Cheap Christmas Vacation
 

My family of 5 (all adults) is looking to travel to the Carribean over Christmas. We need something very ecomical. Does anyone have any advice about places to stay, ways to obtain cheap airline tickets, the best island for the price???

You will not find anything economical over Christmass.

I agree, there is no such thing as "economical" when it comes to Christmas in the Caribbean. For most islands, this is our busy season. I live in Grand Cayman (very expensive) but if you tell me your budget, I can certainly see what I can find out for you. I don't mind trying to help someone if you give me some parameters.

You are looking at one of the most expensive times of the year to travel and also at a time when hotels and airlines book very early sometimes 9-12 months in advance. Your best deals (if there is availability) would be the DR, Jamaica or Cancun.

We're currently planning our Xmas/NYE trip to the caribbean. It's possible but I don't know what you consider cheap. We're doing a villa/house and are currently trying to decide. They are approx. $3500+ for a week for 3 bedrooms at Xmas on St. Croix, Virgin Gorda, St. Maarten, and a few in Anguilla. Many have a 10-14 minimum stay during that time. Airfare is what's killing us.<BR><BR>T.

My family is like Tracey's - we are planning our first-ever family get-together for Christmas and most of them are from the cold frosty mid-west and are craving a warm beach vacation, so we are looking for a good deal I know high season will not be cheap but I believe in my heart I will find something reasonable. VICKI, if you would be sweet enough to pass me some ideas, I would be most grateful: we are a group of 17: 10 adult couples with 7 kids from age 10 to 18, all well-behaved and easy-going and looking for a villa or couple of private homes to rent or cottages or even shacks that are clean! Adventure is the key as we cannot afford luxury. All family-friendly sincere ideas are appreciated. Thanks

Tracey....I don't know where you're travelling from but from my location, the cheapest destinations in the caribbean are the Dominican Republic and the Mayan Riviera. The absolute best (cheapest) being the Dominican Republic. Also, we have always found that getting a package vacation (air/hotel/meals...."All Inclusive") has been the most reasonable. Have you checked that option out? If you want to check out some appropriate websites for these locations, please go to:<BR>www.bill-in-tulsa.com/<BR>www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/<BR>www.locogringo.com<BR>www.playaguide.com<BR>ww w.debbiesdominicantravel.com<BR>www.debbiescaribbe anresortreviews.com/<BR>Some of these websites offer accommodations and resort reviews.<BR>I have other websites but these are the ones I view mostly. If you can't find a travel agent willing to work with you, there are many on-line discount travel agencies. I haven't used any of them but I understand that some are very good. You could try these websites but I don't know if they service your area:<BR>www.selloffvacations.com<BR>www.escapes.c a/<BR>www.exitravel.com<BR>These might get you started and I know there are tons more.<BR><BR><BR>Cheryl, see above but please note that your group qualifies as a "group" and, as such, you should be able to get a good group rate.

I totally agree, Christmas is one of the most expensive time to travel. We usually go to the Bahamas but we book our airfare in Feb for Christmas. We have been extremely lucky and generally get our airfare for less than $340pp from BWI-Nassau. If you are able to find a hotel or condo, you may want to try the charter flights (don't know which city you will be departing from) but Apple Vacations sometimes will offer air only on their charter flights.<BR>Good Luck

Go to isla-mujeres.net and click on places to stay. Suspect you can get rooms with A/C for $40 to $100 even over christmas. Isla Mujeres is a small island 10 miles off Cancun. Food and drink are also economical on the island.

Tracy the board is right on, the holiday season is the most expensive time of the year, since everyone wants to be out of the "cold", but I think if you look around you will probably find some good deals.<BR><BR>I would suggest heading to a local travel agency and checking out any package deals available. Also Liberty Travel specializes in the Carribean so their website might have some interesting ideas for you, www.libertytravel.com.<BR><BR>You also might look into Freeport in the Bahamas, Our Lucaya has some good deals available, and the weather is comprable to S. Florida.<BR><BR>Good luck with your planning.<BR><BR>tweedy