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Western Hemisphere Vacations

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Angie

Angie

Tugboats and arson.
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Mar 27, 2006
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Let's say that you had about a bunch of free airfare that you had to book prior to this summer, and you want to stay in the western hemisphere. Caribbean vacations are ideal, affordable all-inclusives even better, but hopefully without the diarrhea and murder of so many places. What are your choices, and what time of year? Any preferred resorts/hotels, or any experience with any of the options listed below?

Some front runners:

I think Cuba would be fun, but not easily accessible yet (ergo, not cheap).

Your thoughts/experiences?

Also to add: Let's say the male sort of just wants to be able to chill and relax some, as the female of the relationship is pretty type A and likes to see and do ALL THE THINGS. But the female still wants to be able to go out and see cool, historical, or offbeat/odd things. Does your choice meet both of their needs?
 
cowgirl836 said:
Negril, Jamaica. Couples resort. Done. Any time of year but summer and late fall are cheaper (I'd avoid Aug-Sept though)
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Is Jamaica pretty affordable? I'd been researching the Caribbean islands a ton, and was having trouble figuring out the ideal times of year to look at airfare. That's good to know that summer and late fall are good - we'd likely look at October or November. Is the water/food safe?
 
Costa Rica - Somewhat of a lesser developed Mexico without the crime. Wide selection of landscapes ranging from rain forest, cloud forest, beaches, volcanoes. Economical for the most part. Example; For $60 we went zip lining -11 lines that took 1.5 hours AND got all day passes to 2 pools at a resort.

Driving was a bit dicey at times because road signs are non-existent but we managed. Also you CANNOT rent a car without buying govt issued liability insurance which is equal or greater than the cost of the car rental.

Felt very safe all the time and locals were friendly, and most speak some English. We stayed off the beaten path. Booked a couple of houses off Air BnB. One was a farm house and the other was just a typical middle class Costa Rican residence. Capped it off with 3 nights at a bungalow near the beach in Tamarindo.

We flew in and out of Liberia as there is literally nothing to see in San Jose.

PM me if you want more info.
 
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Angie said:
Let's say that you had about a bunch of free airfare that you had to book prior to this summer, and you want to stay in the western hemisphere. Caribbean vacations are ideal, affordable all-inclusives even better, but hopefully without the diarrhea and murder of so many places. What are your choices, and what time of year? Any preferred resorts/hotels, or any experience with any of the options listed below?

Some front runners:

I think Cuba would be fun, but not easily accessible yet (ergo, not cheap).

Your thoughts/experiences?

Also to add: Let's say the male sort of just wants to be able to chill and relax some, as the female of the relationship is pretty type A and likes to see and do ALL THE THINGS. But the female still wants to be able to go out and see cool, historical, or offbeat/odd things. Does your choice meet both of their needs?
Click to expand...
Are you bringing kids? If so, eliminate Key West. San Diego's awesome but you can't really swim in the ocean until summer.

Last Spring, we stayed at the Barcelo resort in Punta Cana. It was the most picturesque beach I've ever seen. The resort was fantastic too. The drawbacks are that it is huge (not necessarily a drawback but should be noted) and you aren't exactly getting away from it all there. There was no diarrhea or murder but there was a chance for tainted alcohol last year in the minibars at other resorts in the area. That should be fixed this year. Punta Cana really is the best value in the Caribbean. However, it's pretty much all about the beach. There isn't much for cultural or historic sights in that part of the Dominican Republic.
 
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Angie said:
Is Jamaica pretty affordable? I'd been researching the Caribbean islands a ton, and was having trouble figuring out the ideal times of year to look at airfare. That's good to know that summer and late fall are good - we'd likely look at October or November. Is the water/food safe?
Click to expand...


We went over Halloween one year and we've gone to Couples Negril....3 or 4 times? I think 3, 4th was honeymoon at a different location. Never had a problem with water, food (very good, imo) or safety. Would say it's more affordable than other places like St. Lucia but not sure if it's Mexico/DR cheap. It might have been comparable to Mexico.
 
intrepid27 said:
Costa Rica - Somewhat of a lesser developed Mexico without the crime. Wide selection of landscapes ranging from rain forest, cloud forest, beaches, volcanoes. Economical for the most part. Example; For $60 we went zip lining -11 lines that took 1.5 hours AND got all day passes to 2 pools at a resort.

Driving was a bit dicey at times because road signs are non-existent but we managed. Also you CANNOT rent a car without buying govt issued liability insurance which is equal or greater than the cost of the car rental.

Felt very safe all the time and locals were friendly, and most speak some English. We stayed off the beaten path. Booked a couple of houses off Air BnB. One was a farm house and the other was just a typical middle class Costa Rican residence. Capped it off with 3 nights at a bungalow near the beach in Tamarindo.

