With the onset of cloudy weather and frosts, I want to fly to warmer climes more than ever. If you work remotely or are planning a long vacation, why not go to exotic countries for the winter?
We have selected 8 destinations from Southeast Asia to Latin America, where you can fly to spend the winter without a visa, recharge with energy and vitamins, or just enjoy beautiful nature.
Indonesia, Bali island
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Denpasar with one transfer via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha.
Entry rules: You can stay in Bali without a visa for no more than 30 days. Tourists must present a vaccination certificate (Sputnik V is suitable) or a certificate of recovery from coronavirus. Upon arrival, random PCR testing can be carried out.
Where to stay:at beach resorts located in southern Bali – these include Kuta, Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak and Nusa Dua. Or in the center of the island among ancient temples, jungles, rivers and rice fields, in Ubud. The average cost of renting a one-room apartment with all amenities is 300-500 euros per month. If you don’t want to look for accommodation on your own, book a room in a hotel or guesthouse. For example, a room in the Tangkas Guest House (Ubud) from 1,500 rubles* per night or a room in the three-star Lumbung Sari Hotel (Uluwatu) from 1,800 rubles* per night.
What do: Bali is a favorite destination for surfers; wave lovers from all over the world come here. Those who prefer speed and adrenaline can ride through the jungle on ATVs and buggies, or try extreme recreational activities – canyoning and rafting. Every day you can independently explore the nature and ancient monuments of the island by renting a moped.
Thailand
How to get there: From October 30, 2022, direct flights from Moscow to Bangkok and Phuket are available, but it is cheaper to fly with one transfer via Abu Dabi.
Entry rules: Until March 31, 2023, Russians can vacation in Thailand without a visa for 45 days, then no more than 30 days. All Covid entry restrictions have been lifted.
Where to stay:in the resort city of Pattaya, on the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan, Chang, Phi Phi, in the province of Krabi or the capital Bangkok. The cost of monthly apartment rental varies greatly depending on the resort. For example, on the islands you can rent a one-room apartment for an average of 500 euros, and in Bangkok – from 800 euros and above. Thailand has a large selection of hotels, including budget guesthouses and decent two-star hotels. In Phuket, you can stay at the three-star Prayai Changthai Resort hotel from 1,900 rubles* per night, and in Pattaya, book a room in the Jomtien Seaside House guest house from 1,300 rubles* per night.
What do:explore tropical uninhabited islands with snow-white beaches, explore the underwater world and walk along the eco-trails of national parks among the jungle. Get acquainted with Buddhist temples and Thai monks, go to an elephant sanctuary or to a floating market to buy fresh fruit and seafood. Relax with a Thai massage, try street food, have fun at beach parties and go to a cabaret show.
Vietnam
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Nha Trang with two transfers via Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City (or Hanoi).
Entry rules: visa-free stay in the country is no more than 15 days. You can then apply for a visa for up to 90 days. The country has lifted all coronavirus restrictions for foreign tourists.
Where to stay:It is better to spend the winter in resorts located in the center of Vietnam and in the south of the country. One of the budget tourist cities is Nha Trang, to the south of which are the popular beach resorts of Phan Thiet, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc Island. The average cost of renting apartments in Nha Trang for a month varies from 300 to 600 euros depending on the location. The choice of hotels in Vietnam is huge; there are many options for budget but comfortable accommodation near the coast. In Phu Quoc, you can stay at the three-star resort hotel Dendi Resort Phu Quoc (Duong Dong district) from 2,100 rubles* per room, and in Nha Trang, near the sea and the city center, choose the IBIZA Nha Trang Hotel from 660 rubles* per day.
Things to do:Vietnam is famous for inexpensive and cool diving – diving spots are scattered throughout the country, but all the most exotic things can be seen in the southern resorts. Huge green turtles, pufferfish and barracudas are found near the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao. The region will also appeal to lovers of ancient architecture, because pagodas, temples with Buddha statues, ruins of citadels, palaces and mausoleums have been preserved here. For a different beach holiday, visit Dalat, located in the country’s central highlands. It was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century by French colonialists as a resort, so it is very different from other cities in Vietnam.
Sri Lanka
How to get there:Direct flights from Moscow to Colombo are operated by Aeroflot. You can also get there with a transfer in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muharraq, Doha or Istanbul.
Entry rules: With an e-visa, you can stay in the country for no more than 30 days. It must be completed in advance by filling out an online form in English. Before arrival, you must take out medical insurance, and at the airport present one of the documents – a vaccination certificate (any Russian vaccine is suitable), a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours) or a certificate of recovery from coronavirus.
Where to stay:in resort towns located along the coast from the city of Negombo to Hambantota, since in other areas the tourism infrastructure is poorly developed. The resorts of Mirissa, Unawatuna and Weligama are perfect for wintering. A studio apartment in Sri Lanka can be rented for 600-800 euros per month; the most budget options are located away from the coast. For example, in the center of the island in the cities of Kandy and Ellu (300-400 euros). There are many options for comfortable accommodation in Sri Lanka: from guesthouses to five-star hotels. In Weligama you can stay at the R 1 River Side guest house from 2,200 rubles* per room, and in Unawatuna choose the Rawanaz hotel from 1,500 rubles* per night.
