bthtravel

HI all. I am looking for some advice on where to travel for 4-5 nights this August. We are a 30 year old couple with no children.

Here is my wish list:
-Budget 3K or below
-Easy transfer from airport to resort/hotel
-boutique or smaller resort a plus
-carribean/local island feel
-all inclusive or meal plan a plus
-adults only a plus

RoamsAround

Is your $3k budget just for accommodations (and food, if AI) or does it also include airfare?

If budget includes airfare then we need to know where are you flying from as that will have a big affect on what you have left for accommodations/food? Also, with only 4 or 5 nights you want someplace you can reach fairly quickly.

When are you planning to travel? Winter is the most expensive time to travel to the Caribbean, Summer is less expensive. Late summer/early fall is Hurricane Season and many resorts are closed limiting your choices.

bthtravel

Planning to travel early August. Flying from Charlotte. Budget includes flight, accommodations, food. Could bump up the budget a little.

suze

Honestly no where in the Caribbean would be my pick for an August trip because of the weather. Too hot and possibly rainy.

RoamsAround

Look into resorts in the Punta Cana area of the Dominican Republic - it's one of the most economical destinations in the Caribbean with an abundance of All inclusive Resorts. Usually you can find low airfares from most East Coast International Airports, flight times are around 3 hours from Charlotte. You'll get the biggest bang for your buck in the DR.

bthtravel

Any specific recommendations? Everything I've looked at seems very large and nothing special.....

suze

<Everything I've looked at seems very large and nothing special>

That's what Punta Cana is all about. You aren't going to find "special" in that price range at mega AI resort.

Are you willing to consider the Caribbean coast of Mexico?

bthtravel

Yes

Tabernash2

Have you considered USVI St Croix?
See my recent thread on it.
We just returned from 6 nights at The Buccaneer, which is definitely a smallish resort with a personal touch.
Loved it there.
Not sure of Aug weather, but locals said the weather is pretty much the same year-round: 'in the 80s F, with 20 percent chance of rain'. Most rainy is springtime, we were told.

Tabernash2

http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...n-st-croix.cfm

KVR

August is the start of prime Hurricane season, plus it's going to be very HOT and HUMID. If that is the month you are set for then buy the hurricane/trip insurance that you can cancel for any reason, not just if your flight is canceled or your hotel closes just to be on the safe side.

If you budget can stretch, look at Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada or St. Lucia. Islands that will potentially have better weather, but still no guarantee.

If you really want AI, then Mexico, Jamaica and the DR will give you the best options. I love Mexico and go about once per year, but I stopped going in August/September due to the weather.

Tabernash2

Good point about hurricane season. St Croix's season is June 1 through November. But we were told the hurricane activity comes at the end of the season, like in October. It is not known for getting frequent hurricanes, but Hugo is well-remembered there.

suze

OK then for the Caribbean coast of Mexico look at:
www.locogringo.com

I'm also a fan of Negril Jamaica but not so much the AI's there. For Negril look at:
www.negrilonestop.com
there are places to stay both on the gorgeous 7-mile beach and also up on "the Cliffs"

Odin

St Croix doesn't have a different hurricane season to the other islands and some hurricane activity can come early in the season.

http://stormcarib.com/

eastenderusvi

You might check the VI Nice promotion: http://www.visitusvi.com/usvinice/?g...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

I think US Air is a partner, which would mean a direct flight from Charlotte. Bolongo is a smaller family-run resort and has an AI option, although you get such a good deal that you decide to wing it for food. ;-)

Tabernash2

Odin, your link shows the same dates as I stated for hurricane season. Not sure what you meant:
"Odin on Jun 11, 14 at 11:57am
St Croix doesn't have a different hurricane season to the other islands"

American also flies to the USVI.

schmerl

Look into Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Lots of resorts and smaller boutique type hotels.

suze

The locogringo website covers Playa del Carmen and is an excellent suggestion above. It ticks all your boxes.