If you want to consider places you have already been- we just went to PR this summer. I was blown away at how affordable it was. We didn’t get to see the whole island so now I am itching to get back.
For 5K you could afford a really nice vacation there. We spent 2K for 5 nights with beachfront accommodations.
Post by Velar Fricative on Aug 22, 2019 11:51:01 GMT -5
I have never been to the Caribbean (we're just not beach/warm weather people) or nearby, but some places that I think I'd really like someday include:
Panama (several friends went recently and raved about it, and I'd love to see the canal) Guadeloupe and Martinique (might be more expensive because they're French and therefore are on the Euro) Puerto Rico (not sure about how well the tourism industry has bounced back though) Curacao Costa Rica
If you stay stateside, ditto the Florida Keys. Also, New Orleans.
We have been to several places in the Caribbean. For what you're looking for, I would recommend looking at the Virgin Islands, specifically thinking of St John. You could stay in Cruz Bay in St. John to save some money. There are condos that you can rent that are within walking distance to the ferry drop off. There are also a ton of restaurants that you can walk to. Rent a jeep for a few days and explore the island! St. John was our cheapest and most fun Caribbean trip
TR where in Mexico did you go recently? That trip sounded awesome!
We've been to San Miguel de Allende and Mexico’s Coty in the last year. I highly recommend both, but they’re central mexico, though, not the coast.
I am heading to Guatemala in November and I am super excited. The accommodations are amazing and super cheap - I am staying in an amazing loft in the center of Antigua, with a private pool and spa for $40/night. I was super tempted by an amazing house that had a beautiful view and came with a driver, but it was like 5 bedrooms and $150/night, so it felt like overkill. lol
There is a beautiful lake nearby, and natural hot springs, plus great architecture - lots to do!
Post by luckystar2 on Aug 22, 2019 14:03:23 GMT -5
Another vote for St. John, USVI! We went there on our honeymoon and went back 3 years ago. I’ve been on 3 Caribbean cruises and have been to Hawaii and STJ still ranks as my favorite place.
We stayed at Gallows point resort for our honeymoon which is close to town. But prices went way up so this last trip we rented a condo through VRBO. It was still within walking distance to town but a jeep rental is a good idea to explore the island.
I’m on some STJ Facebook groups and it seems like they’ve rebuilt a lot since the hurricanes. But not sure how it may have affected rentals and cost, etc.
I also like Grand Cayman and Turks and Caicos but both seemed a little more $$$. We hit Turks and Caicos on a cruise instead and it was gorgeous. I’d definitely like to go for longer sometime.
Post by buckeyegirl on Aug 22, 2019 14:32:12 GMT -5
If you’re near Boston I would look at the Azores Islands. Tap Portugal flies direct out of Boston and it’s supposed to be a cheaper destination. They’re part of Portugal and look beautiful
Post by keweenawlove on Aug 22, 2019 14:33:44 GMT -5
What about Belize? We loved our time there. There were easy connections from the US. We split a week between a treehouse in the jungle and a condo on one of the islands. It was a good mix of adventurous stuff to do and relaxing.
If you’re near Boston I would look at the Azores Islands. Tap Portugal flies direct out of Boston and it’s supposed to be a cheaper destination. They’re part of Portugal and look beautiful
psychologically I do not want to cross the Atlantic without my kiddo, lol. It makes ZERO SENSE, I KNOW, because some of these trips are farther away, lol. But I just cannot do it. Also why HI is out.
Also, are you set on an island? When are you going? I'm not sure what state you're in or where you've gone before, but maybe New Orleans, Charleston, Asheville, or Nashville fit the bill?
Turks and Caicos hands down. It is my favorite island. Almost all the resorts on Grace Bay are small, beautiful, and non-AI condos. It also is a culinary hub. The food is out of this world.
My second choice would be St. Martin.
Sounds like it will be a great trip regardless.
