Monday.
Fly into: Dubai International Airport (DXB). It’s the world’s busiest airport and offers plenty of flight options.
Current COVID restrictions: Travelers from the US must present a negative PCR test from within 96 hours prior to departure. You must bring an official, printed certificate—text and digital certificates won’t be accepted. All travelers must also fill out the health declaration form. Check the travel requirements for Dubai before traveling for updates.
8. Japan
We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: Japan is an incredible destination for a 2021 trip. Whether you want to spend some time in the ultra-modern Tokyo seeing iconic skyscrapers, filling up on amazing food and experiencing the hustle and bustle of a big city or need some space to chill out, Japan has a lot to offer. The quiet bamboo forests and historic temples in Kyoto might be just what you need after a stressful year! Either way, Japan is an extremely safe and clean country—definitely a big plus as you’re planning for next year.
Fly into: You’ll find the most options into Haneda International Airport (HND). The Narita Airport in Tokyo (NRT) also has international flights. It’s easy to travel from Tokyo to other areas of Japan, so we recommend starting with at least a few days in Tokyo before branching out to other cities.
Current COVID restrictions: Currently, travel from the US to Japan for tourism and other short-term trips is not permitted. Travelers who have a special exemption are still required to have a negative PCR test before arriving.
9. Arizona
Want to get outside but looking for more mountains than beach? Look no further than Arizona, a perfect destination for hiking, rock climbing and all kinds of outdoor adventures. From artsy cities like Sedona to natural wonders like Antelope Canyon, Arizona is a great year-round destination for all things outdoors. Flights to Phoenix have been lower than ever recently, so it’s safe to say that Black Friday and Cyber Monday will bring some super cheap rates to the West Coast. If you’re looking to explore even further, Phoenix is a good starting point for a National Parks road trip. Stop by the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Glacier National Park, Rocky Mountain and more. Need more destinations to add to your road trip route? Check out our list of jaw-dropping places in the US to explore.
Current COVID restrictions: Currently, none in place for US citizens.
Don’t forget to sign up for early access to our Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals! Not only will you get the deals before everyone else, you’ll also get an additional discount off your flights. Sign up now to make sure you’re all set for the big day.
