March is peak season. Does your budget include air? Won't find anything.

If not including air, in your budget you might get Mexico or Dominican Republic.

An AI resort will not meet your critertia of quite. Look at the boutique hotels on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen, as well as the the Mahakel Beach Resort and Las Palmas off 5th Avenue. Some will include food, but not drinks. Check out www.locogringo.com.

If you up your budget significantly look at the Sibbone on Turks and Caicos. Not AI, but will meet your other criteria and is an excellant Island for a single female.

Does it have to be March? If you want until the 2nd week of May you will find lower crowds and prices.

I have stayed in quiet AI resorts on Caribbean islands. Not all AIs are of the size of the ones in Mexico and DR. For instance, Hawksbill in Antigua. It has 3 beaches spread out and it is located in a quiet (or should that be spelt "quite"?) corner of the island. There is nothing to do at this hotel except swim, read and eat. The accommodation is mainly bungalows in the gardens or along the sea front.

But I do not expect you to be able to get that for $1200. It would be more like $2000 & it's only 3 star. For this reason, you may find Mexico and DR better suited because they are cheaper destinations & can compete on price due to mass tourism they cater for.

look at http://www.akumalbeachresort.com/en/
on good swimming/snorkeling beach. small ai. not fancy but clean & safe. 10 min walk down the beach to very small town of akumal. in your budget if your nights are avail (even with air), easy flt from boston.
here is a webcam looking down the beach towards the resort: http://www.locogringo.com/Upload/akumal-beach-cam.html

How about Negril Jamaica? There's a beautiful 7-mile beach and some smaller local style hotels (White Sands, Wild Parrot, Charela Inn) also larger AIs. It's 90 mins from Montego Bay airport, shuttles are available. It's safe and laid back.

Or (along the lines of Akumal) how about Isla Mujeres, Mexico? You'd fly into Cancun then take a ferry to the island.

www.negrilonestop.com is the best website if you're interested in jamaica

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I booked a direct flight ticket to Cancun and am hoping to get a reservation in Akumal Beach Resort. Just need to figure out the transfers and then i'm all set.

resort should be able to give you info on transfers. or locogringo.com can arrange it. if you're feeling adventurous you could probably go by bus. i'll post some akumal info as soon as you're booked

Have a great trip! I'm sure you will. Sounds like it will be just what you were seeking to find.

You can find out about transfers from the Cancun airport directly, on their website

http://www.cancun-airport.com/arrivals.htm

Alas, Akumal Beach resort is booked. Investigating other Akumal options- though they all seem a bit pricier. WOuld Riviera Maya have any comparable options.

I'd look at Isla Mujeres first. Or really anywhere along Mayan Riviera (the entire stretch between Cancun down to Tulum/Akumal). There's loads of options.