Friends Seeking Advice

Old Oct 17th, 2014, 07:21 AM
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Friends Seeking Advice

Hi all,

A group of 4 long time friends is looking to take a week long vacation and want to make the most of it, so we're looking for some advice. Originally, we talked to a travel agent who suggested an all-inclusive stay at Riu Guanacaste in Costa Rica. Through some reading around here, I'm wondering if doing our own thing might be best. We'll probably spend at least some time taking in what the area has to offer, and with an all-inclusive type stay, we feel like any time we don't spend at the resort are in a sense inefficient in terms of money spent.

We're not tied down to Costa Rica, it's just where the agent set us up. In fact, within the US is perfectly acceptable. The things we're looking for most is nice beaches/tropical environment, a comfortable place to say, and things to see and do within a reasonable distance. Some of the things we were considering are snorkeling, visiting national parks, hiking, and general sight-seeing. We're also all in our mid to upper 20's, so some nightlife options wouldn't hurt, either.

We're probably looking at just staying in one place for the duration of the trip, even though splitting the stay might offer more to do. None of us are "travel experts", so something simple is probably best. Our budget is probably somewhere in the $1500-1750/person neighborhood, with the lower end being preferable. I expect 500-600 of that to go into airfare (from Iowa), obviously depending on where we go. Multiple bedrooms might be better, but is not required. We're a close group of friends and don't mind To give you an idea what we're looking for, here's a few few places I've been looking at, assuming we go to Costa Rica:

http://www.4tulemar.com/ - The Tulemar Bungalows
http://www.laposadajungle.com/

If you need any more information or have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask. We'll have to figure out what we're doing pretty soon, as I'm not sure if any of us have our passports. I know I don't.

Thanks!
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Old Oct 17th, 2014, 09:49 AM
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Would you consider Cozumel, Mexico? Its an easy flight from Minneapolis non-stop. You could rent an amazing house or condo for your budget.

Say for instance: Villa Grace.
http://www.cozumelvillas.com/grace.html

During high season, Villa Grace goes for $5400 per week, but that is only $1700 per couple. If each person has a budget of $1500 - subtract $700 for air fare, that leaves $800 for accommodations -- or $1600 per couple.

If you take a 4 bedroom house, such as Casa Iguanas the price is much less. The house is still wonderful.

Cozumel is absolutely the best snorkeling you will find anywhere close. The water is warm and blue and wonderful. The best snorkeling is on the North end of the island, so if you decide on this route, look at the house locations on the map. Grace, Iguanas, Puesta del Sol, Villa Princesa are all in good snorkeling locations. The Country Club Estates area is a bit too far North for good snorkeling. Villas on the Southern beaches won't have good snorkeling although the beach is great and you can go to beach clubs to snorkel.

The dining options in town are amazing and inexpensive.
Some favorites are LaCoCay, Kinta, Kondesa, Blue Angel, El Moro, Buccannos on the Beach and many, many more.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...89d_story.html

The center of town is good for some late night fun with music in many places.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...ive.Music.html


There are many beach clubs with lots of water toys all long the south end - such as Money Bar or Playa Palancar. The shopping is great. The island has a couple of big grocery stores where you could stock up a house with booze and snacks or you can hire a cook to take care of you for breakfast and lunch before heading to town for dinners.

http://www.cozumelvillas.com/sandraskitchen.html

Canoe tours with Robert are so much fun.
https://www.facebook.com/CozumelWilderness

Or you can go
-flyboarding: http://www.goflyboard.com
-rent a Harley: http://www.cozumelmotorcyclerentals.com/
-do the Cozumel Bar Hop Tour: http://www.cozumelbarhop.com/
-spear fishing: https://spearfishingtoday.com/
-learn to cook and dance at the same time at Salsa y Salsa: http://salsaandsalsa.com/
- kiteboarding: http://www.cozumelkiteboarding.com/

If you don't dive, try SNUBA: http://www.snubacozumel.net/

There are also cooking classes, a multitude of great spas, shopping galore.....just to mention a few things that we love about the island.

If you have more questions, post a PM (private message) to me. We've been going to Cozumel for over 20 years from Minneapolis every winter.
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Old Oct 17th, 2014, 10:09 AM
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Akumal Mexico
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Old Oct 17th, 2014, 12:40 PM
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@TC: Wow, that was a thorough response! Thanks so much for laying all of that out there. I will definitely be seeing how the group feels about Cozumel.

I know that some were looking for a more "jungle-y" type environment, which may be how we started off with Costa Rica. Does Cozumel have that sort of feel to it at all?