We flew in and out of Liberia as there is literally nothing to see in San Jose.

PM me if you want more info.
Click to expand...

I will definitely do that. Janny and I need to sit down and work through everything. Did you have any issues with water, or safety, or anything?

jcyclonee said:
Are you bringing kids? If so, eliminate Key West. San Diego's awesome but you can't really swim in the ocean until summer.

Last Spring, we stayed at the Barcelo resort in Punta Cana. It was the most picturesque beach I've ever seen. The resort was fantastic too. The drawbacks are that it is huge (not necessarily a drawback but should be noted) and you aren't exactly getting away from it all there. There was no diarrhea or murder but there was a chance for tainted alcohol last year in the minibars at other resorts in the area. That should be fixed this year. Punta Cana really is the best value in the Caribbean. However, it's pretty much all about the beach. There isn't much for cultural or historic sights in that part of the Dominican Republic.
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I think we are going to leave the kids at home. I'm really interested in the Dominican - I knew there was a lot of info about the tainted alcohol when I'd googled it, so I was curious. I saw they were refunding flights and such. I'd love to go somewhere inexpensive like that where I also am not going to get sick/dead.
 
Farnsworth said:
Got married there, but I think I've mentioned that before.

It's gonna a lot more expensive over the recent years due to popularity.
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our last trip was 2016 so it's been a bit. I also assumed kids weren't going but if they are, that option is out!
 
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Angie said:
I will definitely do that. Janny and I need to sit down and work through everything. Did you have any issues with water, or safety, or anything?



I think we are going to leave the kids at home. I'm really interested in the Dominican - I knew there was a lot of info about the tainted alcohol when I'd googled it, so I was curious. I saw they were refunding flights and such. I'd love to go somewhere inexpensive like that where I also am not going to get sick/dead.
Click to expand...


Miss Hoity Toity hard to please over here
 
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Punta Cana is my go to. I love that place. We stay at a Dreams Resort and never had any problems with what is being shown on the news.
 
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I voted Curacao since it sounds warm and fun and close enough.

But I would also call out Rio de Janeiro and other places in Brasil. Rio has dangerous areas, but there are other fun coastal cities that would be more than warm, fun, safe, and exotic enough for anyone on 99% of this board. Florianopolis maybe.
 
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Angie said:
I will definitely do that. Janny and I need to sit down and work through everything. Did you have any issues with water, or safety, or anything?



I think we are going to leave the kids at home. I'm really interested in the Dominican - I knew there was a lot of info about the tainted alcohol when I'd googled it, so I was curious. I saw they were refunding flights and such. I'd love to go somewhere inexpensive like that where I also am not going to get sick/dead.
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We're still planning our Spring Break trip and my wife, who is very cautious about safe food*, would really like to return to Punta Cana.

*A couple of years ago, on a trip with neighbors, the neighbor's wife ended up in a hospital in Mexico. She probably didn't actually need to go but the resort's doctor sent her out of an abundance of caution. Or maybe it was corruption and the doctor got a kickback from the hospital.
 
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cowgirl836 said:
Miss Hoity Toity hard to please over here
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Right? I'm so fancy! :P

So, I'm about as fair as humanly possible, so one of my big things is that I can't sit in the sun for hours and hours. So I want something else to do besides that - which IS more high-maintenance!

CascadeClone said:
I voted Curacao since it sounds warm and fun and close enough.

But I would also call out Rio de Janeiro and other places in Brasil. Rio has dangerous areas, but there are other fun coastal cities that would be more than warm, fun, safe, and exotic enough for anyone on 99% of this board. Florianopolis maybe.
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I thought Curacao sounded like a blast, too - it was my favorite of the tropical places, because there were things to do that weren't just the beach. And the food sounded amazing, and it looked like it was less murder-y than some other places. But I will totally also look at Rio, etc.!!
 
Iceland. That is one place I really want to see.
Gorgeous landscapes and the opportunity to see the northern lights.

If Diarrhea and Murder was playing there that would just be an added bonus.

source.gif
 
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I too am looking to go to Mexico (Cancun/Playa Del Carmen Areas). 5 Nights.
Sometime between Feb 10 and May.
2 Kids (6&8)

Avoiding Springbreak.

But, when is the best times to travel (cheapest)?
And what are the cheapest days of the week? Sun-Friday, or Wed-Mon, etc????


Thanks!
 
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Cyclones_R_GR8 said:
Iceland. That is one place I really want to see.
Gorgeous landscapes and the opportunity to see the northern lights.

If Diarrhea and Murder was playing there that would just be an added bonus.

source.gif
Click to expand...

I would also love Iceland! And flights can be pretty cheap there. Iceland DOES have a pretty great metal scene!
 
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