The Best Non-European Destinations to Escape to This Spring

The weather is still great towards the tail end of peak season without the crowds. Visit the Sierpe Terraba mangrove forest on the Osa Peninsula, which is teeming with wildlife like crabs, caimans, river turtles, iguanas and white-faced capuchin monkeys.

Springtime in New Orleans can only mean one thing: Mardi Gras! The most famous festival in the United States is a rip-roaring, two-week-long revelry of music, food and alcohol. Just like Rio Carnival and Notting Hill Carnival are two celebrations that everyone should experience once, so too is the USA’s biggest party.

Catch Cape Town at the end of its summer for cooler weather. Stop by Food Jams for some home-style cooking, discover the new guard of Cape Town’s burgeoning gin scene at Hope on Hopkins, and try some amazing local produce at Oranjezicht City Farm and the midweek markets at Hout Bay.

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Only a few hours from Rio de Janeiro, the beaches of Búzios are paradise on Earth. Check out the mesmerising red sand at Praia do Forno and take a fisherman’s boat out for the day to discover hidden coves and secluded sandy shores, including Praia da Tartaruga (Turtle’s Beach). Don’t forget your snorkels!

Le Morne on the southern-west coast is not only picture-perfect, but also one of the best places in the world to kite surf. Think flat, shallow lagoons, coral reefs and year-round sunshine. Chill out on a sunlounger and forget all your worries under the shade of a palm tree.

The 18th-century port is a haven for those who love water sports. Spring is the perfect time to head to Essaouira for good winds and big waves. If all the action gets too much, then explore the centuries-old walkways and cafés and admire the architecture and cuisine.

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