@Suze: Thanks for that suggestion as well, I will definitely look into it!
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Old Oct 17th, 2014, 04:37 PM
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Sorry...no jungle. Cozumel is all about beautiful water and the second largest reef in the world. It doesn't have a jungle like Costa Rica, but there is a lot to do. You said...snorkeling. It's got that in spades!
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Old Oct 17th, 2014, 04:48 PM
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Intrepid; I'm sorry. I read your original post wrong. I misread as four couples...not four individuals. So, with that said...some good options on Cozumel would be Nah Ha condos with three bedrooms. They are amazing and a spectacular location. Hotel B is also a super little boutique hotel on the best reef.

Nah Ha:
http://www.cozumelvillas.com/nahha.html

Hotel B:
http://mobile.hotelbcozumel.com/tabl...e1413593189537
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Old Oct 20th, 2014, 10:36 AM
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With only a week and the criteria you have, I don't think there is any one answer that is 'best'. There are many choices that would meet some or all of your interests.

Costa Rica actually varies a great deal west coast vs. east coast. You also have to watch out for the rainy season and you don't say when you plan to go. It is called a 'rain forest' for a reason.
http://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/climate.asp

I would not attempt to mix a rain forest vacation with a beach vacation in one week. It simply isn't enough time for that. It sounds like your travel agent suggested a 'rain forest eco-adventure' type package based on what criteria you gave them to work with.

Suggestions of Cozumel or Akumal are fine for beach/snorkelling but totally different from a Costa Rica rain forest trip. That's apples and oranges and cannot be compared. You need to decide which you want, rain forest with all it's points of appeal or a beach vacation.

I have been to Costa Rica, Cozumel and Akumal. While you can compare Cozumel and Akumal to an extent, you cannot compare either to Cost Rica unless you only went to Costa Rica for a beach vacation.
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Old Oct 20th, 2014, 11:48 AM
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No one said they are similar. The travel agent talked them into Costa Rica. They specifically said they aren't "tied down" to the idea.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2014, 07:39 AM
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Suze, where in what I wrote did you see me as talking to you? I'm writing to the OP. Furthermore, if you are going to address me at all then ADDRESS me, it's called courtesy. That means you write, 'Sojourner, no one said.......'

In any case, I would suggest you need to learn to read and not make assumptions. Where did you read that a travel agent 'talked them into Costa Rica'? What I read in the OP is that a travel agent SUGGESTED Costa Rica. Now on what do you think that a travel agent would have made that suggestion? Pulled it out of thin air? Or perhaps based on the critieria/interests that they gave to the travel agent?

The OP also said, "In fact, within the US is perfectly acceptable." Given that intrepid also said in the next sentence, "tropical environment", obviously the OP can't expect to find that in the US. That indicates to me that the OP is a mite confused as to what they really want.

Later intrepid added, "some were looking for a more "jungle-y" type environment, which may be how we started off with Costa Rica." No doubt that played a part in the travel agent's suggestion. Have you been to Costa Rica suze? If you had, you would know that your suggestion of Akumal is not an answer to 'jungle-y'.

As I wrote, a rainforest experience is nothing like a beach vacation. TC seems to have understood that difference and wrote, "Would you consider Cozumel" and based that suggestion on snorkeling rather than the rainforest aspects of the interests mentioned, which makes sense. Obviously, TC is a big Cozumel fan. But TC also makes it clear that, there would be "no jungle" if they chose Cozumel.

As I wrote, "Suggestions of Cozumel or Akumal are fine for beach/snorkelling but totally different from a Costa Rica rain forest trip. That's apples and oranges and cannot be compared. You need to decide which you want, rain forest with all it's points of appeal or a beach vacation."

You suze seem to want to defend your suggestion without regard to what intrepid needs actual help with. They need to figure out what they want. Jungle or beach. THAT is the question that needs answered at this point. You trying to argue that "no one said" is a waste of time.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2014, 07:46 AM
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Intrepid, with one week you really do need to chose. Rainforest (jungle) or beach. Have another group discussion and get agreement on one or the other. Then you can ask for suggestions.

Regarding your original question which was an all-inclusive more organized trip or a 'do it yourself' type trip. The answer to that actually depends on the people. Some people prefer to have things organized for them and others prefer to organize things for themselves. With a group you add the dynamic of who will do the organizing and what if someone doesn't like something that they do? It can ruin a friendship no doubt.

So the simple answer is yes you can do it yourself. The real question you should be asking in your group is do you want to, who will do it and what if someone doesn't like something they do? Can everyone agree that while one might do the organizing, ALL will accept shared responsibility for the outcome, NOT blame the organizer if they don't like something? See the issue?
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Old Oct 24th, 2014, 08:32 AM
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What about Puerto Rico?
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Old Oct 25th, 2014, 05:28 PM
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I appreciate all the help and posts this has garnered! You guys have definitely fulfilled what I was looking for, and that was essentially to get some ideas from people who have experience, or at the very least, more knowledge about traveling than I do.

