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With the winter season approaching faster than an Usain Bolt relay race, it’s time we start looking elsewhere to spend our days. The Buffalo area is already getting hit hard, thawing out from seven feet of snow. Think about that for a second: seven FEET of snow! Yeah, it’s definitely time to get out of dodge.

But where exactly would you go? The options are endless, but we’ve narrowed it down to five destinations for your much needed break. So start packing your bags, and fire up your favorite travel site to book your tickets.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Average Winter Temp: Low to mid 80s

Average Flight: $270

Just look at that photo! It looks like something you’d have plastered on your PC as a screensaver, right? With temperatures in the low to mid 80s and a very affordable plane ticket, San Juan makes the perfect escape from the bitter cold. The good folks over at TripAdvisor have your entire vacation mapped out for you. From lists of the best hotels and vacation rentals to the island’s hottest attractions and restaurants, TripAdvisor’s got you covered. There are thousands of reviews within each category, so it’s almost impossible to make a bad choice. And with travel plans hovering around Christmas time, that price tag of less than $300 is clutch!

Maui or Honolulu, Hawaii

Average Winter Temp: Mid to high 70s

Average Flight: $600 – $700

You can’t go wrong with either of these beautiful cities in Hawaii. Each city has its advantages. Maui is the more expensive of the two, and features more vacation rentals and attractions, while Honolulu has more hotel options, restaurant selections, and a slightly cheaper price tag. This decision literally comes down to your preferred amenities during a trip. However, you could try to find a way to get warmer in your very old and worn out snuggie, or figure out a way to turn your Christmas bonus into a getaway like the photo above.

Montego Bay, Ocho Rios or Negril, Jamaica

Average Winter Temp: Low to mid 80s

Average Flight: $400

If the image above hasn’t sold you yet, just take a look at that very affordable price tag! Much like your trip to Hawaii, you really can’t go wrong with any of these Jamaican islands. You could opt for the abundance of vacation rental options in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, or choose nearly 100 different hotel options in Negril. No matter your choice, you won’t be short of attractions, as each location fields with loads of options. A holiday season in Jamaica could be your reality with ease, while not forcing you to dip into your sock money to pay for it!

Punta Cana or Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Average Winter Temp: Low to mid 80s

Average Flight: $340 – $460

We’ve got another prime location at a fraction of a plane ticket from NY to LA. Much like Maui and Honolulu, we’ve got two destinations that differ in some aspects, but are evenly matched in the gratification department. Punta Cana is the more expensive location of the two, with more attractions and lodging options, while Santo Domingo is the cheaper trip, but has nearly double to restaurant choices. Either way, both choices are literally can’t-miss destinations with unbelievable affordability.

Turks and Caicos

Average Winter Temp: Low to mid 80s

Average Flight: $320 – $650

Ok, so the price tag is a bit wide in range. A trip to this beautiful island is much more affordable in December and January, but spikes into the $600 range in February. However, if you choose a location such as Providenciales, the ticket doesn’t exceed $340, which is a steal! Unlike our other destinations, Turks is a bit more difficult to map out. With popular locations such as Providenciales, Grand Turk, Long Bay Beach, Parrot Cay, Turtle Cove and North Caicos, your options are extensive. But, the lodging, attractions, and restaurants choices are scarce outside of Providenciales. Then again, if you’re trying to escape single-digit temperatures with a wind chill that would make life in an igloo feel like the above photo, you honestly couldn’t go wrong staying in a hut for a week in one of these locations.

Other options include:

Trinidad & Tobago: $250 – $260

Cabo San Lucas: $380 – $450

Cayman Islands: $400 – $440

Saint Maarten-St. Martin: $340 – $380

We hope that these options have given you a little motivation to spend the upcoming winter season with some sun. In fact, if you haven’t already put in for vacation time, you may be left in the cold like Kim Kardashian does professional athletes. Ok, that was mean.

Catch you on the beach!

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