TBalcom

I've been 'round and 'round about this vacation for months!! Instead of just reading ad after ad about what places offer, I thought I'd just go ahead and ask all you Fodor's experts out there!

Although our anniversary is in June, we're open to going anytime. We will have $3,200 saved by June (less if we go sooner, more if we go later) and will be doing all we can to stay within that budget.

I found an all-inclusive resort in Puerta Vallarta through Costco for $2500 for 10 days and that included air from Seattle, airport transfers, city tour, and resort credit. There is also one in Riviera Maya for close to that price for just air, food/lodging, and transfers. Both places would still give us money left over for the fun stuff: swimming with dolphins, zip-line, snorkeling/scuba, etc. We went to Riviera Maya for our honeymooon for 10 days and it rained for 4 of those days. We're from Seattle. Not cool. We don't have our hearts set on Mexico, we just know its warm, somewhat inexpensive, not too far from home so we're not losing days in travel, and I speak Spanish, so that's a plus.

But the lure of Costa Rica can't be ignored. I have no idea how to even navigate all the options, locations, etc. There are condos I saw for $450 a week in Coco, then head to the grocery store for some basic breakfast/lunch fixin's and find great places for dinner. We could totally beat $2500! A friend even said they hired someone to come do all their food for $20 a day! But I have no idea where Coco is in relation to any kind of activities or adventures.

Although the "resort life" has its own appeal (I'm a stay-at-home mom of 2, I'd love not to have to cook or clean while I'm on vacation!) this is our "once in a lifetime chance" to go somewhere and do something we may never do again. My husband has up to 10 days off work, which when included with weekends (and Memorial Day in May) we could be gone for 2 weeks. Our real driving force is being able to do it under $3,200. Warm. Beach. Adventure. On a Budget.

You guys are the experts! Do you have suggestions? Recommendations? Mexico, Costa Rica, somewhere else? Thank you!!!

suze

I'm in Seattle. I always go to Puerto Vallarta (20+ times). I don't like "all inclusives". I just stay at a local-style hotel near the beach, or lately have been renting apartments. I love the restaurants, cafes, bars in PV and would never want to be "stuck" at a resort.

You can beat the $2500 in PV too by taking the same approach. Inexpensive hotel or condo. Hit the grocery store and taco stands, etc.

If you go in May the weather in PV is typically fantastic, but it's late enough in the year to be considered off-season. You can find nice places to stay for $50-75/night.

suze

I just did some quicky research for May 2013. A 1-bedroom condo at $595-695/week. Airfare at $540 per person on US Air (thru Phoenix).

So for 10 days basically $1000 air, $1000 apartment or hotel, leaving you $120 per day for food, entertainment, tours, local transportation, which is plenty.

volcanogirl

Check Tulemar Bungalows in Manuel Antonio. If you want to add in another location, check out the Arenal area - the Lost Iguana, the Springs Resort and Spa, and Nayara are all nice. Some of these places offer specials and Groupon deals.

volcanogirl

You could take a look at Belize too. Some combination of the San Ignacio jungle area and a beach area like Ambergris is nice.

Stewbear

I'd take Suze's advice. PV but no A/I

TBalcom

Yes, Suze and Stewbear, I think we're leaning towards that as well. The more I thought about it, I'd really like to take my kids to Costa Rica with us someday, and there are things in PV that my kids wouldn't get much out of - but we would as a couple. So we're looking at a mix of A/I and a cute little condo in Old Town. Really looking forward to going now!! Thanks everyone!!