My partner and I are looking at travelling south for a week this January. We have a limited budget, and so I am looking for some recommendations. We have previously travelled to Aruba and the Mayan Peninsula. We just want to get away and relax for a week - nothing fancy, somewhere you can show up for breakfast in your swimsuit with sandy feet. We love to snorkel, and also like to experience some of the local area. We are currently considering Cuba or Costa Rica.<BR><BR>Any suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>Lauren

I would suggest you look into the out islands of the Bahamas and Negril, Jamaica. At both locations, there are true beachfront accomondations that are just kick back, feet up (with sand on them!) and truely laid back and affordable.<BR><BR>For Negril, try www.negril.com Great info there.

Bahamas in January is not a warm (ie swimming) weather guarantee. Jamaica, Costa Rica, Belize and (though I haven't been there but have heard good things about) is Roatan (off the coast of Honduras)

Just wondering how budget are these locations? I did a major trip and a cruise this year and am looking to do more "mini" trips that are cheaper.<BR><BR>I live on the Gulf Coast and was looking at the air fares to the places you mentioned. Unless you get a package, which I don't think you want , Lauren, going to Costa Rica can be very expensive. Cuba can be risky to visit and expensive since you will have to fly to another country then fly to Cuba. Remember the American woman who disapeared from Jamaica about a year ago? All the Jamaicans said that she went to Cuba and was never heard from agaoin.<BR><BR>What part of the country do you live in?<BR>I am planning to go to the Bahamas since the air fare is cheap and there are many out islands that have fantastic snorkeling. I love to snorkel too.

You might want to look into Puerto Vallarta. It was inexpensive, fun and had a great local culture.

Cuba in January might be cold. It gets the same weather patterns as Florida (it's only 70 miles off the coast of Florida) and you probably know that Florida can be gloriously warm and quite cool, depending on the year. If you want to just relax, the best place on a budget I can think of is Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. It has 26 miles of white sand beaches, voted in the top 10 in the world. For more information, go to this website:<BR>www.debbiesdominicantravel.com

Placencia in Belize is very cheap- great lodging for "sandy feet" - good snorkelling and fishing......

I highly recommend CUBA..go for that. Your US dollar goes unbelievable far there. Hubby and I honeymooned there in 2000. We stated at SuperClubs Breezes Varadero. Excellent is all I have to say about this. Good enttertainment, food, people, beach everything...go for it! Adios!

Another vote for Belize

I would also recommend Belize. Inexpensive accomodations and food and very laid back atmosphere. The snorkeling is fantastic!

we went to costa rica and found it very expensive. Stayed at the allegro. To tell you the truth, we prefered mexico.

Try St. Eustatius. It's dirt cheap and you can totally relax.

Yes but there are no beaches in St. Eustatius. That would be a problem for most of us.

Message: Yes but there are no beaches in St. Eustatius. That would be a problem for most of us.<BR><BR>You are incorrect. Statia has two good swimmable beaches, Oranje Beach and Lynch Beach. You are undoubtedly thinking of Saba, which has no beaches.

OK--we spend one month each year on a Carribean beach. The best deals we have found in order of cost.<BR>Least expensive: Isla Mujeres<BR>visit isla-mujeres.net<BR>has a fanatic fan base--well deserved<BR>Next Least expensive is a tie<BR>Playa Del Carmen if you stay at a down town hotel. Check hotel-paradise.com<BR>also check labnah.con/index.html<BR>The other place would be the cliffs area in Negril--Samsara hotel. Don't remember the web sight but just type samsara into a search engine and it will come up<BR>Hope this helps <BR>

Hi we just got back from Punta Cana DR. Without a doubt best value for the money vacation we have ever taken. Absolutely beautiful beaches, nice people and nice resort. Relealize it was off season but including two full day excursions for each of us and spending money less than 1800.00 US for a 4 1/2 star hotel, that is per couple. Cuba will be quite cool , we were in Havana last January and it was 65 in the day and way cooler at night. You will love the laid back atmosphere in Punta Cana, everything revolves around the beach. Have a great time, check on rainy season for Costa Rica. Karen

Hi,<BR>Zihuatanejo in mexico. The hotel Villa Mexicana. We were there in jan. veryday was 90 and sunny. You are in the Sierra Madre mountains. Great food and great people. Dinner for 3 with everything 40us. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].<BR>Happt traveling,<BR>Jill