any tropical vacation advice?

[meg8017]

my best friend and I are trying to plan a long girls weekend away for May or June (we are flexible on dates but it has to be over a weekend). We also are not super picky about where we go. Our "wish list" is nice beach, safe, budget friendly. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the options! (I've never been to anywhere tropical besides the Poly ) Any advice? are we better off looking for something all inclusive? Should I call a travel agent? I've always been able to find good deals on my own and am not familiar with using one. TIA!

 

[DisneyDiana]

Your destination will depend on your budget. I was a TA for Liberty Travel for a few years but as long as you do your research, you will save money booking online. If money is an issue I would try a cruise. It is a great way to introduce yourself to different islands and find out which ones you like. Key West is wonderful too and you don't need to get a passport.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Where are you traveling from? That can make a difference in price to different locations.

Do you have a budget in mind?

 

[blanq]

my best friend and I are trying to plan a long girls weekend away for May or June (we are flexible on dates but it has to be over a weekend). We also are not super picky about where we go. Our "wish list" is nice beach, safe, budget friendly. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the options! (I've never been to anywhere tropical besides the Poly ) Any advice? are we better off looking for something all inclusive? Should I call a travel agent? I've always been able to find good deals on my own and am not familiar with using one. TIA!

Try www.cheapcarribean.com I have had great luck booking vacations through this site. If you want to go on a "tropical" vacation in May or June, you should be able to score a deal during these two months as you will be past the winter travel season.

 

[mom2rose&john]

Are you looking for a Caribbean Island or somewhere in the states with a nice beach. Where are you located? Depending on timeframe and location, a long weekend in the Caribbean doesn't seem feasible IMHO due to the travel time and customs.

I was in Delray Beach, Florida over a Memorial Day weekend one year and it felt very tropical and safe. Perhaps the Keys, Marco Island, Captiva. All in Florida and have the tropical safe feel.

 

[TravelMommy]

My favorite tropical paradise. In the states definitely Key West. Have a great trip.

 

[My3kiddos]

Try VacationExpress.com I've found it to be cheaper than Cheap Caribbean and All Inclusive Outlet. Also Orbitz is running a sale thru Sunday for 20% off hotel only reservations if you use code BIKINI. We got our flights free with points this year to Punta Cana and using this code is the cheapest we could find our hotel. Cheap Caribbean wanted $1325 more for the same resort same days and same room. My advice is just to look around before you book.

 

[Darcy03231]

If you want to stay in the US - Puerto Rico or St. Thomas. Neither one will require a passport if you're a US citizen. DH and I like both.

Depending on where you live and if its for a long weekend, I'd pick something in the Caribbean fairly close as you don't want a long flight taking up most of your vacation time. I live in NE so would pick either Bermuda or the Bahamas.

 

[jmmess]

Cheap Caribbean is a good resource and if you want value for your money the Riviera Maya in May would be a great choice. The resorts are all inclusive and on white sandy beaches. We love it there!

 

[Aliceacc]

Bermuda is drop dead gorgeous. There is no visible poverty. Crime isn't an issue, though of course you should be aware of your surroundings anywhere you go. The beaches are amazing. They like Americans.

Take a look at Grotto Bay resort.

I'm not too sure about the "budget friendly" since, as an island, everything needs to be imported. But give it a look.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm doing a weekend getaway with a friend and looked into so many places but airfare to MX or any island made it so much more expensive to do a land trip so we found the best value was flying to MCO and taking a 3-night Disney cruise. It stops in Nassau & Castaway Cay, their private island. I feel very safe there because it's only our ship there on the island. Really, it's a little slice of heaven. We plan to stay on the ship on the Nassau day but if I really wanted to get off we would take an excursion to Atlantis' waterpark, though there are many other excursions to choose as well.
It's almost all-inclusive, unlimited food & non-alcoholic drinks. We're not big drinkers so I don't need an AI to include alcohol. Other cruise lines are cheaper but we love the DCL atmosphere and don't mind paying a little more. The shows are awesome too! This will be my 16th so I know it's a guaranteed good time with no doubt in my mind.

