kkee

Looking to go for an anniversary. What is better Hawaii or PRico? We will do lots of golfing and like to walk around.

tom42

Neither is "better." You could do lots of golfing and walking around in either place. You might have to give us a little more to go on to help you.

Weadles

I agree that we need more info in order to help you. Where are you flying from? How long is your vacation? What is your budget?

suze

Neither is better. Both offer beautiful island scenery, golk, and place to walk around.

PR is one small island in the Caribbean. Hawaii is a grouping of islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai, Lanai) so much more diverse and out in the middle of the Pacific.

Totally different places!! Either would be nice for a vacation. Where are you coming from? The flight times might influence your decision.

kkee

Flying from Minneapolis. We are not real fussy when it comes to a vacation. I guess maybe more to add would be that we like to do adventure things besides golfing. We love the beach but get too bored just sitting there all day long!! Budget wise - I would say around $3000.

tom42

kkee - I am afraid you will not get much in the way of helpful advice with such a lack of information as to what you are looking for.

By the way, I've been to Oahu, Maui and Puerto Rico and love all of them.

KVR

We've been to Maui with a day trip to Oahu and to PR on a cruise. Personally, we didn't like any of those for a return trip. Hawaii was really expensive and a very long flight. We barely did air and hotel for $3,000. Adding in food, drinks, activities and shopping it got very expensive.

There are better Islands for a nice beach if your looking for white sand and crystal clear water.

I agree, we really need more detailed info as to what you are really looking for in a vacation besides golf and beach. With that criteria, you could go anywhere in the Caribbean/ Mexico or Hawaii.

suze

I disagree about Hawaii necessarily being expensive. It depends where you stay, how much you spend for the hotel, what you choose to do when you're there, where you eat. I can do 10 days on Oahu (granted from Seattle) for $1500 which includes my nonstop flight on Hawaiian Air, Waikiki Sand Villa, public transportation to get around, eating at local places, doing free activities.

I do agree for what you've outlined, any island in the Caribbean, and all the coastal resorts of Mexico (especially Caribbean side) could fit what you seek.

KVR

Suze, lucky you. Airfare alone from Texas for 2 people to Maui cost me $1,500. We stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, which is no way a luxary hotel. To date, Hawaii is the most expensive vacation we've done.

Odin

PR is the only place I've been (twice) and not liked at all. Golf and walking around is available both places.

suze

KVR, I understand Hawaii is more expensive for some people, because of airfare. But also it's because of where they stay and what they do once they are on the islands. I realize I do stay at more budget accomodations than would suit most. I just hate when I hear "Hawaii is so expensive" because I personally believe while it CAN be true, it does not have to be. I can bring my solo 7-10 day trips in for the same price as I do my Mexican beach vacations.

KVR

Any destination will be more expensive when paying for 2 or more people than going solo. It's good that you can do that, but it has never been available for us. Mexico has always been much more inexpensive than any other destination we've been to, which is why we go more often. I stick with my statement that Hawaii is very expensive and the most expensive vacation we've taken to date whether that is relevant to others or not.

tom42

Hawaii is definitely a more expensive vacation than Mexico. Even if airfare is removed from the equation, hotel and food costs are significantly lower in Mexico when doing an apples to apples comparison. Don't get me wrong - I love Hawaii but it aint cheap.

suze

<Hawaii is definitely a more expensive vacation than Mexico>

I am sorry but this is simply NOT universally true. I'm not sure why you two won't believe my experience is different than yours? I can show you my receipts

And YES I am doing an "apples to apples" comparison with the same level of budget hotel, same kinds of restaurants, use of grocery store, public transporation, limited expensive activites, etc.

I am comparing central Waikiki (4 recent trips) to downtown Puerto Vallarta (19 times).

Also solo is NOT cheaper than 2 people together, at least not for hotels and taxis. Because solo you have to pay the entire bill yourself. While a couple is spliting that nightly cost or ride.

tom42

Not sure how you manage that Suze but maybe at the budget level the differences disappear. I know staying at a 4 star hotel in Mexico (Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta) is significantly less expensive that a similar property in Hawaii (Waikiki, Maui). My restaurant bills were also significantly lower in Mexico than in Hawaii - I can show you my receipts. : )

KVR

I guess we don't understand it because we didn't have that same experience. I don't how you got a Hawaiian vacation at the same price as Mexico, but I would love to know how. I might even consider going back. Maybe Kauai this time.

I can do a AI package deal with air to Cancun for $1,500 in a 3* hotel. $1,800 for a 4* hotel. Just air to Maui was $1,500. The Kannapali Beach Hotel was $2,700. It's probably a 4* at best. How you can get a Hawaiian vacation for 2 people with air for $1,500 - $1,800 do tell.

We go AI in Mexico (which I know Suze doesn't) That right there makes Mexico less expensive because I'm not paying extra for food and drinks unless I go off property, which I do and it's still less expensive than resturants in Hawaii. Sorry, no reciepts anymore just memories.

Airfare for one person is cheaper than for 2 people. Hotel occupancy for one person is less expensive than 2 unless you buy a package deal then a solo supplement rate is applied. Paying for one dinner is cheaper than paying for two dinners. Etc., etc, etc. Yes, overall, going solo is less expensive than a couple or a couple with children.

suze

We're not comparing apples to apples here. I have never stayed at a 4-star, or an all-inclusive, or booked thru a package deal.

OF COURSE the cost for 1 person to go on vacation is less than for 2 people to go on vacation. 1 + 1 = 2!! Because you are doubling most things (food, drinks, etc.) I am saying on the *per person* costs a couple saves money over a single because of sharing a room, a taxi, a rental car.

I don't think most people would be happy with the 'level' of my vacation experience if you are used to 4 star resorts in either Mexico or Hawaii. But if you're really interested, here's how I do it:

suze

10 day trips departing Seattle

Puerto Vallarta ($1607)
US Air thru Phoenix $575
Hotel Posada de Roger (10) $490
Airport taxi (2) $42
Food/entertainment ($50/day) $500

Waikiki ($1585)
Hawaiian Air nonstop $310
Waikiki Sand Villa $675
Airport transfers (comp) $0
Food/entertainment ($60/day) $600

tom42

You have an advantage over those of us not living on the west coast. $310 for airfare to Hawaii is great. That is where you are getting your savings. Even your own figures show that minus the airfare, you Waikiki trip was about $250 more than your PV trip. Granted, that isn't a huge difference over the course of a 10 day trip but still...

KVR

The vast majority of people don't live on the west coast or get airfare that reasonable. Again, you are very lucky to be able to get those prices. It will never happen for us. I agree also that your "level" of vacationing is not the norm for most travelers either, and most people don't travel solo. It's great that you can get a vacation the way you want it for a really great price, but it's not reasonable for the rest of us.

I still stick to my prior statement that for the vast majority of couples traveling from somewhere other than the west coast, who like more than just "get by" accommedations/resturants and plan to do activities while on vacation, Hawaii is very expensive compared to other destinations, and still is the most expensive destination we've been to over 10 years of traveling to various places in Mexico and the Caribbean.