timsgirl1014

My fiancée (50) and I (43) are needing suggestions for a 5 night trip in mid-February to a beach location. We've both been to the Cancun/Playa areas before and would like to try somewhere new that is reasonably priced.
Requirements: All-inclusive, golf on-site or nearby, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, scuba, and lots of beautiful sand!
Thanks

doug_stallings

February is the highest of high seasons throughout the Caribbean, so there are relatively few options for so-called "reasonable" prices. You'll always pay a huge premium for traveling in this time.

In the Caribbean, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are your best bets, offering everything you want, though scuba diving is not a strong suit of either destination. For that, Aruba might be better but is both more expensive and has worse golf offerings.

Antigua might also be an option, but most of the AI resorts there (at least the ones that aren't expensive) aren't very good, and airfare is generally more expensive.

If you can do without the AI component, then you have many more options and can, arguably, both eat and drink better for not much more money.

RoamsAround

It would be helpful too if you define what "reasonably priced" means TO YOU in actual dollars otherwise we are just guessing.

Doug is right on - if you don't want Cancun or Playa del Carmen but still want AI then the Dominican Republic or Jamaica will be your best bets for resorts at the lower end of the price scale.

Odin

We've only ever been on the mid/lower end of the AI price scale and have not had bad experiences. In St Lucia, the Almond Morgan hotel (now St James) offered trips to the golf course at Cap Estates. Snorkelling is not bad around Anse Chastenet and Anse Cochon (excursions required for these). Barbados is also a good option esp for golf and beautiful beaches, moderate AIs include Couples Barbados, the Club Barbados (need to walk left to the Sandy Lane beach), snorkelling is not the best but there are some spots which are OK.
Antigua also is a great choice, eg Jolly Beach hotel in a superior room (dont choose the cheapest room category), none of these are the best ever but are reasonably priced however as others have stated, midFeb is very popular esp around Valentine's Day. Snorkelling is limited.

OceanBreeze1

Hello, Tim's Girl!

Mid-Feb usually encompasses President's Week so that will be very expensive wherever you go. Most people planning on travelling during that peak time reserve their flights/hotel for that week well in advance. It's now only 4 months away!

We like Aruba. Guaranteed warm in mid-Feb b/c it is so close to the equator.

OB1

timsgirl1014

Thanks for the feedback. I'm shooting for a maximum of $1500pp for this trip. I've been to the Playa area several times and have never had a bad experience. He as been to Cancun. We certainly don't need anything fancy, just clean comfortable room and decent food (my AI buffet expectations are realistic). Thought I would try to find a new location for our first tropical trip together.

Mexico is the cheapest. I've never stayed in Cancun itself and have had several people warn me that it just feels like you are still in the US due to all the chain restaurants. I enjoy Playa because there are lots of international travelers. That may be were I end up looking based on the prices I'm seeing in the Caribbean.

doug_stallings

Have you ever considered Cozumel? Though the beaches aren't as good as the Riviera Maya, the diving and snorkeling are superb. And it's a different feel than Cancun.