If you can sail while most of the country's kids are still in school, it's much cheaper than say later June when schools are closed everywhere.

We leave in less than 2 weeks and with more snow coming, I can't wait to put my feet in the sand in CC.

 

[mrsp1030]

Marco island is another US option that is amazing. Beautiful white sand beaches and the spa at the marriott is amazing. I also loved cruising and there are a number of deals on royal Caribbean now out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

[happymommy]

I could help you more if you said your departure city and realistic budget.

We went to St. Thomas last year, and although you do not need a passport, it makes it much easier to get through customs if you have one. We keep ours current always.

Also, St. Thomas was not at all "budget friendly" - it was pretty pricey. To me it was okay, glad we went, but we prefer other places (especially Hawaii - we've taken our kids 6 times and are going again very soon). Also, airfare to the Caribbean can be pricey.

You can sometimes get good deals from the East Coast to the Bahamas.

That late in the spring, early summer, the Florida Keys may be a good idea, like Key West. I'm unsure what the beaches are like there, as I've never been.

I also agree, maybe a 3 day cruise would be fun, but I don't know what you're near as far as ports. From Port Canaveral, there are ones to the Bahamas which may be fun.

A nice adult-only all inclusive would be fun, but airfare to Mexico or the DR is typically not cheap. Plus, the nicer AI's that are adult-only are also not cheap, so I'm not sure how to offer advice without knowing your budget. Maybe consider about $500 for airfare plus lodging.

 

[fototaker5857]

My husband and I are going to Riviera Maya Mexico in May and staying at Dreams Riviera-Cancun. We booked through CheapCaribbean.com and it was 2400 out of Dallas for 5 nights. We did get their upgraded room though so it made it more. May is a cheaper month because kids are still in school there. We are going to go to Xel Ha for a day too. Happy Planning.

 

[jmmess]

My husband and I are going to Riviera Maya Mexico in May and staying at Dreams Riviera-Cancun. We booked through CheapCaribbean.com and it was 2400 out of Dallas for 5 nights. We did get their upgraded room though so it made it more. May is a cheaper month because kids are still in school there. We are going to go to Xel Ha for a day too. Happy Planning.

Love the Dreams hotels and Riveria Maya is beautiful!

 

[meg8017]

thank you for all the replies! We both have passports so no issue there. We are flying out of Boston. I have $450 in Jetblue credits so was hoping to try and incorporate them to help save $$. (saw some packages that left from Fort Lauderdale, so would use credits to get there). We need to keep it under $800 pp. Looking at Groupon made us think we could swing it but after looking into it I think it will be tough. We're looking into Key West now. It's been so cold and snowy here I can't wait for some sun and sand!!

 

[shoney]

Have you looked into the JetBlue getaways?

We booked through them for our upcoming allinclusive trip to the Riviera maya.

You may be able to find something for around $800pp for a 3 night trip.

 

[aclov]

Do all inclusive this way you don't have to budget for food and drinks. Punta Cana seems to be pretty reasonable.

 

[jm0925]

my best friend and I are trying to plan a long girls weekend away for May or June (we are flexible on dates but it has to be over a weekend). We also are not super picky about where we go. Our "wish list" is nice beach, safe, budget friendly. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the options! (I've never been to anywhere tropical besides the Poly ) Any advice? are we better off looking for something all inclusive? Should I call a travel agent? I've always been able to find good deals on my own and am not familiar with using one. TIA!

I would highly recommend St. Thomas. My boyfriend and I went a few years back and stayed from a Thursday to a Sunday in April and it was perfect. We stayed at a resort on Sapphire Beach and it was amazing. This beach is far from the tourist parts of the island so its not full of people.The locals will tell you that Sapphire beach is their most gorgeous beach. Another plus about this beach is its right next to the marina where you can take a ferry over to St. Johns island. The beaches over there are just gorgeous too. You can hike different trails through the national park to get to secluded beaches. We had an amazing time. It was a beach trip to remember. My only advice is be prepared to spend some cash on the taxis. They add up quick. I wouldn't recommend renting a car unless you are a pro at driving on steep hills.

I found a great deal on airfare and the resort on BookIt.com.