amynuzz

We'd be so grateful for some advice - having just returned from our wonderful albeit challenging honeymoon hiking the swiss alps, we realize that our next vacation (February) NEEDS to be an all-out relaxing escape. Since I'm a teacher and I want to plan ahead for that popular Feb vacation week, I figure now is not too soon to start, but I know nothing about beach vacations.

Location is totally flexible. We don't want to spend too much (less than $100/night) and we'd like a bungalow that opens to the sandy beach...some hammocks, dress code = sarongs, that's about it. An artsy or eco-friendly crowd preferred, we are trying to avoid a cheesy atmosphere (like furniture that's from the 80's)!

Any ideas, fodorites?

travelbuff

The only place I can think of like that would be on Eleuthera in the Tarpun Bay area. That area is actually becoming known as a kind of artist colony. Two well know artists lived in that area and passed away not long ago, but both left their imprint on the settlement.

You might check www.eleu.net for suggestions on where to stay.

Getting there is half the fun, fly into Nassau and take the Fast Ferry over to Eleuthera or fly on Bahamas Air.

Have a great time.

beachplum

check out the eco-friendly tent/cabins at Maho Bay, St. John but check quickly. There is also Harmony and Concoria which you'll find at the Maho web page http://www.maho.org/. There is also camping and cottages at Cinnamon Bay and their rates are probably comprable to Maho's. http://www.cinnamonbay.com/cincottg.htm
Maho's tents are hillside with lots of steps up and down to the beach but Cinnamon has some spots on the beach.
Jakes on

beachplum

whooops! Not sure of the rates at Jakes on Treasure Beach on Jamaica but was very reasonable before it became more popular but don't know how much damage was done by Dean.

Odin

If it doesn't have to be the English speaking Caribbean, Martinique and Guadeloupe have lots of bungalow accommodation within your price range, some near beaches and some set slightly back.

Google hebergements/gites/bungalow martinique guadeloupe

http://www.antilles-info-tourisme.co...e/p2-in-gb.htm

iw

Hello fellow teacher. I agree that it is great to have a trip lined up to get us through the next few months! Ours in Feb. will be to Hilton Head with friends.

While I don't have any specific names of places for you, I agree with the suggestion of Guadeloupe. It is a beautiful island and the food is amazing. It has been some years since I visited, but it is still one of our favorite islands. There is/was a day tour to the volcano and an island tour with the most amazing hike through the rainforest. Lunch was included and it was well worth the day that we spent exploring with a guide and a small group of other tourists.

Good luck!

ejcrowe

I think the prices might be a little higher in February than you want to pay, but check out Petit Bacaye (www.petitbacaye.com) in Grenada. Quiet beach, nice cabins on the beach, on a simply beautiful island. rent a car to see all of the sights.

joan

I have stayed at the property linked below, in Sea Star. Morningstar is more your budget, but if you can swing $1000 for the week, I highly recommend Sea Star. Sarong is the most you will need to wear! Includes bikes, palapa, and hammock. Set on a little lake with fruit tree and flowers.

February in the Bahamas will be cool. In order to get balmy weather, you'll have to go further south. But if you're coming from a cold climate, that may not matter to you!

http://www.calypsocalypso.com/

virginia

hi amy, my first thought is the maya riviera area (mexico) just south of the tulum ruins and town. places like ana y jose's and la zebra are exactly as you describe including the artsy/eco ppl
check out these links: http://www.locogringo.com/dynamic/bungalows.cfm
http://www.locogringo.com/tulum/anay...el%20and%20Spa
http://www.cabanascopal.com/
this is a wonderful area to travel to -you can just do beach time or there are loads of activities nearby.
not sure if this specific area was damaged badly by dean or not...
fly to cancun take collectivo (bus) to tulum. or locogringo can arrange a van that will take just you from airport directly to your cabanas.

amynuzz

THANK YOU, thank you so much everyone!! This is some fantastic information.

Virginia, some friends have been telling us about the Tulum/Mayan Riveria area as well...between what you showed us and our friends' stories, I think this might be the destination for us. I really like Cabanas Copal, and I LOVE that they offer daily yoga classes!

