There's a big difference between a semester in Washington D.C. and one in Costa Rica. Although it can be tempting to choose an exotic location to escape from the cold and relax at the beach in your free time, the best way to make the most of your travel opportunity is to pick a state or country that you're interested in exploring and that will also help you with your academic goals.
For example, if you're a political science major, a trip to Washington D.C. can be inspiring and offer opportunities that other destinations can't. Similarly, if there's a program in England that caters to your interests, but you wanted to go to Ireland, remember that there's always time to travel. You will also find that each location has its advantages and could end up loving your second choice more than your first.