NCtoWI

My husband and I are going on vacation in early August and need some help figuring out where to go. We are looking to spend under $5,000 and will be staying about a week. Here's what we're looking for:

- Safe
- relaxing
- great beach with crystal clear water
- easy to get to from US (don't want to spend a lot of time traveling)
- snorkeling and other fun activities

We have stayed at 2 All Inclusive resorts in Mexico and really enjoyed it (Dreams Puerto Vallarta and Secrets Maroma Beach). However we don't want to stay at a massive resort or one with lots of partying. Our main goal is to relax on an awesome beach but have some activities to do as well. I've been checking out Grand Caymen with snorkeling, sting ray city and night bioluminescence tour but there are no AI resorts there. Is there an island that fits this criteria or am I asking too much?

FranknSense

hmmmm
Do you need AI? You can get some deals in August on some of the pricier islands that don't have good AIs. For AI, Negril works, but expect some partying. Too bad Negril resorts no longer include water skiing, you could waterski all day while everyone else sipped drinks onshore. Barbados has some great choices, the island is very interesting, but snorkeling isn't that great. Grand Caymans is great, but your food bill is high. High food bill in Turks and Caicos too, but the beauty blows GC out of the water and snorkeling isn't that great

kathyhunter

Hi! My husband and I stayed for a week in April on Grand Cayman on the North side. Very quiet and relaxing at the Kiabo Yacht Club Condos Phase I. We were 50 feet from the water on the bay side. Snorkeling on the condo beach ok, but there really isn't a bad spot for snorkeling anywhere on GC just pull off on the side of the road. We were within walking distance of Rum Point activities and restaurants. Swimming with the stingrays is a must in the glass bottom boat with Red Sails. You can make reservations at their hut at Rum Point. Starfish Point is also a must.
We rented our condo thru VRBO. There are no building taller then the coconut trees in this area. There is a coffee shop and two restaurants at the yacht club 200ft from condo. Again very little people traffic felt like we had the beach to ourselves.
Car rental was very inexpensive thru Budget $253 for the week. A car is a must since you are 45 minutes from the airport. Plenty worth the drive. Suggestion do grocery shopping at Fosters when you turn right out of Budget or Hertz Car rental. There is only one small family owned grocery store about 3 miles from condo.
Last year we did Kauai, Hawaii twice but the flight is entirely too long. GC is so much more assessable. Left our hometown at 6am and landed at 12:30pm w/ one layover in ATL.
Picked up our car, did our grocery shopping and were sitting on the beach listening to the waves by 3:45.
Hope this helps!

NCtoWI

One thing I like about AI is not having to stress about the cost of food or drinks. I also don't want to worry about cooking. I do it daily at home so I'd like a break from that and to be pampered a bit! It sounds like it will be difficult to get that and the other things we're looking for.

FranknSense

Just for grins, I put in an August week Turks and Caicos, a place beautiful beyond belief, (remember August is hurricane season) and you can get air and a week at Coral Gardens for 2 from MSP(I would guess similar airfare for most of the Eastern half of US) for $2700. That leaves you $2300 for food and activities

The best snorkeling is right by your hotel and its free, so I think you can manage on $320/day for food and activities. Other than the pirate tour on the other end of the island, I think you will be content on Grace Bay

suze

You could go back to Puerto Vallarta and don't stay at a "massive resort"??

I just got back yesterday and we have a lovely condo overlooking the beach in a wonderful Mexican-style building in Zona Romantica.

yupstrips

When I went to my cousin's wedding in India a few years ago, I saw one of my friends order his food in fluent Hindi, and I thought, “Hmm…I should take Hindi

Tabernash2

Would you please share the name of the condo you refer to, suze?
I'm just beginning to think about a trip to Mexico w/a girlfriend in the next 6 months.

To relax oceanfront, snorkel, visit cultural/historical site, eat fun food, sleep, not party.

Do you recommend that condo for these activities?
Also, what's your favorite time of year, to visit PV?
Thanks.

diann24

Have you thought about the Florida Keys, or Siesta keys along the Emerald Isle in Florida. It is calm pretty water, and a white sand beach and lots of activities. You don't have to go to the Caribbean. You are getting into hurricane season and the weather could be iffy this time of year or have a lot of rain for that matter.

suze

Tabernash2~ Come on over to my latest thread about my Puerto Vallarta trip.

All the information is posted and we can chat more there.

Buena suerte, Suze