@Sojourntraveller - While I wouldn't say I am exactly confused about what *I* want, my group of friends is notoriously bad at making decisions about what they want. Some know, some don't. After we talked about going somewhere, I decided to do my own independent research and try to bring some ideas to the group, which this thread has helped to do. The reason Costa Rica was suggested by the travel agent is because the person who initially suggested a group vacation talked to a travel agent. I have absolutely no idea what they told them we were looking for. I really do appreciate your help, but you're preaching to the choir in terms of figuring out what we want. I'm trying my best to get info from them and a commitment of at least where to go Also, your point is well taken about a person not liking an aspect of the trip. I think we're all laid back enough that it won't be an issue, but it's something I'm trying to keep in mind.

Basically, I think all anyone really wants is a nice vacation, preferably a warm one with a nice beach. But I felt that would obviously be far too vague (not that this post wasn't already enough, sorry >.
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Old Oct 29th, 2014, 04:43 AM
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Now that it seems you are all open to just a fun beach time, you might consider a cruise because you do not need passports for most closed circuit cruises, meaning you begin and end the cruise at the same port in the US.

If you did the Caribbean, you could be on a beach on a different island each day, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining, river tubing, etc.

Choose the right ship and you could have plenty of fun night life.

Look at vacationstogo.com for ideas. If that seems appealing, go to cruisecritic.com for more info or the cruise forum here.
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Old Oct 29th, 2014, 12:27 PM
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Intrepid, For many years I planned a major holiday for our little group each year. Each trip was an enormous undertakings such as: 3 weeks driving and staying in B&Bs in the South of France, a month by train and auto touring Italy, 5 weeks sailing, diving and touring in Thailand, 3 weeks living on board a sailboat in French Polynesia, etc. We live in the US and our companions are Canadian. I would spend up to a year on the research, planning and booking of all aspects of these trips. I did it because I love doing the reading, I'm good at details and I'm creative with my planning. I did, however, have a few basic rules that kept our friendship strong through it all. They were:

1. No bitching....ever! They had begged me to take on the job of planning because no one else wanted it. Any time they didn't like how I did the planning, the next year the job would be up for grabs. I don't have a problem handing over the reins, but I don't take criticism from non-participators. I know that sounds harsh. I just mean, give me your ideas, desires, likes and dislikes ahead of time during the planning. Don't keep your mouth shut and then complain later that you didn't like something or other.

2. No blaming allowed. We all agreed, we were willing to take the good with the bad. Sometimes things turned out to be so much better than we ever expected....other times they were so wrong that all we could do was laugh....and that is what we did.

3. Once we were on-board the plane, my job was over. I was on vacation. That meant, the others were on to find a great place to have dinner, figure out how to transport our luggage through the airport, hail the taxi, buy a local SIM card, get directions, etc.

4. We were not joined at the hip. Once we reached a location, everyone was on their own. In the pre-trip package I would give out lists of things that were available to do. If they wanted to do them - great. If we all wanted to do them - better. If we wanted to go our seperate ways and meet for drinks later-- also, great. No hurt feelings - no pouting allowed!

5. Once we started to travel, we had a community "purse" into which each person put a specific amount of cash. That money was used by the group for things like dinners, drinks, tours, tipping, taxis, etc. No bitching that someone was getting more than their fair share. When the "purse" was empty, we all pitched in again....or if there was money left over at the end of a trip, we split it evenly.

A traveling group needs a basic set of tenants to adhere to otherwise the friendships can go bust in short order. Traveling together is a delicate process. People who love each other at home and can have a riot together every Friday and Saturday night...can come to blows on holiday together. People change somehow when they travel. It is so important to really know your friends and know whether you can holiday together.

The most important part.....a big thanks to whoever does all the leg work. There's nothing worse than being taken advantage of by a group who can't make a collective decision.

Good luck!
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:49 AM
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Well said TC. Unfortunately, it seems this group can't even agree on what they want as a general target. LOL
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 10:06 AM
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Intrepid, As you consider San Diego, first look at timing. When are you planning to go? Its not always warm enough in San Diego for a "beach vacation". For instance, in February, the average high is only 65 with a low of 50. Add a little wind off the water and its not exactly work-on-your-tan weather.
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Old Oct 31st, 2014, 12:48 PM
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Puerto Rico comes to mind as beach and jungle WITHOUT a passport.
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Old Nov 28th, 2014, 07:15 AM
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Intrepid, we recently spent a week on US Virgin Island St Croix. No passport required, uses USD, English-speaking. We liked it a lot. It's very affordable.

St Crox has beaches and a rain forest. It's simple, and friendly. No glamorous shopping, though.

Great diving and snorkeling.

Look at The Buccaneer, which we loved. Not AI, but a huge breakfast buffet is included. Snorkel gear and kayaks are free. Snorkel tour to Buck Island leaves from the hotel dock. Many different types of lodging available. Great customer service.

Look for my thread about it, for more details.
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Old Dec 9th, 2014, 09:43 AM
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Hawaii !!!
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