Hey all..been going through the posts and there are some super knowledgeable people out there. Hopefully you can help me. My wife and I have a budget of 2K (including air). We are open to anywhere in the Caribean. Open to all inclusive or ala cart. Main priorities are sailing, easy beach access, hammocks. We aren't super "touristy" people but realize we may have to go that route w/ our budget. Mainly we just want to relax and not worry about anything. Please throw out your suggestions! Thanks

It would help everyone to know:

1) where you're leaving from

2) how long you'd like to go for

3) what time of year you are going (hopefully it's low season)

2K, including air, is a small budget especially if you are planning to visit for a typical 7 day vacation. If that's for accomodations, air and meals it is going to be a stretch. You don't say where you are travelling from and that will have a major impact on your destination. You are probably going to spend at least half your budget on airfare so be realistic and don't be expecting to stay at 4 & 5 star hotels.

Here are some hints: look at destinations you can reach non-stop from your nearest international gateway city as that will save you on airfare. Fly from mid-week to mid-week rather than week-end to weekend. Go in "low season" (usually late spring through early November - dates vary so be flexible) as resort rates are their lowest of the year. Check out All Inclusives in the Doiminican Republic, Jamaica, Antigua Cancun, Cozemel and Playa del Carmen as thjose are traditionally the more economical destinations in the Caribbean. Check the airline and travel websites for package deals. You'll also find listing for package deals in the Travel Section of your Sunday Newspaper.

One thging, when you say "sailing" what do you mean by that? Some resorts have small boats (sunfish, hobie cats) that can be used by guests. Depending on the resort their usage may be included in your daily rate or you might have to pay an extra hourly rate. Most islands have dail sail excursions you can go on for an extra fee but with your limited budget that may not be an option.

Good luck!

Sorry, leaving from WAS (DC and surrounding). Leaving October (8-15) but a day or two shorter is ok w/ us. It is mid-week. By sailing I mean little sunfish. I grew up sailing them but haven't sailed for a long time.

The cheapest destination is going to be a mid-range to budget hotel in Mexico; Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Puerta Vallarta (which I don't recommend)

We are looking at the El Cozumeleno in Cozumel for November. (we've been to Cozumel 3 other times) It is still the cheapest destination with the best snorkeling. It's a 3* hotel with huge rooms and balconies that you'll pay an arm and a leg for anywhere else. We got it for less than $2000 for 6 nights in a deluxe room all inclusive.

Try pricing destinations on travel sites like Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, BeachDestinations.com, or CheapCaribbean.com

Just make sure you include trip insurance that you can cancel out for any reason since it's still hurricane season in October. We've gone in a November for the past 7 year with only one interuption in 2005 thanks to Hurrican Wilma.

That's a pretty tight budget, even in October, because airfares have gone up so high. Here's a random sampling of what I just found plugging in your departure and dates at AAVacations:

Aruba -- Sunspree Holiday Inn $2100 week EP, add another $1200 for AI. Includes island transfers.

Grenada -- Rex Grenadian Resort $2050 week EP, add another $530 for AI, includes island transfers.

Jamaica -- There are actually a few choices here in your price range. Some of them are a little questionable, but you can read the reviews on your own: Samsara, Legends, SunSpree Holiday Inn, Footeprints in the Sand, and three different RIU resorts.

There are probably other choices in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico, two places traditionally offering more value for the US dollar than the rest of the region.

You could also start bidding now on air/hotel AI packages on SkyAuction.com, a reputable auction site. Just make sure you read the "fine print'" that discloses any additional fees.

I just conformed our last minute trip to Cozumel - airfare with miles, so just had to pay fees, coming out to about $300 for two. 6 nights at the Playa Azul for $122/night. Going back and forth about a rental car.

But, getting those tickets with miles (most of which I got from my Delta Skymiles AmEx) is what made the difference.

The Trip Advisor forums have a LOT of info on where to stay, less about getting there.

A search with Funjet came up with some decent prices, way under your budget to Cancun. The Cozumel trips were a little over, a search for Tulum came up with nothing, as did a search for Akumal, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic was under budget as well.

Personally, I would go with renting an apartment to control food costs. I'm not a big fan of AI's, but, staying at one of them you certainly wouldn't need to worry about much.

