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- Published October, 2020
Where To Spend New Year’s In The USA & Mexico
Where To Spend New Year’s During The Pandemic
Especially with the complications of traveling amid the ongoing pandemic, you might be wondering about your options for where to spend New Year’s Eve in 2021. While there may be fewer viable options, all is not lost.
There are still a bunch of great places to spend New Year’s in the USA and Mexico. Below are some fantastic destinations that you will be able to get to.
I think you will especially like some of these recommendations if you’re open to trying something new. Additionally, I’ll mention one place to spend New Year’s that only recently became an option!
Holbox, Mexico: Spend New Year's 2021 In Paradise
My first and top recommendation for where to spend New Year’s Eve is Holbox Island, Mexico. Holbox is a remote island not far from Cancun and is known for its luxurious boutique hotels.
The destination has become an increasingly popular place to spend the New Year’s holiday weekend in recent years. But, it’s definitely still off-the-beaten-path enough that it never feels crowded or overly touristic.
Holbox is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in my entire life. The crystal-clear waters, authentic vibe, and easy pace of life make this paradise island one of my favorite destinations.
It has everything from cabana and villa-style hotel rooms on the beach to exquisite cocktail bars nestled along town streets. Two years ago, I had a blast chanting the New Year’s Eve countdown out at a local bar with incredible energy.
Where to Stay in Holbox for New Year's
If you’re considering Holbox as one of your destinations to spend the New Year’s holiday, I recommend checking out Hotel Punta Caliza. I fell in love with this place during my stay over New Year’s in 2020 and never wanted to leave. One of my other favorite places in Holbox is Casa Las Tortugas.
For more chic traditional hotel options, check my latest post on the best boutique and beachfront Holbox hotels.
Tribu Hostel is a great option for budget travelers. They offer luxurious private suites as well as traditional hostel rooms.
There are also some beautiful accommodations available on home-share sites here in Holbox. These cozy, secluded retreats will make you truly feel like you’ve made it to paradise. I recommend searching for Holbox VRBO rentals in this area.
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Aspen, Colorado: New Year's Eve In The Mountains
Aspen is the ideal place for snow-lovers to spend New Year’s 2021. Each year, the Aspen Chamber plans firework shows, usually at 8 PM and midnight, which will light up Aspen Mountain. It’s truly a unique experience to see the colors light up the snowy mountain trails.
As one of Colorado’s famed and posh ski destinations, spending a posh New Year’s Eve holiday in Aspen will probably cost you a good chunk of cash. In addition to the luxury hotels and resorts, there are also various private events you can join.
Some of them, like “Cliquot Cats.” come at quite a hefty price! Nonetheless, you can certainly still find affordable hotels if you’re willing to budge a bit on location.
You will definitely get a better rate on accommodations if you book well in advance. As you might expect, prices will spike as the New Year’s holiday approaches. I recommend checking these Aspen hotel and resort options.
If you prefer more of a private condo or guest house hideaway, don’t miss checking the available Aspen vacation rentals.
Aspen also hosts a bunch of free public New Year’s Eve events. For example, you can enjoy the Wagner Park Bonfire & DJ or ice skating at the Aspen Ice Garden. You can see a full list of events on the Aspen Chamber Events Page.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: New Year's Eve with an Ocean View
Especially if you prefer a more robust nightlife scene where you spend New Year’s Eve, consider Puerto Vallarta.
Out of all your options of where to spend New Year’s Eve 2021, this classic tourist destination has accommodations to suit all types of travelers. It’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll find something you love.
Zona Romántica hotels are perfect for those who prefer to be closer to the heart of the city. Here you’ll be within short walking distance to Puerto Vallarta’s best restaurants, bars, and shops
If you prefer a more socially-distanced option, a vacation rental in Conchas Chinas is the absolute best option. Private villas in this area are stunning and often come with direct ocean views.
Many travelers looking for places to spend New Year’s Eve with a group of friends choose this area of Puerto Vallarta, which is south of the Romantic Zone.
Puerto Vallarta gay travel is also quite popular throughout the winter months. Many attend the popular New Year’s Eve PV White Party, a mega-dance party near the Mantamar Beach Club.
If you prefer an LGBT resort, check out the Blue Chairs Resort by the Sea and the Almar Luxury LGBT Resort.
Honolulu, Hawaii: Tropical Hotspost for New Year's Eve In The USA
Hawaii’s Covid-19 requirements are much more lenient this year. If you’re vaccinated or can show a negative PCR test, you can bypass their mandatory quarantine.
This means that other Americans can now plan to explore the great Hawaiian outdoors, whereas before everyone was required to remain isolated upon arrival. So, Hawaii could be the newest and most exciting option of places to spend New Year’s in the USA!
Waikiki Beach is the popular hotspot to watch fireworks in Honolulu, which is on the big island of Oahu. This area is certainly a vacationer’s favorite for relaxing at beachfront hotels and enjoying the outdoor nightlife.
You’ll have your pick from plenty of Waikiki Beach hotels, but another option you might want to consider is one of the many luxurious Waikiki VRBO rentals. Many accommodations offer private pools, city or beach-view terraces. This is also a great bet for a socially-distanced firework-watching option.
New York City: New Year's With A Discount
While New York City may have already crossed your mind as a place to spend New Year’s Eve, you might want to think about this one a little more.
Even though New York is still a popular New Year’s destination, the pandemic has reduced demand for a lot of hotels over the holiday. You’re much more likely to find an affordable spot this year in comparison to prior years.
I definitely recommend staying in Manhattan to be close to the center of the action. Hotels in Times Square will offer unbeatable views of the ball drop. My top recommendations are all here in wolfyy’s blog post on the best New York City gay hotels.
You can expect a classic Times Square experiences at the Marriott Residence Inn or the Knickerbocker Hotel. If these are sold out, then check these other Times Square Hotels.
Your hotel options extend far beyond Times Square, however. There are a million places to see fireworks happening in New York. Usually, fireworks are set off on each side of Manhattan, although locations sometimes change.
Nonetheless, as long as you have an uninterrupted view, any of the countless beautiful New York hotels will do. Personally, I would look for something between Central Park and the Financial District to be closest to the action.
Looking for a covid-conscious winter getaway before the New Year? While it’s not in the USA or Mexico, consider the wonderful island of Jamaica with wolfyy’s post on the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, my top recommended place to stay in Jamaica.
See wolfyy’s travel resources page for booking discounts and recommended partner sites.
