Where To Spend New Year’s 2021 In The USA & Mexico

Where To Spend New Year’s 2021 During The Pandemic

Especially in light of today’s travel restrictions, you might be wondering about your options for where to spend New Year’s 2021. Especially for Americans and citizens of other nations that haven’t handled the pandemic well, there are definitely fewer options this year given all the travel restrictions. But, all is not lost.

There are still a bunch of great places to spend New Years 2021 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 a one place to spend New Year’s that only recently became an option!

Holbox, Mexico: Where To 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. Last year, I had a blast chanting the New Year’s Eve countdown out at a local bar with an incredible energy.

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.

Another great option for budget travelers is Tribu Hostel, which offers luxurious private suites as well as traditional hostel rooms. If you want to browse a bit, here are some more Holbox hotel and beach villa options.

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.

Aspen, Colorado: New Year's Eve In The Mountains

Aspen is the ideal place for snow-lovers to spend New Year’s 2021. This year, the Aspen Chamber is planning fireworks shows at 8PM 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 some serious 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 featured Aspen hotel and resort options.

If you prefer more of a private condo or guest house hideaway, don’t miss checking the available Aspen VRBO listings.

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: Spend 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 2021, this classic tourist destination has accommodations to suit all types of travelers. It’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll find something you love.

Hotels in the Romantic Zone are perfect for those who prefer to be closer to the heart of the city, in short walking distance to all the best restaurants, bars and shops. If you prefer a more socially-distanced option, you are probably best off in private villa rentals outside central Puerto Vallarta.

A VRBO apartment rental near Conchas Chinas is the best option, especially a social-distanced one. Here you can rent expansive private homes or villas with fantastic 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 LGBT 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: Newest Option For New Year's Eve In The USA

Excitingly, as of October 15, 2020, Hawaii is now accepting tourists after coming out of complete COVID-19 lockdown. All you need is a confirmed negative COVID test which is supplanting the requirement for a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

This means that other Americans can now plan 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 2021 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 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 2021 With A Discount

While New York City has probably crossed your mind already as a place to spend New Year’s Eve, you might want to reconsider. Why? Well, the pandemic has created a lot more supply of hotels and other places to stay in New York 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. You can expect truly fantastic 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-concious winter getaway before the New Year? While it’s not in the USA or Mexico, check out the wonderful island of Jamaica, which is open to all tourists! Read wolfyy’s post on the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, my top recommended place to stay in Jamaica.