Caribbean horizons beckon for a Columbus Day weekend getaway.

On his last voyage to the New World in 1502, Christopher Columbus made it all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula, where he may very well have contemplated temples and pyramids which are now world-famous landmarks. A year later, after his hurricane-battered ships could go no further, he found himself stranded in Jamaica. Who would have thought, centuries later, that these could make the perfect destinations to explore during a Columbus Day weekend getaway?

Who would have thought, centuries later, that these could make the perfect destinations to explore during a Columbus Day weekend getaway?

Turquoise Horizons - Touring Tulum on Columbus Day

Whether Columbus actually sailed up to Tulum’s Mayan ruins in Mexico is unknown, but you can definitely one-up him when you choose to visit this archeological site, which is the only one of its kind to offer a stunning backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. The iconic shot of an intricate temple overlooking turquoise waters is just one of the picture-perfect opportunities you will encounter while enjoying a fascinating tour of Tulum.

Best of all, when exploration takes its toll under the tropical heat, you can head down the steps to the cove for a refreshing dip, making this, without a doubt, one of most sought-after things to do in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Treetop Horizons - Explore the Mayan Ruins of Coba

Ready for a spot of climbing? You may be interested in discovering the less well-known, yet highest pyramid in the entire Yucatan peninsula. The archeological site of Coba is home to the towering Nohoch Mul pyramid, which is 42-meters high and one of the only sites visitors are still able to climb in the region. Sadly for Columbus, we are fairly certain that he never made it all the way to the top to enjoy the breathtaking view.

Another novelty about Coba is that it is largely shaded by lush tropical greenery with numerous trails leading to different Mayan constructions across the site. These can be explored on foot, by bike or even on board a sort of cycle rickshaw, making this an ideal group activity during a backpacking tour or even all-inclusive family vacations in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.

Best of all, it’s just a day trip away from Cancun.

Watery Horizons - Celebrate Columbus Day in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Jamaica may have been the most beautiful island Columbus visited – its mountainous rainforest reaching into the Caribbean all around the island – but he probably didn’t see it that way considering he was basically shipwrecked on the island for a year during his expedition.

He is thought to have “landed” in St. Ann’s Bay or Discovery Bay and is likely to have come upon some of the best waterfalls in Jamaica. Both St. Ann’s Bay and Discovery Bay are close to Ocho Rios, which is basically waterfall central in Jamaica. There are at least five idyllic waterfalls for you to cool off in and say that you bathed in the very same waters that Columbus landed near.

Best of all, these waterfalls are more or less in the backyard of a number of all-inclusive resorts in Ocho Rios, such as Moon Palace Jamaica.

Whether you prefer to discover new horizons with romance in mind, or horizons that include fun-filled activities for kids in Cancun, Jamaica, or beyond, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus certainly might be a novel way of doing so.