Good luck!

Barbados offers the BOB at this time of year (best of barbados). Airfare discount and free breakfast at participating hotels. We've always found some great deals.

Check this site for more info:

http://www.visitbarbados.org/holiday...ay.aspx?sid=75.

Lot's of great hotels on the list.

Peace, Greenie

Check out Elm Beach Suites, Tortola, Cane Garden Bay, about $100 a night you have a kitchen and AC in the bedroom and they are beach front. Lots of entertainment along the beach and restaurants so you dont need to have a car. The cheapest air will most likely be into St Thomas and then ferry over to Tortola.Good Luck

If you can find decent airfare to Cancun, then hop on over to Isla Mujeres. Literally dozens of small hotels for less than $50.00 a night. Food is wonderful and very cheap. Great beach. I'm not sure about sail boats though.

I did a quick search on Expedia here are some rates I found
Cancun
Royal Solaris 3.5* 1090pp AI
Riu Caribe 3.5* 1135pp AI

St Maarten/Martin
not an AI but decent property, Pelican Resort 883pp

Grenada
Siesta Hotel 1254pp

Aruba
Blue Village 950pp

Puerto Rico
starting at 1000pp

USVI
starting at 1073pp
I would suggest checking out Travelocity, and Cheap Caribbean sites too. If I was planning this trip I'd pick Grenada. A little more expensive because of the distance but you can eat relatively cheap in the area and the hotel is by Grand Anse Beach which is beautiful.
Another suggestion is to visit this website for more Caribbean info
www.caribbeantravelforums.com then go back to the discount sites for any bargains available.

You couold fly to St. Thomas for around $440 PP then ferry to St. John and stay an Cinnamon Bay. They have cottages for $77 per night and tents for $64 per night. They have grills & stoves so you could bring some meats, etc. with you. Here's there site: http://www.cinnamonbay.com/home.html. This place is on a beautiful beach, no sunfish but they do have sail boards & kayaks.

You might consider Isla Mujeres, Mexico instead of other Caribbean Islands. My DH & I go there and find that it is a good bang for the buck. There are plenty of places to stay around $120 per night and we have found airfare to Cancun to be cheaper than flying to other islands. Isla is a small island and nothing like Cancun. I'n not sure about renting small sailboats, but easy beach access and hammocks abound. There are several Isla Mujeres forums...just Google it.

KVR~ Why do you specifically not recommend Puerto Vallarta?

Besides that it's not exactly convenient for flights from DC area, and it's not the Caribbean?

Suze, I know that PV is your home away from home and I included it because of budget, but I don't recommend it due to the subpar beaches and the very agressive vendors/timeshares. And your right, it's not in the Caribbean.

Hubby and I went in May which is also low season to Tulum & PDC. We spent 6 days/5 nights. We spent a total of $2500 including air, hotels, food, alcohol, excursions, etc. so you could do less expensive restaurants, etc. and easily be closer to $2k or less. My budget was $3500 so it was nice coming out ahead...more to add to the next trip!

It is easy to stay in your budget and the Mayan Riviera is on the Caribbean side so the water is pretty.

http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=2245

You could always check out cheapcaribbean or applevacations to see if there are any 'deals' to be had elsewhere.

Good luck.
Trish

I would try cheapcaribbean.com or vacationstogo.com... they always seem to have some decent sounding deals within your budget

I agree that 2K is really tight for a week. You could try looking on Travelocity under the last-minute weekend deals which actually can be as long as 6 days. There are packages for air & hotel or air & car. Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Belize always seems to have great deals.

You may not consider it, but on that budget, I'd think seriously about a cruise. You can likely get on a decent boat, and fall is when they really discount. Think there's even an NCL boat that leaves out of Charleston, which you might be able to just drive down to....Another option is cheap flight to Orlando and drive over to Port Canaveral...Just think with that tight budget and fuel costs so high, a cruise might get you luxury accomodations, a couple nice ports, and more ability to enjoy the trip on that budget

Get an issue of Budget Travel magazine. They have a monthly feature called "40 Best Deals" featuring interesting budget packages in that price range to various locations world-wide.