Your "challenge" is not as difficult as it may first appear. Choose a city that is located on the coast in a warm climate area. That way, you'll get the warmth and beach you want and your kids will get the "culture" they want.

You mentioned being on a "fairly tight budget" but you didn't give any indication as to exactly what that means. Without an actual dollar point of reference it's hard to know whether or not your budget is realistic. I assume that by "winter holidays" you mean between Christmas and New Years - if so you'll have to remember that often that's one of the most expensive times of the year to visit any place, especially those in the warmer climates. That doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune but rather you might have to make some concessions on where you stay. For instance, many resorts/hotels have different "grades" of rooms or you can opt to stay at a hotel that is a few blocks from the beach less money than staying "beachfront".

San Juan would be a great choice - warm weather, plenty of nearby beaches, the sophistication of a major city, active nightlife, etc. - in short everything you are seeking.

Miami is another good option but you do run the risk of it being cooler than somewhere father south. Rio De, Janeiro is another coastal city you might enjoy. Other lively warm climate destinations that are popular with both younger and older adults include Cancun, Aruba, Puerta Vallarta and St. Martin.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico
Waikiki/Honolulu Oahu Hawaii
both offer the mix you are looking for, with lots of non-AI type hotels to stay at, either place.

Your choices are either south of the U.s. or a few select places in the U.S.

Let's assume U.S. as Mexico seems to be one huge gun battle, and you don't have a gun....

FLA can be iffy in the winter, as can most eastern seabord cities. The good news is that the water is warm as the current takes the water from the equator north on the Atlantic side and south on the Pacific side.

With 5 people it gets very expensive. You might think about San Diego, which is pretty mild all year long. One year I was on the beach by the Del Coronado sipping a Ramos Fizz on New Year's day and the temperature was 76 degrees.


The Hawaii thing might be good, but it is high season there, and you can expect to find expensive restaurants, regardless of the island. If you decide on there, make sure your mainland trip goes to the island you want. Traveling through HNL is a pain and directions are nil.

Hawaii doesn't have to be expensive. Especially if you go to Waikiki (for the 'urban' requested by the 20-somethings). There're all kinds of local restaurants and various eating options that are cheap. No need to hang around in the high-end tourist restaurants if yoyu don't want to.

I posted a few dozen in my own trip report here on Fodor's on Cheap Eats. And there's continuing good discussion of the topic over on Trip Advisor's Honolulu forum as well.

but I don't agree that Mexico needs to be eliminated, since the problems to date have nothing to do with tourists or the typical tourist destinations.

I was thinking San Diego.

Curacao? And what about renting a house? That would likely be less expensive than three hotel rooms, and you can probably get a 3-4 bedroom place maybe even with separate living quarters. And if you travel in January you can probably get some great deals if it's the week or two after New Year's.