Things to do:on the island you can choose a new location every day and go for beautiful landscapes – rice and tea plantations, national parks with incredible nature, safari parks and a rich underwater world. And for a change, ride elephants, go to a turtle farm and get acquainted with ancient architecture. There are many monuments on the island, from cave temples to ancient Dutch forts.
India, Goa
How to get there: On November 2, direct flights from Moscow (Sheremetyevo) to Goa will be launched several times a week. You can also fly with transfers via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Cairo.
Entry rules: electronic visa is issued on the website of the Government of India, according to which the period of stay in the country ranges from 30 days to 5 years. No earlier than 72 hours before arrival, you must take a PCR test, upload the results to the website, and fill out the online form.
Where to stay:The main resort areas in the state are located in North and South Goa. In the southern part of the island, areas near the beaches of Mobor, Majorda and Colva are most often chosen. In the north you can stay near the beaches of Morjim and Ashwem. The cost of renting housing on the outskirts of popular resorts starts from 500 euros per month for a small one-room apartment; in the center and near the beaches the price increases to 1000 euros. Many people prefer not to rent housing, but to stay in hotels, since the cost of living will be similar to the price of renting a small apartment. For example, in North Goa, near Morjim Beach, you can book a room in the Orange Village apart-hotel from 1,300 rubles* per night, and in South Goa, near Colva Beach, choose the two-star hotel OYO 12855 The Goan Courtyard from 1,700 rubles* per night.
What to do: watch gorgeous sunsets, learn diving and snorkeling, or see exotic animals in the Bhagwan Mahavir Nature Reserve. Local markets are a great place for budget shopping, as you can find almost everything here, from spices to jewelry. Goa is also famous for its noisy nightclubs and discos until dawn, and lovers of peace and solitude will definitely appreciate group yoga classes on the ocean shore.
Egypt
How to get there: There are direct flights to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other major Russian cities several times a week .
Entry rules: Egypt has lifted all coronavirus restrictions for foreign tourists. Upon arrival at the airport, Russians are issued a visa for $25, which allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
Where to stay: For the winter it is better to go to the sea: to Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh. The cost of renting an apartment in a residential complex starts from 600 euros per month; you can rent a small house with a private area and a swimming pool for at least 800-1000 euros. Egypt has a very large selection of accommodation options: from small modest hotels and guest houses. In Hurghada, you can stay in the two-star Luxor Hotel Hurghada from 1,900 rubles* per room, and in Sharm el-Sheikh choose the cozy three-star Naama Hotel Blue Hotel from 2,400 rubles* per night.
Things to do:Egypt is a universal resort that is suitable for both young people and couples with children. Here you can admire the coral reefs while snorkeling, go diving, study ancient monuments and simply relax on the sandy beaches and swim in the warm sea.
Cuba
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Havana with a transfer through Istanbul or Madrid.
Entry rules: tourists can stay in Cuba without a visa for no more than 90 days. To enter, you additionally need to fill out an immigration card, obtain medical insurance and present return air tickets from the country. Random coronavirus testing is possible upon arrival.
Where to stay:We recommend starting your acquaintance with the country with Havana, the capital and main resort of Cuba. There is a pleasant historical center with colonial architecture and vintage cars, many restaurants and shopping centers, but the beaches are not the cleanest. For clear water and white sand, head to Varadero or Cayo Coco. The average cost of renting housing for a month is 200 euros per room in a shared villa and 600-800 euros for a two-room apartment. The choice of hotels in Cuba for independent tourists is small. Alternatively, you can stay at the budget three-star Hotel Tulipan (Havana) from 3,400 rubles* per night or at the Bella Costa Hotel (Varadero) from 8,400 rubles* per room.
Things to do: relax on white sand beaches under palm leaves, try Cuban rum and cigars, and go diving. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the wreckage of sunken pirate ships and military aircraft. Don’t forget about the cultural program: in the capital: visit the Havana Cathedral, the Partagas cigar factory, the Havana Capitol and the Museum of the Revolution.
Argentina
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Buenos Aires with a transfer in Istanbul, Dubai or Doha.
Entry rules: period of stay in the country without a visa is no more than 90 days. Before arrival, you must take out medical insurance that covers treatment for COVID-19.
Where to Stay: For an active city life, head to Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. This metropolis is the most Europeanized city in South America. Its streets resemble Madrid or Paris, brought to the scale of New York with its skyscrapers. For a leisurely beach holiday on the Atlantic Ocean, resorts located south of Buenos Aires are suitable: Mar del Plata, Pinamar, Carilo and Miramar. The average monthly rental cost of apartments and apartments varies from 200 to 500 euros. If you don’t want to deal with the selection of housing yourself, you can stay at the two-star Hotel Nuevo Boulevard (Mar del Plata) from 2,800 rubles* per night or in the four-star El Conquistador Hotel (Buenos Aires) from 5,800 rubles* per night.
Things to do: Spend at least a couple of weeks in Buenos Aires. The capital of three million is considered the safest city in South America. In addition to the tourist classics from the Cathedral, May Square and the oldest colonial building of the Cabildo from 1580, go to Argentine football, try local beer and real mate or attend tango evenings. Argentina is located in several climatic zones, so the nature here is very diverse: from the tropics and deserts in the north to glaciers and mountains in the south. The country has many national parks, the most famous being Los Glaciares, where the Perito Moreno glacier is located, and Iguazu Falls, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
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