3. North Coast of Brazil

Why now:
Northern Brazil is on the cusp of an explosion in tourism from the US, so traveling there now—to the LGBT-friendly, beach-lined states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, and Pernambuco—means you’re ahead of the trend.
Expect to hear more about this region, as Brazilian airline TAM is looking to create a hub in one of these three cities to expand its service around northern Brazil (and the region) to North America.
The weather is also ideal right now: sunny and in the low 80s, on average.
Action plan:
Road trip along the Via Costeira (Coastal Highway) through Natal; discover the “Brazilian Venice” of Recife; or scuba dive the reefs just off Fortaleza. Note: U.S. travelers to Brazil do require a visa, but last year’s World Cup means many may already have it in their passports, and should take advantage. That event also means energy is still high in the country, and tourists can benefit from infrastructure enhancements introduced during the games.