They both just seemed really $$$?Â
T&C was my first choice, but it did not seem like we could 1) afford it or 2) that there were tons of places to walk to? TELL ME I AM WRONG ON BOTH! lol.
isabel, I think so. I would also be open to Vegas (lol) which is pretty affordable since we do not gamble. We went a few years ago and just slept, swam and relaxed by the pool, ate good food and saw fun shows.
I have been to Turks 5 times and never paid close to what you have for your budget. You can absolutely do it cheaply but of course depends on the time of year and where you are flying out of. We always go in the off season which is the summer and fly on off days, like a Thursday to next Friday, etc. The food is expensive but almost all resorts are condos with a full kitchen so we make breakfast and lunch and go out to dinner, or whatever. I love it there.
About walking. So almost all the hotels are on Grace Bay which consist of a half-moon shape beach with literally a 1 mile long road with hotels. Each hotel has their own restaurant which are open to the public and has shops and a grocery store. You can walk along Grace Bay but I do recommend renting a car. The whole island of Provo is beautiful and can be driven around in 30 minutes as the island is small. But there are beautiful, hidden beaches throughout the island and it is so cheap to rent a small car I would definitely it. The island is very quiet. After midnight you here nothing, lol, which I love.
How about Belize? We did a liveaboard for scuba diving, then spent a week on Ambergris Caye. There were lots of restuarants to walk to. Minus the liveaboard, it should be within your price range.
Also, are you set on an island? When are you going? I'm not sure what state you're in or where you've gone before, but maybe New Orleans, Charleston, Asheville, or Nashville fit the bill?
ETA: Oh, I just saw you've been to PR.
I grew up with a house in Rincon so I Would rather go somewhere new, though my husband has never been. I am open to it if it is the cheapest option, just would prefer something totally different
We would like to do something tropical since we live in northern New England and deal with long, cold, brutal winters. We have done NOLA, Nashville and Charleston.
aliciabella, that is how we travel, too. Cheap flights, off season. Winter travel is impossible for us with my husband's job and I have no problem doing a midweek flight to save $$!
IF there are certain condos you have rented that you really liked would you PM me? I am open to anything. The thing that scared me from T&C was I saw things like a 12 pack of beer cost nearly $50USD??
Post by emilyinchile on Aug 22, 2019 18:30:18 GMT -5
Don't go to Bogota - it usually mid-60s and always with a chance of it drizzling.
I've only been to the DR (my only ever AI vacation, not what you're looking for), Cuba and Aruba in the Caribbean. Aruba fits the bill of being able to stay somewhere walkable with things to do, but I'm not sure what prices are like.
If you have a Costco membership, you might want to check out what they have available for the Caribbean. We used one of their vacation packages last year and got a phenomenal price on it.
If you have a Costco membership, you might want to check out what they have available for the Caribbean. We used one of their vacation packages last year and got a phenomenal price on it.
We were married in St. Croix years ago. I absolutely loved the Buccaneer, where we stayed. The beaches were great, lots to do there. We spent a good bit of time in the town not far away, checking out the restaurants and bars and exploring the island. We were able to get there with a connection in Charlotte with no problems.
jamaicam , do you have any thoughts on what price points would be to go the villa route with a chef?
You could probably get a one bed place for around 200-250 per night including staff.
We just stayed at a gorgeous 2 bedroom huge condo (only 4 units) on the south coast (near Treasure Beach) which had a private beach and was 250 per night without a chef but you could get someone to cook for an extra 35 per night. However you'd definiety need a car to stay there.
If you have a Costco membership, you might want to check out what they have available for the Caribbean. We used one of their vacation packages last year and got a phenomenal price on it.
Tulum. You can fly into Cancun cheap from Logan and airbnbs walking to town/shops are very affordable.
We have been 3 or 4 times to Tulum, so we want to try something different this time.
You can do everything online with Costco. I never go to the store but once or twice a year as mine is 40 minutes away. I always book rental cars through Costco and order stuff online. Many things are free shipping too.
Anguilla is amazing. Amazing food, easy to get around, and the most beautiful beaches I've ever ever seen. You can do it relatively cheap as well. No AIs.