As for some of the finer details - any tips on how to get the best flight to Cancun, and once we're there I see there is no electricity - does this ever pose a problem? Or is it easy enough to just bring flashlights.

Finally with Cabanas Copal, the Garden View rooms are the less expensive of the options...does it feel like you're on a beach, or should we spring for the sea view.

Thanks!!

virginia

i haven't stayed in either of these properties so can not offer specific room advice. there is much discussion of these places on the mex section of latin america board. repost over there naming copal and you should get info.
flight depends on where you are traveling from. delta usually has some good flights off the east coast. in any event i always try to get going as early as possible. (of course i'm trying to get from maine to the tropics so i need an early start)
yes take a couple small flashlights. and i see copal will arrange a transfer from cancun to their door. i would do that.
book soon - feb is extremely busy for all carib destinations.
if you do this have lunch one day at mezzanine. after town of tulum, on way to copal you'll pass large archway and turn right. go the other way to find mezzanine. perfect mojito and a salad with pine nuts & bleu cheese to die for.

beachbum2

Where are you flying from. Cancun is typically an easy flight from almost anywhere. I agree that you would love the Riviera Maya area. The further down you go...the more artsy and eco friendly it becomes.

amynuzz

we're coming from the NY metro area. LaGuardia preferred for proximity to home...but JFK & Newark aren't a big problem. I see a flight for $640 each, is this considered good?

virginia

using kayay.com i found jfk on aa #1845 to mia #2185 to cancun dep 5:45 am ar 10:40 am
return aa #1764 2:53pm ar jfk 7:43 for $466 each this is a good rate and great flight times.
so i'd say keep searching.
i used 2/9 to 2/16 for search so a different week could easily account for price diffence. often in a case of mutliple airports in close proximity one has way better deals. and just my opinion you should not take a flight that will take you til 7-8pm to get there. the drive down if fun and i wouldn't want to arrive in an elec free zone after dark.
and i've been thinking i would splurge on the beachfront unit. sooo nice to walk out your door and walk directly into the sea.

joan

And also check Spirit Airlines. They do not get rave reviews here, but they definitely offer specials to Cancun.

They don't come up on some of the search engines, you have to go to their website, I believe.

ltilson

I stayed in Akumal last March and thought the Tulum area was great. I have traveled extensively in the Caribbean and have never seen a more beautiful beach. Very wide with soft, white sand. We had lunch at Zamma's and thought their little hotel was very cool. I saw a group of people with their yoga mats and the restaurant was wonderful....best quacamole of my entire trip! Also liked the beach at Xpu-Ha....Not sure about accommodations there, but a great area. Probably more upscale and expensive. You would like the funky little bars and shops around Tulum. Very low key.

tivertonhouse

Currently available starting 23 Feb
pending the usual reconfirmation are
Sea Ranch and Rasta Ranch cottages at
Horizon in Bluefields Bay/Belmont on
Jamaica's South Coast, unaffected ironically save for some seastone and
eel grass on the lawns. See http://www.jamaicaescapes.com

amynuzz

thanks again everyone for all of your posts. I think Tulum is for us and will be checking it out on the Mexico board and maybe reposting some questions there. You've all been a great help!!

oldtown

Copal is an absolute shithole. There are dozen of reports of theft from the cabins on Tripadvisor. The beach there is all rock too. It's the worst place on the beach.

ishkribbl

Amynuzz-
From one teacher to another, I totally understand the planning ahead for school holidays! In 2007 we took my February (Mardi Gras) holiday and went to Culebra for a week and I think it might be somewhere that would interest you. It was perfect weather and warm water- very laid back, friendly, inexpensive compared to other places we have been. You can fly into San Juan then take Flamenco Air hop (about 30 minutes if I remember right)to Culebra.
While I love the out islands of the Bahamas I would not risk goig in February if I wanted warm water. I totally agree with the others about Mexico- we did Isla Mujeres one school holiday (April?) and Punta Bete one November and they were great- I have wanted to go to Akumal but have not yet. We loved the looks of the Tulum area on a day trip.
Happy planning!